Nov 05, 2011 10:38 PM
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This is my first ever review written for any product on a website:
Background
During my visits abroad, I have frequently seen common use of the Satellite Navigators for years and always aspired to see some similar product back in our own country - India. I had thought it'd take years for any service provider to introduce any such product in Indian market given its huge geography, mostly unstructured & unplanned settlements & roads/ streets, high density of buildings/ houses and frequently changing skyline of relatively new locations - to cover in map would be really challenging, resource intensive, costly & time consuming affair.
Genesis
Although, I have been seeing few such products being introduced over the last few years in India and discussed with their users, I could not convince myself to buy one as none of them were very positive using those.
In the meantime, I was planning to go for a long road trip but was afraid of loosing my way - as it had happend couple of times in my earlier ventures. Google map can help to a certain extent, but then you end up guessing verifying landmarks all the time to ensure that you are on the right track, instead of enjoying the drive & surroundings. Cell phone based applications have their own limitations - of course this is not their main function!
Did lots of research online - offline and could find two main players in the market - SatGuide and MapmyIndia. After some surfing and enquiry from the users, I got confused as there were mixed reactions on the experience from both and products were similar.
Product specification
But just then, I stumbled upon this product called CARPAD which was being launched by mapmyindia in Sept'11. Its a tablet with 7" HD screen, 3G connectivity and Android operating system - gives turn-by-turn voice guidance using 3D maps with detailed landmarks, buildings and terrain and even house-level details. And most important - using this system does NOT need any network connectivity - this device uses satellites and there are no recurring costs associated for such use. Its maps are claimed to be loaded with over 5 million places, national-level maps for 5, 79, 000 towns and villages, street-level maps for 1200 cities, house-level maps for 18 cities and 3D landmarks and building footprints for major cities.
Features
You can call, message, mail & chat, browse web using in-built 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, watch videos on YouTube or stored movies, listen to the FM radio as well as stored music. It also has a camera - but the photo quality is real bad! It is supplied with a Car-kit containing the car charger, headrest mount, windshield mount, and Carpad holder free of cost.
Service
After sales service - they called up to check its performance couple of weeks after purchase and to confirm if I am finding it useful, also had to fill up a online survey form.
The car charger had some problem and they contacted me within an hour of submitting my complaint online. No questions asked, the replacement was with me in next 2 days. great customer service rather delight. isn't it!(at least by Indian standards!).
End use
I have recently shifted to Hyderabad, and do not know anything about the city. But I am so dependent upon this device now that I use it even for running errands. Finding out any utility office(electricity/ municipality), restaurants, hospitals, shops.any particular street, location, area. you mention & this device has it all! I just not have to worry anymore. Once you leave the city behind on a long drive, you really have to struggle to find anyone in hinterland who can understand English/ Hindi for inquirying location/ place. But this is not required anymore!
Negatives
The main negative with this device is its price. high at Rs. 23K - not sure if common masses can find value for money at this price. Regarding hardware - it does not have a USB port(mini USB is there) and the Camera picture quality is really bad.
I never imagined that this device would be so useful, before I purchased it. But now I am afraid that I may become so dependent on this device that I'll not be able to remember any roads/ areas etc. as I don't need to. What happens if it develops some snag or I realise that I am not carrying it somewhere mid way?
