Garmin Quest Handheld GPS Receiver

I recently replaced my trusty Garmin GPS V with the Garmin Quest. This review compares and contrasts the Quest to its GPS V predecessor.

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Quest Pros, versus GPS V:

* smaller (you really can't appreciate from the dimensions or pictures, until you hold it in your hands)

* lighter

* slimmer profile due to flip-up antenna

* Much faster route calculations: about 3 times faster (see below), but seems MUCH faster

* other calculations are faster, such as the "nearest waypoint or POI" calculation.

* screen drawing is much faster. You can actually scroll across screens now (painful with the GPS V).

* color screen = easier to read

* charges battery when powered by car

* more memory: 115 MB vs 19 MB (still not expandable)

* voice guidance (only when hooked to car adaptor)

* Much faster transfer of maps and other data (USB versus 9-pin Serial)

* UI improvements:
*** waypoints can by searched by category or symbol.
*** displays % calculation complete during route calculation
*** auto-zoom zooms out to show entire route, and then back in when approaching a turn (I personally do not like this and have disabled it)
*** Less key presses for common functions. To find a restaurant (excluding rocker presses) is now 2 key presses for "any" or 4 for a specific category, as opposed to the GPS V which is 5 presses with much more menu scrolling.
*** Waypoints and POI: choos display by nearest or in alphabetical order from a sub-menu of the screen that lists these.

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Quest Cons, versus GPS V:

* windshield suction mount (instead of dash or friction mount). Using Garmin OEM "Dash Disks" one can sort of work around this problem, but I prefer the GPS V dash mount system. The suction mount is also big, making it a pain to stow.

* Screen can no longer be oriented to "portrait" mode (as opposed to landscape) for easier handheld operation. Position of antenna on unit would also prevent user from holding the unit in this position.

* UI regressions:
*** GPS (satellite) info is no longer a main screen, and needs to be accessed through the main menu
*** can no longer page forward and back (only forward). That is to say the QUIT button is gone. The PAGE key now takes the place of the QUIT for exiting menus and sub-screens, but there is no button to "page backward" among the main screens like QUIT used to.
*** Turn-by-Turn no longer shows time estimates (only distance)
*** I personally miss the compass point graphic on the data page.

* Slower to achieve a fix? (subjective.....no hard data on this)

* battery not replaceable

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Other comments:

* The Quest does not recharge its battery via the USB connection. However the AC adaptor is designed such that it may be attached (and charging) while the unit it connected to the PC via the USB.

* Keypad. In addition to the rocker pad, the following keys from the GPS V can be found on the Quest with the same (or similar) functions:
- POWER, Zoom IN, Zoom OUT, FIND, Page (labeled with an Icon instead of the word "PAGE", and MENU. The GPS V's ENTER key is now labeled OK.
- The one new key on the Quest is the "speaker" key (labeled with a speaker icon), which is used to repeat the last voice command.

* With little exception, my familiarity with the GPS V controls allowed me to navigate easily through the Quest functions right out of the box.

* Unlike the iQue, flipping the Antenna down does not automatically disable the GPS.

* Signal strengths seem equivalent. Performing a "stress test" where each unit attempts to achieve satellite signal from inside my office, both units appear to get similar signal strengths for each satellite (and yes, they both can get a fix from inside my office).

* Route Calculation times

51.4 mi route to a restaurant via streets and highways
Quest: 10 s
GPS V: 35 s

31 mi to a city, mostly via highway
Quest: 5 s
GPS V: 15 s

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Summary

So far I am happy with the Quest. The clear screen, faster calculations, and more memory are obvious wins.