O/T - Sat Nav

[Triple X]

Want to get a Tom Tom for the car so went in to Currys the other day and the staff were clueless and couldnt tell me the difference between any of the models.

Whats the best value formoney tom tom out there at the moment.  I want one which talks (i presume they all do) not too bothered about Europe (presume you can get a memory after) but also like the idea of handsfree.  Was looking at the Tom Tom One and Tom Tom Go 510 but couldnt really tell the difference.

Whats everyone got out there?

Cheers

[lazaroonie]

my preference is for "convergence" - which means that I will try to adapt an existing technology to use something else - so (approx) the same price as a tomtom system (£250), I can buy a decent pda, the software ( ), a bluetooth gps receiver, and bingo, you have a fully functioning satnav system, and a decent little pda device.

have a look at www.totalpda.co.uk for some ideas. Dont buy it in currys whatever you do...


I have heard that there are illegal copies of tomtom 6 software available for download from certain bit-torrent sites, but I could never condone that. Best just to pay the 80 quid and buy a properly licensed version  ;angelic;

[Zebediah]

I use the Nuvi300 which is the bollox.
I find it much more user friendly than TomTom.
It is very fast with a nice layout, as you turn, your car icon actually turns the same time on the map as you do.
When you miss a turning, it recalculates in seconds as well.

It is made by garmin who are the GPS specialists.
It does include bluetooth handsfree for your phone, and you can download all your contacts to it, so you can dial from its touchscreen, but I found the audio non too great.
Maybe it can be wired into the car audio...I haven't checked.

[kinboshi]

The wife drives a lot in her role, and I got her the TomTom One last year.  She wasn't that fussed about getting one, but since she's been using it she can't live without it now.

It was £270 everywhere at the time, and PC World had it for £215.  My brother had a more expensive TomTom and we compared the two before I bought the One, and there was virtually no difference (in fact the One had an uprated receiver and processor so the signal was better, and the unit is smaller).  The only thing it lacked was a mains charger - and that's never been a problem.

The PDA idea is a good one, and it's probably the route I'd go down.  But for simplicity and 'plug-and-playabilty' you aren't going to go wrong with the TomTom.

As an aside, you can download the locations of speed cameras from http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/subscription.php - it used to be free, but now you have to subscribe.  It's only £2 a month, and you can subscribe, and then go back in 6 months time and subscribe again for an updated download.

[Zebediah]

I use the Nuvi300 which is the bollox.
I find it much more user friendly than TomTom.
It is very fast with a nice layout, as you turn, your car icon actually turns the same time on the map as you do.
When you miss a turning, it recalculates in seconds as well.

It is made by garmin who are the GPS specialists.
It does include bluetooth handsfree for your phone, and you can download all your contacts to it, so you can dial from its touchscreen, but I found the audio non too great.
Maybe it can be wired into the car audio...I haven't checked.

That was menat to be three d...not

[Trace]

Sat Navs great until you are following an ambulance which gets through traffic quicker than you do and then your signal/reception goes at a roundabout with no direction signs!!!

British weather is crap for Sat Nav!!!

Saying that they are handy!

[Yogi-Bear]

Buy a road map?

Cheaper.

And doesnt speak in an annoying tone.

Yogi

[Zebediah]

My aunt bought a cheap satnav and it is rubbish...loses signal all the time.
The Nuvi is garmin based which are the GPS lords on high, like I said, it works in real time, as you go round a roundabout, your little 3dee car turns on the screen at the same time as you.

I don't actually have it, it is in the work vehicle. I use my uncanny male sense of direction to get about in my car.

[kinboshi]

Buy a road map?

Cheaper.

And doesnt speak in an annoying tone.

Yogi

You have an AtoZ that covers every town in the UK?  Also a road atlas isn't much use when you are driving along at 60mph...

Long term it's more cost effective to use Sat Nav.  You get lost less frequently, and go the direct route to your destination, saving on petrol and more importantly, your time.

You can get hold of plenty of less-annoying voices.  Yoda is a particular favourite, although the Missus prefers Sean Connery.


I've heard the Garmin ones are very good, and I use a Garmin Forerunner for when I run and it's the dog's licky bits. Not used a Garmin car SatNav though.

TomTom is very much like Nokia in the mobile phone world.  Easy to use out of the box and you know what you're getting.  The reception is excellent, and the unit is very robust.

[RioRodent]

I'm with Yogi... buy a UK road atlas, about £2.99 at any garage.

I have never got lost... I occaisionally discover alternative routes to my destination though!! 

[RED-DOG]

I'm with Yogi... buy a UK road atlas, about £2.99 at any garage.

I can't believe you're using a computer to post this when you can get a carrier pigeon for a fiver!

[RioRodent]

Do you have the requierd Pigeon / PC interface at blonde?

Would the pigeon need a Sat Nav or will a road atlas do?

[Pilf]

I think I'd go down the Atlas route also. I think once you are in a town centre SatNav is probably better.
Most places I travel are straight off Motorway Links so finding them on a map normally takes no more than 5 minutes.
I've only ever used Sat Nav one time. I can honestly say it was the most stressful experience of my short driving life (4 years)
On second thoughts, I think I'll just follow the carrier pigeon.

[Triple X]

ok for all you guys suggesting a road atlas - lets see you find an atlas big enough to cover every road in the UK and flick through it as you are driving around suburban streets!!!

Does the TOMTOM One let you do hands free calling?

Thanks

[Suited_Jock]

ok for all you guys suggesting a road atlas - lets see you find an atlas big enough to cover every road in the UK and flick through it as you are driving around suburban streets!!!

Does the TOMTOM One let you do hands free calling?

Thanks

You can link your bluetooth phone up to it but mine never works no matter how hard i try keeps failing.