Garmin-Asus A10 GPS Phone Review and Spec

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 09:34 AM PST

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.

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 build-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 that 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 so-so. Here are the sample photos taken using A10 and uploaded without touching (click to get full size):

Better than standalone GPS navigator?

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. It is noticeable when recalculate new routes. Garmin Asus A10 shows new routes almost immediately. While 205W takes a few seconds to calculate.

Locating satellite signal for the 1st time took about 1-2 minutes. After that, it just took 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.

Thus, you hop in car, clip A10 to the phone dock (and charging) and you are ready to go. When you left your car and un-clip A10, the build-in GPS app will automatically save your parking position. Very convenient!

However, I have a little complain. The Garmin-Asus A10 has no screen lock switch to lock the screen when GPS navigation is on. I experienced a few times that small car vibrate would activated the touch screen display and pressed random button (like ghost’s 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.