Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Sat Navs - the real ones

Ok, I've resisted these gadgets so far, preferring route planning by map and tulip contour. But my Golf came with a built in unit, and eventually I started to use it (occasionally), and on those occasions it has been handy, especially since it does realtime congestion aviodance.

Now I'm wondering whether to get one for our Scotland adventure. We don't have fancy phones so phone apps are not an option.
I've had a cursory look and it seems that TomTom and Garmin are the two favoured brands. I quite fancy a 'larger' screen, but only need UK maps. So what are the views out there?

I've got a TomTom XL and an original TomTom HD500, I bought the XL because it was cheaper than buying updated maps for the 500 (which is now nearly 9 year sold and still going strong). I have never felt the need to try a Garmin, the TomToms do everything I need. The

Maps are great for route planning (especially Google maps with Streetview), but for finding a destination - especially at night in the rain and you are on your own - satnavs are unbeatable. If you want to get into it, you can plan routes on Google Earth and then transfer them to your TomTom using a bit of software called TYRE. I've tried it, but find it just as easy to set up the waypoints manually for the route I want to follow.

I have no experience of Tom Toms but I have had three Garmins. They are good and what I particularloy like is that on many models you also get a map system for the PC which allows you to work out the precise route you want to do on the big PC screen and then download it to the satnav. Much better than trying to do the same thing on a small screen or just following the standard options of shortest or quickest.

Garmin have an excellent rep for service too. And I use garmin on the boat

Not used a TomTom (they are supposed to be better for UK/EU though).
My first SatNav we can ignore (a cheap Binatone from Maplins) - Tim may remember odd comments from the LeJog trek when I used to argue with it on a regular basis.
I followed that with a 5" widescreen Navman Mio. Liked most of its routing, it came with traffic avoidance, but map updates / camera updates where chargeable. Unfortunately, it was a pig to update - not a problem writing to the Satnav, but getting the Mio software to work properly and consistently was another story.
In the end I gave up and bought a widescreen (5") Garmin with lifetime map updates &c. including traffic avoidance. Not so keen on it as a SatNav though, its routing can be strange at times.
Even with a SatNav I still prefer to do my planning with a good old Atlas, just using the SatNav for final close to destination instructions.
Good hunting!

I have started to use the iPhone 5 map system. So far so good or at least it has t driven me into a river yet

I used to believe and argue the case that "real men use maps", but since getting a TomTom Rider for the bike (using maps on a bike is a total pain)I've become 75% converted. They are all known as "Mother in Law"

The TomTom rider is now in Aldermog, it also means I can use my phone through a bluetooth headset, not something I like but it can be useful.

I have the BMW system in the BMW and SWMBO has the Mercedes system in her Mercedes. I've also got both the I-phne and Google systems in my phone, but never use them as they need a good 3G signal to be any use at all and out here hoping for 3G is like hoping for petrol at £1.00 a litre....

I say 75% converted because they all have simple logic which can be seriously flawed. So they are ignored quite often as I take an executive decision to overule "Mother in Law"!

I still carry an up to date road map so I can get the "big picture"....especialy when a diversion is needed becase the Motorway has choked its self to death.

Where they are stunning is in urban areas you don't know: possibly a london taxi driver who has done "the knowledge" is better, but in cities I'd not be without it.

They are also a great help in answering the "what time will you be home" question as by putting in home as a destination they will give you a good idea.

So yes, a valuable aid but not something to depend on.

In my opinion TomTom has the easiest system to use. Be careful to buy a current model if you want itinerary planning. models that may still be on the market from the last series do not include this feature, in addition many of the current models include lifetime traffic and map updates. That can save you quite a bit of money over the life of the device. Speed camera position updates are free for 3 months and then you have to pay if you want up to date speed camera positions (in France they only warn of zones where a speed camera may be in operation and in some countries speed camera information is completely illegal).

In order to get the live services it is worth while getting the TomTom GO 5000 which is more than big enough for use in the Morgan, perhaps even a little too big. If you don't require live services or are happy to update traffic information via a smart phone one of the lower cost options such as the GO 400 may suit you better.

I have had 2 TomToms now The oldest is still functional but I stopped paying for map updates. My newer version, a GO 1000 Live, is the same size as the newer GO 400 but has live data updating integrated. My only disappointment is the lack of itinerary planning which TomTom have include in the latest models. I do like the live update feature so I would probably chose the slightly larger GO 5000.

I do also find it a little annoying that they are now offering lifetime maps and traffic for free whilst I have to pay for it on a model that is only 2 years old.

PS. You have to be careful of what we call the "TomTom shortcut" it will sometimes take you over roads that it sees as being shorter. This will include back lanes, country roads and other such delights when you really wanted the fast main road. It has even been known to take us off a motorway and then straight back on again as, for some reason, it sees that distance as fractionally shorter. For the newly completed tunnel at Monza it insists on trying to take us on the construction bypass road even though the map shows the new tunnel.

I agree with Peter...make sure the satnav will allow itinerary planning. I use a Garmin Nuvi 2517 in the car and a Tom Tom rider for the motor bike. The Garmin is easy to use and whilst has a decent sized screen, is not too bulky which is rather important in a Morgan cockpit!

Also a big fan of Garmin's NUVI series because of their ability to 'learn' from your driving behaviour over time. For example, my NUVI has given up trying to send me down the M3 to Dorset now it 'knows' I prefer the A3/A31. Also (and this takes longer) it will adjust its ETA calculations once it accumulates data on how you drive in relation to speed limits for different categories of road. So the unit in the 4/4 knows that my motorway speed - top always down of course - will be around 60mph (rather than the 70+ it will assume on factory settings).

Garmin rather hide their light under a bushel in this regard as there is nothing I could find in the manual, but if you are curious then do a factory re-set of a 'trained' unit between two back-to-back journeys and you will see what I mean.

Used a Snooper for years and got one for Jnr When the 1st one broke they asked would I accept the latest spec one foc and send the old one in. (Syrius 600 PLUS) It's out of date in style compared to Jnr's but the roads are the same. She pays £29/- per year to update I paid a one off payment you can up date as many times as you wish.