Sat nav for a technophobe

magumba · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:32 am Post subject: Sat nav for a technophobe

Hello everyone.

As the title suggests i have a query about sat nav for a comitted technophobe and would love to canvas the opinions of the fine people that make up pocket gps world.

The family have agreed to purchase a sat nav for my father as a gift for his birthday after he has been impressed greatly by mine (Garmin I3 streetpilot) HOWEVER he is a comitted technophobe.

The main criteria being
1 easily removable from the car

2 comparitively complete uk mapping with a minimum of updating required (the updating will be down to me)

3 speed cameras able to be loaded onto it

4 display perhaps larger than the I3 and touch screen

Short of buying him a large print road atlas i'm a bit bamboozled amongst the plethora of systems available.
So i'd love to hear anyones opinion on systems that may fit in with the above.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this
mag

philpugh · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:51 am Post subject:

TomTom One would be a good place to start.

But there are going to be times (with all navigation systems) when it's going to upset a technophobe (not locking to a signal as quick as they believe it should, fiddly menu systems, annoying noises.....) so look at something you might be able to make use of in the (near) future!

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

I have had two units and the first was an Evesham with a combination of buttons and touch screen icons ideally requiring use of a fiddly stylus. This is very confusing and not something your dad would like. My second is a Medion PNA with virtually all functions accessed by touch screen. This is fine. I have also seen the i3. This works by pressing physical buttons and I think there was a scroll wheel. It seemed to be well designed and easy to get to grips with. The screen seemed a bit small though and I'm not sure if you can install speed camera alerts. Maybe your dad would find this facility annoying though.

It's so much better when the device locks easily onto the satellites. For this you need a SirffStar III GPS antenna. The sat nav will also cope much better with a coated windscreen and poor weather conditions. The Garmin i3 has SirffStar II. I think it's very handy to have the sat nav on a mains charger in the house so it's always ready to go. Not all units include this as standard.

TomTom One comes highly recommended. You need to be careful because my wife is only just beginning to take these devices seriously. My Evesham BM6380 almost put her off for life.

DennisN · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

Get him a TomTom GO710 PLUS a remote control. Show him the choice of 2D or 3D screen display. That way he can achieve just about everything without fiddling with the touchscreen. Get rid of the TT cameras and download the ones from here and add the OGG voice warnings. He'll be pleased with you and put you back in his will.
Regards
Dennis (67 and a third years old)
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

I'm not sure about that DennisN. I'm getting on too, but think that perhaps remote controls and voice warnings tend to confuse the issue. Clear, easy sat nav is what's wanted for a technophobe. When that's a success it's time to talk about moving onto extra features. Although TomTom gets most peoples' vote I thought the Garmin i3 was very simple. If there's a version with a SirffStar III aerial and bigger screen it might be just the job. There's so much choice out there it's amazing.
You look well for 67. What's your secret?

DennisN · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject:

Hmm. Well, I honestly find the remote control an absolute blessing compared with touch screen - I don't miss or hit the wrong one with it and I don't have to reach out for it. The voices I have came from some brilliant person here to whom I long to give credit, but can't remember who! - They are loud and preceded by the whooping sirens so I can't miss them. Best thing would be for father to sit in front of a whole row of them all doing their thing. Trouble is, it doesn't work that way does it?

I picked my first GO simply because after mooning around the shops for some time, the only place I could get a demo was selling the GO. Pure luck of the draw and I liked it so much I'd have bought the company (and made a better job of support services!!!) if I'd been able to afford it.

At the end of the day, you pays yer money and takes yer choice bazz, I reckon.

My secret is I chose an avatar that I look like in my dreams! Laughing

_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

Maybe you're right about the remote. My Evesham had one but the unit was so much trouble that the remote never came out of its plastic bag. Hopefully someone else can comment on whether they make things simpler.

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

I'd forget about a Garmin. I looked up the i5 which is better specified than the i3 but again there are problems with satellite reception. TomTom One has to be better.

portman · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject:

You could go for the Garmin Nuvi 300 for £170 or the Garmin C510 for £150. Be easier for you! All the same software as your used to with the i3.

http://www.find-tomtom-deals.co.uk/
Gives Nuvi prices aswell.

http://www.currys.co.uk
Garmin C510 code. 003552
_________________
Samsung Mega
Tomtom 500

Skippy · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Sat nav for a technophobe

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

If he was taken with the i3 that does seem a strong reason for that model. I have a friend with one and he finds it easy to use but he has been unable to get a signal in the works van. If it is OK in the dads car then that's probably a major factor. Forget anything which need the paraphernalia of an external aerial. It's all too much hassle. What a shame Garmin haven't enhanced the antenna incorporated in this very simple model.

bazz2004 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 35

In two of the latest computer magazines the Medion GoPal PNA 465 has come top of the models reviewed. (computeract!ve and Personal Computer World)

My GoPal PNA350 is good but the new Medion 465 stands out even from TomTom One, having both a faster processor and first rate software. It comes with a mains charger, full 7 digit post code search and a large clear 4.3" widescreen. It is all touch screen in operation.

""the GoPal is also one of the easiest of all the GPS devices to get started with, both in terms of the software being intuitive to use and on a technical level, since the machine was quick to lock onto the GPS satellites." PCW

Skippy · Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:34 am Post subject:

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