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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:05 pm Post subject: Sat nav for a student |
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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 |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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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] |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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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? |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Pocketgps Lifetime Member
Joined: Nov 16, 2004 Posts: 2145 Location: Midlands, UK
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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alex98uk wrote: | 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? |
Yes you will see it as a Removable Disk on Explorer.
You have to use TomTom HOME software on your pc to update the gps unit.
The latest version of HOME software can be downloaded direct from TomTom's web site. |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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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? |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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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! |
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aj2052 Frequent Visitor
Joined: Jul 03, 2005 Posts: 1431 Location: Leics,UK
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | Only thing is, I live in the back and beyond of the countryside, so I hope it knows where I am! |
If you feel ok to state a location or postcode without too much info I am sure somebody will show a picture of the latest map, as you can see in the main they are a freindly helpfull lot on here. _________________ Moto G5s Plus, Sygic 17.4.8 |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:10 am Post subject: |
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Does that look like home? is that a mobile speed camera location on the map as well? - Mike |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14893 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Awe Mike, I thought you were still in bed.
_________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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alex98uk Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Ah, excellent
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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