Time for new Sat-Nav

[RadarvT]

It has become time for a new Sat-Nav.

My first was Navman PDA software, it was revelatory at the time, then felt rather dated when I played with Mrs vT's Tom Tom One.

Now I am quite taken with either the Navman with TV or the Tom Tom 740 with bluetooth phone kit. What do you guys think?

I do use the TV in my merc when I am waiting at the station for Mrs vT, but an integrated BT handsfree kit would be great...

[rovermorris999]

I have one of these:
http://www.justkenwood.co.uk/stock01/dnx7240bt.asp

Great if you want a high-end built-in system.

[RadarvT]

Thanks, that does look a very capable piece of kit. Though I have 3 cars that don't have sat nav. Even I think it might me a little excessive to buy 3 built in kits...

[rovermorris999]

Just a bit, yes! Alpine do a similar one but the satnav is a removable stand-alone unit that fits into the double din head unit. You could have the head unit in your main car and just use the stand-alone in the others. Something like this:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

I have an Alpine head unit in my other car and the quality does seem to be a little better than Kenwood, though that's just a perception based on the feel and look of the buttons and plastics.

It all depends on your budget. I justified the Kenwood to myself as I intend to remove it and fit into my next car.

It really is nice to have a big screen, nearly 7'' and as I already have a Road Angel I didn't want yet another thing stuck to my windscreen.

[RadarvT]

I hear ya!

My main car already has built in Sat Nav and I use a Valentine 1 for speed traps. While I like the look and functionality of the double din units, I don't like the surgery required to fit them. So whatever I get is going to have a suction cup glued stuck on the windscreen.

[dtswiss]

I've just replaced my satnav and this time decided to go basic with this one...

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pI...

and so far I'm well impressed. £124 (delivered), from pixmania.com

I prefer Garmin because of the clarity of display, I never liked TomTom with its jagged roads. The text-speech is very clear with good pronunciation of road names (unlike my previous TomTom 730 which muddled a few names and annoyed me constantly by reading road numbers like "A five hundred and eighty three" Garmin says "A five eight three").

I'm not a heavy traveller so don't need any advanced route planning and never use the phone whilst driving.

I chose the small screen because this device will make a great satnav for exploring towns and cities home and abroad on foot, the pedestrian mode looks very good (different map presentation) and being small it will easily fit in my pocket.

Other users with more experience of the new 1200, 1300 and other 1x series may wish to comment, but with my limitted use it's definitely a keeper.

Edited by dtswiss on Friday 28th August 12:20

[JamesNotJim]

Just pick up a Tom tom, turn it on, pop your destination in and your off. I can not recommend tom tom more highly, I use mine every day of the week as i drive in new places day to day. Mine has yet to send me to a wrong location, and always has good signal. Doesn't matter which model as they are a work pretty darn well. I have a tom tom XL because i don't think the added cost out weighs the little advancements that latter models give you, it also has the better twist sucker rather than push-sucker.

[lescombes]

JamesNotJim said:

Just pick up a Tom tom, turn it on, pop your destination in and your off. I can not recommend tom tom more highly, I use mine every day of the week as i drive in new places day to day. Mine has yet to send me to a wrong location, and always has good signal. Doesn't matter which model as they are a work pretty darn well. I have a tom tom XL because i don't think the added cost out weighs the little advancements that latter models give you, it also has the better twist sucker rather than push-sucker.

I'll swop your TomTom with my one, It sends me stupid places,always a poor signal and it works crap but it does have the twist sucker....
Must be the only good one you have there, all the TT owners I have spoken to reckon they are a pile of poo

[waremark]

lescombes said:

Must be the only good one you have there, all the TT owners I have spoken to reckon they are a pile of poo

Odd, you are the only person I have come across - either friend or forum - always knocking TomTom. Sorry you have had bad experience, but I don't believe you are typical. I have used many satnavs, and TT's are right up there - good for ease of use, routing, clear directions, and traffic info if you pay for Live.

Edited by waremark on Saturday 29th August 23:29

[JamesNotJim]

lescombes said:

JamesNotJim said:

Just pick up a Tom tom, turn it on, pop your destination in and your off. I can not recommend tom tom more highly, I use mine every day of the week as i drive in new places day to day. Mine has yet to send me to a wrong location, and always has good signal. Doesn't matter which model as they are a work pretty darn well. I have a tom tom XL because i don't think the added cost out weighs the little advancements that latter models give you, it also has the better twist sucker rather than push-sucker.

I'll swop your TomTom with my one, It sends me stupid places,always a poor signal and it works crap but it does have the twist sucker....
Must be the only good one you have there, all the TT owners I have spoken to reckon they are a pile of poo

I've had 3 TomTom's (two TomTom one's and this TomTom XL), all have been perfect until i dropped the first one and had the second nicked from the car. As i said I use mine daily, and then its just not one trip a day, 30-40 locations on average a day and using both post-code and road crossings locations. I have only ever lost signal once and that was in Dover and only for a hour or so.

As a company all our guys use tomtoms and I've yet to hear of issues from any I speak too.

[RadarvT]

I have finally bit the bullet and purchased a TT Go 750 live. As a Kiwi I was keen to go back to Navman however the current TT prices and features are too good to ignore.

Mrs vT's TT One was a big step from my PDA + Navman software, this new TT 750 seems an equally large step from the TT One.

Incidentally I think I paid less for the TT 750 than I did for our original TT One several years ago...

[y2blade]

JamesNotJim said:

lescombes said:

JamesNotJim said:

Just pick up a Tom tom, turn it on, pop your destination in and your off. I can not recommend tom tom more highly, I use mine every day of the week as i drive in new places day to day. Mine has yet to send me to a wrong location, and always has good signal. Doesn't matter which model as they are a work pretty darn well. I have a tom tom XL because i don't think the added cost out weighs the little advancements that latter models give you, it also has the better twist sucker rather than push-sucker.

I'll swop your TomTom with my one, It sends me stupid places,always a poor signal and it works crap but it does have the twist sucker....
Must be the only good one you have there, all the TT owners I have spoken to reckon they are a pile of poo

I've had 3 TomTom's (two TomTom one's and this TomTom XL), all have been perfect until i dropped the first one and had the second nicked from the car. As i said I use mine daily, and then its just not one trip a day, 30-40 locations on average a day and using both post-code and road crossings locations. I have only ever lost signal once and that was in Dover and only for a hour or so.

As a company all our guys use tomtoms and I've yet to hear of issues from any I speak too.

+1
for TomTom

I can't fault my XL Europe

[purple haze]

I'd have to go with those recommending TT. Have just bought my first SN after reding all the Which reports - a TT Start with Europe maps. Cost £99 fitted and dem'd from my local Halfords. Haven't bothered reading instructions, it seems (and is) intuitive to use. Only had it a week but no probs so far.