Satnav advice needed

Vectraman · Post by **Vectraman** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:34 am

Trying to find out which Satnav peeps think is best for Europe (mainly France, Germany, Spain). I'm not worried about cost and not bothered if it doesn't have camera locators either.

I want one with a fair size screen and would consider a DVD head unit with one built in. Do these allow CD's to be played while using the satnav though or would a DVD need to be loaded to make the satnav work?

I've read that the French cozzers fine anyone with a camera locator in their car (or if there's any evidence of one, like wires for instance), any truth in this and how can you get around it if your satnav has one.

Any help appreciated, cheers

ValoSunnyGti · Post by **ValoSunnyGti** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:22 am

Sat Nav/DVD head units vary i believe. I think some require the disc in for Europe where as others dont. I suggest shop around a lot and possibily email the companies.

ScoobieWRX · Post by **ScoobieWRX** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:23 am

I have a PDA (XDAIIi) with a 3.5" screen. That's plenty big enough for GPS navigation and it comes with a whole host of features inculding a phone, bluetooth, WiFi etc.... and a wireless 51ch GPS receiver.

You can run the latest revision of TomTom Navigator 6 and latest maps of Western Europe. Door to door street/road level mapping via postcode and other means. It has a very comprehensive list of features including 2D and 3D mapping, traffic alerts linked to auto re-route, you can run an almost infinite number of POI's (points of interest) to include camera locations, 99RON petrol forecourts, sex shops, whatever you want

which you can turn on and off, a whole host of different voices can blurt instructions out at you and i have found mine to be extremely reliable and pretty accurate. I have used mine abroad many times and it gets the job done every time.

Or just get a standalone TomTom like a TomTom One that does mapping only and has built in GPS receiver. Portable too and not very expensive.

You don't need a huge screen to run GPS mapping and i don't think a normal DVD player will do GPS unless it's built for it in the first place

I haven't used other devices so hopefully people will come up with some good alternatives for you but i love my TomTom.

Hope this helps :thumb:

Post by **Ben** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:39 am

Just get a TOM TOM !!.

ValoSunnyGti · Post by **ValoSunnyGti** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:39 am

why get me ?

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:48 am

I bought TomTom for a PDA (Palm T5) a couple of years ago when satnavs were dearer and it's cr@p. No end of trouble getting it to run reliably and it's just not as convenient as a dedicated satnav. They're so cheap now that I'd get a dedicated unit (eg

ScoobieWRX · Post by **ScoobieWRX** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:15 pm

[quote="Andy916"]I bought TomTom for a PDA (Palm T5) a couple of years ago when satnavs were dearer and it's cr@p. No end of trouble getting it to run reliably and it's just not as convenient as a dedicated satnav. They're so cheap now that I'd get a dedicated unit (eg

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:17 pm

Agree wit Andy on that one. The dedicated units are so much more user friendly, come with all the necessary bits like, cradle, car charger and built in GPS.

Between us we have a Tomtom One and a Medion (from Aldi). Both have good features.

The Medion uses the GoPal system, covers all of Europe, has Traffic Master built in which notifies of traffic hold ups and automatically diverts you, speaks the road names and is more accurate in towns i.e, updates a lot quicker than TT. It also travels round roundabouts with you so you can actually see which exit to take. The Warner camera alerts and POIs are a pain to use.

TT is easier to use but the extras like Euro maps, cameras, traffic alerts and some POIs are at extra cost.

I've heard Garmin are very good but I'm sure they have shortcomings too.

HTH

ScoobieWRX · Post by **ScoobieWRX** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:32 pm

I dissagree but then i would...i have the IIi with all the bits and it works splendidly!!

I suppose it helps a bit if you are PDA friendly...eh Gerry :lol:

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:51 pm

I had TT on an HP ipaq PDA and it worked OK. The times it played up were always when I really needed it and would carry a map as well. PDAs are fine, if you want multi function and have the time and inclination to learn how to use it. I found that you needed programmes running alongside the TT programme to use the features for POIs and cameras. Plus, you need the GPS receiver, with interconnecting cables to keep them both sufficiently charged regardless of Bluetooth.

The standalone satnavs are just that switch them on and they work out of the box (almost). DFepends how gadget friendly you are.

Why use a laser level theodolite on a tilt-head tripod when a weight, dangling from a piece of string, will give a straight vertical line? Eh Francis?