Sat Navs

oneale90

oneale90

oneale90

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19 Nov 2008
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668
Hi Guys,

Not really sure if this is the best place for this, but seen as it is motors i thought it would be best suited here.

I'm after a New satnav for work, I currently have a very dated Tom-Tom.

I've been looking at the newer models and the reviews are, francly, really bad. The updated maps won't fit on them e.c.t

Has anybody ever used / had an issue with the Garmin stuff?

I'm just after some suggestions on which is the better brand to go with, and why ?

Many thanks !
 
Would an up to date nav unit for your car be an option? Maybe even have a look for the manufacturers nav system on ebay or similar?
 
oneale90 said:
Hi Guys,

Not really sure if this is the best place for this, but seen as it is motors i thought it would be best suited here.

I'm after a New satnav for work, I currently have a very dated Tom-Tom.

I've been looking at the newer models and the reviews are, francly, really bad. The updated maps won't fit on them e.c.t

Has anybody ever used / had an issue with the Garmin stuff?

I'm just after some suggestions on which is the better brand to go with, and why ?

Many thanks !
Click to expand...

Daft question, but can you not update your current tomtom?

edit
what model is it?
 
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Co-Pilot on Android works pretty well, though mine (UK/Western Europe) was £30 rather than £15.

It gets you from A>B fine, but my only criticism of it is that its routing isn't the most direct or sensible at times. Most of the time its fine but sometimes it takes the longer route rather than a cut through/short/more direct route, particularly when navigating around London.

Obviously it doesn't compare to a top end dedicated TomTom unit, but then its £30 compared to £150-200.

Google Navigation (Android) also works perfectly fine in terms of A>B routing but its obviously doesn't have any bells and whistles (eg. speed cameras) and obviously can't compare to a top end TomTom unit.
 
SB118 said:
or navfree.
Click to expand...

I have navfree with my iPhone and have tried it a few times just to cross reference known delivery routes, it's set up for a truck yet some of the routes it suggests you would not like to chance with a small car! Ok if your in a car, obviously, but as I say, some of its suggestions are laughable.
E.g. West Thurrock to Heathrow? -it puts you on a straight line directly through the centre of London.

Carlisle to Workington? - it suggests going via Penrith!?!

Taunton to Bridgewater, sends you via Minehead..... :/

You get what you pay for, this one clearly is free for a reason, it's crap! :D

I can certainly see how truckers get in a fix following these damn things....
 
nav free doesnt support speed camera alerts on android either, which is why i stopped using it. the lane guidance and other features of co pilot make it worth the money.
 
Personally I'm not on smartphone apps for navigation for a few reasons. Speaker not very loud and glossy, smaller screens. They also aren't designed for mounting, compared to dedicated nav units which have lugs and simple clips.

Although the apps aren't hugely expensive, you're also dependent on that platform if you change your phone - I've got an iPhone with 6 months left on the contract and am looking at nav systems myself - I might keep the phone at the end of the contract or I might change to something android or WM. So the 15-30 quid would be wasted if I change it.

Proper standalone systems are so cheap these days - I bought a garmin a year or 2 ago. Gave it to my dad when I got my last car as it had built in nav, but my new car doesn't so I'm looking at my options again. I'd probably have another garmin, it worked very well - accurate and clear guidance, read out street names, did speed cameras and Bluetooth. Was about 80 quid
 
iaind said:
Personally I'm not on smartphone apps for navigation for a few reasons. Speaker not very loud and glossy, smaller screens. They also aren't designed for mounting, compared to dedicated nav units which have lugs and simple clips.
Click to expand...


I agree, using a phone to navigate is great as a last minute thing if you're lost or just need to quickly find somewhere etc.. But as a more elegant, "permanent" solution I think a Tomtom is much better.
 
I've always had a Garmin and been really pleased with them. Last one I ordered was faulty (no sound) but covered under warranty and Garmins customer service was very good.

Easy to use, good features and some good models for under £100
 
Howard said:
I agree, using a phone to navigate is great as a last minute thing if you're lost or just need to quickly find somewhere etc.. But as a more elegant, "permanent" solution I think a Tomtom is much better.
Click to expand...

My preferred solution was a double din head unit which did nav, but I couldn't justify £600 for the head unit compared to £300 for a nav system that would cost £80. I don't know what that parrot single din system is like, the price is right but the display is teeny
 
Does the latest Ipod Touch have in built GPS? Personally that would be ideal set up for Sat Nav, Music etc.

Keeps the iPhone/Android free for BT calls

Don't think I could ever justify paying hundreds for a Sat Nav unit when you can get free or <£20 alternatives that will work on smartphones...
 
So dedicate a £200 iPod with a £20 app to the purpose because you don't want to pay £80 for a proper unit? Logic FTW
 
rossk26 said:
Does the latest Ipod Touch have in built GPS? Personally that would be ideal set up for Sat Nav, Music etc.

Keeps the iPhone/Android free for BT calls

Don't think I could ever justify paying hundreds for a Sat Nav unit when you can get free or <£20 alternatives that will work on smartphones...
Click to expand...

I just bought a stand alone tomtom unit, with Europe maps for £93. It's not exactly big money and costs less then a iPod touch.
 
iaind said:
So dedicate a £200 iPod with a £20 app to the purpose because you don't want to pay £80 for a proper unit? Logic FTW
Click to expand...

ZG002 said:
I just bought a stand alone tomtom unit, with Europe maps for £93. It's not exactly big money and costs less then a iPod touch.
Click to expand...

I was talking about if you already had the device. I never suggested buying a £249 iPod to use as a Sat Nav
 
Built in OEM unit is clearly the best, but expensive. I used Co-Pilot on my generic fruit based phone almost daily for a couple of years and worked great.
 
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