Garmin 1490T for £133. Worth a punt?

[Jimbo.]

As per the title, really. Got a couple of trips across France this year and fancy (although don't strictly need) a new sat nav device. The above mentioned Garmin any good? I'm not fussed re. traffic updates, Bluetooth and whatnot (although I'm aware the 1490T comes with said extras), rather something quality/reliable and with good maps, so if you want to suggest alternatives...feel free!

[RainerM]

Having the same for a few years now, perfectly OK, we used it in France,Germany, Austria,Slowenjy,Italy, croatia,Switzerland,Monaco Belgium,Luxembourg
.
You can up-date maps etc. up to 4 times a year for the whole life,this was included in my purchase-price of my Garmin, so you do not need to buy the up-grades every time in cash.

We had two works-fitted navis in both ou r past SLK32 and 55, very much too expensive, plus the change of DVD or chip at a healthy cost, once 400 Swissies, second around 350 CHF.....and you cannot walk around with them -) quite convenient to fix the position your car and then take the Garmin out for a walk looking for some restaurants etc.

ATB from Switzerland

Rainer

[Elroy Blue]

If you look online, PC World and Currys are selling the Garmin 1690 for £99.

[mikealder]

And with another Garmin accessory you can use the 1690 or the 1490 as an OBD-II fault code reader with the ability to turn off the check engine fault light - Mike

[GTRmad]

Elroy Blue said:

If you look online, PC World and Currys are selling the Garmin 1690 for £99.

as usal they have no stock.probably never had

[Elroy Blue]

GTRmad said:

Elroy Blue said:

If you look online, PC World and Currys are selling the Garmin 1690 for £99.

as usal they have no stock.probably never had

They did..because I got one yesterday

It was up for £149 in store (£199 in Halfords) , but I printed the offer off and they didn't quibble at all.

[Wozy68]

Jimbo. said:

As per the title, really. Got a couple of trips across France this year and fancy (although don't strictly need) a new sat nav device. The above mentioned Garmin any good? I'm not fussed re. traffic updates, Bluetooth and whatnot (although I'm aware the 1490T comes with said extras), rather something quality/reliable and with good maps, so if you want to suggest alternatives...feel free!

Personally I would not. I have one and have used it in Northern Spain and the South of France on three occasions. If I wasn't so tight I'd change it.

The biggest problem I have found with it is that it refuses to re-route for absolutly ages, even if the route you are on and know well will get you to the destination quicker.

For example. On the way back to Santandar and the ferry it would not re-route and kept trying to get me to turn around and take its prefered route. Twenty minutes from the port and its stating it will take me 2 hours (and so I would miss the ferry) it suddenly accepted the way I was going and stated 15 miles to go. (Rather than the 100 it originally said) Not a problem if you know the route, but could cause all kinds of problems/stress if you don't.

In the UK the traffic info when it comes through can be so far out of date that you start to ignore it.

I also note someone on here states you have four free map upgrades a year, this is incorrect. I tried and had to pay £70 for the map update. You do however get a 'free' update if you download it within 3 months of registration.

My suggestion would be to go for a Snooper. Mine lasted 5 years and the maps were far better detailed than my present Garmin, it wasn't perfect (which one is?), but it was alot better IMHO than the present one I have.

[mcflurry]

Wozy68 said:

I also note someone on here states you have four free map upgrades a year, this is incorrect. I tried and had to pay £70 for the map update. You do however get a 'free' update if you download it within 3 months of registration.

I thought there were different packages, in effect they bundle something like
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-N%C3%BCmaps-Europea... in with the product?

[Wozy68]

mcflurry said:

I thought there were different packages, in effect they bundle something like
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-N%C3%BCmaps-Europea... in with the product?

Sorry I mean't if you just bought the standard Nav.

The link is interesting though, I paid more for just one update.