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TB303 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:52 am Post subject: Which Sat nav? No TomTom! |
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hi People,
I need to replace my old TomTom One who died on me.
I don't want a TomTom device - they have such bad service I'll never go near them again - basically I ordered (paid for) traffic updates only to discover the tomtom didn't support my iphone 3G (back then) - so it was useless, I spent a lot of time on their site trying to get a refund, etc but there was no one to speak with.
I'm looking for a device:
1. Free traffic updates, ideally over the air but is it can work with an iphone that's good too.
2. That works with Pocket GPS maps (they all do, right?)
3. Clear interface - on the TomTom I took the wrong turn on several occasions because the graphics are confusing.
4. no other bells and whistles - just navigation please
5. Free map updates
6. Less than £100 from a good retailer in the UK
Please share your thoughts,
Thanks! |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14901 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Investigate the iPhone apps. _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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TB303 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:47 am Post subject: |
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DennisN wrote: | Investigate the iPhone apps. |
Thanks,
I'd rather have a stand alone device, the wife doesn't have an iphone etc.
thanks! |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:06 am Post subject: |
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I can't imagine there will be any unit that will fit ALL those requirements, especially for under £100. Even the iPhone apps need a subscription for the traffic and you still pay for map updates.
You can get "free" traffic if you stick with the TMC type traffic but that has it's own issues (signal strength, data quality and quantity).
When you say "PocketGPS Maps"'did you mean the "PocketGPS Speed Camera Database"? If so, many do. Some don't. |
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TB303 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:08 am Post subject: |
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PaulB2005 wrote: | I can't imagine there will be any unit that will fit ALL those requirements, especially for under £100. Even the iPhone apps need a subscription for the traffic and you still pay for map updates.
You can get "free" traffic if you stick with the TMC type traffic but that has it's own issues (signal strength, data quality and quantity).
When you say "PocketGPS Maps"'did you mean the "PocketGPS Speed Camera Database"? If so, many do. Some don't. |
Yes, that's correct, I meant the speed camera database... ;-)
Maybe TMC data is what I'm after? I'd like some sort of intelligent routing |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14901 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:15 am Post subject: |
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Google for Refurbished sat navs if £100 is your limit. Be aware that makes other than TomTom probably have their own "issues" too.
I thought there was a free navigation app (Google Maps Nav or somesuch?) and pgpsw CamerAlert for iPhone is even better than on the normal PNDs (TomTom, Garmin etc). _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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TB303 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:29 am Post subject: |
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Well,
Just looking at Ebuyer here are a few models that fall into the £100 bracket:
Navman S300T Traffic 3.5"
Garmin Nuvi 255W 4.3"
TomTom Start 2 IQ Routes ( I know... ;-) not sure how well the 'IQ' bit works and if you have to pay for it going forward - as well as iphone integration)
Thanks, |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:37 am Post subject: |
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IQ Routes is free but it's not traffic. It just alters the routing based on historic data so during the day it'll avoid known hot spots such as near schools and high streets but it'll use them at night.
I agree with the comments about all brands having issues. There's one thread this week about the weird routing on the Garmin 255 and does the Navman have a restriction on the number of POI it can support? |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14901 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:38 am Post subject: |
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Forget the Start 2, it has less capability than your previous device and iPhone just don't work with (any) TomTom data/SMS. _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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TB303 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:39 am Post subject: |
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DennisN wrote: | Forget the Start 2, it has less capability than your previous device and iPhone just don't work with (any) TomTom data/SMS. |
Thanks for the tips!!
So which device would you suggest? maybe a bot higher than £100?
Thanks, |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14901 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:54 am Post subject: |
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GO550 Live with one year free Live services, at TotalPDA. They also have GO540 Live, but it doesn't say if you get a free Live trial. I think Mikealder would recommend the 540 over the 550, but it's a close call with a year's free Live services (that includes HD traffic service which is very good and Google Search which is terrific - fuel prices and TomTom cameras are VERY worth avoiding). Beware, I prefer TT devices above all others which I've tried, so I'm a bit biased! _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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PaulB2005 wrote: | Even the iPhone apps need a subscription for the traffic and you still pay for map updates. |
News to me as I have had a few new maps for the TT iPhone apps and they have been free each time, there is a cost associated with the Live services though such as HD Traffic.
DennisN wrote: | Mikealder would recommend the 540 over the 550, but it's a close call with a year's free Live services (that includes HD traffic service which is very good and Google Search which is terrific |
There is no real difference between the 540/ 550 its only when you compare the 940/ 950 where the older device (940) is a better spec unit having the mp3 player and FM Tx - Mike |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | [quote="mikealder"] PaulB2005 wrote: | Even the iPhone apps need a subscription for the traffic and you still pay for map updates. |
News to me as I have had a few new maps for the TT iPhone apps and they have been free each time, there is a cost associated with the Live service. |
So if you have bought TT on the iPhone once you get each new version free? I did ask someone (not on here) and i was told each version needs to be paid for! Well there you go. Might have to look at it again. Whilst I prefer the PNDs flexibility over the iPhone app it would be nice to just have once device. With HD traffic. |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which Sat nav? No TomTom! |
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TB303 wrote: |
5. Free map updates |
Does ANYONE do that? |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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MikeA said
Quote: | I have had a few new maps for the TT iPhone apps and they have been free each time |
So now i am genuinely confussed.... |
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