New Sat Nav

[bjw]

I have a TomTom 500 and I am looking to change what are your opinions as to which is the best model a TomTom again as in the TomTom720 or the new Garmin 750 which comes out soon.

I have nothing against the TomTom apart from the mapping is so out of date even after paying to update the maps and there customer service leaves a lot to be desired .

It would be a great help to hear what members think of there sat nav ( TomTom720 and Garmins) and any faults they have found with there systems.

Many thanks for any help

[chatman]

I have TTv6 on my orbit phone. just upgraded maps..sshhh from mates dvd collection..TT have got a little better with the newer versions and there TT map share...where if you note a change or difference in the map, change it and then upload for all else to download.. Also worth noting that Nokia have just brought out the other big map maker.. so now no independents left. The Garmin's are good but as most things down to preference..TT customer care is an aquired taste and most times useless.

use mine most days and only really found a few things wrong..missing roundabouts and once went wrong way down road..oooops...sorry.... mate has a garmin (not sure what model) but find my orbit picks up gps signal faster...Have a looksy over at www.pocketgpsworld.com lots of interesting stuff on there....

[Nightstalker]

Hi,

I just got a TT one for £179.99 from Halfords as my old PDA gave up on me whilst on me hols in Dorset....

I'd say the best pennies I've spent. You get a setting that depending on vehilce speed the volume on the thing goes up(kinda similar to our stereos in our Ravs)...

I like the 3d views you get with TT, unlike the birds eye view you get with the Toyota system...

End of the day I believe this is another personal choice (some like tt some dont kinda thing)

hope that helps you abit on making your mind up...

rgds

Rob

B)

[bjw]

I have TTv6 on my orbit phone. just upgraded maps..sshhh from mates dvd collection..TT have got a little better with the newer versions and there TT map share...where if you note a change or difference in the map, change it and then upload for all else to download.. Also worth noting that Nokia have just brought out the other big map maker.. so now no independents left. The Garmin's are good but as most things down to preference..TT customer care is an aquired taste and most times useless.

use mine most days and only really found a few things wrong..missing roundabouts and once went wrong way down road..oooops...sorry.... mate has a garmin (not sure what model) but find my orbit picks up gps signal faster...Have a looksy over at www.pocketgpsworld.com lots of interesting stuff on there....

Thanks chatman for your reply yes I was aware of the new map share facility and thought it would solve a lot of the problems but I emailed TomTom and they said it would just correct mistakes on the existing maps not add anymore new information on additional roads which have been opened since the maps where done.

I thought it was too good to be true TomTom would not miss out on squeezing a bit cash from there customers .

I do not mind paying to update the maps but do object when even the update is out of date .

I was up the A1 last year and the new bit of the A1 near Leeds was not on the map data base went up again this year and after updating the maps still not on it again that's why i wondered if Garmin mapping which is done by navetq is better than TomTom done by tele atlas

I guess at the end of the day its down to personal choice and there is nothing the matter with the software set up for the TomTom

[Parts-King]

I have a Garmin street pilot, brilliant little gadget, has an SD card so you can get updates, but how often do roads really change that much?

Kingo

[chatman]

I was up the A1 last year and the new bit of the A1 near Leeds was not on the map data base went up again this year and after updating the maps still not on it again that's why i wondered if Garman mapping which is done by navetq is better than TomTom done by tele atlas

I guess at the end of the day its down to personal choice and there is nothing the matter with the software set up for the TomTom

Remember TT or Garmin don't make the maps just the software and gadgets to run them....So the MAP developers TeleAtlas and NavTeq do...so the if they provide the maps to TT and Garmin out of date it's quite hard to keep track...so to speak...Noticed top part of A1 by Black Cat is not on my maps as it thinks I'm driving in a field when going around the new roundabout's... :o :o

The newer 3d and real time mapping (a bit like Project Gotham 4 racing) visuals so see images of buildings....seen demo of this and is awesome looking... :drool:

[dave.m]

I have a small Garmin unit which is now about 2 years old. No complaints except when I got my free update disc

its so complicated to update I still have not been able to do it. Ok I'm no software expert but I'm no computer

numpty either :( :(

[jonbr]

My wife has a TT One and I have a Garmin 610. I think the Garmin hardware is better but the TT gives slightly better voice commands.

The big difference is the maps - every time we travel down to see our daughter down in Portsmouth the TT tries to send us towards London in on the A3 :o where as the Garmin is spot on all the way. :D We've found the same problem on two other trips we make regularly as well.

My personal preference, having used both TT and Garmin, is the Garmin.

[sywy]

Have you got your preferences right? Fastest route vs shortest route etc.

I've always been a TT man myself. Started years ago with a PDA and TT3, which was upgraded to TT5 when that came out, before I got my T180, with satnav built in. We (well the wife) has a TT One v2, as she desn't like using my PDA, and I don't like being without it.

[bjw]

I have TTv6 on my orbit phone. just upgraded maps..sshhh from mates dvd collection..TT have got a little better with the newer versions and there TT map share...where if you note a change or difference in the map, change it and then upload for all else to download.. Also worth noting that Nokia have just brought out the other big map maker.. so now no independents left. The Garmin's are good but as most things down to preference..TT customer care is an aquired taste and most times useless.

use mine most days and only really found a few things wrong..missing roundabouts and once went wrong way down road..oooops...sorry.... mate has a garmin (not sure what model) but find my orbit picks up gps signal faster...Have a looksy over at www.pocketgpsworld.com lots of interesting stuff on there....

Things seem to be getting interesting in the sat nav market as chatman has said Nokia have put an offer in for Navteq and TomTom have put an offer in for tele atlas so where will this leave Garmin who buy there maps from Navteq.

Garmin will not want to use Tele atlas maps as they would have to give Tele atlas (TomTom) important information about there systems .Nokia will have there own agenda and would Garmin want to share there system info with Navteq (Nokia).

This will leave Garmin in a difficult position ! will there map supplier give them the best support as regarding map updates etc.

I think I may watch what plays out over the next few months as if TomTom take over tele atlas they will be in a stronger position .

Other sat nav manufacturers will be in the same position as these are the only two map producers and both will have strong links to other companies

Thank you to everyone for your helpful replies

Edit just read chatman's line Nokia have now bought out Navteq and read it elsewhere takeover to be completed early part of next year

[chatman]

Just some other info on SatNav's......

AA Story

AA Cease Support of AA Navigator

pocketgpsworld.com In a surprise move the Automobile Associateion have ceased support and supply of their AA Navigator and AA Traffic products which included the Speedcare camera database.

It is not clear yet what has caused this surprise turn around, but Teamwarrior to whom the AA subcontracted the sale and support of the AA Navigator products appear to have fallen victim to financial difficulties and when we checked their telephone rings unanswered and their website does not respond.

Nokia to buy Navteq

Nokia announce the acquisition of Navteq

pocketgpsworld.com Just as I was completing the competition to see who would be involved in the next company take over in the SatNav industry I was piped to the post by the announcement today that Nokia is to buy Navteq. This somewhat messes up an article I had in preparation about the TomTom take over of Tele Atlas.

The purchase price values Navteq at US $8.1 billion. The offering is a 34% premium on the Navteq share price from last month. Interestingly unlike the TomTom/Tele Atlas announcement, Navteq shares have fallen slightly today by 2%.

This announcement now means that we no longer have any independent global mapping companies. It also shows that both TomTom and Nokia have serious visions for the future in navigation and Location Based Services.

Last month there was a lot of talk and speculation at the Canalys Navigation forum where the leaders of the SatNav industry met. The keynote from the Canalys president Steve Brazier speculated on who could put in a bid for who with a graph of the Market Capitalisation of the relevant companies. Nokia were 4th on the list of potential buyers after Microsoft, Google and HP. Whereas in the GPS sector Navteq are second in MC to Garmin. In a poll of the attendees the consensus of opinion was that Garmin would buy Navteq. Nokia didnt come into the equation... We were all wrong.

My money was on Google acquiring Navteq. I was wrong as well.

I suppose in the end it makes a lot of sense for Nokia to buy into this market as they can have the authority to produce total solutions and then distribute them World-Wide. Once again we see a bold move being made which is still reliant on the Wireless Carriers to make or break the uptake of LBS in the mass market.

I was unable to contact either Navteq or Nokia today for comments, but I will be seeing some senior Navteq Execs at CTIA in a few weeks time. Where I will be able to quiz them about the deal and what it will mean to the users.

[chatman]

Update on Nokia and Navteq....

NAVTEQ bought by Nokia for 5.7 billion

October 12 2007, 15:32

READ ARTICLE HERE

[gwilphil]

Update on Nokia and Navteq....

NAVTEQ bought by Nokia for 5.7 billion

October 12 2007, 15:32

READ ARTICLE HERE

Hi, I am reading this thread with interest as I am looking to purchas a sat nav for myself, you lot are the best, the information on the forum is so good. So looking forward to what is to follow on the sat nav thing. Thanks Gwil

England did well tonight. That was not easy to say !!!

[Fujisan]

Update on Nokia and Navteq....

NAVTEQ bought by Nokia for 5.7 billion

October 12 2007, 15:32

READ ARTICLE HERE

Interesting observation by somebody at the end of the acticle:

"Gosh that is a fair old wodge of cash! Logically if Nokia are willing to throw that much at a mapmaker then I suspect every Nokia product will soon have a GPS built in which in the long term could mean that fewer people will need to buy a TT! On the plus side that in turn will mean that TT will need to lower their prices which will mean less profit but that might affect the customer service or investment into R&D. Oh dear."

Have to check when my phone is due for an upgrade, but it look's like it'll be a Nokia nice time. ;)

[bjw]

Another twist in the saga page taken from a web site

Microsoft

More and more financial analysts are now considering the possibility that Garmin itself will be bought by another company, and Microsoft seems to be the number one candidate. This software giant is –just like Nokia- treading more and more onto the path of portable navigation and location based services. Considering the competition between Nokia and Microsoft, such a takeover would seem logical, not to mention that Garmin is a very interesting company to own.

http://www.yournav.com/content/n/377/Micro...ver_Garmin.html

[chatman]

Another twist in the saga page taken from a web site

Microsoft

More and more financial analysts are now considering the possibility that Garmin itself will be bought by another company, and Microsoft seems to be the number one candidate. This software giant is –just like Nokia- treading more and more onto the path of portable navigation and location based services. Considering the competition between Nokia and Microsoft, such a takeover would seem logical, not to mention that Garmin is a very interesting company to own.

http://www.yournav.com/content/n/377/Micro...ver_Garmin.html

Hmmmm Microsoft also make the software Pocket Streets and Map Point Europe...I use this on my laptop and can also download the maps to my Orbit phone to use on there as well... Interesting enough one of our engineers uses his laptop on his passenger seat and bluetooth's the gps receiver and MS Map Point....so he has a 17" wide screen sat nav :eek: I found trying to mount the laptop to the front screen meant I could not see out, but at least see where I might be going :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

[Fujisan]

Ohh.....if MS are after Garmin then it's definately a Nokia next time!

[chatman]

Ohh.....if MS are after Garmin then it's definately a Nokia next time!

Just a Heads Up If your looking into Sat Nav go out and buy this weeks Auto Express magazine...They have a complete pull out guide to all Sat Nav systems known and a few more....May answer some question you have ......

[Fujisan]

Ohh.....if MS are after Garmin then it's definately a Nokia next time!

Just a Heads Up If your looking into Sat Nav go out and buy this weeks Auto Express magazine...They have a complete pull out guide to all Sat Nav systems known and a few more....May answer some question you have ......

Thanks, I'll look out for it

[bjw]

Ohh.....if MS are after Garmin then it's definately a Nokia next time!

Just a Heads Up If your looking into Sat Nav go out and buy this weeks Auto Express magazine...They have a complete pull out guide to all Sat Nav systems known and a few more....May answer some question you have ......

Thanks chatman I picked one up today

[druand]

Recently bought Garmin 310 fron Amazon (did homework in halfords) for £160. Superb little unit which also has bluetooth to connect with mobile phone and holds full address book/. When phone rings tap "answer" or "cancel" on screen and talk away. Other advantage screen mount is cabled to cig. lighter and has contacts on mount so clip Garmin into mount without fiddling with cables.

Used from Girvan to Leicester, hotel to crematorium , friends house etc all around town and it took me door to door every time in busy traffic and a town I had never visited before.

[bjw]

When I was in Halfords the other day I noticed they had a mount for the garmin like a bean bag type of affair which you just placed on the top of the dash board, you then connected the garmin sat nav on to it so there was no need to attach it to the windscreen it looked like a good idea and wish Tom Tom would come out with a similar idea I find it a pain to remove it each time you park

I believe it was because Garmin are big in the USA and it is illegal in some states to connect a sat nav to your windscreen that they came up with the idea

[Fujisan]

When I was in halfords the other day I noticed they had a mount for the garmin like a bean bag type of affair which you just placed on the top of the dash board, you then connected the garmin sat nav on to it so there was no need to attach it to the windscreen it looked like a good idea and wish Tom Tom would come out with a similar idea I find it a pain to remove it each time you park

I believe it was because Garmin are big in the USA and it is illegal in some states to connect a sat nav to your windscreen that they came up with the idea

Now that sound's like a very good idea!

The clumsy windscreen clamps are one of the things that has so far put me off after-market sat-nav systems. I don't really like the look of them and they are just a big sign in the windscreen screaming "ROB ME!"

Ummm....worth looking into

[bjw]

When I was in halfords the other day I noticed they had a mount for the garmin like a bean bag type of affair which you just placed on the top of the dash board, you then connected the garmin sat nav on to it so there was no need to attach it to the windscreen it looked like a good idea and wish Tom Tom would come out with a similar idea I find it a pain to remove it each time you park

I believe it was because Garmin are big in the USA and it is illegal in some states to connect a sat nav to your windscreen that they came up with the idea

Here is a link https://buy.garmin.com/shop/alt-image-lg.do...oductImageLarge

[Fujisan]

Here is a link https://buy.garmin.com/shop/alt-image-lg.do...oductImageLarge

Thank you