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Satnav is dead long live satnav maybe


Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 16 Apr 2015

pocketgpsworld.com
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has confirmed that the standalone satellite navigation system has been removed from its ‘basket of goods’, the system used to measure the UK inflation rate.

Simply put, sales of standalone satnav devices, or Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) as we may know them, have fallen dramatically in recent years and sales are now so low that they no longer provide a useful measure.

Many more people now rely on smartphone navigation apps or have a built-in satnav in their car and new satnavs sell in far fewer numbers than they did at the peak.



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Comments
Posted by MaFt on Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:23 pm Reply with quote

If I'm honest, it's a long time since I've used a dedicated unit... I used to use phone for short journeys but a dedicated unit for long trips.

Nowadays I either use Navigon on Android with the Garmin HUD (for long journeys) or Google Navigation with the directions sent through to my Pebble watch (for shorter journeys). Although I did Bradford to Mablethorpe last weekend solely using Google Nav and CamerAlert.

For me, it's difficult to find a reason to carry an extra device around for navigation when the quality of even the free apps is that good now.

MaFt


 
Posted by Darren on Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:32 pm Reply with quote

I haven't used a PND in a few years now.


Darren Griffin

 
Posted by sussamb on Thu Apr 16, 2015 9:09 pm Reply with quote

I'm the opposite, I don't find a phone app compares with my PND so can't see myself switching.


Where there's a will ... there's a way.

 
Posted by Kremmen on Fri Apr 17, 2015 4:29 am Reply with quote

Same here. The car unit is fine for directions but it can't take cameras. I did try CamerAlert for a short time but it kept locking up.

Garmin PND also has the digital traffic so it's no contest for me.


Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

 
Posted by matthewj on Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:21 pm Reply with quote

My 740 PND is awaiting me doing something about selling it. The iPhone app works just fine.

The key question that I will ask, but I'm sure is already pondered on PocketGPSWorld, is what will happen to this site? It is a great resource for discussion, but with what will inevitably be a reduction in subscriptions to a database that you can't use on mobile easily (the app is fine, but it is hassle), what will happen to the site's finances?

GPS will be here forever, but will gadgets that need discussing.


 
Posted by Philsull on Sun Apr 19, 2015 5:19 pm Reply with quote

Tomtom was forever (until very recently) asking prices higher than a brand new piece of hardware to bring my One up to date, use Route 66 on the phone now.

Phil


 
Posted by IanS100 on Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:44 am Reply with quote

matthewj Wrote:

The key question that I will ask, but I'm sure is already pondered on PocketGPSWorld, is what will happen to this site? It is a great resource for discussion, but with what will inevitably be a reduction in subscriptions to a database that you can't use on mobile easily (the app is fine, but it is hassle), what will happen to the site's finances?


Where is the hassle? On a phone it's only a couple of taps to have the database updated, which is, as far as I'm aware, much easier than updating most PNDs. The distinct advantage of CamerAlert however, is that I can have warnings without having to plan a route. I've only ever owned TomTom PNDs, but as far as I recall, it was a case of no route no warning, & that is certainly the case for the latest TomTom Go app, I have CA running for all my journeys, it starts automatically on connection to the car's Bluetooth, but it would be a real hassle if I had to plan a journey every time I went anywhere!


Galaxy Note 4 / TomTom GO : CamerAlert : CoPilot

 
Posted by sussamb on Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:57 am Reply with quote

Garmin's warn you whether on a route or not ... Wink


Where there's a will ... there's a way.

 
Posted by Anita on Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:36 am Reply with quote

I thought TomTom PNDs warned you without a route planned unless you'd set the cameras to "Warn only if on route". Confused


Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

 
Posted by DennisN on Mon Apr 20, 2015 10:51 am Reply with quote

I agree Anita (although the theory is that means directional, yet I get warned both ways for some).

Anyway, as a side issue relating to dying PNDs... I wonder if that's why my HD Traffic seems to be improving connection-wise? The fewer PNDs with built in SIMs for traffic, the less strain on the system, so the better the service for all us dinosaurs still using it? I mean, it can't be TomTom responding to my concerns!


Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

 
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