Sat Nav. Great Technology. [Archive]

fastfences

19th March 2006, 15:15

Hi all,
I've just invested in a Satellite Navigation unit for my van. They are incredible. For anyone who works 'on the road' and has to find different addresses for quotes/meetings etc, these are an invaluable unit. No stuffing 'round with maps or asking for directions; just punch in the postcode or street name and a route is plotted and you're there!

Cheers, Nigel

confused

19th March 2006, 15:18

I agree, got myslef a PDA and tomtom some time ago as my previous job required a lot of travelling and I was sick and tired of getting close(ish..) to the place but not being able to find it. The only "problem" with my one is that the gps reciever is on a cable which plugs into the PDA - not a terrible thing as it means its always charged up. Bluetooth ones were really expensive when I got mine.

coxadmin

19th March 2006, 16:26

Do you remove your sat nav from your vehicle when you leave it if only for a few minutes?

In my area, sat navs are being stolen from vehicles more than other items and it doesn't take long for the thief to get it out!

Tin

19th March 2006, 16:27

Yes, really useful. I got mine off Ebay, was £360 and street price was £1000 at that time. Mine tends to go potty when I'm close to mobile phone masts but other than that it's excellent. :-)

amcphillips

19th March 2006, 16:27

confused

19th March 2006, 16:40

If I'm out or the car for a short time I sometimes put it in the glovebox, but usually it goes in my pocket.

Whistle Ink

19th March 2006, 18:17

They are fantastic - even though I haven't got one.

We could do with one every now and then but they are still pricey for the likes of people like me who don't really need one but want one and can't afford to splash out! :lol:

Does it take you lot some time getting used to it speaking / looking at it? Are the small screens good enough?

Bye

Paresh

confused

19th March 2006, 18:21

Does it take you lot some time getting used to it speaking / looking at it? Are the small screens good enoughtakes about 1 min to get used to the basics, and another bit to learn the other features.
Screen is plenty big enough.

cjd

19th March 2006, 18:52

It's a fantastic technology that will be like car heaters and radios - very soon you won't be able to buy a car without one.

I'm buying one in the January sales 2007 when they will cost £4.99 :-)

confused

19th March 2006, 18:59

I'm buying one in the January sales 2007 when they will cost £4.99
yrah i know what you mean, you can get my one for well under 1/2 what I paid for it, and I got it cheap at the time. Its like anything though, remember when dvd players cost hundreds for a basic model, now they are almost as cheap as a dvd film.

Whistle Ink

19th March 2006, 19:04

I reckon they will be available on something like a pay as you go service using your mobile phone soon anyway!

I think to really break into the mass market it would need to offer 'occasional' use.

Do you guys use it alot? How often?

confused

19th March 2006, 19:10

You can get tomtom on some mobiles now.
I use mine almost daily. One downside is, if someone asks you how you got there, you havnt the foggiest!

refreshious

19th March 2006, 19:19

Was going to buy the Garmin i3 for £129.99, but now going to get TomTom One

Magsite

20th March 2006, 12:05

Hi Nige

If its a PDA - you should be able to add your FastLotto player movie for prospects!

Lisa

easyasit

20th March 2006, 13:14

i have been using the Go300 for some months now.
Barring a few silly things it has never let me down and i would be ost without it.

I will say though
a) they are no substitiute for common sense
b) They are no replacement for Maps.

Other than that, dead pleased

And no, never leave it in the car, mind goes into my pocket if i ever leave the Vehicle
Also consider removing the cradle from the windscreen as this advertises what u are carrying.

Al

Shaggy

20th March 2006, 14:13

Got the Tom Tom Go 700, it is the muts, apart form the fact that I have an 'athermic' windscreen?? which means I have to tuck my unit as close to the drivers window as possible to get a bloomin signal.

Brilliant for European jaunts!!

refreshious

20th March 2006, 15:35

^ I hear that the TomTom ONE does not have this problem because of the new chipset?

MDUK

20th March 2006, 20:00

the tomtome one is great, i previously had a PDA with tomtom and it was OK, i wanted a full postcode search so decided to get a new one. I looked at all the main systems and plumped for the one as it has all the feautures i need, is simple to use and had excellent GPS.

However a fortnight after getting it i left the cradle on the windscreen while i went to Anfield (it had to be Liverpool) and came back to a smashed window and an open glovebox, fortunately i had the unit with me but the hassle factor.....

confused

20th March 2006, 20:04

I had a brill program on my pda for postcodes, only worked with tomtom3 though and not tomtom 5.
which means I have to tuck my unit as close to the drivers window as possible to get a bloomin signal
what car is it? gps recievers have a problem with heated windscreens and a BIG problem with heat reflective windscreens. A big advantage of having a pda with seperate gps reciever. We used to have a Zafira, and my gps reciever had to be stuck on a side window to get a fix.

refreshious

20th March 2006, 21:12

okay defo going to buy tomorrow. Will it be Tom Tom One or TomTom 300? There will be a £25 price diff.

fastfences

20th March 2006, 21:20

Mine is the Tom Tom 300. I didn't see the specs on the 1, but I know one has Blue Tooth facility and Europe maps, neither of which I needed.
Good tips about removing the cradle though, I'll have to latch on to that.
Cheers, Nigel

amcphillips

20th March 2006, 21:25

Police round here advise that you take the cradle off the windscreen and wipe off the circular marks that it leaves on the windscreem.....

Shaggy

20th March 2006, 22:29

The 500 and 700 are Bluettoth, which means you can connect your phone to it to, and run it hand free.

If you are considering a Tom Tom Go, hold off, they are about to launch the new range http://www.mytomtomgo.com/vervolg.php?id=123

Joyous

20th March 2006, 22:39

I was really sceptical of it at first but have to say I swear by it now. The one in hubby's car is factory fitted and it's brilliant, it weaned me off the A-Z in no time at all.

We have a separate that he bought for my car for use with a PDA but that one I absolutely hate! It's flippin' annoying when the screen saver comes on and then when you touch it to bring it back to life you accidentally close down the application.

Regards

Joy

refreshious

21st March 2006, 12:55

just got myself a tomtom one... and am very pleased :)

fastfences

21st March 2006, 18:29

just got myself a tomtom one... and am very pleased :)
Sorry fresh. Did my thread cost you £300? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers, Nigel

refreshious

21st March 2006, 19:22

just got myself a tomtom one... and am very pleased :)
Sorry fresh. Did my thread cost you £300? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers, Nigel

:lol: no, it cost me £225 after using my friends discount :)

btw I've noticed tomtom go 500 £299 at argos and 700 at £329 (I think)