Acer N35 GPS Receiver

The Acer N35 is aimed at people, like myself, who want a PDA & Sat-Nav combination without the heavy price tag.

To start with, the unit is pretty light, you can slip it into your pocket (if you have big man-sized pockets that is) and comes with a little leathery pouch to protect it from scratches.

Although the light feel to the device is an upside, the downside is the unit doesn't feel sturdy. It's casing is all plastic and lacks the luxurious feel of other materials used for PDA's. Then again, at the price range, this is what you would expect.

The unit itself runs without any problems. On the back there is a flip-up GPS Antenna built in which, when closed, sits flush with the case. You can easily rest this PDA on a flat surface.

The unit comes with Window Mobile 2003/CE pre-installed and Pocket Office. If you use a windows based computer and wish to keep things organised, you will feel the benefits of using Microsoft ActiveSync (included on a CD).

One of my few gripes would be (following on from the materials used) would be once the GPS antenna is flipped up, it can seem quite flimsy. I'm sure if the unit was dropped and landed upside down, you could do significant damage and maybe even stop it from working.

On the whole this is a good device, is just right for the target audience and doesn't break the bank. It works brilliant with TomTom Navigator 6 and saves having to have a separate Bluetooth GPS receiver.

This is defiantly worth a 4 / 5.

I must say a great value product,
you have all you earlly need, as has been said worth the upgrade to tom tom, and a external attenna may be worht a look, a must with heated screens!

Not just a GPS, it's also a handheld computer with all the things I need.
Word, Excel, Messemger, Email etc.
If I had to reccomend a GPS system I'd reccomend one of these.

If you are looking for SAT NAV with built in GPS then Acer N35 is the answer.
Own it for one year, never had any problems with that.

I purchased 2 of these units and they both worked well for the first year or so, I upgraded to Tom Tom and this was very worthwhile as the Nav software supplied is a bit basic.

Now the BAD bit...... the connector used to charge / connect the unit to a pc or in car charger is extremly flimsy, It has broken on both units (neither has been mishandled) but it cannot cope with the constant unplugging when removing from the car. Cost of £100 to repair each PDA then both broke again within 3 months. Excellent PDA - Poor build quality - Very bad reliability. When the battery goes flat all settings are lost, so anything you have stored on the PDA (not the memory card) will be lost so you will have to constantly keep it plugged in.

USB connection is totaly rubish.
I cant update the WM OS from 2003 to 2003SE, but if you managed to update it you experiens lots of trouble as I have.
in fact I wouldn't recommend this PDA to anyone as it is not worth what you pay for.
I was ignored when I wrote an email to Acer about this PDA well no replay means customers care is out the door.
Please do your self a favour get your self any PDA with sat/Nav other than Acer N35. I bought Medion PPC 250 for £25 and is running like a treat though the sat nave is not built in the reception is great never let me down. Well you have been advised now is up to you.

I have used the ACER N35's sat nav feature for several years and found the it generally very good. I have used both the Dentinator (supplied with the N35) and Tom Tom sat nav software, but prefer Destinator as it allows access to large area maps more easily, and does not react to every touch of the screen.

The downside of the N35 is that it can be initially slow to pick up satellites, but once connected it works extremely well. More importantly the socket on the bottom edge, for power and data, is a poor design. The clamping metals on the plug are easily damaged and with the PDA mounted in a cradle, the vibration causes it to disconnect. Also the socket is easily damaged or pushed off the motherboard. These days I no longer use a cradle, thereby reducing the plug/socket connection problem.

Apart from the two games I have not really used the PDA features, but a useful range of software including Word, Excel and Windows Media Player come with it.

I would not consider buying this new, there are more up-to-date models available, but as a second hand buy, at the right price, well worth it.

i already have one acer N35. its has great performance and very useful for me.
as a builder its very helpful for me to note the appointments, invoices, details of my clients and also guide to me to reach them. i brought the second one from eBay because i want to keep it for standby.

I use it as a GPS for walking its OK but better for roads its not the n35 its the TOMTOM thats weak for walking