Which sub £200 widescreen satnav would you recommend?

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Hi,

I want to buy a widescreen satnav, like the Garmin Nuvi 255WT

(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Satellite-Navigation-System-Built/dp/B00151USJG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231159345&sr=1-2).

The more I read about this model, the more it seems that the mapping/ routing seems quite inaccurate.

This ranges from people in London being sent down long-established one-way streets (the wrong way), and people being told that roads/ postcodes do not exist, when they obviously do.

Can anyone recommend a widescreen satnav (preferably not Tomtom).

Nice to have would be the ability to play MP3's on the unit.

Help for this satnav newbie is much appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris.

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Anyone?

PaulB2005 · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject:

To be honest all the maps have problems like the ones you describe. No map is perfect and where one map makers maps are accurate another could be inaccurate. Sadly you have to accept that Sat Nav is just a guide.

DennisN · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject:

Why not TomTom? The GO 730 is now selling for £200, the GO 530 and the previous range x20s are even cheaper if you can find them. I've tried other makes and hated them. All of these play mp3s.

Like Paul says, every map is rubbish if it does something you don't like and I'm sure every map has errors one way or another. Mine has even cost me a congestion charge when it directed me homewards via a right turn onto A40 out of London, which was not allowed, and I could only go forwards into the CC zone. It happens (and I curse dreadfully). But I wouldn't have reached my destination without the satnav (or carrying a boxful of A-Zs).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Dennis/ Paul,

Thanks for your advice. I guess that's a fair point about all satnav's having deficencies. I'll have a look at the range you suggest.

I use Linux not Windoze, so updating a TomTom would require using someone else's PC, that's why I'm steering away (pun) from TomTom, but if features and price are right, I'll just run a TT until it is too out of date, then bin it.

Cheers,

Chris.

DennisN · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject:

I'm an ignoramus, so what's your problem with updating from within Linux? You've managed to get into this website where you can get to the cameras, so presumably you could get into TT website. The (rubbish) TT Home program runs under Windoze.

My big brother says Linux is better than Windoze and does windoze stuff better and safer than Windoze. And TomToms apparently run on Linux.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

TomTom Home is a .exe file. This is a M$ Windoze file format, so does not work on Linux.

More info, here:

http://www.getgnulinux.org/

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Well, round and round in circles, and basically I can't justify expensive functionality, and the following 3 look like my short list:

Garmin Nuvi 265WT, 215T or 215W.

I'll have a look at some prices, but prefer widescreen (I think- does it really make that much difference?)

Chris.

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Typical, I thought I'd go for the 265WT, and they seem hard to get in the UK. The 265W isn't a problem to find, but that seems to be a different model to the T(raffic). Although, Amazon says the 265W has "lifetime traffic avoidance ". I'm confused!

PaulB2005 · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

Garmin only list a 265T and a 265WT so they both come with Traffic but one is wide screen and one isn't. Websites often get it wrong, however when the 760T came out Halfords advertised a 760 which did indeed NOT come with the Traffic receiver.

ETA: Handtec list a 265 (non-T) without Traffic here so there is a non-Traffic version..... Shocked

Note also that none of the 2xx series have the mp3 player you wanted....

chris_debian · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Posts: 29

Paul,

I can live without the MP3 player; I have a Pure Highway DAB (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Highway-Car-Radio-Transmitter/dp/B0012GLXMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231422711&sr=8-1) in the Land Rover....keeps me happy.

Cheers,

Chris.

BigPerk · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject:

I'd also be cautious about relying on Amazon's descriptions - not always accurate (but I daresay they would take it back without any problem if it didn't have traffic 'as advertised')
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

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