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View Full Version : What in-car sat nav?

caygs
08-10-2008, 13:21
Afternoon knowledgable folks of the forums,

I have finally decided, after getting lost far too many times, that it is time to get an in-car sat nav. However, I am getting a bit lost trying to work out what ones to get. I have heard of Tom Tom but with all the accessories and different varieties I have no idea where to start.

I guess what I am looking for is a UK & Ireland unit, although Western Europe would be a bonus. Traffic updates would be useful, as would the safety camera thingy, and ease of use would also be a great bonus.

I also want to avoid getting locked into something where I have to pay ongoing subscriptions for things unless that is the norm.

Apologies for the noobie post on this, I really don't know where to start, so any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paul :)
LordoftheDance
08-10-2008, 13:46
My fiancee bought a great one - Garmin Nuvi (I think it's the 255 model) - about £130 or thereabouts. No monthly subscriptions, very clear and detailed, has maps of UK, Ireland and Europe.

It was between that and the TomTom XL, but the research I did showed that people were more hacked off with the TomTom than the Garmin.
Kryten
08-10-2008, 14:01
Personally I like the TomTom units for their user interface, but not used much else recently.

Traffic updates tend to come over TMC which is a radio based signal broadcast by the commercial radio stations (mine picks up from Classic FM as that tends to be good all over the UK).

I have a built-in system though in my car so only used TomTom's when in hire cars abroad.
TELREA
08-10-2008, 18:34
Another vote for TOMTOM great interface/software the voice commands are clear and spot on,speedcams work great,have had 2 garmin units and did not like the routing it would take me on many country roads(i drive a truck)the voice commands were not on a par with TT either.Look at the NEW TT one....nice little unit
caygs
08-10-2008, 21:15
Cheers for the tips folks, will have a look. Any recommendations on where is best to buy them from?
caygs
08-10-2008, 21:21
Was this the new Tom Tom you meant? http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=498&Category=0&Lid=1
splobber
08-10-2008, 21:24
I've got the GO520 and it is bang on the money (I do around 3000 miles a month). In a lot of ways it is better than the £2k sat nav I had in my A4.
craig1912
09-10-2008, 07:24
You can get a Tom Tom One V3 europe for £95. I bought one 6 months ago and in my opinion its better than my wifes Garmin 200.
caygs
09-10-2008, 14:44
Well thank you all for the advice, ended up going for this one - Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0018NPKXK/thedvdforums-21) - figured it was worth a little extra to get Western Europe over just GB, and since I am normally only driving to visit friends or go places, the traffic stuff should come in useful as well.
TELREA
09-10-2008, 17:34
Well thank you all for the advice, ended up going for this one - Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0018NPKXK/thedvdforums-21) - figured it was worth a little extra to get Western Europe over just GB, and since I am normally only driving to visit friends or go places, the traffic stuff should come in useful as well.

Great little unit...a new map update was released a few weeks ago so make sure and update to the latest when you receive it(provided free by tomtom so long as you do it within 30 days of receiving the unit)you'll never get lost again:clap:

TEL.
crazyp
10-10-2008, 06:12
After having used a variety of units (and PDA software) I keep coming back to Tom TOM - IMO it's the best overall package.

Yes, there are probably more hacked off Tom Tom users but that's probably because there are waaaay more Tom Tom users in general.
caygs
11-10-2008, 22:04
Personally I like the TomTom units for their user interface, but not used much else recently. Would have to agree with you there. Came this morning, and out of the box I have got it working and in use already. True I didn't really need it to go over to visit my mum's, but it was interesting to see the way it took me!
Doolio
12-10-2008, 11:15
We are looking at getting a Tom Tom

We only need it for use in the UK. Would like 1 that will redirect us away from traffic jams

Dont need anything fancy like MP3 or built in camera

Would like to be able to down load funny voices to keep us entertained :-)

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks