Garmin-Asus A10 GPS Phone Review and Spec
I received a Garmin-Asus A10 GPS Android phone for review, including a Garmin-Asus car kit. Read on to find out more on Garmin-Asus A10 phone spec and review.
Table of Contents
Garmin-Asus A10 Spec
Garmin Asus A10 is powered by a 600Mhz processor, Android OS 2.1 (Eclair) with 512MB RAM and 512MB ROM. 4GB internal storage and support external microSD memory card up to 32GB.
The display is 3.2 inch HVGA, 320×480 pixel resolution and 256K colors,. The built-in auto focus camera is 5 MegaPixel. Battery capacity is 1500mAh.
There is no physical menu button but 3 virtual buttons. The virtual buttons are not sensitive and sometimes they do not register my finger taps.
Though the processor is not as powerful as higher-end Android smartphones, apps launching and running are smooth and no noticeable lagging.
Garmin-Asus A10 5MP camera
The photo quality from the Garmin-Asus A10 5MP autofocus camera is only so-so. Here are some sample photos taken using A10 and uploaded without touching (click to get full size):
With more powerful processor, more RAM, better touch screen display, Garmin-Asus A10 is definitely better than my old standalone Garmin nüvi 205W GPS navigator
Locating satellite signal for the 1st time took about 1-2 minutes. After that, it only takes seconds to lock the satellite signal.
I received the Garmin-Asus A10 with its dedicated car kit: windscreen mount, charger, phone dock. The car kit charger connects to phone dock, instead of A10.
You can: hop into your car, clip A10 to the phone dock (and charg) and you are ready to go. When you leave your car and un-clip A10, the build-in GPS app will automatically save your parking position. Very convenient!
However, I have a little complaint. The Garmin-Asus A10 has no screen lock switch to lock the screen when GPS navigation is on. I experienced a few times that with little vibrations of the car would activate the touch screen display and random buttons are activated (as if ghost were tapping your smartphone). It is kind of annoying and dangerous.
Download Garmin-Asus A10 map updates
The Garmin map for Garmin-Asus A10 can be updated via web browser (if update available). You may also purchase additional maps on Garmin store.
How to install your own GPS map?
OK, you would like to use your own free community support map in Garmin-Asus A10. No problem! I found a forum thread for the instruction: create a “Map” folder and copy your map file (your-map-file.img) into it. Then select to use the map from Settings → Navigation → Map Info.
LiewCF’s Buying Advice
The Garmin GPS navigation for Android is great and you do not get it on other brand’s Android phone. If you do not have a GPS device nor a smartphone, you can have both at once with Garmin-Asus A10.
If you already own a standalone GPS device, I would recommend you to save a bit more for a better Android smartphone, such as HTC Aria (read my previous HTC Aria review).
The recommended retail price of Garmin-Asus A10 is RM1399.
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This is a *free* product review with honest write-up. If you are interested to submit your products for review, please write to lcf@liewcf.com
I own and using it for almost 2 months. It is indeed an excellent phone if you need a good GPS navigator! It also has really good hardware as well compared with the android phones with similar price range in the market.
However the customer service that Asus Malaysia provides is a nightmare! They gave a lot of empty promises. And, fail to provide ROM update to Froyo is most disappointed, excuses given are Garmin Nuvi 1460 not compatible with Froyo…! Asus, don’t bluff us… if it is not compatible.. just make it compatible.. Garmin is a software! Garmin is not hardwired into the phone. Software can be patched and adapted to make it compatible with Froyo!
Yup, my keyword research showed that many people are looking for Froyo update for A10.
I guess Asus is taking a long time to update the Garmin software for Froyo, which is bad. :-/
By the way, Garmin released GPS app for iOS and I am looking forward for it.
If Garmin GPS app for iOS is able to navigate in Malaysia, i’ll dump the A10 and get myself an iPhone. Anyway, it is good enough for average users if you’re not a geeky as me. In fact it is the best choice out there.
but this is very expensive for a phone