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?
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...
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.....
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