Satellite Navigation

[Ironhead]

Hi to everyone!

I am trying to find out if I can buy American maps (that work) for my UK specification NAVMAN portable sattellite navigation system.

We are going over to Orlando to look for property to purchase towards the end of September 04 and it would be a real help to be able to use my NAVMAN when driving around..
Many thanks.

[TonyBlenk]

John,
I use my UK TomTom in the states, so can't help you with NavMan.

Navman have a dealer/distibutor in Florida - you could visit their website at http://www.gomobilenow.com/ and email them to see if they sell US add-on maps.

[alan360]

Ironhead,

I have Tom Tom Nav as well, but try the link below if you don't already have it, they are a mine of info. You should find somewhere in the UK to get the US maps, although they may be cheaper in the US.

http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/[msncool]

[andreah]

My husband has been thinking about getting a GPS system for some time and we are out to Orlando next week.

Did you buy your tom tom in the UK or the US?

Where is it cheapest for the unit and us and uk maps? Do you have an idea of the cost?

Thanks

[alan360]

Andrea,

I brought my Tom Tom from totalpda.com in Glasgow, I got a Ipaq 2210 pda and the Tom Tom Nav and a Bluetooth sat receiver bundle, it came with the UK maps. I am just about to upgrade to Tom Tom 3, so will purchase the USA maps for that version, I think they are now available.

If you checkout the Tom Tom site they have all the latest info on products and pricing.

http://www.tomtom.com/

You really need to have a good look around the pda forums if your going to use the satnav software/hardware, they will probably help you make the right decision on what to buy.

Pricing varies from retailer to retailer and site to site, so have a good look round first.

[Ironhead]

Hi Andreah,
Navman is available as a complete unit from Halfords, price £750 ish.
I believe Tom Tom is the software only for use on a PDF.
Best,
John

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andreah
My husband has been thinking about getting a GPS system for some time and we are out to Orlando next week.

Did you buy your tom tom in the UK or the US?

Where is it cheapest for the unit and us and uk maps? Do you have an idea of the cost?

Thanks

[/quote]

[neilr]

You need to be wary of international warranty and support for the hardware (assuming you are pursuing a PDA route). PDA's such as IPAQ are genreally much cheaper in the USA but you will need a UK charger/adapter and the installed language is US English rather than UK English..

The GPS units (such as Navman etc) can also be a lot cheaper in the US (solid state memory is also needed and is also cheaper!!)...


[msnwink]

[Ironhead]

Many thanks Tony, I'll try them.
John

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by TonyBlenk
John,
I use my UK TomTom in the states, so can't help you with NavMan.

Navman have a dealer/distibutor in Florida - you could visit their website at http://www.gomobilenow.com/ and email them to see if they sell US add-on maps.

[/quote]

[Ironhead]

Thanks Al,
I'm going to take up yours and Tony's suggestion.
Best, John

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mad_al_uk
Ironhead,

I have Tom Tom Nav as well, but try the link below if you don't already have it, they are a mine of info. You should find somewhere in the UK to get the US maps, although they may be cheaper in the US.

http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/[msncool]
[/quote]

[alan360]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ironhead
Hi Andreah,
Navman is available as a complete unit from Halfords, price £750 ish.
I believe Tom Tom is the software only for use on a PDF.
Best,
John

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andreah
My husband has been thinking about getting a GPS system for some time and we are out to Orlando next week.

Did you buy your tom tom in the UK or the US?

Where is it cheapest for the unit and us and uk maps? Do you have an idea of the cost?

Thanks

[/quote]
[/quote]

Tom Tom do both a software version for use on a PDA and a standalone unit Tom Tom Go, the Go unit is about £499 if I remember correctly, it is upgradable and also comes with UK maps and a built in sat receiver, you just plug it into the lighter socket and your up and running. It sits on top of the dash board.[msncool]

[neilr]

Mad al

its also available with USA maps aparrently...

[alan360]

Neilr,

I suspect your right on that one, and the USA maps come on about 7 or 8 discs I think, where as the little old UK comes on one disc. I think you just need to load up the USA disc for the area you are travelling in, not all of them.

If you travel to the states a lot then probably worth purchasing, if not then it's a lot of money. If however you want to find your way around easily then it's wonderful to have to help you navigate. I do a part time driving job for the local on call doctor service and it's brilliant for finding patients homes, especially in the dark, it takes you to outside the door in most cases. I would be lost without it now (pun intended)....

[msntongue][msntongue]

[Ray9]

Jeez!!! I am getting old, I can still managed to get about with a $1-95 map from the local gas station.

[Ironhead]

Hi Ray....What's a map? !!!
John

[andreah]

Thanks guys for all the info. I think we will have to do some research now.

[Ironhead]

Al,
great forum on the website you suggested.
Thanks again,

[caroline]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ray9
Jeez!!! I am getting old, I can still managed to get about with a $1-95 map from the local gas station.
[/quote]

we manage great with the map supplied free by the car rental company:D;)

[alan360]

Just checked out the Tom Tom site and they are selling the Go for 799 euros, approx £530, also checked out Maplins web site and they are selling the same thing for £499.99, not a lot of difference, but then again, you can have it in your sweaty palm much quicker than getting it mail order from Tom Tom.

Also checked out a few links to shops in the US that sell the software and maps, they seem a lot cheaper than direct from Tom Tom as well, Software and US maps for $165. I might get my US maps when I am there in Sept, and save a few pennies. [msntongue]

[fiona]

So do we Caroline, and when the last car came with free navigation service - guess what, didn't need it once!

[neilr]

It must be a boyz toyz thing!!!

Roll on the next one!!

[msnsmile2]

[jolliffee]

Can I put a vote in to look at Garmin GPS; just to make sure we have a balanced view.[msnwink]