Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

My other half could easily get lost in a tunnel :lol:

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

No, but there's several tunnels on the A55. If I'm going somewhere using satnav, I'll program it before I set off, and just turn the volume off until I need the directions from it. I can navigate happily to most major cities with all but a glance at a map, then follow road signs. As I get closer to where I'm going, satnav volume goes on.

So usually, even going through tunnels that are physically impossible to get lost in (and I drive through them everyday anyway), satnav has been on.

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

It's important to remember that satnavs are just another navigation aid. They can be a help or a hindrance, depending on how you use them. Nothing beats local knowledge and it's always a good idea to plan your route using a map. But a satnav can help enormously if you're lost or have to make an unplanned detour. Like a throttle, it can get you in to trouble or out of it. Use it as well as your brain, not instead of.

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

Good point :thumleft: During my trips to the Out-Laws' abode, Manchester to Rhayader, it suggests some very strange routes. 2 of which I'm sure would be impossible :smt005

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

A stand alone sat nav doesn't crash during use though. As good as these all-in-one phone/PCs are, they crash and lock up, especially when you're trying to get them to do something fancy. I don't want that to happen on my sat nav, I just want to get from A to B. It's OK if it happens to my phone/email/camera/internet/everything else that's on there. If it happened while driving the thing might well get launched from the car.

I use the sat nav on the bike as if it falls off/whatever I'll get another one. I'd never risk the phone/pc/camera thing (MDA2) as it has my life on there.

Use a sat nav because it's easier than missing your turning because you forgot, or nearly crashing dropping your view to the map stuck on your tank for a few seconds trying to work out where you are now.

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

I've got Route 66 on my phone, its OK, but does sometimes 'go to sleep' on me...

I'm thinking of investing in a TomTom or Garmin etc...

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

Hmmm, I don't know about that. My Garmin StreetPilot C510 quite often locks solid, wont restart and needs resetting. I know it's probably a firmware glitch, but Garmin aren't really interested :smt087

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

I've got a HP PDA (I forget which one, but it's pretty old), and TomTom on a Compact Flash card. GPS is wired to it, not bluetooth. Mine has never crashed/locked up/given wrong directions in the last 3years!!

I update the TomTom software now & again for the map updates etc (newer maps don't always work in the older software - by design rather than flaw). I also use TomTom Live quite a bit, which is great for traffic jams.

HTH. ;)

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

I'm using Tomtom navigator 6 software on the xda2 and it works very well with no lock ups or shutdowns, getting updates are easy and I love the fact that you can get in touch with other Tomtom users.

Re: why pay loads for a Satnav!
 

SatNav is great when on the road. I just plug in the customers address the night before, and in the morning I tell the SatNav to find it. I still always take my own route on the major roads though. I tend to use the M40 for going North rather than the M25/M1 even though both my SatNav and Autoroute suggest the latter.

So, as long as you know your way to "City" you're trying to reach, just let the SatNav take you in for the last bit. And they're great for getting you home if you haven't a clue where you are :smt023

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