11. Wireless Remote Capabilities

This is where the 810 really shines. Harman/Kardon crafted a system called the Drive + Play system which allows the user to hook up their iPod to the system and use the wireless remote to blindly navigate the system from any convenient location of the drivers choice.

Figure 52: Wireless Remote

The 810's wireless remote has a total of 5 buttons and a twist ring:

1. Top Button - This button is kind of a context button, it only works on certain menus. I hard a hard time figure out which ones because of the lack of proper documentation.
2. Left Button - The left button is always used to access the bottom left menu.
3. Twist Ring - This ring is twisted either left or right to go through menus, lists or letters. Using this in conjunctions with the big center button is used to access everything you need.
4. Bottom Button - This button accesses the bottom center menu if it is available.
5. Right Button - This button accesses the bottom right menu.
6. Center Button - This big center button is used like you would use you left mouse button. It is your basic selection button. It selects whatever you highlight with the twist ring.

Figure 53: Wireless Remote in use

The remote might take some getting used to, but it is by far my favorite feature of the 810. It makes using the unit while driving much easier and much safer.

I would love to see more units incorporate wireless remotes. Maybe even something steering wheel mounted.

12. Pros

• Feels well built, solid
• High performance SiRF GPS receiver
• Integrated traffic receiver
• Large POI database (12 million) is larger than most
• Beautiful display and hardware design
• Fast route calculation
• Easy to use
• Innovative wireless remote
• Good mutlimedia functions
• Loud speaker
• Well designed windshield mount

13. Cons

• Horrible Bluetooth support
• Unuseable FM Transmitter
• Glitchy when multitasking
• Poor documentation
• Limited Options and Settings
• Occasional freeze/hanging

14. Conclusion

The 810 is a major improvement over Harman/Kardon's previous GPS models, and brings good looks and decent GPS performance to the table. Routing was exceptionally fast, and I was quite fond of the wireless remote, which can be used to operate all functions of the 810. The Guide + Play iPod integration was also a nice plus.

Given Harman/Kardon's long history of success in the audio equipment world, so I had high expectations for the 810's multimedia capabilities. The results are mixed; although the 810 supports more formats than most units, and has some nice features, user interface quirks and reliability issues prevented me from considering the overall experience a polished one. On several occasions the unit would hang for several seconds, and it completely froze up on me a more than once. Bluetooth support was also poor.

Overall the Harman/Kardon 810-GPS is a good looking GPS that differentiates itself with the Guide + Play wireless remote and iPod integration. The 810 does a lot, but nothing particularly well. If video playback is important to you, the 810-GPS might be an option. However, given the relatively high price tag, those looking for a more reliable GPS might want to look elsewhere, or wait until Harman/Kardon irons out some of the kinks.