Harman Kardon GPS-300
May
29
2007
Hot off the heals of the release of the GPS 500 from Harman Kardon comes news of a newer younger sibling, the Harman Kardon GPS-300. As with most early notifications, not too many specifics are known about this device yet. We loved the GPS-500, so we are glad to see that the GPS-300 appears to have many of the same qualities, a compact slim size, a good 4″ widescreen display, as well as the ability to play MP3 music files. The one difference we do know about is that the 300 will not incorporate a video player.
We expect to see this device appearing on store shelves in about three to four weeks and the initial street prices should be in the neighborhood of $299 making it one of the cheapest widescreen GPS models available.
I am glad HK added the photo viewing capability to the 300. Wonder why it was not available with the 500? I just preordered the 300 and can’t wait to get it.
I’m not positive the 300 will come with a photo viewer. I’ve seen indications both ways. I guess we’ll see when they start shipping.
Maybe I’m missing something here. I just received my GPS-300, and I have a question since you “loved the GPS-500″: How do you update either the POI or maps database? Looks to me like I just bought a GPS whose maps are set in stone.
Updates would be transferred to the device via the included USB cable.
Tim, wow, thanks for the quick reply. No offense, but are you guessing here, or do you know? I ask only out of ignorance, seeing as how there appears to be no “upgrade this device” or “upgrade map” selection either in the user interface or referenced in the manual. The only reference to the USB connection in the manual is for charging the device and loading audio files for the player.
I don’t know for an absolute fact, but that is just because it hasn’t happened yet. Map/POI updates are typically released annually by GPS providers. Since the HK GPS devices are still very new, the updates haven’t been released yet. You won’t find any procedures in the manuals of devices from other manufacturers either, so that is fairly normal.
Also, HK doesn’t manufacturer the GPS themselves, nor do they write the software. They just provide the specifications of what they want. The company they use for hardware and software also make devices for dozens of other small GPS companies, all of whom offer map updates on DVDs that you purchase and then update the device through the USB interface. Therefore much of the code and development work needed for the updates already exists, it would just need to be ever so slightly adapted for use with the HK designs.
So I can’t say with 100% certainty that HK will make available those updates, but it is highly likely that they will.
There are a few really small GPS companies out there who have not yet provided map updates to their customers, but HK has at least told me via email that map updates will be made available in the future.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Tim. Sounds reasonable.
Here’s the response I received from H/K:
The POI and map updates will be made available through our website. At the moment, the map set you have in your GPS-300 was created in October of 2006 and is the most current set available. However, we should have updates available on our site within the year. I apologize for the ambiguity of my answer, but that is the most current information I have available.
does the gps300 speak the street names as well as show them on the screen?
It does not have text to speech but it does show street names on the screen.
I HAVE USED THE FIRE OUT OF THIS HARMON 300 AND I JUST ARRIVED BACK FROM TEXAS I USED THIS UNIT FOR
5,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND NOW I CAN NEVER GET LOST, I HAVE USED THE MP3 PLAYER WITH A GIG CARD
AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY WITH CDS GETTING LOST
I WOULD SAY THIS IS THE BEST UNIT YET…
H/K still says “updates are coming and will be posted on their website,” but no ETA. I like the GPS-300 fine (although I’d now spring for the model that has text-to-speech so that the thing says “turn right on Elm Street” vice “turn right in 300 ft” (which can be confusing if there are multiple, close turns).
Had two interesting things happen on a trip over Thanksgiving. (1) We visited Barber Motorsports in Birmingham, AL. The museum wasn’t in the POI database, but the road it’s on wasn’t in the database, either (and Barber’s been there for years). So for a while the GPS showed us as off-roading, no useful information (we ended up getting driving information via a web site and then entering the nearest street intersection as the destination). (2) Driving around Birmingham, we specified a large, popular mall (in the POI) as the destination. At one point, the H/K directed us to make three successive right-hand turns, some going through business parking lots (and you know what happens when you make three right-hand turns, right?). When we got back to the main drag, it did a “recalculate” and got us to our destination with no further problem.
Jim - Right turns are statistically faster than left turns which is why you sometimes see GPS devices favor a slightly longer route with a right turn over a shorter route with a left turn, but I agree that seems excessive. It could also be an error in the underlying map that thinks there is a left turn restriction at that intersection.
Like to know more on how to use my harmon/karmon gps unit,as the manual does not give very good direction on how to use this unit. !!
Just purchased the H/K 310 for a gift for my 87 year old dad. It is still sealed and I could not find one as a display model to test out. I have read the above reviews and wonder if the car charger can be used as full time power to the unit while driving and using the GPS. Also, is the user interface as straight forward and easy to see as the Magellan and Garmin? Once he opens it the return policy is not as easy. Don’t want to make a big mistake.
Gail, the charger can be used to power the unit full time while driving. The user interface is a little different than, but not much more complicated than other models.
Tim,
Thank you. My dad can easily handle the Magellan and Garmin screens. It sounds like “not much more complicated” might be OK. Also, I thought the charger could be used but was confused by the comments about short battery life on a trip. Now my only concern is if he wants to subscribe to traffic updates. The 310 doesn’t have that option. I could change to the Maestro 4250 for a bit more money.
Right, short battery life complaints would only apply if you didn’t take the power adapter with you. I don’t believe H/K offers any traffic service with the 310.
Hello,
I just ordered the GPS 310 from Harman Kardon. On the site it said that it supports text to speech. But I am not certain since I havrnt received it as yet. SO do you know if it has this capability.
Also, this is the first time ever that I am buying a GPS. So anything special I need to do or keep in mind while installing it? I read the above comments regarding updates.
Thanks.
I am considering purchasing the Harman Kardon 300. My first GPS unit. I was told that the 300 has the capability of multiple points of interest in one trip. Is this true? Does anyone know which the 300 has, turn by turn or text to speech?
Just purchased Harmon-Kardon 310. I can receive a signal standing in one place on my deck, BUT just made a 2 hour urban trip and never received a GPS signal. This started in, but was not confined to, downtown Seattle. Should I return unit? Try something I don’t know about or what?
Mark you might want to check out the tips in our acquiring satellites article.
I have tried the suggested procedure, to no avail.
Unit was outside, on deck, clear view of skies, for 40 minutes. No signal.
I’d send it back.
Hello Everone,
One disturbing thing I’ve noticed after looking at the manuals online and spending an hour at the store with both models is that you can’t tap a point on the screen or your current location and create a poi. This is particularly useful when your house or a business isn’t in the database.
Hello,
I found your site very useful and decided to buy the hk gps-310. After I received it I believe I’m having a problem with my windshield. Everytime I put the unit on the dash or the window mount, I lose signal. What can I do to remedy this situation? Does this unit have the ability to invoke the use of an exterior antennea? On the buy.com website it said it does, however the hk tech said no. It has a funky little spot on the back where it looks like a miniature antennea cable could be plugged in. Any help would be much appreciated. thanks
I returned my HK 310 and got a Garmin. That said, there is definitely an antenna port on the rear of the unit. Even a paper clip making a connection to it improves the signal, so I would guess an antenna might be a good bet.
Of the few HK GPS devices I’ve played with, one certainly had an issue with satellite reception. I took a gamble and took it apart to find that the internal antenna cable was in a strained position. I moved the antenna cable a bit and since then the reception has been great again. I haven’t heard of any other specific cases like mine to know if it was an isolated issue or not.
Tim,
Can you tell me how you went apart taking your unit apart. I have taken out the screws but cannot get the cover off.
Thanks,
Roy
I really don’t recall. I don’t have it with me and I’m traveling this week so it would be some time before I could physically take a look. I don’t recall it being substantially different than opening the plastic shell on most devices with some careful and strategically placed poking.
Hello again,
Got an external antenna and my gps logs on in seconds. No lost signals and connects on all channels with an extremely strong signal. I love the 12 million poi’s, which is the soul reason I bought the HK. I like to wander out in nowhere and get lost. Now when I get hungry, it takes me right to where I want to go. I asked dealer if I have metal sintered glass, and he had no idea!
thanks all. love my HK with antenna–suggest everyone get one.
I’ve returned three gps-300’s for bad reception, 2 worked for a while before losing reception. 1 of them never had reception to begin with. Also, they’ve been telling me they’ll have map updates and poi updates every month through support. You can pretty much bet the only way you’re going to get a map update or poi update through them is by getting a new unit. They didn’t even have a single support page for the GPS-300 and GPS-500 until the 310 and 510 came out!
I agree about support. It’s clear from Harman/Kardon’s web site that GPS is not a major emphasis; for that matter, it doesn’t seem as if customer support is, either. You can get positive responses such as, “an update is coming Real Soon Now” when you submit a question via the web interface, but seeing is believing. Also, the support site says there’s no accessories available for the GPS-300; when I emailed, I got a response that suggested I should have known to write hcgparts@harman.com for accessories such as a spare mount.
Here’s the response I got most recently, dated Jan 3 2008, in its entirety, HTH:
————————————-
Good evening and thanks for your inquiry. Actually, we are hoping to release an update for mapping software within the next month or so which
can be applied to all units going forward. A(s) for accessories, you can certainly purchase them directly from our parts department by contacting
them at mailto:hcgparts@harman.com I am sure they will be more than happy to help you.
I got a GPS-310NA for Christmas. Love it! Easy to use (just start playing and in no time will figure it out) Have had a couple cases where lost signal, but waited a few mins. and found it again. We use it in our RV and in our tow car. Does have spoken street and hwy names. We like the campground features.
I just downloaded an update for the HK GPS300 today. It doesn’t say what is in the update, but there is an update.
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_support/support_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=&prod=GPS-300NA&sjump=&#active
click the “we have an update for your product”. one thing…they require that you have an SD card to download the update to with at least 128 meg available. needless to say… I had to go buy one.
I am hoping this update brings this device on par with my Tom Tom One XLS….which I love. This GPS leaves a lot to be desired. It has POI’s that are crazy out of date (3 years or more).
Good on you for posting that update information, Rick.
If I had to do it over again, I’d buy a mainstream vendor’s (such as Garmin or Tom Tom) product. Harman Kardon seems to treat their GPS devices (at least this one) as poor stepchildren. And they REALLY need to get their act together with regard to support (I registered this product, wasn’t notified of the update; plus if you go to the product information page for the GPS-300, there’s no indication there’s an update available).
Hi all,
I was just wandering what type of an antenna the a300/310’s have.
Help. We bought the 310 for Christmas this year. It was working fine and then yesterday it had a brain meltdown. It went into music trial mode, a mode we never use and refused to go back to navigation. The screen got very, very slow. The opening warning to not drive and use it came on one line at a time with a few seconds between lines. It was not running on battery but plugged in. We turned it off and waited a long time turned it on again but no luck. It is always plugged in so the battery is not an issue. Any help. Anyone ever have this problem.
Al - by “antenna” do you mean the chipset, or do you actually want to know what type of antenna they use. If the latter… I have no idea.
I’m not sure, I just want to know if it has a sirfstarIII? or something like that. Most of the one’s I’ve looked at say they this type of internal antenna with however many channels(12 to 20 usually). And when I read alot of reviews, they say this is the best type far better than the older types(waas maybe?). I can’t seem to find the info on-line. I contacted HK, and that guy didn’t know, it wasn’t in his info he’d have to find out, but never heard from since.
Thanks Al
A few years ago when the SiRFstarIII chipset came out, it was leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. Quite a bit has happened since then. Other companies have largely caught up with SiRF and the performance advantage they had is largely gone.
So a few years ago the SiRFstarIII chipset was indeed something to look for to get a GPS with good signal performance. Now that the competition has caught up, it is no longer the indicator it once was. The chip is still good, but there are plenty of other good chips out there now too. The signal performance I’ve had with the Harman Kardon GPS devices has been very good. They are currently using the Centrality Atlas II processor/chipset.
My GPS-300 just glitched. Screen displays lock everytime it’s touched even though the lock switch on the left side of unit is not activated. I have two of these units and this is a first for me. Can the unit be opened to check switch from inside? H/K support didn’t have a clue. Only suggested a return to them for repair or replace.
I’m glad to see all the comments; it gives me something to think about. I have a 2 yr. old Magellan Roadmate that works pretty well. I’m interested in a good GPS unit that allows you to listen to MP3’s while in nav. mode. HK appears to be the only brand that advertises this. What’s peoples experience in this situation?
My suggestion would be to get a better GPS and a different, separate way to play MP3s. Just my opinion, but I think the Harman Kardon is mediocre, at best. My two current complaints: the POI database doesn’t contain Port Canaveral, from which lots of cruise ships depart; and, even if you should use the map feature and find the approximate place you want to get to, you can’t mark the spot and save it at a destination. If the POI database doesn’t contain your destination, your only solution is to find a street address and punch that in. I’m not impressed, but maybe I’m expecting too much.
Here’s one of the reasons I’m unimpressed by Harman Kardon’s GPSes. According to Tele Atlas, the map provider for HK, “about 3 million changes are made to the maps each month, from new construction to two-way streets that have become one-ways to new toll roads.” (From a WSJ article on GPS yesterday) And HK has released, what, one update in the past year? Again, maybe my expectations are too great, but my next GPS purchase will be for one with much more frequent updates (even if not gratis). For that matter, has anyone seen any POI changes in the currently available update, or does it affect only operation of the device?
Jim, unlike the road database manufacturers don’t put every known POI on the GPS. Typically only about 5%-25% of them.
Most manufacturers offer map updates from their map supplier about once per year for about $80.
I have just bought a 300 [snip, see comment policy]. I bought it instead of the others they had for the TMC facility. However, it doesn’t seem to work very well. I’ve spent 2 journeys on motorways through appalling traffic with long delays without any input from the device. Mainly it seems to flick continually through the channels saying ‘no TMC’. Occasionally the channels have a name, and once there was ‘tmc info’ below a channel name.
Is this a reception problem? How can I improve this? Where’s the best place to put the antenna? Or do I need to buy a better antenna?
Otherwise it all seems to be working reasonably well; it’s nice to be able to play the music through my audio system. It’s got a clumsily designed interfac with little menu buttons and non-intuitive sequences, though.
Looking at the 300 and it’s mp3 capability. I plan on installation on my touring bike and with handelbar space an issue want to be able to replace my IPod with the 300. Does this unit have the same headphone jack as an Ipod so I can route through my OEM sound system? And can I have music playing while having the map up?
Ray, it has a standard (sub-mini?) headphone jack, and yes, you can switch to the map/navigation mode with the music playing. Any driving instructions will get routed to your sound system, too.
Silly question - can you add where you are now as a favourite? I can’t find any way to save the current position, which is a bit annoying. I’m hoping I’m just being dense and that you can tell me how
(And has anyone found instructions other than the quick start guide?)
Jackie,
As far as I can tell, you can’t do that, at least with the North American version (the way you spell “favourite” suggests you may not be a fellow Yankee!). You also cannot find a place on the map, mark it, and set that as a destination, which I find a serious shortcoming.
Can an extended warranty be purchased for this gps and where would one do that? I will be buying it through Amazon.com
Has anyone had a problem with the HK gps-300 freezing after the update? mine wont get past the initial boot screen. I am quite upset, I just bought it yesterday. I noticed that there was an upgrade of course I wanted to get the newest maps, so i did it, now i’m sorry cause it dont work at all…. anybody get any input on this one??
Zach, I think it is just an application update and not a map update, but I could be mistaken.
Zach, I needed to perform the update twice to get it to take.
I’m getting rid of mine, having bought a Garmin Nuvi instead. I was swayed by the lower purchase price of the H/K GPS-300, and I’ve come to regret not having researched the purchase more. The Nuvi has a feature the H/K doesn’t, the ability to find a spot on the map and say, “Go here.” The trip information is also nice.
I don’t mean to disrupt the thread, but since I’ve commented a couple of times, I did want to follow-up. I remain unimpressed with Harman Kardon’s support, it’s very much as if GPS business is a poor cousin, one they’re not going to exert much effort on.
As for POI updates, I don’t mind paying for them (Garmin), but there’s not much you can do if the GPS company (H/K) doesn’t offer them for purchase …
Thanks for the replies. Jim, I have personally done the update 18 times with no luck!!! I have tried different sd cards, all kinds of things. STILL NO LUCK!!!! Anyone else??
Just an update…. made the 80 mile round trip journey to exchange for another… don’t think that i’ll be doing that update again!!!!!
anyone else having the updater tell you there’s NO GPS FOUND oer and over again? I’ve tried compatability mode, all my USB ports (every time, I get a popup showing the empty SD card so I know it’s communicating) … wtf?
[snip, see comment policy] I was hoping to give my mother in law some advice. Is there text to speech or not?? No clear answers from anyone. If it is sure to get my mother-in-law lost for good, I will buy her 3!
This GPS has voice directions but DOES NOT gave test to voice, correct?
Ooops, Text to Voice.
As far as I know, the 300 does not have text to speech, the 310 does.
Hey im having the same problem with the updater, telling me that there is no gps found, but it is connected, whats going on?
Is there a way with the gps300 to create a POI and load it via USB or SD to the unit?
How about create an itinerary on the computer and then copy it to the unit?
Thanks.
Bought the 500 in Dec. Like it except maps not real accurate or up to date. Has tried to send me through dead ends and has tried to get me to turn back when I can see my intersection a half mile ahead. Was hoping that the upgrade would help, but alas, the zip file downloads, but errors on extracting. Checked the 300 version and the same thing happens. Have never had problems extracting zips before. Any suggestions appreciated.
Does anyone know if the 300 is hackable?
just sold my 300na and bought a SONY nav-u83, its amazing, frequent updates, huge tech support, most up-to-date map there is, its amazing, will never buy harman/kardon again.
I have to agree, Josh: I bought a Garmin Nuvi 750 a few weeks ago, it’s significantly better than the H/K 300. I’ll be looking for a way to unload the H/K at a bargain price …
You truly get what you pay for. Very dissapointed with Canadian database. Several streets missing off the map on my first trip and it planned the routing on roads with no access from freeway. If this is the best HK can do they should stick to stereos. Spend a few extra dollars and buy something else. Loaded update. Will post again if there is an improvement.
Does anyone know if the HK 300 has an FM Transmitter so you can listen to your mp3’s through your car stereo? Thanks!
No FM transmitter.
No FMtran, but I use cassette adapter w/500 that works ok.
Okay, sucks, I was going to purchase it but since the transmitter is not embedded. Thanks for such quick replys’. I have a friend who uses the cassette adapter as well and that works great with his Garmin. Unfortunatly my car only has mp3/cd player. Again thanks for your prompt reply’s. Great site!
Had problems with the upgrade 4 the 500 last week. It was downloading as a zip. I kept trying and today it downloaded as an exe and opens fine. Seems kind of large (24.4MB) for a firmware update. Anyone have experience with this upgrade?
No cassette, use one of the FM devices that plugs into the headphone jack. Just like the cassette but it transmits a low power FM sig. you can tune your FM car radio to and hear the GPS via your car stereo. I use one with my PDA/GPS and it works great.
Steve, The FMT is much better, but I had the Cassette adapter and I always used the CD and never used the cassette. What I’d relly like is firmware that wold allow my CD changer/player to play MP3s…lol.
Getting ready to apply firmware upgrade to my 500. Was hoping to get some comments before I took the risk. Oh well., I’m running out of paperweights.
Scott, I’ve run the firmware update on an HK 500 and it went fine– took quite awhile, but ran fine.
Thanks tim, I’m gonna try it this PM. Decided I better go mow the grass first, since we seem to be in monsoon season here in MO.
I’ve just purchased the H.K. GPS 300 and rather foolishly entered an incorrect time when the setup wizard appeared. It now seems there is no way I can amend it to the correct time. I’ve searched the manual thoroughly. Does anyone know of anyway I can amend the time please?
I don’t have one of these but often with many electronic devices there is a way to reset it, a button or combination of buttons. Maybe that will reset it to the new state and you can do the setup wizard again, if it has a reset function and I’m sure it does.
Steve
Thanks Steve, There is a reset button that can be activated by inserting the wire from a paper clip into a small hole at the base of the GPS 300. I have done that but unfortunately that did not bring things back to the start and none of the settings made where lost either. I’m really surprised that something so simple cannot be reset. I am feeling the only way would be to disconect the battery but that could perhaps lose me more than the time and even wreck the device. I can’t be the only guy here to have this probem so I agree with you that there may well be a way of resetting the whole system or just the clock, so if anyone has managed to do this please share it with me.
Hi Mike. This is the way you reset the clock:
1. Reset with Paperclip
2. Press On / Off until the BIOS menu appears (5 good second)
3. Device Setup Wizard
4. Press Exit
5. Power off the Unit
6. Reset with Paperclip
Harman Kardon needs to be shot for such obvious lack of user friendliness and support.
LETS HACK THIS BABY ALREADY!!
Thank you very much for that information Robert, I will retain it with my user guide.
I did email Harman Kardon yesterday and received this reply this morning which I thought was excellent service from them.
Harman Kardon reply..
You should find that if you go back through the set up you can reset the
country and time settings.
Please follow this guide line:
Select > source > Language> English, then settings > time > GMT, that
should bring the GPS back in line.
Mike again now. I followed this advice and when I took the unit out of my house I found it reset the time automatically. I had no idea that the unit had this facillity as why does it ask you to input the time when you first turn it on?
My fault for playing with the unit out of reach of satellites I guess.
Thanks again Robert.
A GPS uses time when computing its position, it is very accurate time sent from the satellites to the receiver inside your GPS, it uses the time to know where the satellites are in their orbit. So it wants to know the time when you first get it to know where to look for the satellites. It speeds up the GPS’s first aquisition time.
Thanks for that info Ryan, I wish I’d known that when I bought my H.K.GPS 300.
Can anyone advise best place/site to obtain UK Speed Camera Data for the HK GPS-300? Preferably covering western Europe if possible and for nominal fee or are there any free sites for downloading this data? Thanks for any advice.
Hi all,
Just got the GPS300 unit today, it came with 1.00U firmware. I went to the website and downloaded 1.10U and tried to installed. Followed all the steps until the point it was supposed to detect by GPS unit, but it kept saying “No GPS device detected.” In My Computer, it recognized the fact that the unit is plugged in and the SD card content is visible. Any idea what I should do? Also, does it worth the effort to get 1.10U installed?
Robert, you might want to ask in this thread of our forums where there are quite a few people who have run the updates.
Hi Robert, (Robert to Robert)
There is a bug for the update if you are trying to do this in Windows Vista. You have to do the update on an XP machine.
Hello Folks, I hv received 510 yesterday and made a trip to beach 50 miles away with it on first day. Everything was good but it was trying to take me to streets instead of highways. I checked the avoidance and nothing was selected. Route recalculation was slow and Graphics were better than Garmin and Magellan. Altogether good experience.
One place it asked me to take left turn on highway where left turn was not allowed and it didn’t see the jug turn ahead. But I guess its common with all GPS brands.
Ill update more abt it as time passes.
Does anyone have idea what is the latest available software update for 510?
Could you guys give a link for downloading the firmware 1.10U for GPS300?
link
Does anyone know what the update for the HK GPS-300 actually adds to the machine? I don’t want to risk making a useless update and wrecking the thing
My GPS-300 will not recognize my 4GB SD card, even though if I put it into a thumb drive in my laptop, my laptop recognizes the card. What am I doing wrong?
What do you have on the card?
I have music (wma’s) on the card. The GPS-300 is supposed to support this media.
I’d try to narrow down the problem by trying some other formats, like good ol’ MP3. (I agree it should work, but doing that might help narrow down the issue.)
I am trying to run the update but the update doesnt seem to recognize either my sd card or hk gps. It says ‘not enough free space or no sd card inserted’ when i have a 4gb card formatted inserted in the device. Ive tried it on several computers, but still doesnt work. Not sure whats goin on or if anyone else has had this problem. I really want this update!!!!! Help?
Paul, Jason … YOu can only use standard SD card. The 300 will not accept the newer HD/SD (high density) cards.. Bummer eahhh….
I’m using a standard SD card.
Jason…are you still having problems with your standard SD card?? i havent tried normal sd card yet but i will try it….also..any idea what the update acutally contains.?
I just purchased a 310NA and I see two voices, could I download more?
Can photos be stored and displayed?
Is there a more detailed manual or instructions than the few setup pages that came with the unit?
Thanks
Hi i just bought a HK 300. When i turn the unit on the “Searching for Signal” keep on appearing up. I drive around for a good 15 minute, but the text is still there and there are no signal. Is there a way to fix this? Or should i return the unit?
Thank you
Driving around prior to getting a signal will increase the amount of time it takes to get a signal. I’d try our Acquiring Satellites Tips and if that doesn’t help, I’d contact HK support. I’ve seen a few cases in their devices where the antenna wasn’t properly attached to the GPS chip.
GPS 300 Can anyone tell me what the upgrade to the firmware actually improves, also I cannot find any instructions on avoiding places such as Paris on a planned route ?
Just took the GPS 300 outside the front yard and stood there for a good 20 minute…Yet no signal.
Guess i’ll be returning this.
Derrick - I had the same problem with the first unit I received - would take half hour to receive a signal at the best of times. Exchanged for a new one, and the new unit picks up a signal in less than 30 seconds, whether driving or still.
Dave - I contacted the harmon kardon support about what the upgrade actually does. I was told that it only addresses a lock up glitch, and if i wasn’t experiencing that problem then it’s not necessary.
How do I get updates for my Harman Kardon GPS 300??
I just moved into a subdividion and was unabale to type in my new address. How do I update my gps 300na?
I just wanted to know, if it was possible to change the voice on the gps 300? I drive on average 1000 miles a week and the standard voice is begining to sound like a nagging wife.
I have posted and see 107 postings, however I do not see any replies.
Do you ever plan to post any answers to the many questions?????????
Or am I missing something? ? ? ? ?
Hager, this isn’t a Harman Kardon official site. If you need product support you should contact them.
Then what is the point of posting here? Seems a lot of people are asking for help.
Thanks for the reply it was the first from this forum.
Hagar, there are dozens of replies in this forum, both from me and other users. I’ve posted around 20 responses to questions. This is a free, community based site with no obligations to you. If your expectations are for something more than that, you should contact Harman Kardon support or the store you purchased the device from.
i bought harman 310 in florida and im back in ireland and just wondering where i can download europe maps for free or do you have to pay for them.
You must pay for additional maps.
tanx for that bloke in shop told me i could just down load them had a feeling he was lieing do you know where and how much they are.
You would need to contact Harman Kardon– I’m not certain they even offer them.
i was just on hk site and there selling then on sd card for $150 but would that mean i would,nt be able to use my sd card with music or with the one they sell do you download the maps from that to the sat nav new to useing them had to buy one quick to find our way around florida and the guy in the shop would of told me anyting just to get me to buy and are they any use im told garmin are the best at the moment.
H/K GPS 310
Purchased a gps HK 310 and am reletively happy with it. This is my first GPS unit and I was expecting a lot of perks that maybe only the higher priced units have.
Such as…..Speed? Is this so hard to put in the software. It needs this for the calculation anyway, so why not display it. I would like a second opinion to the officers question “Do you know how fast you were going”
There are roads that dont appear on this unit as well. 10 year old roads. Found that odd.
Also, can I force the unit to take a different road, or map a route different than the one offered? Maybe this is standard with all GPS. My only solution is to take the new route and the unit will remap on the fly.
I agree with POI’s being out of date. I have a dozen Tim Horton coffee shops around me and none are in the poi’s. (Canadian issue maybe, although this is a 310NA I assume)
Other than those wish list items, I like it. (Is that too many beefs)
Also looking for update maps and firmware.
I purchased a Harman Kardon GPS-300, when I updated it to version 01.10U, it stopped working. I contacted Harman Kardon and they told to return the unit to where I purchased it. Because it had been purchased more than three months (about 5 months) when I made the purchase they did not want to take it back. I wrote back to Harman Kardon & they refused to help. The problem is this:
Now when I switch the unit on, a warning screen comes up in red on black and locks the screen, the serial number displayed at the bottom is #0000-0000-0000. I tried re-installing the update again, all to no avail. I know about the three different ways to reset the unit, nothing works. All attempts to re-install the update have taken me as far as the page where you can set the time, once you try to go pass that page, the unit reverts to what I have described above. Can anyone help with this? I was looking on the Web for the original firmware but could not find it. By the way I also try the recover from card that also did not work.
Mine did the exact same thing, I had to take it back. I was lucky and it hadn’t been but a couple of days since purchace. I personally tried the update 20+ times with no avail. Sorry but I wish I had better news for you. With the one that i got in exchange, i did NOT run the update, screw it.
Thanks for the info Zach, I have purchased several GPSs, I tried all major brand except Sony, I currently own seven Garmins (Gramins have never refuse to help when it was needed). Harman Kardon would have been better to help out, I was responsible for a few sales of the GPS300 but now no one I know will ever purchase another Harman. I hope that someone else will have experienced the problem with the GPS300 and offer me a solution.
Hi Tim, Steve, or anyone with some answers…Hoping to finally get some info I did not see addressed above in previous entries.
1. Seems doing the update to 1.10U presented some problems with the 300 NOT working afterwards, according to Roger and zack? Is this a real problem, particularly if the unit is about 6 months old? (I prefer the lower risk approach.)
2. Is the small gold recessed hole in the backside indeed the place to attach an external antenna, assuming there is one available…and if so - where do we best get one and how do we do the install?
3. Finally - on my GPS Data page, Elevation is ridiculously in error. I am about 200 feet above sea level, yet the elevation number shows a -927 feet. If I use the paper clip idea in the reset hole, do I need to be doing this at sea level AND with the unit on, or should the unit know where I am from GPS coordinates? If THAT is the case, I would therefore also assume the coordinates are “out to lunch” for the elevation to be so far off.
Thanks for any help you may offer :-)!
1) I haven’t updated a 300… but I’ve updated a 500 without trouble.
2) Yes, you can attach an external antenna there– the port type is fairly generic so most any external antenna should do. For installation you just plug it in.
3) The GPS system doesn’t provide very accurate elevation readings. It is designed primarily for horizontal measurements. That seems a bit further off than most– but there isn’t really anything you can do about it. You can’t “zero it out” or anything like that.
Thanks, Tim.
From the looks of the small hole on the back, it is not clear how an antenna would mount or remain affixed. Any suggestions?
And secondly, might you have a source, website, or store suggestion for such an antenna and is there a specific design to ask for?
The antenna just gets attached by friction. You press the end of the antenna cable in, and it is held in place by pressure/friction. I’ve used this antenna with the HK 500, I’d assume the same antenna would work with the 300.
i rang harman kardon in usa from ireland to try and purchase sd card with europein maps and they told me i need to be living in usa with a usa credit card to buy the sd card can anyone tell me why this is as im back in ireland, if i was told this when i bought the gps i would not have purchased it. guide+play gps-310
4-GB SD cards are pretty commonly available on the Internet, and in that case you should be able to buy any card you choose from your home venue just like any other purchase. As far as I know, 4-Gigs gives you plently of capacity for any updates or music downloads and the only criteria is to not get a “super” fast card, as it might not be read propery. Just the standard SD card does the trick, from what I read, and as far as I know, you do not need to look for one that HK makes or is proprietary for their use.
to robertm tanx for info so if i get sd card is there i site that i can download the maps for europe to put on it.
Now there you’ve got me since I haven’t done that myself. But I assume that may need to come from HK, unless Tim might know if the map program they use is some universally available program that also works with HK’s 300.
would you be able to find out for me and let me know cause im thinking of buying a new one but if i can get maps of europe il do that before i pay out for new one and just have the one i have doin nothing. tanx clyde
Any new or updated maps would need to come from Harman Kardon and to my knowledge none have been made available by them.
they have them for sale on their site for 150 dollars but as i said when i rang them they told me i have to be living in usa with an address and credit card their so with me living in ireland do you know why they wont sell it to me or is their else where i can purchase one.
Any new or updated maps would need to come from Harman Kardon.
i understand that but they wont sell it to me cause i dont live in the usa and just wondering why not
I don’t know– you would have to ask them why.
ok tanx for your help ill give them a ring tomorrow and see what they say
Back to Jackie, #48 - on downloadable Operations Manual: http://www.harmankardon.com/guideandplay/default.aspx
HK direct is at this address and phone number: 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
516.255.HKHK (4545) Fax 516.682.3520
hi, just purchased the h/k gps 300 in germany but need to be in greece for a while and drive around al ot. can not find a thing to run the greek map on the net. help anybody?
From what Tim has said previously, the 300 may be a bit new to expect map updates of any genre or perhaps even maps that encompass different global locations. In any case, if I understand the updates issue, we have to be careful that any map update will run on the HK software, so it sounds best to wait until HK releases maps designed to work on their product.
Hi Roger (Comment 118), did you have any luck with your problem? I did exactly the same thing with my gps500, downloaded the software, installed and now i have an expensive paprerweight. HK are not interested. I wonder if someone could upload a copy of there resident drive, i might be able to reinstall and go from there…..long shot.
chris
What happened with Harman Kardon website? I am trying to find their site to look at updates about the gps-300 but its not available.
But fromw hat i see here might be a good thing they are not online anymore.
I’m able to get to it… guideandplay.com
Just bought a GPS 300 yesterday. I’m just glad I read this forum before finding an update and installing it. So far I’m really impressed with the unit. I’ve only used it around Swansea which is where I live. I know of new road layouts that have been set in place for just over a year and they’re not on the mapping of the unit. Going to Halifax in a week or so, Baveria in the summer so will be keeping fingers crossed for success!
This is my first ‘Satnav’ unit so I don’t have anything else to judge it against. Having looked around for other Harman Kardon products, they seem to make/provide some high end spec equipment. To that end, I’m surprised that they’ve been less that helpful with people’s enquiries, questions and complaints.
I bought mine from one of the Cash Converting shops who told me they bought units from refurbished stock! They gave me a six month warranty so I’m happy with that. Knowing my luck it’ll go belly up in six months and one days time!
I’ve added this forum to my favourites and will be checking back here regularly.
Read a quote from another site that reads, ‘The bitter taste of equipment failure lingers longer than the sweetness of a cheap deal.’
Lets hope it doesn’t ring true in my case!
what is text to speech? Is it the same as the gps says out the street name?
I have had this GPS unit for a few years. Well let me rephrase that I had the first one for about 9 months, then this other one for just over a year. The first one constantly got me lost, took forever to load until the power slot broke off inside the unit. When getting it replaced, I got a lot of arguments and rude customer service from the warranty dept. in NY. Finally when getting my new unit, it worked perfectly for about 3 months, after which, it started freezing in mid route, would not reset unless you used to resent button about 4-5 times, sometimes would just decide to not power on at all. As of today, the solder points on the power port broke again, and instead of spending the money to repair it. I’m getting a new unit. I would NEVER buy one of these Harmon Kardon GPS units again. I spent A LOT of money on a piece of garbage.
I just bought one of the gps300.When i turn on,and touch the screen its keep show me the padlock,however the lock switch is turned off,tried everything……..even the update,but when i turn on and got into the service screen,im unable to tap the update from sd card button….because the problem.Anybody?
Thanks!