Car Sat Nav

[jmagee]

Personally I use my phone. Google maps has just got better and better over the last few years. It's just so easy plugging it in and having always up to date maps.

 

[techguyone]

Agreed, I ran both my tom tom & phone side by side for a few months before deciding I didn't really need the tom tom now, I especially resented having to get 1/4ly map updates (that in many cases still didn't know new roads) and even more the 'live subscription', it added up to towards £100/yr. No thanks with Google Maps /Here (from Nokia) I can honestly say I don't miss my tom tom at all, and for the naysayers who cry about 'lack of phone coverage' Here maps allow you a proper offline mode.

It's quite telling that tom tom /Garmin etc all produce smartphone apps for the popular platforms, I think they know that the writing is on the wall for dedicated sat nav devices.

 

[Paul_B]

Good stuff - once you've seen them in the flesh, its easier to make a choice, if only on the size (the six inch ones do look huge). And if its free, why not get something that works for you. There is no problem having a couple of backups should something go pear-shaped. I still carry an AA map in the car, just in case. Of course my wife would point out that we need the sat nav because I can't read it properly!

Considering my basic level of knowledge, I shouldn't laugh, but.....

Seriously you're an expert compared to my local currys. They could really do with someone like you who bothers to learn about product rather than just reading the labels in front of the customer!

 

[Paul_B]

The TomTom I'm looking at has free lifetime maps and traffic updates. No subscription fees for anything. All in an easy to use package. I've tried to use offline maps before and just not easy IMHO. We each have our opinions. I just believe that sometimes a tool that has one use is best. Sometimes a screwdriver is better than Swiss army knife screwdriver.

Think the TomTom go 50 looks a good unit. Not too big and has all the updates free. A mid to high end unit which has the Which best buy for this year I think.

 

[Old Bones]

They could really do with someone like you who bothers to learn about product rather than just reading the labels in front of the customer!

I can do that - the trick is to read it faster than the customer, and not move your lips while you do it! Seriously though, thats what you tend to do the first week, after that you do the research.

 

[Gaudette]

Having used both brands suggested here. Personally I found Tom Tom the best. However, I prefer the free app on my phone it's never let me down. My advice get a Tom Tom then sell it and buy that piece of kit you've always wanted !

 

[Paul_B]

I can do that - the trick is to read it faster than the customer, and not move your lips while you do it! Seriously though, thats what you tend to do the first week, after that you do the research.

We saw her 2 weeks ago when looking at vacuum cleaners. She knew a lot about those which is not meant as a sexist comment only I think she must have been supporting the domestic appliance side rather than tech. having said that the computer guy who showed where the sat nav area was told me straight he knew nothing about them before walking back to computers. At least she came out of her area and tried to help. The computer guy could have read the labels as well as she did!! I will credit her with trying to help a customer out.

It must be a difficult job at times dealing with customers which is why I always try to be polite to the assistants although I did take a dislike to the computer guy. He knew a bit about the stock there as he had a bit of an interest Igot from his attitude but he did come across as thinking he knew more than his customers. That is a good way to fall. I got one like that in an outdoor gear shop which was not good for him. I gave him plenty of rope then let him hang himself with ridiculous claims that I politely shot down. Backtracking is a skill among those in sales if they get to cocky and that skill he did not have. I hope it was not down to me but he was not there the weekend afterwards when I was back into the shop.

Buying a piece of tech to sell it goes against my natural tendencies. If I get a tech I tend to keep it until it is no longer working, even then I keep it in case I can get it working. Got a kindle that won;t turn off but that is still in a cupboard somewhere. Don't use a tablet but it stays. Nope if I get a tomtom it will get used but if not then a cupboard awaits.

 

[Bodge]

IMOHO. I drive professionally over 600 miles a week and have used a tomtom for the vast majority of these miles. My latest Tomtom (12 months old) is a Go 1005 5" with live traffic and free lifetime map updates. This unit was purchased in preference to the newer 50, 60 range due to those newer models relying on a bluetooth data connection to my phone for live traffic updates. The unit I have has it's own data capability which allows me to use trip advisor a few times here and there without using my phone data. I know people have unlimited data plans but I don't and it works for me.
I was not confident at the time that the bluetooth data connection would be reliable. a few google searches confirmed my reservations.
I find the live traffic to be invaluable and most of the time it works perfectly. Sometimes it loses traffic data connection due to possible network black spots maybe but it soon gets back on track and sticks to the fastest traffic free route it was on before it lost the connection.

I have tried other brands of SatNav and found them to be not as user friendly as the Tomtom, My Samsung S5 does a great job but I usually regret not taking the Tomtom as I find the user interface on the Tomtom to be well thought out and intuitive.

I do not have much experience with other brands and have only used a couple of Garmins for a short time whilst driving a friends vehicle. Maybe as I am used to Tomtom I didn't get on with them but each to their own.

I don't know if the new Tomtoms still rely on a phone data connection for the traffic updates, which I still don't like and imagine would clash with hands free car kits.

I hope this helps somewhat.

 

[Old Bones]

Got a kindle that won;t turn off but that is still in a cupboard somewhere.

Have a look at www.ifixit.com - lots of advice on how to repair stuff.

As for the in-store service, I sympathise with the female assistant - we've all been there. Its the first time you've been on that section, or the customer needs some help now, so your doing your best even though you've barely set eyes on the kit before yourself, or the bloke who normally does that stuff is away or at lunch, or its the new version which you know nothing about (I'm a part-timer, so that really can happen). None of us are perfect.

And, as people are pointing out, proper sat navs are becoming less popular as apps on smart phones grow, so you seldom get asked about them, which means that its not something most people on the floor really know that much about (we used to stock a Pioneer TV which we all hated, because it was so specialised that even turning it on was a nightmare). Sometimes all you can do is read the label, and try to make sense of it to the customer (which is sometimes all they want). On the other hand, the computer guy was totally unhelpful - if I don't know something (which I'm perfectly willing to fess up to) , I'll find out or find someone who does.

Looking at what some people think about PC World on the 'New Computer Advice' thread, your review could have been worse!

 

[santaman2000]

.....And, as people are pointing out, proper sat navs are becoming less popular as apps on smart phones grow, so you seldom get asked about them, which means that its not something most people on the floor really know that much about.....

I'm seeing more and more often that the unit is actually incorporated into the car itself. When you buy a new car, it comes with a GPS installed into the dash. Usually part of the multi-media center.

 

[Paul_B]

Yes for some years now it's been an option or standard kit on top models. My parents are on their second car with sat nav, possibly third. It's so easy and gives loads of useful info. The fitted ones tend to be Garmin I think.