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Oh no! Not new satnav advice again!

 
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astrocompass
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Joined: Aug 15, 2005
Posts: 156
Location: Windsor, UK

PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:53 pm    Post subject: Oh no! Not new satnav advice again! Reply with quote

Crikey it's been a while since I've visited this site. I guess that's mainly because my daily commute to London via our reasonably priced yet gloriously overcrowded trains don't make much demand on my satnav capability. Ever heard of a commuter train taking a wrong turn, or being booked for speeding?

Anyways, my somewhat ageing BT338, iPaq 2210 and Tom Tom 5 .x combo are getting a bit long in the tooth – confusing when you're instructed to take the third exit from a roundabout that's morphed into a four way traffic light controlled crossing with no right turn, and doesn't reflect the other changes to our roadways that have occurred in the last x years.

So I'm in the market for a new setup, and have come to the best place to get advice. The choice seems overwhelming, so I thought I'd ask you experts first. I don't particularly want satnav on a phone, and would prefer a dedicated unit. It must have the capability to download POI's especially the speed cams from here. I'd like European and Nordic maps and maybe North American too, because I'd use them. Real time traffic info might be useful (got stuck in that M25 fiasco not long ago...). I'd like to use the Liz voice, also sourced from here. Budget isn't a problem, but I'm into value for money rather than the latest technology at any price. I don't think I need all the latest technology but am content to be convinced otherwise. I like Tom Tom 5.x, but also was happy with 3.x, but am equally happy to learn something new.

Any suggestions gratefully received from a dormant but grateful member.

Astro
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mikealder
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Joined: Jan 14, 2005
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Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am not too sure the current TomTom range is worthy of any sort of recomendation given your wish list, about the only things they can do are a custom voice and load the PGPSW speed camera database. You can't purchase maps of anywhere other than those currently installed to the device, if you are lucky it might have a memory card slot for expansion purposes but its disabled with no idea as to when/if it might be put to use. Finally the PC interface for the newer TomTom units is crap, very limitted as to what it can do leaving you 100% in the hands of TomTom support when it goes wrong. At best when it goes belly up you send it back to be supplied with a replacement rather than the old fashioned way of format and re-install a day 01 back up, yes thats right you can't even back up the data you purchased along with the device.

Most of the newer high end TomTom units have the Live services enabled allowing you to Navigate to a Google search entry and the previously acclaimed Live HD Traffic, I use the past tense deliberatly because they have ruined what was a decent service by one of their "upgrades" that limits the range it can look ahead, for use in the UK it is currently as good as useless IMHO.

An iPhone4 running the TomTom app is a decent bet as that isn't as crippled as the standalone devices and can, with a bit of effort be forced to use the Liz Whit voice (mine does). After that I would look at Garmin as they are the only other company that have offered support to devices as they grow old but you can forget using the Liz voice on one of those - Mike
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AliOnHols
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Joined: Oct 15, 2008
Posts: 1940

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you pop over to TomTom's Outlet store -
http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/tomtom-outlet-store/

you may find that one of the last generation SatNav's suits your needs and at a reasonable price.
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Kremmen
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you do choose Garmin don't worry about the POI female voice as the latest PGPSW dedicated voice is very clear.
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peterc10
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Joined: Aug 21, 2005
Posts: 1761
Location: Kent, England

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any particular reason why you don't want a sat nav app on a phone. If you already have a smartphone (or are in the market for one anyway) it will provide the best value, and it will hit all your wish list.

I have an Android phone with Sat Nav apps (Sygic for Europe and Copilot for USA) on a permanently wired Brodit mount in the car. I can also use Google Maps, Places and Nav to find almost anything in the area as well (much better and more comprehensive than using POIs).

Nowadays I don't even bother with camera alerts on the sat nav. I just run PGPSW's CamerAlert app in the background of whatever app I have on. Works fine for me.
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astrocompass
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Joined: Aug 15, 2005
Posts: 156
Location: Windsor, UK

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Mike - you've confirmed a latent fear that TT ain't what it was. I think I'll cross it off the list. Appreciated.

peterc10 wrote:
Any particular reason why you don't want a sat nav app on a phone. If you already have a smartphone (or are in the market for one anyway) it will provide the best value, and it will hit all your wish list.


Hi Peter - the reason I want a separate device is that having a satnav on a phone adds another layer of bewildering complexity - not just "Which satnav?" but now in addition "Which phone to host it on? On which tariff? With which provider?" Plus if it breaks or I lose it, I've lost the lot.

I think I'm considering the Garmin 2350LT - does all I want, I think, plus I can buy the US maps when I need them. I'll miss Liz of course, but compromises may be necessary. Any views on the 2350 out there? The good, bad and downright unacceptable are all welcome.

Thanks again for the input so far. It's good to be made welcome after a long absence! Very Happy

Astro
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