Reply to: What's the best sat-nav product out there?

[threaded]

Threaded, the one built into my new RR is a splendid device.

I confirm that I recon the TomTom is better than the Alpine. For instance she doesn't have that annoying southern accent. I've replaced her with a sultry mid-european on my TomTom, can you do that on the RR?

[ASB]

I beg to disagree, the ones that come with a BMW for instance are pants compared to a TomTom.

Personal preference probably?

A mate in Portugal has a tom tom of some description, from a POV of its accuracy and usability it's better than my (old) Beemer.

It's just a shame it's so bloody untidy, what with a wire to plug it in the fag lighter, a wire to the external GPS receiver, a bloody great cradle glued into the middle of the dash it's a bit like a mobile rat's nest.

Maybe the alpine jobby built into one of their head units with the slide out TFT screen would be a good compromise.

[Churchill]

Threaded, the one built into my new RR is a splendid device.

[threaded]

I think the best nav system is one that comes built in to the car, second best would be one you can hide (ie. screen pops out of the system that is inserted in to the dash in place of your CD/radio. Failing that, get one of them flash tomtoms (or walk around at night and steal one! ).

Ive got a unit that came with my car (OEM) and its actually bloody handy. Been to a few places that I never knew existed in London recently and got there with minimal fuss thanks to me sat nav.

Mailman

I beg to disagree, the ones that come with a BMW for instance are pants compared to a TomTom.

[Mailman]

I think the best nav system is one that comes built in to the car, second best would be one you can hide (ie. screen pops out of the system that is inserted in to the dash in place of your CD/radio. Failing that, get one of them flash tomtoms (or walk around at night and steal one! ).

Ive got a unit that came with my car (OEM) and its actually bloody handy. Been to a few places that I never knew existed in London recently and got there with minimal fuss thanks to me sat nav.

Mailman

[Parisno]

I have TomTom on a HP4700, never been lost since I got it, maps and software running on a memory card and both easily updated, costs a little more than one of the dedicated units, but you have a top notch PDA as well. You wanted the dog's nads well this is it.

One word of warning, I have not managed to get the software to run well on Windows Mobile 5, but runs perfectly on Pocket PC 2003se

[cojak]

I'm going for a Tomtom Mobile 5 when I switch phone contracts next month.

Expect a network coverage question in the near future...

[DaveB]

I have a TomTom One, doesnt have all the bells and whitles of the high end models like handfree phone interface etc but it is a good deal smaller than those. Maps are great, display is large and clear. You can hook it up to the net via your phone to download traffic and weather information if you want it on the move or from your PC at home if not.

[milanbenes]

TomTom 310, including Western Europe Maps 350 Euros at Lidl

Sorteeeeeeeeeeed

Milan.

[ladymuck]

The manager where I'm currently contracting swears by his Mio 269 (now called Mio 269 Plus). It comes with a full set of UK and Europe maps and updates are at a minimal cost - you only pay for the media. I think some of the others charge in the region of £150 for map updates.

I use a map so have no personal experience of these things!

[The Lone Gunman]

Sat Nav systems are currently the number 1 item for theft from cars.

Make sure that the system you buy is not an excuse for some scrote to break into your motor.
The copper on the telly said any signs that there might be a system in the car are enough, even a sucker mark on the windscreen for the holder.

[madhippy]

the disadvantage of a pda+gps system is setting them up ...

ie you have stick clamp to windscreen, select the nav software, enter the route, put pda in clamp, power pda via lighter socket, stick gps unit somewhere...

then you realise the bluetooth thingy stopped working and the pda cant see the gps, so you mess about setting that up again, software starts working, you start driving only to realise you cant hear the voice prompts as the volume on the pda is too low ... blah ... then the speed camera stuff doesn't work as you turned off the "points of interest" thingy .... blah

I'd go with an all in one unit myself ... went for an ipaq rx3715, solar/battery powered bluetooth gps and copilot software ... tempted to get a tomtom instead now ...

[Mustang]

New models

As far as I can make out, Tom Tom and Garmin are the 2 leading makes. I like the Tom Tom but I think it is too bulk - especially if you theft concerns mean you need to keep taking it out the car. What are the new features of the 900?

I personally have decided to go with Garmin. I am intending to get a Garmin Nuvi. The 350 version is currently available but holding out for the Nuvi 360 as this has the added benefit of Bluetooth handsfree for mobiles like the Tomtom 700. Garmin currently say this will be available in June.

HTH.

[tamper]

Yes, TomTom 910

How do you update the TomTom GOs? Do they put out new maps on SD card? Also, do you know whether the map files available for the TT PocketPC releases can be used on the Go?

[threaded]

Is there a hands-down dogs-bollocks obvious choice to go for, or is it a matter of taste?

Yes, TomTom 910

Anyone know what's what?

Yes.