The end of Personal Navigation Devices (PND's) is nigh?
Discussion
I got my first sat nav device as a HP IPAQ xxxx which was effectively a windows device onto which I downloaded one of the very first versions of TomTom. This must have been around 2001.
This device was about as stable as the mental on meth, and would hard re-boot if dropped more than an inch, so I was desperate to acquire a TT PND when they first came out.
I've had that relationship through a number of devices, with some ups and downs, but I can't help feeling that the life of these devices is coming to an end...as PND's.
Firstly, how short a period of time will it be before most mid range and upwards cars provide their own branded sat nav? Now I know that some would say they don''t do as good a job as a TT or Garmin PND, but it can't be long before they are comparable, and allow any 3rd party POI to be uploaded!!
Secondly, Multi-functioning phones/PDA's with non data consuming mapping/nav software apps are increasingly common, at an absolute fraction of the cost of a PND. As long as they can hook into live traffic, and upload bulk POI's, the game is up. methinks.
I certainly won't be replacing my 1005 Live World with any PND.
See the main TT forum and PWGPS forum, and see how dead they are on topics of any real discussion, other than "I can't get my device to connect", or "TomTom are s
t"
Maybe this is why PWGPS had a 3 year deal on their camera database....because they won't exist in 3 years?
This device was about as stable as the mental on meth, and would hard re-boot if dropped more than an inch, so I was desperate to acquire a TT PND when they first came out.
I've had that relationship through a number of devices, with some ups and downs, but I can't help feeling that the life of these devices is coming to an end...as PND's.
Firstly, how short a period of time will it be before most mid range and upwards cars provide their own branded sat nav? Now I know that some would say they don''t do as good a job as a TT or Garmin PND, but it can't be long before they are comparable, and allow any 3rd party POI to be uploaded!!
Secondly, Multi-functioning phones/PDA's with non data consuming mapping/nav software apps are increasingly common, at an absolute fraction of the cost of a PND. As long as they can hook into live traffic, and upload bulk POI's, the game is up. methinks.
I certainly won't be replacing my 1005 Live World with any PND.
See the main TT forum and PWGPS forum, and see how dead they are on topics of any real discussion, other than "I can't get my device to connect", or "TomTom are s
t"Maybe this is why PWGPS had a 3 year deal on their camera database....because they won't exist in 3 years?
I agree although I still prefer a separate unit rather than use the phone. Like to have the phone running Torque or something. But if they could improve the display of this [url[https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/mobile/mobileaccessories/head-up-display-hud-/prod134348.html[/url] then things could change again 
hdrflow]I agree although I still prefer a separate unit rather than use the phone. Like to have the phone running Torque or something. But if they could improve the display of this [url[https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/mobile/mobileaccessories/head-up-display-hud-/prod134348.html[/url said:
then things could change again
fixed the link, not seen that before.https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/mobile/mobileacces...
I'm kind of going back to where it was before TomTom came along I guess. I've had similar experiences as the OP, first started off using TomTom Navigator on a Dell PDA with a long wire to a GPS receiver on the back parcel shelf, went through a few dedicated devices and now on smartphone apps. I'm at the stage where I want to integrate into my dash again but now there's the option for more regular updates through advances in connectivity.
I think TomTom et al will do OK from licensing over selling hardware, but there'll be some that fall by the wayside as things move on
I think TomTom et al will do OK from licensing over selling hardware, but there'll be some that fall by the wayside as things move on
I would have been inclined to agree that personal dedicated sat nav devices were sooner or later going to die out but I recently acquired a TomTom Go by default (Presumably at the expense of Yodels lost parcel insurance). I have to say, this is an amazing device, I actually prefer using this to built in sat nav or iPhone sat nav!
My android phone a Motorola Atrix has a proper cardock charging mount, using google navigate, its faster to use for initial searches than any OE nav system I have yet to find. Even the German tech guy from Bose was impressed with the Atrix dock system, thats been around for about 5 years!
The only reason people buy nav units is due to a total lack of proper in car charging/mounting solutions for their phones, when a phone does the job just as well if not better.
The only reason people buy nav units is due to a total lack of proper in car charging/mounting solutions for their phones, when a phone does the job just as well if not better.
I bought a Garmin something or other this year after my TT went rearwards in my van due to its constant rebooting and failure to work.
I subsequently bought a Nexus4 and thought it would be different to buy the Phillips Android car radio to hold it and charge etc.
Not only does the phone control the stereo it then becomes the handsfree via the speakers and if you run maps it gives you turn by turn over the music as well. Admittedly with it in the centre of the dash its not ideally positioned like a nav system.
What nav systems do people use on android?
I subsequently bought a Nexus4 and thought it would be different to buy the Phillips Android car radio to hold it and charge etc.
Not only does the phone control the stereo it then becomes the handsfree via the speakers and if you run maps it gives you turn by turn over the music as well. Admittedly with it in the centre of the dash its not ideally positioned like a nav system.
What nav systems do people use on android?
SidJames said:
I got my first sat nav device as a HP IPAQ xxxx which was effectively a windows device onto which I downloaded one of the very first versions of TomTom. This must have been around 2001.
Same here except it's still what I use. Have collected maps for eastern and western Europe and North America so it's earned its keep over the years.phelix said:
SidJames said:
I got my first sat nav device as a HP IPAQ xxxx which was effectively a windows device onto which I downloaded one of the very first versions of TomTom. This must have been around 2001.
Same here except it's still what I use. Have collected maps for eastern and western Europe and North America so it's earned its keep over the years.
You still had to use a bloody map to find the right border crossings, quite critical back before euroland was open borders. The screen was about 2" square but it was fine. Still got it in the attic 
I remember finding some very dodgy military only border crossings into the Czech Republic back in the day & getting some right b
kings Dad knows how to use a tomtom
He knows the basic of a smart phone
He can program waze to take him somewhere, all well and good until the phone does something else like recieve a call or something, loose data signal
The it's just confusing for the old goat
The tomtom on the other hand just works
He knows the basic of a smart phone
He can program waze to take him somewhere, all well and good until the phone does something else like recieve a call or something, loose data signal
The it's just confusing for the old goat
The tomtom on the other hand just works
1. I have a Garmin SatNav which works just fine as a navigation system with up-to-date mapping every 3-4 months provided free of charge.
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
nickwilcock said:
1. I have a Garmin SatNav which works just fine as a navigation system with up-to-date mapping every 3-4 months provided free of charge.
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
Well said Nick but technology will continue to rumble on and target the youth who will buy it2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
Don
nickwilcock said:
1. I have a Garmin SatNav which works just fine as a navigation system with up-to-date mapping every 3-4 months provided free of charge.
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
....the first three can be accomplished from any smartphone, and argueably the latter. However, if you're happy that's fine. Just stop being a grumpy f2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
ker about it.nickwilcock said:
1. I have a Garmin SatNav which works just fine as a navigation system with up-to-date mapping every 3-4 months provided free of charge.
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
Easier to carry one thing around rather than 3 or 4.......;)2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
A couple of times Ive left the Garmin in the van and had to go somewhere so used Google maps. So far its been pretty good though doesnt seem to have traffic updates nor camera/ speed limits in them. Other than that the way it works with the audio directions over the top of music is really good. Might investigate a different app.
nickwilcock said:
1. I have a Garmin SatNav which works just fine as a navigation system with up-to-date mapping every 3-4 months provided free of charge.
2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
As an old git myself, I am sorry but when one cheap device can do ALL of this and quite possibly better than 1 and 2 and be perfectly usable for 3 and 4 99% of the time, why on earth would you carry all that equipment and their batteries, chargers, cables etc etc ?2. I have a Nokia phone. As in a 6310i GSM phone without any extra toys or 'apps'. It lasts about 5 days between charges and clicks in and out of my in-car hands-free mount, with the audio routed through the car radio speakers. It is an excellent phone.
3. I have a digital camera which is a camera and nothing else.
4. I have an excellent laptop computer.
But I neither want nor need a smartphone or iToy of any kind. Nor do I perceive any lack of functionality through not having the latest yoof-toy.....
Something like a Windows based Samsung Ativ S can be picked up for £185 and probably has a larger screen than most SatNavs and GPS is free.
I promise you, it's not just for the yoofs.
nickfrog said:
As an old git myself, I am sorry but when one cheap device can do ALL of this and quite possibly better than 1 and 2 and be perfectly usable for 3 and 4 99% of the time, why on earth would you carry all that equipment and their batteries, chargers, cables etc etc ?
Personally I prefer the SatNav to the smart phone option - I can leave the SatNav setup and ready to put on dash, it normally stays in car - where as if I used my smart phone I would fiddle around with cradle and micro-usb connectors. The screen on mine isn't as big as my SatNav and I not sure I want a much bigger smart phone - though in an emergency it would do.Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff