Road Angle 9000 or other options?
Discussion
I must admit that I have just bought a Sony NAV-U92T which is waiting at my local City Link depot. I umm'ed and arr'ed about the Road Angel but decided not to in the end. The cost is quite high and yearly subscription did concern me. Ok for speed cameras its going to be fantastic, but the navigation was always the concern. Previous RA devices have not had the best routing engine in it and they have had a bit of a reputation as a result. Not suggesting it will be rubbish, but the recent feedback about the Pogo unit did somewhat put me off by association.
The one thing that did appeal is the use of the GSM data service for traffic updates. However, that said, getting crap data quickly makes no difference to getting it slowly via an FM radio channel - its still crap data! What I needed is something that is good at routing, big screen and not too expensive - the Sony seemed to tick the boxes. It is a recent award winner for innovation and it should be good. Though the included accelerometers should be good as I regularly loose GPS lock in my car in cities and tunnels.
I will let everyone know how I get on as I am yet to collect it, but fingers crossed. Oh, and I found the Sony online for £250 including VAT and delivery so its a bit of a bargain. If anyone else is looking try Handtec as they are cheap as chips for pretty much everything at the moment.
The one thing that did appeal is the use of the GSM data service for traffic updates. However, that said, getting crap data quickly makes no difference to getting it slowly via an FM radio channel - its still crap data! What I needed is something that is good at routing, big screen and not too expensive - the Sony seemed to tick the boxes. It is a recent award winner for innovation and it should be good. Though the included accelerometers should be good as I regularly loose GPS lock in my car in cities and tunnels.
I will let everyone know how I get on as I am yet to collect it, but fingers crossed. Oh, and I found the Sony online for £250 including VAT and delivery so its a bit of a bargain. If anyone else is looking try Handtec as they are cheap as chips for pretty much everything at the moment.
Hi, Just see whether you've got time to trial the Sony NVU 92T yet. I want to purchase one for a trip to Scotland next week but since I'm not really very technical, I would appreciate some advice on the unit, for example:
1. It doesn't have bluetooth. Will that in any sense affect users?
2. Does the spoken direction include street names, like TomTom GO910?
3. Can the device be recharged at home using the USB cable?
4. Can we use it on foot?
5. Which online store gives the best deal and can deliver the unit within two or three days?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
1. It doesn't have bluetooth. Will that in any sense affect users?
2. Does the spoken direction include street names, like TomTom GO910?
3. Can the device be recharged at home using the USB cable?
4. Can we use it on foot?
5. Which online store gives the best deal and can deliver the unit within two or three days?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
jacqui said:
1. It doesn't have bluetooth. Will that in any sense affect users?
After much hassle with the courier I eventually managed to get it yesterday. The company I bought it from was great, but courier was crap. Still, the 92 does not have BT and hence you cannot do handsfree calling. I dont use it and hence didnt care. I personally prefer a proper car kit which is integrated with the car stereo - much better quality and louder than some poxy small speaker on a satnav box.Quite why some of the reviews of satnav devices bleat on about this I am not sure, but hey thats their thing not mine.
jacqui said:
2. Does the spoken direction include street names, like TomTom GO910?
Nope, its directions and road names like A4 and M1. Clear and concise directions and sensible interpretation too. So you get "turn right at the T-junction in 400 yards" for example. Also it has intelligence for the type of turn so you get a "turn right" or ""turn sharp right" which is nice also. Do note that text-to-speech satnav devices do cost quite a bit more. The 92 I bought cost £250 delivered while GO910's are quite a bit more. jacqui said:
3. Can the device be recharged at home using the USB cable?
Yes, its USB and can connect with your PC and charge from the PC too.jacqui said:
4. Can we use it on foot?
Yes, the sensitivity of the GPS is very good and can be used on foot. Not sure what the charge is like but coped with about 1 hour of me cocking around with it the other day and had plenty of charge left.jacqui said:
5. Which online store gives the best deal and can deliver the unit within two or three days?
I got mine from Handtec and noticed that its actually cheaper again! Its now about £230 delivered but hey, I guess I should have waited a week or two before ordering mine. http://www.handtec.co.ukDo I rate the unit? Yes.
Good bits:
o It doesnt really re-calculate for missed directions - so its instant when you miss a turning! Very good
o Display of TMC information on screen with clear logos and information
o Clear directions and very polite! It says "please"
o Excellent screen with automatic brightness control which really works
o Full postcode search and simple entering of addresses
o Massive screen which is good
o Mount is great and works well - slides in for power and TMC connections (try that Garmin / TomTom)
o GPS signal is excellent and very accurate - comes with accelerometers for when signal is lost too
Bad bits:
o TMC lock on to the signal seems a bit weak, but thats probably my positioning rather than anything else
o Initial route calculation is relatively slow, its not bad, but I guess it works out alternatives too (see above)
o No current speed indication
o Speed camera data is controlled by Sony (not sure where it is coming from)
Overall its a good unit. I am sure that everyone else will say that the Garmin or TomTom is better. But I hate the TomTom mounts and the new units require you to cock around with plugging in cables - the older GO units were great but for some reason they have moved away from this. The Garmin stuff just looks crap, sorry but its Cbeebies SatNav .... not nice.
Hope this helps.
I have a Road Angel Navigator 6000 which is great for speed camera stuff with a great display for that ..... but the sat nav side is c**p. It is soooooo sloooooow is borders on useless. It has some interesting ideas on how to get to places as well - as in totally wrong !
We have a TomTom as well, and have had no problems or complaints at all in the 3 ish years we've had it.
I looked at the 9000 but just didn't feel I could trust it after my experience on the sat nav side of the 6000. I wanted the TM stuff as well as a speed camera database but just couldn't fork out £400 for something I feel may be a risk in terms of performance. They may say they have improved stuff over the 6000 but it knocked my confidence to the point I have just ordered a new Garmin Nuvi 760. Brand new model, does all the 9000 does, is cheaper ..... and is Garmin - which I trust having used a Nuvi 660.
We have a TomTom as well, and have had no problems or complaints at all in the 3 ish years we've had it.
I looked at the 9000 but just didn't feel I could trust it after my experience on the sat nav side of the 6000. I wanted the TM stuff as well as a speed camera database but just couldn't fork out £400 for something I feel may be a risk in terms of performance. They may say they have improved stuff over the 6000 but it knocked my confidence to the point I have just ordered a new Garmin Nuvi 760. Brand new model, does all the 9000 does, is cheaper ..... and is Garmin - which I trust having used a Nuvi 660.
langy said:
Just noticed that the price of the 9000 has dropped to £299 with a free Road Angel Compact.
If you can sell the compact for £50 on an auction site, then £250 sounds pretty good
Any more reviews / comments ?
im still very interested and also get evem more money off since my nav 6000 was nicked.....come on someone buy one !!!!!!If you can sell the compact for £50 on an auction site, then £250 sounds pretty good
Any more reviews / comments ?
Edited by langy on Friday 4th January 12:17
I have just puchased a Nav 9000... It is in the post as we speak... I purchased this from Nav-Now as I use them for this type of stuff... I am in two minds as I had got down to 3 options:
Navigator 9000
Snooper ProLine
Garmin NUVi 710T
I went with the Nav 9000 as I need up to date traffic info as I am always out, however, reviews are not brilliant, so i may have made a mistake.. BUT I will wait to see and Nav-Now have said I can return it within 7 days if I am not 100% happy... If I have to return it, who know which one I will go for... Everyone seems to have different ideas as to what is the Best Buy. Theu jury is out at the moment until I receive the Navigator 9000 and put it through a few tests...
Navigator 9000
Snooper ProLine
Garmin NUVi 710T
I went with the Nav 9000 as I need up to date traffic info as I am always out, however, reviews are not brilliant, so i may have made a mistake.. BUT I will wait to see and Nav-Now have said I can return it within 7 days if I am not 100% happy... If I have to return it, who know which one I will go for... Everyone seems to have different ideas as to what is the Best Buy. Theu jury is out at the moment until I receive the Navigator 9000 and put it through a few tests...
Hi there Chaps
I have just ordered one, as wanted to combine the 'Scamera' detection and Nav. I am currently using a 2nd Generation (USB) Road Angel and a small Pioneer Sat Nav Unit that covers the UK and Europe. I wanted a single unit so that it is easier to transfer between our cars, and whilst the Pioneer is an excellent unit; I have always been impressed with Road Angel products as well as their after sales service and tech support.
As soon as I have given it a good trial I will post my feedback.
Scott
I have just ordered one, as wanted to combine the 'Scamera' detection and Nav. I am currently using a 2nd Generation (USB) Road Angel and a small Pioneer Sat Nav Unit that covers the UK and Europe. I wanted a single unit so that it is easier to transfer between our cars, and whilst the Pioneer is an excellent unit; I have always been impressed with Road Angel products as well as their after sales service and tech support.
As soon as I have given it a good trial I will post my feedback.
Scott
I received my RoadAngel 9000... My mini review is as below and is only my personal opion:
I have been using a Road Angel Plus for the last 18 months and found it excellent... Therefore good grounds on which to buy the 9000 especially after the price dropped. The unit turned up and to be honest I was disappointed staright off as I though the screen would be better to view than it was... I used the unit diretly from the Courier base to my own home some 40 miles away... This gave me a chance to compare it against my out of date in-car Honda Sat-Nav... The unti was OK, but I could not read anything on the screen as the borders were too large and the roads were un-readable.
Once home I updated the unit fully and set-up the TMC facility. The following day I went out and used the unit. Overall OK but to be honest by now I had made up my mind, this unit was going back... This was confirmed when returning home it tried to take me 1.5miles out of my way when it could have continued straight on to my address.
The unit it clumsy and very OLD STYLE... It needs a good update and to be honest a design re-think. ( Review: 3/10 )
I originally had 3 in mind: RA 9000, Garmin Nuvi 770T & Snooper Proline... I have now ordered and used the Garmin Nuvi 770T... REVIEW:
BLOODY BRILLIANT....!!! Why did I not listen to the experts... This unit is perfect for me and once it is hard wired it will be the best Sat Nav on the market for the price. It has Bluetooth on-board and connected to my Blackberry 8800 and Curve with no isses and automatically uploaded the address book and pictures. The FM facility works well and comes thorugh speakers of car once configured. TMC seems comprehensive as well... ( Review: 10/10 ) for this unit.
Hpope this helps guys... BUY GARMIN NUVI 770T
I have been using a Road Angel Plus for the last 18 months and found it excellent... Therefore good grounds on which to buy the 9000 especially after the price dropped. The unit turned up and to be honest I was disappointed staright off as I though the screen would be better to view than it was... I used the unit diretly from the Courier base to my own home some 40 miles away... This gave me a chance to compare it against my out of date in-car Honda Sat-Nav... The unti was OK, but I could not read anything on the screen as the borders were too large and the roads were un-readable.
Once home I updated the unit fully and set-up the TMC facility. The following day I went out and used the unit. Overall OK but to be honest by now I had made up my mind, this unit was going back... This was confirmed when returning home it tried to take me 1.5miles out of my way when it could have continued straight on to my address.
The unit it clumsy and very OLD STYLE... It needs a good update and to be honest a design re-think. ( Review: 3/10 )
I originally had 3 in mind: RA 9000, Garmin Nuvi 770T & Snooper Proline... I have now ordered and used the Garmin Nuvi 770T... REVIEW:
BLOODY BRILLIANT....!!! Why did I not listen to the experts... This unit is perfect for me and once it is hard wired it will be the best Sat Nav on the market for the price. It has Bluetooth on-board and connected to my Blackberry 8800 and Curve with no isses and automatically uploaded the address book and pictures. The FM facility works well and comes thorugh speakers of car once configured. TMC seems comprehensive as well... ( Review: 10/10 ) for this unit.
Hpope this helps guys... BUY GARMIN NUVI 770T
SpinMan said:
In addition to my review above, I have just read the Garmin will install their Garmin units in the BMW 1 & 3 Series Cars as mobile units... What does that say....???
Yeah, and Volvo are doing the same too - for these branded ones, you get the car company logo appear when they load up - how cute?
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