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Thread ID: 135573	2013-11-20 01:13:00	Which is best car gps system for NZ	Misty (368)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1360266	2013-11-20 20:04:00	We have an older top of the range TomTom (2008), but for some reason it makes some very stupid routing suggestions, even with this year's map. When we drive to Wellington, it ALWAYS want us to turn off SH1 at the Southward Car Museum at Parapaumu to head towards Raumati South. There is no way it is a better route than just follow the main route, it has been doing this from day one. The Bluetooth and FM tuner function on the TomTom is very good though, it can beam phone calls and music from the SD card to the radio, also it will fade out the music when a phone call comes in via bluetooth. But the earlier generation GPS (or SatNav as they call in the UK) does not come with life time maps, you have to buy maps to update it. The latest GPSes seem to come with lifetime map now. We have bought a Garmin recently, it has a very nice screen and a very strong snap on magentic mount, far easier to snap on and pull off the mount than the TomTom. It works pretty well mostly, but still seems to give some turn instructions prematurely (200m ahead of turn) or a little late at times. Last year, we drove into the country side to a Xmas party, the TomTom was 500m out whilst my Google Navigation on the phone was spot on, even showed me the StreeView of the house as I pull up, so no need to guess if we were at the right place! The house was behind some big bush, we can see the top of the barn house in the StreetView, 100% how it looks when we stopped. LOL. In regards to data use, you can cache the maps before you head out, can't remember how many sections you can cache, around 4 or 6 I think. See instructions here ... lifehacker.com Google Now on the phone works great with voice command now, I just say "Navigate to ..." and it does it! Only needed to touch the phone initially to get GoogleNow up, then just speak, can also TXT and make calls using voice. It didn't work so well last year, but it is working great now, they must have made a lot of improvements at the server end in the past year. The beauty of using a GPS is that you can more info then just the route, it does re-route quickly, you can discover different route to get to places. There are other useful info like ETA, how far you are from the destination, actual speed (usually more accurate that car speedo) etc. We also love an App call GPSEssentials on Android, you can get altitudes, highest point, average/max speed etc, you can also see the actual number of satellites locked. 5316 GPS Essentials on Play Store ... play.google.com We still have the TomTom and Garmin in the two personal cars, but in my work car, I only use my phone now, as it's with me all the time, no need to carry the extra unit.	Geek4414 (12000)
1360267	2013-11-20 20:50:00	I have a TOM TOM, it was fairly cheap. I cant say Id recommend it, I certainly wouldnt rush to buy another. The thing get reds hot in the sun, so hot that it gives a warning message. Ive now have to put tin foil over the back(front?) of it to try & keep it cooler. So its designed to sit all day in the sun & they make it black . Real good idea. :mad: But anyway, look into the cost of annual map upgrades : can get pricey. A few give 3 years free maps, other have free maps for life. Most only have free maps for a year. Once you have a GPS, you wont go back to old fashioned Road Maps. GPS can find house no's in the dark, saves getting out with a torch when trying to find an address at night. If the route is well into suburbia, then its too hard to use a map to navigate with, cant drive & read a map . GPS also is a lot less stressfull, when running late, when buildings/adresses dont seem to have numbers or street signposts missing or hidden behind trees :rolleyes:	1101 (13337)
1360268	2013-11-20 21:49:00	Thanks guys - very interesting reading and useful info. I should have mentioned that we are planning to use not only in our car but in our time-share motorhome (half). The things that I have gleaned from this and other reviews, forums etc, etc are that a few things are key (1) Which brand is better is in the here and now, because they all have upgraded and changed in short spaces of time. What may be the best brand in one price bracket, may not be in another. (2) How they are attached and detached can cause a lot of frustration, so very important. (3) We will buy from Noel Leemings instead of getting from Fly Buys as we had intended to do, because if had a problem then easy to get to the store to get satisfaction (also, as a SeniorNet member we get vg discount). My wife can then use fly-buys for a food processor :clap (4) I need to find out how important bluetooth is - is it something we would find useful, or not much to worth paying more for ? :confused: At the moment Tom Tom is in favour - this recent link is useful - forums.whirlpool.net.au Thinking of the Tom Tom VIA225 LTM Navigational Unit so will update when decision made. Thanks again ! :thanks Jim	Misty (368)
1360269	2013-11-20 22:05:00	If it is car and motorhome then I think car GPS style would be better. But all the modern GPS now are black (?). I got a GPS before they gave lifetime or more accurate within its product lifecycle's free updates so mine is ok for most things but it doesn't take account of some of the newer maybe roads. But re: which one has the best navigational guidance, just try it out and maybe it depends on location too :D From what I tried the Google and Nokia avoids u turns so they do a big loop over even if you just missed one turn. Navman was better it does tell you to do a u turn when you have the opportunity but in Queenstown it told us to do a loop over these houses instead. Also going to Auckland from Wellington it told us to get off SH1 and go thru all these other roads but maybe the total distance was maybe shorter :lol: I think Consumer Mag tested the Navman at one time to be better but generally people said TomTom was better maybe most people are from AKL and Consumer Mag is from Wellington at least one of their office is here, think it's their head office. I've generally been happy with Navman and ease of use is better than my Android Jellybean if you talk about pure GPS. Haven't tried TomTom in this same area of Wellington but if I happen to be a different area the results may differ ... Navman doesn't have much in way of other maps thou apart from Oz, EU, and North America. So if you head to Asia or Eastern EU, Dubai TomTom/Garmin may be better. I think also the forum activity and development of maps etc isn't as active for Navman. If was buying a car GPS I mgiht give TomTom a go after trying out Navman but it was now a dated model.	Nomad (952)
1360270	2013-11-20 22:23:00	Thanks guys - very interesting reading and useful info . I should have mentioned that we are planning to use not only in our car but in our time-share motorhome (half) . The things that I have gleaned from this and other reviews, forums etc, etc are that a few things are key (1) Which brand is better is in the here and now, because they all have upgraded and changed in short spaces of time . What may be the best brand in one price bracket, may not be in another . (2) How they are attached and detached can cause a lot of frustration, so very important . (3) We will buy from Noel Leemings instead of getting from Fly Buys as we had intended to do, because if had a problem then easy to get to the store to get satisfaction (also, as a SeniorNet member we get vg discount) . My wife can then use fly-buys for a food processor :clap (4) I need to find out how important bluetooth is - is it something we would find useful, or not much to worth paying more for ? :confused: At the moment Tom Tom is in favour - this recent link is useful - . whirlpool . net . au/archive/2072040" target="_blank">forums . whirlpool . net . au Thinking of the Tom Tom VIA225 LTM Navigational Unit so will update when decision made . Thanks again ! :thanks Jim Bluetooth should come as standard, both on the device and possibly as an existing feature in your car (if its a new one) you shouldn't need to pay any extra for it, however its not absolutely essential .	Webdevguy (17166)
1360271	2013-11-20 22:31:00	Is bluetooth that you link your phone to the GPS so you can use the GPS to dial phone numbers and for its speakerphone. That's what I can do on my 2008 Navman. With the newer ones I think you can use mobile internet and do internet searches or maybe lane guidance / traffic / street view? I am sure some of the cheaper GPS don't have bluetooth but if you are getting a decent sized one most/all should have them already.	Nomad (952)
1360272	2013-11-20 22:33:00	Turn by turn navigation with Google Maps on iPhone (iOS6) www.youtube.com With Apple www.youtube.com Garmin vs Tomtom review computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/cwinews On Android www.youtube.com	Webdevguy (17166)
1360273	2013-11-29 18:51:00	Hi guys - a bit slow in letting you know that we have bought a TomTom Via 225. We don't have a smart phone, just two basic cellphones, so decided it is the best option. Just have to find time to practice now and learn to use it. Many thanks for all comments, which were most useful in helping make a decision.	Misty (368)
1360274	2013-11-29 19:13:00	I think you would be better off with Navaman, wonder if you can take it back?	Cicero (40)
1360275	2013-11-29 19:17:00	She tells me in a nice way, where to go. If she told me where to go I would be quite offended. Even if it is in a nice way.	Cicero (40)
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