Big budget. What shall I tell Dad to get?

aj2052 · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:34 am Post subject:

The obvious answer to the ops question is to go for a PDA with wm6, Not being dedicated to any one manufacture He can then have a choice of Tomtom((albeit unsuported), garmin,igo8,mcguider, etc and even memory map for OS mapping, for me there is no contest at the moment you can drop or use most flavours although manufactures dont agree by pushing the the PND market, reminder must start a PDA preservation society
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Moto G5s Plus, Sygic 17.4.8

DennisN · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:37 am Post subject:

jago25_98 · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 01, 2006 Posts: 32

I should now be subscribed.
Downloaded the latest database. Set it to the car honk sound in TomTom.

Even though I have checked the html disabled box I can't quote my email from my dad (there's no html in it either)

So In desperation I've put it on a text file! (really don't want to type it out again!
http://betty2.crabdance.com/email.txt

Andy_P · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

BigPerk · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

Just a few thoughts from your Dad's points

- as easy loading of camera updates is a high priority, I would NOT recommend a Navigon, although I have one and think it's EXTREMELY good. But loading data like this is a real pain at the moment. There are plenty of makes, with their advocates, but I will limit myself to the two main ones.

As I understand what's been said here, loading cameras onto the TomTom is a direct, process whereas Garmin requires a two-step one- (1) download files and unzip them (quick, no time for tea); (2) use Garmin's 'POI-Loader' program to transfer to the satnav (pretty quick, kettle not boiled yet!).

With the PGPSW files you can include icons displaying eg "30", and voice warning files eg "caution 30 limit ahead"). There is also a very nice program on here which improves the Garmin loading process - 'ASH's Camera Manager', but you'd need to read it up a bit to see if it would be useful to you.

- route mapping. I agree - plan your own route first if it's a long one, go that way, and always have atlases in the car. You can't rely on sensible routing from TT/Garmin all the time - my personal feeling is that Garmin's routing can be a little more bizarre than TT's, but this is a subjective view. And yes, all satnavs are things that can pack up on you.

So don't necessarily use them for routes you know anyway (unless you want to find out if there's a better way than you have always used), but more for strange areas, esp start/end of journey. BUT (bitter experience here) ALWAYS take your satnav with you on any non-local trip however well you know the way - if you are not in your own area I would even include short trips as well. It's so easy to make a wrong turning, or hit unexpected roadworks or an accident.

- live traffic updates. It's not just that that I look for, but a satnav that offers you a diversion capability based on the info it has received. But from a lot that's been said on this forum over the years, traffic info in the UK is extremely patchy - it's no good paying for real-time Traffic Management if you are in an area where your unit never receives warnings anyway.

But what I suggest you MUST make sure you have (both makes probably have it) is a route blocking/divert facility where you can say 'miss the next (eg) '2' miles' of your route. I have found this a life-saver on many occasions, such as motorways where you suddenly see miles and miles of red lights just after the next junction! You may know your road perfectly, but you won't necessarily know any of the alternative roads you might need to use.

- FM transmitter. Mainly for improved sound quality over the car's speakers - but if I've got music, I don't use the satnav for playing it anyway, not quite BOSE!. But being fairly deaf, a practical use for me occasionally is to play the navigation instructions through the car speakers (but I couldn't use FM in Ireland, for instance).

(Added Later)
- navigation directions. And does your dad want simple instructions (bottom of range) such as 'turn left', or more comprehensive direction with road names (TTS, higher range): 'turn left onto Napier Avenue/turn left onto A408'. If TTS then another subjective vote for Garmin who have a voice ('Daniel') which is the clearest I have come across so far.

Hope that isn't too long and might have some useful pointer for you.
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

Anita · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject:

BigPerk · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject:

jago25_98 - new thread on the forum; might this interest your dad?

DennisN · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Now here's a decent BIG BUDGET buy. Whilst searching for an external antenna for my GO700 this morning, I discovered that Amazon have just one GO700 left at £549.90. Now there he could get hold of the last working TomTom GO model and if he didn't update it too much, he'd have a perfect solution!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-Satellite-Navigation-European-Bluetooth/dp/B000816M6W
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

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