SAT NAV

[landover]

Looking for opinions on sat nav. Any recomendations on sat nav units [ not mercedes units]

 

[numbnuts]

Why put a post in on a mercedes site asking about sat navs but not Mercedes ones and also why post it in the technical section and not the general question section :roll:

 

[landover]

Why put a post in on a mercedes site asking about sat navs but not Mercedes ones and also why post it in the technical section and not the general question section :roll:

Why . The sat nav is to fit in a merc .I am only asking for some information from members who have after market units fitted..I see you have nothing constructive to say anyway.

 

[jberks]

Hi,
I use a tom tom system on a compaq handheld. Its all portable and sits on a holder that suctions to the windscreen and plugs into the cig lighter. As I only need it occasionally, this is ideal and I get a handheld computer into the bargain. (easier to put through the books!) There are loads for sale on Ebay, both new and used and it works on lots of different hand helds including the O2 phone/computer. There is also the tomtom Go which is a self contained unit. Its pretty good, but like most sat navs, there are blind spots, like the M6 toll for example.
I believe there is another firm that makes a similar product but I understand tomtom has the biggest market share.

 

[landover]

Thank's mate i have looked at tom tom .I have a garmin street pilot at present . But not very happy with it .I just wanted an overall view on what members think before i buy another one.

 

[jberks]

In that case, to be fair, its probably no better than what you've got. I'm not sure I'd spend the money as I suspect you'd be dissapointed. It's great if you don't have one, but it ain't perfect by any means. Tends to be a few yards late, though that may be the fact that the handheld is a bit slow. Not a problem if you're ready for it but they haven't invented one thats as good as a map (misunderstood it last week and ended up on a 8 mile motorway detour - then at least it got me back in the end !). I hear people slagging off the manufacturer's DVD based ones which are 2-3 times the cost, so I guess nothings perfect.

 

[Arnie]

Have a look at the Navman IC630. The screen, mapping and updates are very good.

However, the voice instructions will drive you nuts as it sounds like a demented robot. Also, you need to buy a large memory card to fit just the UK, ...and you have to "OK" half a dozen menus and warnings before it lets you start ecah time you turn it on. Annoying!

 

[landover]

Have a look at the Navman IC630. The screen, mapping and updates are very good.

However, the voice instructions will drive you nuts as it sounds like a demented robot. Also, you need to buy a large memory card to fit just the UK, ...and you have to "OK" half a dozen menus and warnings before it lets you start ecah time you turn it on. Annoying!

Thanks mate :wink:

 

[Arnie]

Landrover,

If you want accurately timed instructions, in a clear, polite voice, and can do without a map-display, then look no further than the Becker Traffic Pro series.

Most hand-held / portables tend to be a bit slow at keping-up with the driving, especially around town.

The Streetpilot III is based on an ancient processor and so is very slow compared to more recent units.

The Navmans are pretty fast, and have a high-res display, but are let down, in my opinion, in the user friendliness department.

With most of these units, the cost of extra memory adds up significantly, especially as you need quite a large store for any long journey.... And then the more map-data you load the slower they get.

There are some new Garmins (26xx??), however, which have a built in HD to store all your maps and also have an internal Gyro to keep better track of turns and be able to dead-reckon on loss of GPS signal.

NavTech maps tend to be more accurate but many manufacturers have switched to TeleAtlas, as they are cheaper. Even though, none of them are ever completely up to date.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Do you want an easily removable unit like a Navman, Garmin etc or do you want a hardwired installation?

Do you mind a system which replaces your currect head unit or do you want a seperate system?

 

[landover]

Do you want an easily removable unit like a Navman, Garmin etc or do you want a hardwired installation?

Do you mind a system which replaces your currect head unit or do you want a seperate system?

I would fit a head unit no problem this way i can have a larger screen display.

 

[landover]

Landrover,

If you want accurately timed instructions, in a clear, polite voice, and can do without a map-display, then look no further than the Becker Traffic Pro series.

Most hand-held / portables tend to be a bit slow at keping-up with the driving, especially around town.

The Streetpilot III is based on an ancient processor and so is very slow compared to more recent units.

The Navmans are pretty fast, and have a high-res display, but are let down, in my opinion, in the user friendliness department.

With most of these units, the cost of extra memory adds up significantly, especially as you need quite a large store for any long journey.... And then the more map-data you load the slower they get.

There are some new Garmins (26xx??), however, which have a built in HD to store all your maps and also have an internal Gyro to keep better track of turns and be able to dead-reckon on loss of GPS signal.

NavTech maps tend to be more accurate but many manufacturers have switched to TeleAtlas, as they are cheaper. Even though, none of them are ever completely up to date.

Thanks mate for takeing the time to reply.
It has been a good help :wink:

 

[GrahamC230K]

Do you want an easily removable unit like a Navman, Garmin etc or do you want a hardwired installation?

Do you mind a system which replaces your currect head unit or do you want a seperate system?

I would fit a head unit no problem this way i can have a larger screen display.

You have masses of unit available then really. Have you an idea of your budget?

 

[landover]

Yes mate i was thinking a budget of £1000 I don't know if that's enough for a head unit type?

 

[500sl]

Why do you not use a map and save yourself a Grand.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Why do you not use a map and save yourself a Grand.

So you have never used Sat Nav. In an unfamiliar city or country, trvaelling alone, Sat Nav rocks. Spent £1K on mine (a lot of money for me) and I have never looked back.

 

[landover]

I was thinking of buying a pioneer AVIC-XI model has anybody any info on this model .

 

[cmax200]

I use tomtom3 with my ipaq pda and would be lost without it (sorry about the pun) I think its great, used it on continent as well. It is not perfect but like road maps it has to be used with a bit of commonsense. Yes sometimes it does not recognise places, but ive been taken right to peoples front door and they are amazed. The free addons for speed cameras and other Points Of Interest are also a bonus..
If your not too worried, I believe you can get the software from sources off the net.!!

 

[panason1c]

Landover, I have an Alpine sat nav system (motorised screen) fitted in my ML, i had it fitted by a specialist fitter recommended to me by the local Mercedes dealership who send all their aftermarket work to him.
He commented to me that the aftermarket sat nav systems such as Alpine, Pioneer, etc, were far superior and more reliable than the Comand system that Mercedes fit. One of the benefits of a 'dedicated fit' system is that it is connected to the vehicle speed pulse and is therefore more accurate on the countdown to road juctions, etc.
I am very impressed with the Alpine system and would buy the same again.

My ML is for sale by the way..{please excuse the plug)...(-:

 

[landover]

Thank's guy's for the info and replys.