I'm considering purchasing sat nav, but I will be honest I know nothing about the different types available,its all foreign to me! It seems companies everywhere are offering sat nav for what seems a reasonable price. But I dont want to spend £200+ and find out I have bought a poor choice. My budget is £250 max can anybody offer me some advice (i'm sure lots of people on here can!) and remember keep it simple (sat nav for idiots!)
Thanks in advance
Rich
p.s my car is a 2005 Ford Ka if that has any bearing on what sat nav system i can or can't have.
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Tom Tom go 300. Navman icn520
Both very very easy to install and use. Both do the job, the tom tom slightly better.
No fuss no agro.
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Endorse Tomtom -- touch screen controls and very user friendly.
unit feels very well made and it looks good as well.
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Garmin i3 - very easy to use unit, compact - ideal for 1st time satnav from a Co that is a established industry leader for GPS.
We have two in the family now - and they are quite superb.
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I'd always poo-poo'd the Tom Tom stuff mostly on the back of having some expensive permanently fitted kit in the Landcruiser.
However, my new iPAQ [6500 series for those who care] comes with GPS & Tom-Tom as standard - although not with many maps. And its actually not bad at all. After just a few days I'd say that the stuff in the Landcruiser is easier to use, and that the software is more sophisticated. But I don't think it is sufficiently better to justify the huge price difference.
So this Tom-Tom stuff is probably the way to go.
p.s. for those who are interested, the iPAQ 6500 is absolutely outstanding. Way better than my previous 6450.
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Mark
If its TT5 and you want all euro maps, drop me a line with your postal address.
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A very useful question that I was considering asking and I thank MML for getting in before me.
I have a slightly different question therefore...
is there a SatNav system for the car that can also double as a walking map (e.g. OS Landrangermaps on board) or perhaps as a location finder with maps for foreign countries?
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I am not an expert though I think some of the Garmin devices serve such a dual purpose.
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Check out the Aldi site today - they're doing an offer next week on one that appears to be useful for walking. No idea if the kit is any good though.
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I love electronic gadgets(except mobile phones) I spend hours and hours until I have worked out how to use every facility on all my equipment; and then usually use them in their most basic mode. Ditto most computer programs.
It seems that Sat Nav is a 'must have' item; and I want one!! However I can't for the life of me think what I would use it for. Although I travel quite a bit, I usually know my destination and how to get there, on the odd occasion I drive to a new destination I can get the route on-line.
Please show me where I am wrong. Please, I really do want one!
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Its got bright colours, it has a moving map, it speaks to you!
what more could you possibly want!
Oh you can add speed cameras on to it and it will warn you about the location!
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Its got bright colours, it has a moving map, it speaks to you! what more could you possibly want! Oh you can add speed cameras on to it and it will warn you about the location!
RF,
That will do nicely thanks.
C
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Espada,
Have a look at thread
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=35...2
I am no great expert and my system is a very simple Navman PiN 300 (Mitac Mio clone) but it is also loaded with Memory map which has all the 1;50,000 OS maps and the latest version has (I think) extensive areas of 1:25000 maps. Navman 300 has now been superceded by the 570 which seems to sell at about £300 (have a look on ebay) but is very small and light and the batteries seem to last for at least 4 hours (in my experience - may be longer) and and you can also get an auxiliary battery pack for about £20 which a friend who does a lot of hiking/climbing swears by. I have found it very accurate (10 figure GRs)
Mine also has full European road maps which I have used when cycling in France (even most "forestry" roads are shown) - It is Smart ST nav software which to me is excellent - but then I haven't used Tom-Tom which may be far superior.
Some useful sites for you
www.memory-map.co.uk/
www.pocketgps.co.uk/
www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1390
www.mio-tech.be/products/gps/168/
www.navman-store.com/eu/category.php?category=Navm...S
HTH
Phil
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After veiwing several websites and reading some reviews I have narrowed down my choice to 2 systems.
Tom Tom go 300 (around £299)
and
Navman Pin570 (249.99)
Is the tom tom worth the extra 50 quid??
Both of these do a postcode search, that is one of the main featues I was looking for. Can anybody offer me any advice as to which of these would be the best?
Thanks in advance
Rich (MML)
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Recently decided to buy GPS. after much deliberation came to a short list which inlcuded the two you are considering toghether with Navman 520, Finally plumped for the Navman Pin 570 because
1 It's cheaper
2 It's actully a PDA i.e a pocket computer with integrated GPS function rather than simply a dedicated GPS device like the Tom TOm Go or Navman 520- this means you can use it for purposes other than finding your way'
3 The software and mapping it uses is identical to the more expensive brother the Navman 520
4 Its a very neat unit which will fit comfortably in your pocket. remember you don't want to leave this expensive bit of kit in the car - least not if you want to see it again. The TOM TOM Go is a bit on the bulky side.
Having had the navman now for a couple of weeks can honestly say it one of the best bit of technology have bought- Can't really fault it
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Am tempted by the Blaupunkt freestyler is satnav built into a normal car cd player/ radio any ideas on this as an option
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Im a student ive got time!!!
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Can I second Espada - I was thinking of asking about this, thanks for all the advice. What I need, however, is the best value system for continental Europe - idealy with all the EC built in. We´re trying to avoid a repeat of this summer when Mrs B found the road ran out in Austria...just disappeared, no idea how to continue through to Italy. Any further relevant advice much appreciated.
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Barchettaman - My Navman PiN 300 has the old SmartSt V2 software and seems to have detailed maps of all of W Europe. I say "seems" because I have so far only used it in France and it certainly has even very minor (some unsurfaced forestry tracks that I have cycled for instance) I have also located a friend's house on the map and he lives in a tiny remote village in Northern Austria! The Navman 570 has updated maps (V3?) which are probably more detailed?
Can't tell you about TomTom I'm afraid - it could be better.
Have a look at
www.navman-store.com/eu/product_details.php?id=26
for details of software and prices.
By the way - could the map have "run out" because you had Austria maps activated but not the Italian ones?
Phil
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How about the Garmin i3 unit sold at Maplins for £200.I have got one to try out.As well as UK maps it comes with ones for France,Netherlands,Belgium and Norway.As I only got it yesterday it has only had a short trial so far but seems to work well.It uses the speed cam database from pocketgpsworld.com but I have not had warnings at all the cameras I have passed,then only a pinging.For the money it is worth checking out.
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Can anyone tell me if these, or any navsat units are linked to to live traffic info? Also has anyone seen the Gizmondo on sale at Maplins?
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dont know if its any use but makro have the Evesham nav-cam 7000 on special offer from wed for £199.99 +vodka.
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The gizmondo is a toy. If you want full traffic info you need a proper sat nav with TMC, but TomTom has traffic dialup info with a bluetooth phone.
--
RF - currently 1 Renault short of a family
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BMDUBYA,
Navman specs. are at:
www.navman-pcn.com/index.php?product=40&spec
The iCN 550 has facilities for live info. I don't know any more about it.
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How about the Navman 550TM - granted it's 599 but comes with free lifetime traffic info (via GPRS), full maps of Europe, remote control and internal hard drive. All the TomToms can recieve traffic info via GPRS too. Guys the TomTom One is about to drop to £249.99 - it's best in class at this price as it is identical to the 300 in use - beats the navman 320, garmin i3, and PDA based solutions. Also note, the Acer N35 lite is about to come out at 199 if cost is a factor. The Garmin has the interesting feature of running on AA batteries too btw
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I got a Garmin Streetpilot i3, comes with UK and Ireland maps for £200 from Comet (or was). My only complaint is the screen is perhaps a little bit small, otherwise excellent.
Postcode search is included and you can download Speed camera data to it so it warns you when you are approaching one and it tells you if you are too fast.
Full maps of Europe are available from Maplins for around £120 if you need them so the price may not be properly comparable with the other units mentioned below.
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The maps included with the i3 included some data for the continent but it's not complete.
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Navigators with a hard drive consume more current. Not a problem when plugged into the car but perhaps less popular for walks?
CGNorwich:: How is your Pin 570 for sound output? The 570 looks tempting. Will it take a bigger SD than the 64 meg (?) fitted?
The TomTom 300, and I assume the TT1, has a fair sized speaker inside it and the depth to take it, so is probably reasonably loud, albeit being less convenient for the pocket.
As to Navman 300 series, they do not have a touch screen. You need the 500 or higher.
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"The 570 looks tempting. Will it take a bigger SD than the 64 meg (?) fitted?"
My PiN 300 uses 512megs (and probably higher - 512 is biggest I have used) so 570 should.
"Navman 300 series, they do not have a touch screen."
In what way? Mine has various functions which operate via touching the screen (navigate to, add to favourites, show, etc) In fact, I would say that most functions are achieved by touching the screen rather than pressing buttons - unless I don't understand what a "touch screen "is!!
Phil
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Thanks for the advice. We´re going to wait till after Xmas, hope the prices come down a wee bit, then see what´s available!
PhilW, the reason Mrs B ran out of road in Austria was because she was using a largish scale map, not satnav... pretty confident that any satnav would have got her through the country.
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"Navman 300 series, they do not have a touch screen."
PhilW:::: I based the above statement on the info given at:
www.navman-pcn.com/index.php?product=40&spec
This states the Navman iCN 320 does not have it but the 520/570 does. Perhaps your PiN 300 is like the PiN 570 in this respect.
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I've tried quite a few (tomtom, garmin streetpilot, quest, pda, navman, etc) and have to say the Garmin I3 is the best one on the basis of combined reliability/cost/useful features.
It has full 7 digit postcode search (which many do not), is easy to use and reliable and at £169 is a bargain. Downsides are the lack of advanced features (which rarely get used anyway) and the fact that it doesn't use rechargeable batteries (which isn't a problem for me as it's always plugged into the cigar lighter).
Don't let the small screen size put you off - it's perfectly clear when on the move.
IMHO it's not worth paying the extra for a TomTom. Also TomTom have a dodgy reliability record.
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I've tried quite a few (tomtom, garmin streetpilot, quest, pda, navman, etc) and have to say the Garmin I3 is the best one on the basis of combined reliability/cost/useful features.
In regard to garmin reliability, this is from another HJ thread:
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Any advice on 'sat nav for under £200' - mal Thu 3 Nov 05 22:25
Hi just thought you might be interested in an update on the two Garmin i3's, not good news!!.
One was returned and replaced because of a faulty scroll wheel within 24 hours, and today the second, mine, has also developed fault on the scroll wheel and will be returned for a full refund.
I will do a bit more research before I choose my next sat-nav.
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It seems opinions differ. Also, no touch screen.
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MoneyMart
The i3 does take rechargeables,I use NIMH in mine.Check settings-system-battery type,you can set it for alkaline or NIMH.
My gripe is the predictive feature,it is attempting to guess the street after the first letter which slows down input.The list is obviously going to be massive and would take ages to scroll through,quicker to input manually.It would be better if it waited until the third letter input I reckon.
Otherwise a good unit,has been pretty accurate when checking against known routes.
I looked at the Gizmondo,it is primarily a games unit with a low quality camera,also there seem to be some problems with the people in charge of the company,so I would not rely on long term support.Also,although the unit is £200,the cradle is another £40.
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Sorry Buzbee - misread your post as referring to the PiN 300 - you are quite right about the 300 series which is different
Phil
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Sound output fine - there is a choice of two voices male or female. Have not found need to use at at max volume even on motorway with radio on. Comes with 256 MB card preloaded with UK maps which utilise 96 MB. Believe will take any size card.
Definitely has a touch screeen!
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Try www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/134/gps-kits/products.html
John
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Saw these Sat nav offers in the paper at Toysrus
Medion Sat Nav PNA220
snipurl.com/k8ds
Navman 320 Satellite Navigation
snipurl.com/k8e0
Either one of them is on offer for £174.99
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I have had a look in Comet today,Navman 320 and Garmin i3 for £170,seems to be a satnav price war going on.
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Update-Navman 320 £165 in Currys,Garmin i3 £170.
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Hmmm-having looked into these cheaper Garmins they are not the same spec as the one I got from Maplins,no POI,favouites or ability to import speed camera database.No mention of a USB cable either(which will be why mine has 'bonus cable enclosed' on the bag)so no way to update the firmware to get these features.
The Navman cannot be connected to a PC either.
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