Garmin vs TomTom vs Navman

themitch · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 13, 2005 Posts: 7

Ok, I have narrowed it down, I think, to Garmin c320, TomTom GO 300 and the Navman 510/520.

Trouble is I can't decide which is better now?

I spoke with a shop the other day who said not to touch Navman with a barge pole?!? The manager there said "We bought 20 of them and had 8 back with complaints!". So that's sort of put me off the Navman.

That leaves Garmin and TomTom ... any views?

Thanks

djmek · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 126

Most PROBABLY the 8 that were taken back were taken back for some of the following reasons.

1. trying in install service pack 1 incorrectly.

2. technophobia.

3. impatience, not trying it long enough and adjusting settings to suit.

4. expecting it to be like a 2000 pound unit that does everything for you.

5. I could go on .......

If it's any help to you, I was nearly buying the garmin with PDA facilities, but I only wanted a SAT/NAV unit. I can assure you if you get a 510 and you set it up properly you will be delighted with it.
_________________
2 x ICN-510 units now, 1 USA Unit and 1 UK Unit. Both working great and set up to perfection.
..............Route Type
Quickest.......Maximum Left.
Preference for Motorways & Freeways...More Often......Maximum Right.
Preference for Urban Roads

northbynorthwest · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 8

I tried a Navman 510 for a few days and I must say that I was generally very impressed with it. The only negative thing I found was that there are a few peculiarities with the mapping software - addresses coming up under non-existent towns/villages, being shown in the middle of a field etc. 99.9% of the time it worked flawlessly.

I found out on this Forum that the 520 was due out soon and after an e-mail to the company that I bought it from, enquiring about new 2005 software, they replied saying that if Navman wouldn't upgrade the mapping software they would happily accept the 510 back for a full refund, I could then buy the 520 if I so wished.

What I'm not impressed with is the fact that Navman haven't replied to either of two messages left on their website, the first being over a week ago. The supplier of the 510 didn't receive a reply to thier e-mail either. The 510 has since gone back.

From my experience I can’t help but think that their customer service isn't up to much, so I may now look to a different manufacturer for another Sat-Nav. Perhaps others have had better results with Navman’s customer service.

ferret79

Well what a load of crap....people take the navman 510 back because the darn things don't work (although 2 out of 10 mite at a push) and not because they havn't read the instructions - or are impatient etc etc... or expect it to perform like a 2 grand unit... i took both of mine back and destroyed the third one out of pure frustration because of the problems that i had with them, .... yes i read ALL the instructions was very patient and read the instructions again - the result was 3 crap units in a row....Get a garmin my freind as i did and you will have NO problems.

djmek · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 126

Of course some people would be better off with a AA UK Map with the Safety Camera's mapped out too. There much harder to launch off a clay pigeon shooter.

on the customer service side of things, i called at random times, 4 times, and got Fisrt class excellent service and instructions to any question i asked, One girl even stayed on the phone with me for 23 minutes to help me install something i was'nt sure of. never once did i email them, whats the point when theres a helpline?

In the end you buy what you fancy or within your price range, I personally for 400 pounds Aprox, would say the 510 is great.
(No matter what some person with a grudge against the company may say)
_________________
2 x ICN-510 units now, 1 USA Unit and 1 UK Unit. Both working great and set up to perfection.
..............Route Type
Quickest.......Maximum Left.
Preference for Motorways & Freeways...More Often......Maximum Right.
Preference for Urban Roads

northbynorthwest · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 8

robertn · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2005 Posts: 564

ferret79 has a point. He's made it over and over and over again and appears to have nothing better to do than bag Navman. That’s his choice, and I give ferret credit for his tenacity. Personally I love the 510. It’s a good product and I have had excellent support from Navman. Would I buy another – no - the 520 has just been released, I would buy that model.

djmek · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 126

sundance · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 19, 2005 Posts: 20

I've only had my 510 for a couple of weeks. But already we are taking trips that we would never have taken before as we are such bad navigators. we are even doing a 500 mile trip to Devon in september. Ive never done more than 100 miles before.

on friday we went to surrey from north kent and i got navman to route me down lanes as i hate the m25. we never stopped once were there in an hour. and the next day I found out some friends were stuck on that M25 snarl up for 8 hours.

Can u ask anymore of a bit of kit? I think people are getting way to worried about new models or price drops etc. my friend is a multidrop driver and uses some old satnav program on a palm. he uses it all day everyday. it doesnt even have speech but hes not fretting. it does its job and he understands it. thats the main thing.

I love the 510 but Im sure the garmin and the TomTom would have changed my driving expereince just as well. I chose the 510 cos a cab i was in was using one and I got to watch it work for an hour so knew waht I was getting. Ive since heard u get a better choice of waht type of roads u take with the 510. thats a bonus for me . like I said. I live near the m25 but would rather avoid it most of the time. some of the A roads are really busy and slow around here. So i just like being routed around back streets and lanes without a clue where I am, only to emerge at destination amazed. Smile

Would also like to say. This site is great and I have already had help from mods and members here on POIs and routing etc. Laughing

northbynorthwest · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 8

djmek · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 126

northbynorthwest · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 8

djmek · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 126

I see, usefull questions when thinking of purchasing.

Just a footnote I thought i'd put in seeing as this thread is soon coming to a close.

When I looked at several brands, I tried the 510 first and it did'nt have my street on it, bit of a shocker there, no thanks then. So i tried a few more like Garmin IPAQ TOM TOM etc etc, neither did they??????
Then you take your mind off seeing your street on a map and remember that you live in a row of terraced houses in the middle of 2 cul de sacs, no road just a street name, that was my first problem Laughing Out Loud

.

Then, think, hey there building a brand new dual carraigeway A road, Called the A726 from East Kilbride to the M77, when will that road be on ANY of the maps. Now the A726 that originally went to Paisley is the A727. And think why does it tell you to go to the nearest road when your are in Sainsburys or Tescos car parks, All of them do that, all brands, (In East Kilbride & Glasgow area anyway)
I know this is a countrywide issue but its a Under 700 pound price range for the unit issue too.
Deciding what to buy in the end is a nightmare, i'll tell you whats worse though, actually buying a unit and your mate gives you the software for TOM TOM 5 saying .. your cell phone will take this no problem. Laughing Out Loud

Back to customer service on the last note, I called them today about a question i had about cases for the 510, and anything else i could think of, the girl gave me answers and asked how my unit was performing and so on, she could'nt have been more helpful. NAVMAN ICN-510 RULES ABOVE ALL OTHERS I TRIED 8)
_________________
2 x ICN-510 units now, 1 USA Unit and 1 UK Unit. Both working great and set up to perfection.
..............Route Type
Quickest.......Maximum Left.
Preference for Motorways & Freeways...More Often......Maximum Right.
Preference for Urban Roads

navboy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 3

Hi guys

I am using a navman 510 and have set it up with the speed camera database. My problem is that when approaching a camera I get the warning beep when I've reached the camera and not in advance. The icon appears in advance but no beep. In the settings I've set it up to give me a 300 yards advance warning.

Has anyone else experienced this and is there a fix for it.

Any comments appreciated.

Simon1 · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:49 am Post subject:

I have mine set for about 600 yards or thereabouts. This allows for the time lag when doing 70mph!

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