NaviGadget

ASUS MyPal A636 Review

Mar 28, 2006 asus, gps navigation, reviews

The ASUS A636 and A632 are the first Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PCs with integrated GPS to hit the US market. We’ll take a look at the full-featured A636 which offers the SiRF Star III GPS chipset, WiFi, Bluetooth, an SD card slot, 256 meg SD card with Destinator navigation software, Destinator PN navigation and mapping software on two CDs (US, Canada, Route USA) and a brilliant QVGA display (the A632 is the same but lacks WiFi and adds a mini SD slot).

In the Box

The A636 comes with a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, charger, car charger, USB sync cable, car cradle (you can plug the car charger into the cradle), flexible arm for in-vehicle mounting (attaches to cradle), software CD, manual, 256 meg SD card and Destinator software with maps of the US and Canada on two CDs.

Design and Ergonomics

Looks-wise, the A636 has a face that only a mother could love. For those of you who’ve been long time Pocket PC users, the A636 reminds me of the old Casio E-200. Despite its unabashedly gray rectangular looks and reasonable bulk, the unit is actually extremely well designed and thought out. It works equally well in portrait and landscape modes (nice for mapping), has a slim GPS receiver panel that folds flush into the back of the PDA and sports large, easy-to-use when driving controls. It might not have the stylish good looks of the non-GPS ASUS A730w, but its ergonomics are excellent. The large 3/4″ speaker grille faces front and ensures that you’ll hear voice guidance in the car, and the A636 has both a directional pad and an application launcher pad that’s arranged much like a d-pad for easy use.

The 1″ x 1″ GPS receiver flips out toward the right side and swivels so you can keep the antenna’s flat panel facing the sky for best reception. The receiver has a socket should you wish to connect an external antenna. The recessed power button and SD card slot are located up top and the IR window is on the right side. The combined sync and charge connector are on the bottom edge, as is the soft reset button. The casing is made of plastic (mid-gray with dark gray accents) and the ASUS A636 has a 3.5″ 240 x 320 display. The mic sits just below and to the right of the d-pad, and the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with rubber cover is on the bottom right edge. The A636 is on the big side but not terribly heavy at 6.5 ounces. It’s similar in length and width to the Garmin iQue M3 and Garmin iQue M5 but is thicker. Keep in mind that the A636 manages to fit WiFi and a user replaceable battery into that added thickness, both worthy causes. Interestingly, the ASUS and Garmin are similar in size overall but the ASUS seems bigger because of its brick-like form factor…

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