Which Sat nav? No TomTom!

TB303 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16

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!

DennisN · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:44 am Post subject:

Investigate the iPhone apps.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

TB303 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:06 am Post subject:

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.

TB303 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16

DennisN · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:15 am Post subject:

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!!

TB303 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16

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,

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:37 am Post subject:

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?

DennisN · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:38 am Post subject:

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!!

TB303 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 16

DennisN · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:54 am Post subject:

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!!

mikealder · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject:

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which Sat nav? No TomTom!

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject:

MikeA said

	PocketGPS
	Web