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Qstarz Packs Big Features in Small Package (2/2)
Qstarz BT-Q1300 Travel Recorder Nano
HELP SUPPORT
Qstarz offers e-mail support
for its GPS devices and places its manuals online as PDF downloads. FAQs
are also available on the Qstarz web site.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The BT-Q1300 can be used with any Bluetooth-capable cell phone, laptop or other device.
It can also be used with a laptop through a wired USB connection. You will need additional tracking or
navigation software to actually use the device for navigation. Fortunately, you can use free software, such as Google Maps
for Mobile or Windows Live Search, on Windows Mobile devices.
Configuration of the BT-Q1300 requires a USB connection to a desktop or laptop PC.
BUGS AND WISHES
The keychain design is a nice approach to a mobile GPS solution. It's convenient
to always keep it with you. However, during my short experience with the BT-Q1300,
it looks like the front of the device will quickly show a lot of scratches. This
is to be expected with keychains, but I wonder if a brushed aluminum case might be
less likely to show scratches.
As with other Qstarz GPS devices, the battery indicator on the BT-Q1300 is always on during charging and
begins to flash when the battery is fully charged. The GPS signal LED is always on while
looking for a signal and flashes when a signal is acquired. The Bluetooth LED is always on
while awaiting a Bluetooth connection and flashes once a connection is established. Though
this is a minor point, all of this seems backwards to me and I would have expected the exact
opposite meanings for always on and flashing for all three LEDs.
PURCHASING
The BT-Q1300 is not available
directly from Qstarz, but can be purchased from other online retailers, such as Buy GPS Now.
Retail pricing is $139.95, but you can probably get it for roughly $99 plus shipping/handling.
PROS
Very fast signal acquisition
Convenient slim keychain design
Simultaneous navigation and data logging capabilities
Geotagging support
Wireless Bluetooth and wired USB capability
CONS
- Requires additional software for navigation
- Case will tend to show scratches quickly
| Value |  |
| Ease of Use | |
| Features |  |
Overall |
|
OVERALL IMPRESSION
The Qstarz BT-Q1300 is an easy to use and reliable Bluetooth GPS. The keychain
design is a very convenient way of keeping your GPS with you. Although battery
life is not as long as some other Qstarz devices, it is still more than sufficient for a day's
activities and the BT-Q1300 still provides very fast signal acquisition. The addition of
simultaneous navigation and data logging is a welcome improvement over previous Qstarz data
loggers I've used. If you are looking for a GPS unit that will work with both your mobile
phone and a non-Bluetooth laptop, you'll want to consider this unit. Personally, I'm not used
to having much on my keychain, so I'm still getting used to carrying around this GPS. However, I will
continue to see how I adjust to it since I've found myself on the road one too many times wishing I
hadn't forgotten my GPS.
