Recommendations for a good sat nav

[sr71_sr71]

Hi Folks.

We just purchased a 2003 CLK 270 CDI Coupe, and would like to hear what sat nav you would recommend buying if I dont go for the standard fitted Comand etc.

Any recommendations?

Regards.

 

[ringway]

Hi Folks.

We just purchased a 2003 CLK 270 CDI Coupe, and would like to hear what sat nav you would recommend buying if I dont go for the standard fitted Comand etc.

Any recommendations?

Regards.

Never buy a NAVMAN.

Rubbish product and non-existent customer service.

 

[stevieb15]

I'm a fan of Garmin and I know they are the choice of sailors, which can't be a bad recommendation

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Fit the other MB approved system. Smartnav. You press a button, speak to an operator, tell them where you want to go and it navigates you there avoiding traffic delays! I have comand and Smartnav. Comand is only ever better as a sat nav right in the middle of the city where sat visibility can be an issue for many systems. As a pure sat nav comand is slow and hard to use.

 

[GordonTarling]

I've tried the others, but have always come back to Garmin.

 

[markmifsud]

I have Garmin as part of a Kenwood D/Din radio. Covers all aspects of my ICE needs with Digital Radio/TV, FM/AM Radio, Full Ipod control, Full usb access for usb HD/KEY, DVD player with full access to data dvd 9gb MP3, avi, mpeg etc. Rear view camera.

I still find TomTom to be the best satnav system though.

 

[Ted]

I have a Navman.
So I strongly recommend Tom Tom.

 

[hollyhocks]

I have had a Garmin for 6 months and have been very impressed

 

[wemorgan]

I like my TomTom, but now wished I bought a Garmain. I've used Garmain for trekking and it's a high quality product with excellent customer support. I think I just got carried away with the whole TomTom euphoria.

 

[AANDYY]

Here's what I did after having a tantrum and throwing my Tom Tom one out of the car window!

£50

 

[sr71_sr71]

I have Garmin as part of a Kenwood D/Din radio. Covers all aspects of my ICE needs with Digital Radio/TV, FM/AM Radio, Full Ipod control, Full usb access for usb HD/KEY, DVD player with full access to data dvd 9gb MP3, avi, mpeg etc. Rear view camera.

I still find TomTom to be the best satnav system though.

Would you be able to let me know which model numbers you chose for each, as I would like to take a look myself.

Thanks.

 

[EDZ649]

I have a NAVMAN, never had any problems with it, does what it says on the tin and good value for money IMO.

Furthermore, it's slim, lightweight and has a really nice widescreen. My dad has a Tom Tom and it's very heavy and bulky in comparison.

 

[sr71_sr71]

Thanks for your feedback so far everyone, this is a great help

 

[Oily Rag]

I have a Tom-Tom 1, it does the job I bought it for, and as a bonus, I downloaded Homer Simpson's voice from Tom-Tom.com, because the stored voices were boring, keeps the grandchildren happy chuckling away in the back seats. Quite funny comments on there, if you decide to go a different route than is on the screen.

 

[markmifsud]

Would you be able to let me know which model numbers you chose for each, as I would like to take a look myself.

Thanks.

I have the Kenwood DNX7240BT
Ipod Control cable KCA-iP301V
DVB KTC-D500E

http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/multimedia/navigation/DNX7240BT/

 

[kth286]

do you need to buy a free standing unit anymore, when there are free GPS apps with the high end Nokia phones ?

and with all the extra features you get with a self contained mobile phone

 

[Mike Walker]

I have the Kenwood DNX7240BT
Ipod Control cable KCA-iP301V
DVB KTC-D500E

Kenwood Electronics UK Ltd. | Navigation > DNX7240BT

Mark Hi
Near Bromley myself - how much did you pay for the Kenwood unit please?

 

[BTB 500]

Had a TomTom 910 for about 4 years, no problems at all ... in fact I simply can't justify 'upgrading' !

 

[markmifsud]

Mark Hi
Near Bromley myself - how much did you pay for the Kenwood unit please?

All in, including the DVB, Ipod, Steering controls around £1500

I know its a fair amount, but it does everything I need and more. your welcome to have a mini meet and look at mine if your interested in seeing one in action

 

[st13phil]

Garmin and TomTom come from different backgrounds: Garmin learnt their trade providing professional Aviation and Marine navigation systems and applied their knowledge to automotive navigators; TomTom make automotive navigators. I generally recommend Garmin over TomTom as their support is better and their top-end systems have better functionality (for me, anyway), but for entry-level devices there's probably not much to choose between the two manufacturers so go with either if it meets your needs.

The main decision points when buying will probably be:

1. Do you want Europe-wide mapping or just UK?
2. Do you need Bluetooth to provide hands-free telephony?
3. Do you have complex routing requirements - e.g. enter multiple stop-off points and get the unit to calculate the optimum route?
4. Do you want to be able to save multiple customised routes in the device to call up when you want them?
5. Do you want to plan routes on your PC and use the GPSR as a "talking roadbook"?

For high-end stuff Garmin's extended functionality and excellent support are more important (IMO) than TomTom's slightly sexier interface, so if you answer "yes" to the higher numbered questions then you'll probably find a Garmin product more suitable.

Personally, I'd avoid other manufacturers as (with some exceptions) they are just consumer electronics companies who jumped on a bandwagon that they thought they could make money from. Most of them have fallen by the wayside.