Sat nav for a student

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

Hello, i'm new here but this seems like a busy and informative forum.

Anyway, I am a student and am looking for a sat nav system for the UK but also with European mapping built in (as I am driving to France with my girlfriend this summer). The only brands I know are Tom Tom and Garmin and I have played with a Nuvi and it seemed nice.

Anyway, my max budget is £200, but I would much prefer to spend nearer £100 if possible. Anyone got any nice recommendations? If it's significant, it will be used in a Vauxhall Corsa and Fiat Punto.

Cheers

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum, I recently got a TomTom One Europe with RDS-TMC receiver from Comet for £99:99 this purchase was for a mate who needed a nav unit urgently and it would appear Comet were clearing stock so its worth a try in your local store.

It came with old maps and software but I updated the application and then used latest Map Guarantee to update it to the latest standard for free.

Cracking bargain even though it is a basic device, so bargains can be found from time to time - a trip around the stores and look for managers specials as these can be unused devices with huge discounts applied - Mike

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

Hmm... I plan to go into town tomorrow and lurk some stores, see if they have any deals going. But, to the specifics:

I have tracked down what I believe might be a suitable sat nav for me, it gets good reviews, European mapping and I can get the device, a case and a plug/charger for £182 from Amazon.

It's the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition Satellite Navigation Unit Europe:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Routes-Satellite-Navigation-Europe/dp/B0024NL1H2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Is that a good device?[/b]

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

The XL IQ Routes is an excellent product and you won't go far wrong with that at all, to be honest I think its one of the most reliable devices they currently offer as it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that seem to cause the problems with some of the other devices - at that price I would go for it, make a full back up of the device using Windows Explorer BEFORE you do anything else with it - Mike

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

Brilliant! Well, I shall make the order tomorrow and get it updating (apparently takes hours!).

Does the satnav appear as a plug and play device in Windows Explorer in order to make a backup? Does it come with it's own PC software?

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject:

It is supplied with an application called TomTom Home, I would use Windows Explorer to make a back up BEFORE you do anything else with the device. If you are not too sure about using Windows Explore to back up your device have a look at the FAQ page where you will find plenty of information, including the all important back up is #1 see Here

Next install TomTom Home and make sure the Home software is actually up to date, then update the device followed by updating the map on the device using Latest Map Gaurantee, you have a 28 day window for the LMG so leave it for a few weeks in case a new map comes out then you are fully up to date for no extra cost - Mike

Pocketgps · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject:

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

So, wait... I have to pay for maps or only brand new maps? If they update say, the UK with new roads/roundabouts, do I have to pay for that update?

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject:

You get the first map update free with the device, this is to make sure the unit is purchased with the latest available maps and removes that doubt about how long its been sat on the shelf in the store prior to purchase.

After that application updates are free but map updates are charged for, you can join the map update scheme which will give you a new map via download every three months.

You can purchase maps outright as you find you need them which is a one off purchase costing more than than the update scheme and only offers a single purchase.

Do nothing until you notice the map is out of date, roads don't change that often and to be honest there will be little difference between a 2 year old map and the very latest one in percentage terms - when you start to notice junctions are wrong or the unit depicts you driving through fields when you are on a motorway/ A road then its time to upgrade the map - Mike

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

OK, cool, so iterative updates (small changes to existing bugs) aren't free?

I probably won't be using the device frequently since I walk everywhere at Uni, it'll mainly be for holidays and driving to sports fixtures.

I guess before I go abroad, I may as well purchase a full update just to make sure i'm covered, I guess the UK is already well mapped. Only thing is, I live in the back and beyond of the countryside, so I hope it knows where I am!

aj2052 · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:52 am Post subject:

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

Hi, this is my rough location: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=51.499286,-1.872568&spn=0.026582,0.086646&z=15

I'm sure it'll be fine, i'm about a 20 minute drive from the motorway and 10 from Wootton Bassett.

mikealder · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

Does that look like home? is that a mobile speed camera location on the map as well? - Mike

DennisN · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:48 am Post subject:

Awe Mike, I thought you were still in bed.

_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

alex98uk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18

Ah, excellent Smile

Well, going to order now and hopefully when it arrives, update it and get the PocketGPS camera database installed (want both UK and Europe!)

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