Portable SatNav

[pvr]

Currently have a TomTom one XL Europe which I use in rental cars etc, but during my recent holiday in Italy I almost chucked it in a lake as it was annoying me so much.

On mountain roads, it would ask me to do U-turns as it thought I was on a lower level hairpin road, or in a tunnel I was just guessing which road junction to take. Not to mention that the route colour is the same as the roads around it with just a small arrow to point what you are supposed to do.

In addition, it frequently jumps to a parallel road so I actually take the wrong turns as it can't make up its mind where I actually am.

Any suggestions on a decent unit that actually shows me where to go instead of guessing? As said, it is mainly to use in rentals or occasionally in the Abarth (and should NOT fall of the windscreen which this one does all the time as well ....).

[X5Sport]

The issue is usually with the GPS antenna not being particularly good so the accuracy is often +/- 10m to 25m, occasionally worse!  Map databases using low(er) quality and sized files with simple vector maps are the worst choice, but cheap.  Lack of a gyro can also degrade performance.

If you can find one with a good quality, higher resolution map database (more vector points) and a gyro, and if possible the ability to connect a little external aerial it will help.  That usually means going towards the top end of the market!  My Road Angel used a special 30mm x 25mm x 10mm block antenna stuck inside the top of the screen.  That gave very good accuracy compared to the 'built in' aerial and a faster 'lock time'.

Our cars all have three axis gyros, speed pulse inputs and an externally positioned 'better' quality aerial.  I don't know where it's hidden on the E70/71, but it was in the spoiler for the E53 and had a very good view of the sky so getting a lock on up to 8 satellites.  I think the BMW system can be as good as within 5m at times.

[pvr]

X5Sport - Just make, model will do  )

[X5Sport]

Now you're just being difficult.......

Garmin nuvï 25x5 series depending upon your budget/features....

Tom Tom (all versions) use the Tele Atlas maps (as they own them).  Garmin systems use NavTeq on the nuvï systems.  I personally prefer Garmin as they also make professional systems - albeit MUCH more expensive!

[pvr]

See, that was not so difficult now was it  )

[pvr]

This model seems to tick all the boxes with lifetime map updates (can't stand this separate charging): https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=401&pID=103792

[X5Sport]

Cheaper here......isn't it?

[pvr]

Yes, I was just referring to the model 

Cheapest is about £120 but not sure about the site. Amazon probably safer bet for £30 more ...

[ChewingBacca]

Just buy the soft. The hardware expense is in most peoples pockets. Android, iPhone etc.

Remember, satnav is only a map with a dot, and none are perfect.

The decisions are made by the driver.

[pvr]

Agreed. However we don't all have iPhones in the family so hat makes it a litte more difficult for different family members to borrow it.

My wife has just take her mother on holiday in the uk and rather than risk any of our cars in the Cotswolds I rented a car, which does not have satnav.

Bit sad of course with all the cars available but I really don't fancy getting door dents and other damage sorted on my own cars.  :'(

[pvr]

Ok, bought the 2595 now which was on offer at Amazon for £155 and comes with the £30 Garmin refund as well, so £125 seems very, very good value for this unit which also has Bluetooth and voice activation.

Would be interesting to see if the voice part works as I H-A-T-E typing in the address that always goes wrong on the TomTom

[X5Sport]

Use a Dibber to press the keys - assuming touch screen.

[pvr]

I have that but don't carry it with me  hopefully the garmin voice control is good ...

[AW8]

Eldest had stated she was looking at getting a secondhand portable nav.

1. Tom Tom : Is the tom tom that bad in the u.k. ? 

2. Is it worth avoiding and getting a secondhand garmin instead of tom tom ? 

3. Is it sensible to instead use her iphone 4s and software application ? 

4. Would this ip4s sat nav app use excess phone contract data allowance on a longer trip ?

5. Is it really practicable using/seeing/hearing ip4s & nav software this mounted on dash ?

6. Any app/software recommendations for ip4s - ideally with a free limited period trial/demo ?

Will only be for occasoional use initially.........if she uses it for business use later, ( visiting various work sites on uni work placement|),  she will buy .a better or more dedicated unit

[pvr]

Well, how cheap do you want to go?

I am paying £125 in the end for this unit which I think is excellent value for a new unit which has the lifetime map upgrades, has bluetooth build in as well as traffic info, re-routing based on that and speed cameras. Also it is a fair size being 5".

I hated the TomTom due to the inaccuracy, difficulty in actually recognising which road you are actually supposed to take and losing connection in tunnels / around high buildings. New units are a lot better from TomTom of course but you continue to pay for new maps.

For the light / infrequent use that I have for it, the fact that you get the map updates for free is a nice to have.