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My friend and my brother who have this units got the same problem. The Pharos 150 I have took me to places fine ONLY if it started. And, most of the time on a clear sky, it sitll couldn't find the satelite signals. We now tossed them to the corner and bought a better known-name ones. Good luck if you're having a Pharos brand.
I have give an F to the Pharos people because in 2009, they are still supplying the unit with 2006 maps. The unit had no clue what to do. But it realized its mistake immediately when I continued on I-5, there upon, instead of bringing me back to I-580, it insisted on taking some minor route into SF (which I ignored). It seemed like a steal. But my PDA crashed recently and I decided that I should look for a simpler alternative.
I found PDR 150 at amazon for $54 with free shipping. The unit did not like it either and kept insisting on taking me back to the same old place and make that dreaded left turn (even though the ramp to 101 was 0.2 miles away it insisted on making me drive ~10 miles on local roads). The combination although a bit clumsy worked out extremely well for me in last few years. They claim that the maps are updated annually.
I went back on I-5 and turned around to take I-580 and the unit managed to do well for rest of the way. I decided to make a right turn and take the next exit so I could turn around. The product arrived in good shape and worked right out of the box. It goes to show how much they care about keeping their customers happy and up to date. Needless to say that the route racalculation capability will benefit from a complete overhaul.
I have always used Iguidance+Pharos iGPS360 coupled to my PDA for GPS navigation. On the way back from SF, we decided to take PCH to Santa Cruz (where the unit does not help). But then we got stuck in Santa Cruz because of a road block and things went crazy. it took us round a block three times and then finally led us to US 101 but there it wanted me to make a left turn on the highway (unfortunately such left turns still exist) with vehicles zooming past me at 65 miles an hour. First glitch came at the point where I-5 separates from I-580. May be when Pharos comes to release New maps (do not know when) they would have a newer algorithm for route recalculation built into the system. Which brings me to the point that I needed a GS unit with TTS capability under $100 (a difficult to achieve target).
I also tried the walking mode on teh GPS, the problem was that the unit constantly kept losing signal and I had to stand at a place for nearly 2 minuets until signal was locked only to find that I lost that signal again in half a block. Well I decided to put the unit to test by going on a trip from LA to San Francisco. I was supposed to take I-580, but the unit seemed to insist that I needed to go further on I-5 before merging into I-580. Finally when I got to 101 things settled and the unit realized where we were and then we were OK. In conclusion, this unit is OK for a beginner but an advanced user would be better off going with a more sophisticated unit.
Given the fact that button was like that from day one, I thought it was designed that way, and I've been using it like that for almost a year without any problem, I didn't buy their excuse. Got one from Amazon awhile back. Had to send in for warranty service recently due to the image distortion issue.Without even open the box, Pharos' customer support claimed that was a reset button got broken because it was not clearly visible and asked for $40 to fix it. But they wouldn't do anything else until after that button is fixed and they wouldn't fix it unless I pay them $40.So beware, inspect your device and even if the reset button is slightly below the surface of the box, return it immediately or your warranty would be voided. Or even better, don't buy any Pharos device.
I was completely wrong, and I'm so sorry I bought this for him. No tall buildings here.just a nice clear view of the sky. Nothing. I took this unit out yesterday to test it after getting it back from Pharos, supposedly fixed. No matter the time of day, weather or location, this thing very rarely got a signal and would just state "GPS signal, too low" over and over again. Besides that, its not user friendly.
I didn't have unrealistic expectations -- for the price, I figured it won't be as nice looking or solid, but will get the job done. I think the garmin brand is fantastic and can even be used by my mom, who can barely get online and go websurfing. So I emailed Pharos and sent it in to be checked out. I picked this particular one because it states that it: speaks street name, had POI's(points of interest), had a speed warning and a stylus. My garmin takes about 1-2 minutes tops.
It sounded very similar to all my favorite garmin features. I started looking into different brands because of the wide price difference figuring, hey, they all just give you directions, right. Also the points of interest are useless. He had been asking for a GPS for awhile after using my Garmin Nuvi 360(amazing GPS). I am a tech addict, I can figure out how just about anything works and use it without a manual. Lets just say you're lucky if it will get you 20 feet in the correct direction.We live a few miles outside of Boston, but in a suburban area. I tried both ways of having it search for "grocery stores" around me, or just typing in "shaw's", it gave me a Shaw's 40 miles from me when I know there is one about 1/2 a mile down the street. If I'm driving, forget it.
I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas. I wish I had spent the extra 40-50 bucks to get my boyfriend the garmin. I get confused and annoyed trying to navigate the Pharos screens. After waiting 45 minutes for a signal, I plugged in stores in my town to see if they would come up. Maybe 45 minutes to get a signal. Points of interest is my favorite feature of the garmin, that I can be an hour from my house in an unknown place and find a target or walmart.When I complained to Pharos that it still is not working correctly(or at all), they told me to "plug it in to a power source, and let it sit in an unmoving car for 4-5 minutes to aquire a signal". It makes me feel guilty every time he tries to use it and it doesn't work. So, the walking gps part of this is clearly useless, since you can't be plugged in to power and taking a walking tour while your perhaps on vacation, which is a feature that is offered by the main menu of this unit.Take the plunge and put a few extra bucks towards a good brand GPS, buying a cheapo unit like the pharos will only leave you frustrated and feeling ripped off.
They sent it back, and it now will acquire a signal, after sitting in the car for 1/2 hour, without moving. This is NOT how a GPS is suppose to work. They were giving me stores in Connecticut(I'm in MA). I've been seeing nice Garmin units that speak the street names(which was one of my must criteria) for 120-150.
However, the manufacturer of this GPS hasn't been looking serious to release any new map releases. Now, we have entered the second Quarter of 2009, and they are saying "We will inform you when the updates are available. Well, this is a good GPS. They always gave a "pre-written" answer that "Map creation is a long task and developers are working on it." Well, Now, its almost 1 year. You will find better deals for one of these on dealsofamerica. I purchased this unit on July 11th, 2008 and I got the maps of 2006 Q2. Then, they said it will be in the begining of 2009.
However, One thing is clear, there has been a newer version of Destinator[v 8.0] on Omnia GPS and it has Maps of 2007 Q3 [You can search for it on gps hacking sites to update ur PDR 150 and 200]So, my advice is dont waste your money on something that is neither up to date nor will perhaps ever be able to get upto date. The software is Destinator version 7.0, it's solid performer. Currently our developers are working on it and we can't give u estimates."I dont know if their developers are making maps by hand or what. Till then, I had been asking them many times when will be the new maps be available, but they are just beating about the bush. First they informed me that new maps will be available by the end of the year 2008. Instead, take a more recognised GPS like Garmin, TomTom or Navigon. At least, you will be then be able to have map updates.This unit no doubt worked well, but its worthless to have a GPS unit in 2009 with 2006 Q2 Maps.
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