Sat Nav For An Idiot (me)

Tony-Bones · December 29, 2006

I confess traveling is not something i enjoy and i am directionally illiterate.. if i want to scratch my arse i need a map :D Anyway in view of recent and coming events i need a sat nav but i know nothing about them... You peeps are a few years in advance on me with this technology so i'm asking for help.... What troubles me is the difference in the prices? Why is one £500 and another £99?, All i need is postcode routing (UK) maybe speed cam warning, oh and it must talk! Any tuition here would be welcomed.

ColinBarber · December 29, 2006

tomtom one will do everything you need. They are around £190.

Paul Reece · December 29, 2006

Hello, I have had the tomtom go for a few years know. It's just the basic 300 with the speed camera on.

I have never looked in an A-Z since and wonder how I got on without it.

Very easy to use - takes a few days to get used to directions/etc and you need to look/read on screen map aswell. You can put speed camera on and it tells you the speed of camera aswell.

You can get them with built in hard drives, mp3 players, hand free Bluetooth, european maps thats the more expensive ones.

Never used any others so couldn't comment on them, but I am pleased with mine.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Paul

Fidgits · December 29, 2006

Yeah, get a TomTom all in one (Go or 510 depending on budget and features)

all you will ever need!

MrADeveci · December 29, 2006

The new TomTom 9 series is nice .......... has a nice wide screen display, but it's a bit more costlier....

Alternativley, WHSmiths sell good A-Z's for about £1.99 these days ..............

Anees · December 29, 2006

I have used most of the Tom Tom series, as well as others such as Co Pilot, Destinator and a Navman.

Another vote for Tom Tom.

If you are after a well priced on, eI would go for the Tom Tom ONE, it uses the latest SIRFIII chipset GPS so you rarely lose satellite lock and the routing is good.

Currys are currently doing it for only £159!

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/289848

:D

The new TomTom 9 series is nice .......... has a nice wide screen display, but it's a bit more costlier....
Alternativley, WHSmiths sell good A-Z's for about £1.99 these days ..............

I borrowed a Tom Tom 910i from my cousin and it was brillant! Liked the larger screen and the fact that it actually speaks road names, you can control your IPOD from it and it offers a hands free connection to your mobile phone - but an expensive peice of kit!

Kazi · December 29, 2006

My Navman is coming up to three years old..... had no problems really.

Halfords have a great 20% off their sat navs now. Pick a one of them new Tom Toms up for about £179.99! Bargain!

Think the more expensive ones have world wide maps on them.

Tony-Bones · December 29, 2006

I need to be cynical to understand everything... Is the Tom Tom really good or is it just the branding? I don't mind spending the money assuming the product is superior.... Remember though my needs are simple and limited to the UK....

Scarface A-Z's are on offer @ £1.98 (buy one...... get non free)

MacRS200 · December 29, 2006

I got TomTom Mobile 5 running on my phone, never lets me down.

Fidgits · December 29, 2006

I need to be cynical to understand everything... Is the Tom Tom really good or is it just the branding? I don't mind spending the money assuming the product is superior.... Remember though my needs are simple and limited to the UK....
Scarface A-Z's are on offer @ £1.98 (buy one...... get non free)

There are some differences between the technologies.

There are two types of mapping data, NavTech and TeleAtlas, the latter is the more common, used with TomTom.

I believe the gadget show did a test with 3 different units, with the TomTom being the fastest to lock onto the satellites.

here it is: http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?...lue%20Sat%20Nav

I find the user interface very easy, but then i had TomTom on PDA for years before buying a 'Go 510'.

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

MacRS200 · December 29, 2006

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

I use the Scamera Data Base from Pocket GPS on mine and have not passed a speed camera without a warning coming up, even specs cameras in roadworks.

Fidgits · December 29, 2006

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

I use the Scamera Data Base from Pocket GPS on mine and have not passed a speed camera without a warning coming up, even specs cameras in roadworks.

I use the standard one that came with the TomTom 510, and its missed a couple - plus it doesnt have the 'Scamera vans'...

You need to bear in mind the Road Angel also has a Radar detector option - but the sat nav is no where near as good as the TomTom apparantly.

Tony-Bones · December 29, 2006

I need to be cynical to understand everything... Is the Tom Tom really good or is it just the branding? I don't mind spending the money assuming the product is superior.... Remember though my needs are simple and limited to the UK....

Scarface A-Z's are on offer @ £1.98 (buy one...... get non free)

There are some differences between the technologies.

There are two types of mapping data, NavTech and TeleAtlas, the latter is the more common, used with TomTom.

I believe the gadget show did a test with 3 different units, with the TomTom being the fastest to lock onto the satellites.

here it is: http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?...lue%20Sat%20Nav

I find the user interface very easy, but then i had TomTom on PDA for years before buying a 'Go 510'.

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

The link reads an excellent report on the product.... Again being naive is the operation touch screen?

Fidgits · December 29, 2006

I need to be cynical to understand everything... Is the Tom Tom really good or is it just the branding? I don't mind spending the money assuming the product is superior.... Remember though my needs are simple and limited to the UK....

Scarface A-Z's are on offer @ £1.98 (buy one...... get non free)

There are some differences between the technologies.

There are two types of mapping data, NavTech and TeleAtlas, the latter is the more common, used with TomTom.

I believe the gadget show did a test with 3 different units, with the TomTom being the fastest to lock onto the satellites.

here it is: http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?...lue%20Sat%20Nav

I find the user interface very easy, but then i had TomTom on PDA for years before buying a 'Go 510'.

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

The link reads an excellent report on the product.... Again being naive is the operation touch screen?

yes.

go to Halfrauds - they have demos you can play with (limited) and see the size etc...

Tony-Bones · December 29, 2006

I need to be cynical to understand everything... Is the Tom Tom really good or is it just the branding? I don't mind spending the money assuming the product is superior.... Remember though my needs are simple and limited to the UK....

Scarface A-Z's are on offer @ £1.98 (buy one...... get non free)

There are some differences between the technologies.

There are two types of mapping data, NavTech and TeleAtlas, the latter is the more common, used with TomTom.

I believe the gadget show did a test with 3 different units, with the TomTom being the fastest to lock onto the satellites.

here it is: http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?...lue%20Sat%20Nav

I find the user interface very easy, but then i had TomTom on PDA for years before buying a 'Go 510'.

The speed camera functions are okay - but not quite up to the Road Angel, but then its a question of which function is primary for you - GPS or Speed Cameras?

The link reads an excellent report on the product.... Again being naive is the operation touch screen?

yes.

go to Halfrauds - they have demos you can play with (limited) and see the size etc...

Halfrauds .... Solid advice everyone thank you... I'ma goinga pokeing this weekend......

.

Halfrauds..... cracked me up

Pip · December 29, 2006

I use the Garmin Nuvi. The size of a credit card. Does the job more than perfectly. Was costly when i bought it at £350.

Fidgits · December 29, 2006

Halfrauds .... Solid advice everyone thank you... I'ma goinga pokeing this weekend......
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Halfrauds..... cracked me up

yes, just dont ask the assistants any questions...

I went to have a look there, and there was a big promotion - speed camera database pre-installed on all TomTom sat nav systems...

Guy comes over...

"yeah, i'm thinking of getting the TomTom 510, though how good is its speed camera database?"

Spotty teenager: "it doesnt have one"

perplexed customer "It says there, in big yellow letters, all over the display it does"

Spotty teenager that cant be bothered to turn around to see "nope, not at all, you'll need to pay for it to download it of the web"

I walked out, went home, ordered it online with a 20% discount, and it had the pre-installed speed cameras...

Anees · December 29, 2006

Halfrauds .... Solid advice everyone thank you... I'ma goinga pokeing this weekend......
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Halfrauds..... cracked me up

Slightly off topic, but I also find it amusing when main dealers are refered to as the 'stealer' :lol:

Tony-Bones · December 29, 2006

Halfrauds .... Solid advice everyone thank you... I'ma goinga pokeing this weekend......

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.

.

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Halfrauds..... cracked me up

Slightly off topic, but I also find it amusing when main dealers are refered to as the 'stealer' :lol:

Correction... "Main stealer"

Halfrauds .... Solid advice everyone thank you... I'ma goinga pokeing this weekend......

.

.

.

.

Halfrauds..... cracked me up

yes, just dont ask the assistants any questions...

I went to have a look there, and there was a big promotion - speed camera database pre-installed on all TomTom sat nav systems...

Guy comes over...

"yeah, i'm thinking of getting the TomTom 510, though how good is its speed camera database?"

Spotty teenager: "it doesnt have one"

perplexed customer "It says there, in big yellow letters, all over the display it does"

Spotty teenager that cant be bothered to turn around to see "nope, not at all, you'll need to pay for it to download it of the web"

I walked out, went home, ordered it online with a 20% discount, and it had the pre-installed speed cameras...

Ah.. this is where i hit the dumb button.. what you just posted is my exact problem.. In theory it's possible to purchase a promise you need to down load to activate the possibilities adding cost to something that seemed reasonably cheap..... I don't want down loads!

ice · December 29, 2006

got a navman icn520 myself, does the job paid 180 from Halfords in the summer.

Sagitar · December 30, 2006

I don't want down loads!

Given that the numbers and locations of speed cameras change continually, there is no way that you can keep the situation updated without downloads - or am I missing something?

Tony-Bones · January 2, 2007

Well after reading all these suggestions i had a demo on the MioMap C510 It seemed to have all the key advice you guys have warned be to look for and the cost is £279, so i have decided on that..... Next step is get a car Thanks team LOC for all your help.

Parthiban · January 2, 2007

Well after reading all these suggestions i had a demo on the MioMap C510 It seemed to have all the key advice you guys have warned be to look for and the cost is £279, so i have decided on that..... Next step is get a car Thanks team LOC for all your help.

Hmm, seem to have stumbled on this a bit late, was just about to add another vote for a Tomtom (not a big fan of any of the portable ones, but they're the best of the bunch) but as you've already decided on one just ignore me :shutit:

Didn't realise you didn't have a car.......presuming it's a lexus you're planning to get :P

Tony-Bones · January 3, 2007

Well after reading all these suggestions i had a demo on the MioMap C510 It seemed to have all the key advice you guys have warned be to look for and the cost is £279, so i have decided on that..... Next step is get a car Thanks team LOC for all your help.

Hmm, seem to have stumbled on this a bit late, was just about to add another vote for a Tomtom (not a big fan of any of the portable ones, but they're the best of the bunch) but as you've already decided on one just ignore me :shutit:

Didn't realise you didn't have a car.......presuming it's a lexus you're planning to get :P

I do have a car..... well the wife does, i just ride the motorbike. But after recently being knocked off by a hit and run driver then nearly getting run over by a Police car i have now decided i want my own chariot.

Anees · January 3, 2007

I do have a car..... well the wife does, i just ride the motorbike. But after recently being knocked off by a hit and run driver then nearly getting run over by a Police car i have now decided i want my own chariot.

If you don't mind me asking have you decided on a realistic budget? I'm sure many LOC'ers wouldn't mind helping - regardless of if you buy a Lexus or other make. :)