Newbie advice please - FAO Editor Dave and others

mycarsavw · Last edited by mycarsavw on Wed May 11, 2011 2:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

I tried to post this Tuesday (10th) but something went wrong so I'll try again;

I've had a little read thru the site, found some excellent reviews etc, but I just need one more nudge.

I've made a shortlist and now need further temptation from the users here.

Navman iCN 630
Garmin Quest
TomTom GO

It has to portable, sub £800, easy to use, and as a bonus, if it fitted in the glovebox it'd be great (VW Passat glovebox that is).

Any advice, or pointers, or personal reviews would be gratefully received, so thanks in advance guys

Sam
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mycarsavw · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject:

Sorry, just bumping this up to the top in the hope of a response Embarassed

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Dave · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:32 am Post subject:

If you're new to this then you do really want a semi-dedicated system and not want to mess around with PDA's, so I think you have narrowed your choice down quite well.

The only thing I will say is that both Navman iCN 630 and TomTom GO use TeleAtlas data, which isn't quite as good as NAVTEQ data. The reason for this is historically TeleAtlas have had numerous issues with categorising roads in nearby towns/hamlets incorrectly so sometimes you can find this could be an issue.

Garmin Quest is really too early to tell. It should be based on Garmin MapSource maps that use NAVTEQ data and are much better than TeleAtla in terms of searching for street names, but the maps themselves will look kind of basic compared to the nice 2D and 3D views that Navman and TomTom offer.

If you want something that is truly portable then either the Quest, a Street Pilot III Deluxe (approx £629) or if you don't mind spending a little over £800 the go for a Street Pilot 2610 which comes with a remote control. All these three will come with a bean bag mount so you won't have to suction it to the windscreen like the iCN630 or GO.

mycarsavw · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:32 pm Post subject:

Nothing's ever easy is it.

I like the 2D, 3D maps, but as you say, finding the little streets etc is more likely to be important. We holiday a lot in Wales, full of little roads etc...

What do others think, it's like choosing a wife, do you go for the pretty looking one (millions of colours, 3D maps) or the one with the great mind(NAVTEQ maps etc)

Any help would be appreciated guys.
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MikeB · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:43 pm Post subject:

mycarsavw · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:54 pm Post subject:

Well I did take the leaf out of Mr Stewart's book, I went for the TomTom GO.

I sent out an email to each of the "biggest" online GPS stores asking who had it, how long it would take and what, if any, deals they had.

TotalPDA were the first to reply, so they got the order. Bit ropey at the start, but once we got over the initial ID details etc, the unit arrived this morning (Fri 20th). I jumped in the car and punched in various locations, small country roads, unmade roads and the like, and Jane (the voice!) got me to wherever I chose to go. Go off-route and within seconds she's planned you another route.

It is only my first use, and it was only for half an hour, but thus far, I'm impressed.

I'm off to Sunny Laughing

North Wales tomorrow so I will report back then.

Thanks to both Dave and Mike for their advice.

Sam :D
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