Which Entry level to go for?

[nickspruce]

Hi

I am looking to purchase my first transferable Sat Nav device after changing my car and loosing my previous built in system. I am looking to spend as little as possible without compromising too much on the system. I'm not interested in fancy features, Non-UK maps or pretty looks, just an accurate and easy to use device.

I have been comparing the Tom Tom GO 300, the Mio 268, the Garmin Quest V7 and the Navman ICN 510. The Mio appears best value for money by far and is over £50 cheaper than its next cheapest rival. The Tom Tom is the most expensive.

My question is, would the Mio 268 be as good as the other more expensive entry-level systems? Does anyone know of a review which compares these systems like for like?

Thanks
:D

[Pocketgps]

The Mio 268/9 series cannot use add-on poi's like the FREE Safety Camera files from this web site without having to hack the OS.

[nickspruce]

Thanks for the info. Can you add POI's to the navman & Garmin? I'm not too interested in the safety camera feature but the software is an important factor. How do you rate the Mio 268 Miomap CE software with that of the Tom Tom? Are the graphics as easy to understand and as clear as the Tom Tom? The Tom Tom seems a more versatile system although it is £95 more expensive and it does'nt include a power adaptor for use indoors. I am also a little concerned about its size, the Mio looks as though it would fit into a pocket but the Tom Tom looks too bulky.

Cheers

[StevenGourlay]

I have used all of the units you mention in the above post. I would say that the tomtom go 300 would be my choice, dont get me wrong does not look the best but i would say all round its better. The Navman ICN 510 is a close 2nd as its slimmer functions and is fairly user friendly. That saying you get what you paid for might be true in this situation, sometimes its better to pay that little bit extra.

I could go into more detail but is saturday and am sleepy :-)
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[nickspruce]

Thanks for the advice. Like you say, you get what you pay for. Do you not rate the Mio 268? The bulkiness of the Tom Tom is still putting me off. I live in Manchester and have to take everything out of my car whenever i leave it, the Mio and Navman look more like a PDA size units and the Tom Tom looks like a mini T.V. Not exactly pocket size.

So which of the four units i mentioned would you say was most accurate in the directions it gave you? Is it true that tele atlas are not as good as navteq. I used to have navteq on my built in Fiat system and it often sent me the wrong way.

Cheers

[StevenGourlay]

Both map companys information can be hit and miss in some area's. The Tom Tom i would still say is the best but if you need to be able to take it out the car and not just put in the glove box then the Navman ICN 510.
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[nickspruce]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. Most people on these forums seem to rate the Tom Tom highly. I am now thinking that the Bluetooth hands free capabilities, bigger processor and the other many features of the Tom Tom Go 500 (like traffic information & speed cameras) may force my arm to pay the extra. The extra £100 for the 500 against the 300 seems good value given that you get a processor twice the size, hands free bluetooth, an Ac adaptor and the major roads in Europe. Have you got any idea when the Tom Tom Go 500 might be available?

Cheers
Nick

[StevenGourlay]

Its strange the 300 came out then about 1-2 months the 700 came out, tomtom at there best i dont have an actual date as yet i am affraid.
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!