Sat Nav

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Sat Nav; any good offers or recommendations?
Topic Started: 16 Oct 2009, 06:33 PM (560 Views)
Michele	16 Oct 2009, 06:33 PM Post #1
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	We are thinking about getting a Sat Nav, does anyone know of any special offers on at the mo, or have any recommendations? Thanks :waving:



Amanda & Simon	16 Oct 2009, 09:19 PM Post #2
Braiiiiiinnnss Posts: 3,881 Group: Members Member #1,707 Joined: 28 September 2007 Migration Status Citizen My Location Middle Park	Someone's always got offers on for that sort of stuff. Try Good Guys, DSE if you can find a member of staff (my pet hate about them), JB HiFi, Meyer, Hardly Normal... the usual suspects. The electronic stores bit of Elizabeth Street is probably a good place to start. Brand wise I personally am pretty happy with my old Navman, though the maps on it are getting a bit out of date now. It's very confused by the new Westgate freeway junction layout at Montague Street, but then who isn't :Grin: ? I've used a Garmin before and that was okay but tended to lose satellite signal a bit too easily. That was about five years ago and they might have improved them a lot since then. TomTom are well known and though I've never used one they must be okay or we'd all hear about it from the numbers of disgruntled TomTom owners. Melway have their own satnav which I expect has got the best maps but it's quite pricey IMO. And of course you might find you can use your phone if it's able, though be aware that the police now do you for using a satnav handheld like some people do with phone based satnavs. I saw something on the news about it the other week. It's got to be in a cradle because obviously it's completely impossible to crash the car when your fiddle arsing around with the controls of a satnav stuck to the windscreen at arms length :mah:



aj.	17 Oct 2009, 08:31 AM Post #3
Member Posts: 26 Group: Members Member #1,519 Joined: 2 July 2007	We have managed fine with our copy of Melways - cost $37.50! :Grin:



koalakim	17 Oct 2009, 08:52 AM Post #4
Legend Posts: 4,246 Group: Members Member #889 Joined: 1 September 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Location Mornington	I was quite happy with me and the map also but boys will gadget man and OH insisted we get one! Actually have to say it was invaluable when we drove to Sydney - one because of navigating around the city but also it checks your speed which was quite handy as it's easy to get carried away out in the countryside! It's also quite handy if you are on your own as trying to read maps and drive isn't a good idea at times. We went for the Tom Tom. I think it's a mid-range model about $350 and we've been very happy with it apart from the times it tries to send us down dirt roads on the Peninsula! We got ours from Harvey Norman. KK



RobN	17 Oct 2009, 09:42 AM Post #5
Addicted Member Posts: 442 Group: Members Member #2,255 Joined: 26 May 2008 Migration Status Permanent Resident	I got a TomTom (one of the GO models) at the beginning of the year and have been happy with it. I bought it online from MWave as it was the cheapest I could find (usually cheaper than the shops). They called after I made the purchase online before dispatching it, but on subsequent orders I've made through them this hasn't happen.



Davyfella	17 Oct 2009, 10:29 AM Post #6
Addicted Member Posts: 430 Group: Members Member #1,598 Joined: 12 August 2007	If you haven't sorted out Aussie mobile phones yet. Try looking at the Nokia 6210 which has the built in GPS software. The Wifey now has my Nokia phone with the GPS as she broke her older phone, and I make do with a $120 Aldi GPS which comes up every 6 months or so. It has the same 'Route 66' software as the Nokia phone so it easy to understand and update. I still think that a GPS is only any good when used in conjunction with a good map. (Melways) I will look for where I want to go in't Gospel according to Melways. and then program the destination into the GPS to give me the turn by turn instructions. Relying on just a Satnav will not help you develop your 'sense of direction' or any idea of which roads lead to where.



Amanda & Simon	17 Oct 2009, 04:28 PM Post #7
Braiiiiiinnnss Posts: 3,881 Group: Members Member #1,707 Joined: 28 September 2007 Migration Status Citizen My Location Middle Park	Relying on it, no, probably won't help you get your mental navigation thingie programmed properly. But just having the thing stuck to the windscreen when you're driving around, not actually navigating but just displaying the moving map of where you are, I think that can help. For one thing on a unit with a decent size screen you can see what roads are parallel to the one you're on and what roads cross it without having to try to spot signposts (wouldn't be able to see 'em on the next street over anyway). For another if/when you get lost you've got the confidence that comes with being able to get home by satnav. Actually sometimes I think it's worth getting lost on purpose and seeing if you can get back to somewhere you know just by dead reckoning. True about the maps. We keep a UBD in the car because it's smaller than a Melway (lots cheaper too) and keep the Melway at home for planning routes a la Davyfella and taking with when we need more detail than the UBD gives. On the subject of the Melway, it is by far and away the best quality map available but if it seems pricey you can always look for a copy of the previous year's edition - costs about half as much IIRC. I think one of the news stand kiosk jobs near the old Elizabeth Street post office sells 'old' Melways.



ebo1608	17 Oct 2009, 05:07 PM Post #8
Addicted Member Posts: 148 Group: Members Member #116 Joined: 20 October 2004	I have something similar to this http://cgi.ebay.com/7-inch-GPS-with-Bluetooth-FM-transimitter-Map-2GB_W0QQitemZ250496988738QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item3a52c8b642 The problem is paying for the maps as they upgrade. If you don't want to pay you can go here for hmm... advice http://www.austech.info/gps/ If you buy a 7" with Windows CE I can upload my maps for you to download. It has Eastlink on it. Easy to install. Ian



tam_n_brett	17 Oct 2009, 08:52 PM Post #9
A phenomenon Posts: 1,017 Group: Members Member #902 Joined: 9 September 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Mood always got a smile :0) My Location Briar Hill, Melbourne	We have tomtom go we bought it on our reccie last year and it has took us to many destinations without problem. The tomtom is also easy to update on pc, we got it at Tandy and it cost $230. We do use Melways now but found the satnav a great help in the beginning and still use it from time to time.



Jude	17 Nov 2009, 09:33 PM Post #10
Newbie Posts: 4 Group: Members Member #1,267 Joined: 21 March 2007	Michele 16 Oct 2009, 06:33 PM We are thinking about getting a Sat Nav, does anyone know of any special offers on at the mo, or have any recommendations? Thanks :waving: Hi, this is nothing to do with sat navs! just wondering how you're getting on? I wrote to you ages ago, as we have something in common, both have dutch husbands! You were living in a small village in Holland and my husband is from a small village too. I know you're just there for 3 months trying to secure work. Thanks, Julia



furkew	18 Nov 2009, 05:00 PM Post #11
Elite Member Posts: 753 Group: Members Member #604 Joined: 5 March 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Mood got our PR Woo Hoo !! My Location Monbulk, Victoria	Michele 16 Oct 2009, 06:33 PM We are thinking about getting a Sat Nav, does anyone know of any special offers on at the mo, or have any recommendations? Thanks :waving: I bought one last week after the dog had a meal of the last one :realmad: and prices vary from below $200 to just over $400. We bought the Garmin 1490T. It seemed the best for us. We paid $405.00 at JB Hi-Fi and it had a price sticker of $522.00 on the box. I found it on internet for $398.00 which was the cheapest I could find on an online store in NSW. It all depends on how detailed you want the info, and what extra gadgets it includes (knowing you & Christian as many as possible of course :Grin: ) https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134 this is the Garmin range. I had a garmin before this, and prior to that TomTom which was fine, but I just preferred the Garmin for ease of use and options. Paul.



JCSUPERMOTO	19 Nov 2009, 07:55 PM Post #12
JASE Posts: 28 Group: Members Member #2,652 Joined: 17 January 2009 My Location Berwick	Brought a tom tom 140 for $250 from dick smith on 1st few days then this week brought one for me for $200 @ Good guys B-)



COOPERCAV	22 Nov 2009, 07:59 AM Post #13
Addicted Member Posts: 109 Group: Members Member #2,880 Joined: 20 August 2009 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Location Frankston South, Victoria My Mood its all a bit unreal!	Was recommended an offer at Harvey Norman for a satnav for $93. Bought one & does the job. It's a Navig8or, good enough just a little slow. This means it sometime plays catchup so can be inacurate on distances & then can take too long recalculating. But you can get used to it for the money. M



Michele	22 Nov 2009, 11:50 AM Post #14
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	Thanks for all your replies - if we end up staying we will definitely buy one.



Michele	22 Nov 2009, 11:50 AM Post #15
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	Jude 17 Nov 2009, 09:33 PM Michele 16 Oct 2009, 06:33 PM We are thinking about getting a Sat Nav, does anyone know of any special offers on at the mo, or have any recommendations? Thanks :waving: Hi, this is nothing to do with sat navs! just wondering how you're getting on? I wrote to you ages ago, as we have something in common, both have dutch husbands! You were living in a small village in Holland and my husband is from a small village too. I know you're just there for 3 months trying to secure work. Thanks, Julia Hi Julia, I've sent you a PM



Davyfella	22 Nov 2009, 10:54 PM Post #16
Addicted Member Posts: 430 Group: Members Member #1,598 Joined: 12 August 2007	We went to Costco today to buy some bread and toilet rolls, I had an attack of Costcosis and ended up throwing a Garmin Nuvi into the trolley (sorry Cart). A good price (I think) for $195. Somone will probably come on here and tell me I've had me eye wiped. Ah well, lets hope some theeiving smack head scumbag doesn't happen upon my unlocked car outside my house and tax this one.



Amanda & Simon	27 Nov 2009, 12:55 PM Post #17
Braiiiiiinnnss Posts: 3,881 Group: Members Member #1,707 Joined: 28 September 2007 Migration Status Citizen My Location Middle Park	Davyfella, how you getting on with your new Garmin? Michelle, did you get one in the end? Anyone else got a recommendation? We're considering getting another to supplement my ageing Navman N-series and its increasingly out of date maps. Amanda doesn't find the interface that user friendly so we're thinking of trying alternative models and/or makes (if Navman even still make the N-series). I'm thinking of a wide screen unit with either a very clear high contrast display or the ability to change display colours to what suits best. If entirely touch sensitive then nice big screen buttons to make an easy target for my stubby fingers. QWERTY layout for the address UI preferred, spoken street names desirable, clear speed reading important, compass display would be nice too. Don't need Bluetooth or any of that other crap they all like to put on to justify an extra $50 on the price. Looking at a couple of hundred or so. Any Britvics got something just like that?



Fenton	27 Nov 2009, 01:11 PM Post #18
Elite Member Posts: 776 Group: Members Member #1,380 Joined: 4 May 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident	There was an advert on TV at the moment about Dick Smiths selling a TomTom for $187



Amanda & Simon	27 Nov 2009, 01:59 PM Post #19
Braiiiiiinnnss Posts: 3,881 Group: Members Member #1,707 Joined: 28 September 2007 Migration Status Citizen My Location Middle Park	Price is good but the DSE website is short on details like a pic of the UI. Doesn't surprise me much as nearly everybody's site seems to be like that :mah: I think we may have to just put the time aside to go and look.



Davyfella	27 Nov 2009, 05:34 PM Post #20
Addicted Member Posts: 430 Group: Members Member #1,598 Joined: 12 August 2007	I prefered the old Aldi one better. It was a 'Tevion' but used the Route 66 maps. It did what Simon wants in a sat nav, day/night colours, different colour schemes to suit, QWERTY keyboard etc. Ironically, ALDI are doing an updated version this week with a wide screen for $148. If I hadn't suffered Costco-sis I would have been buying that one instead



Davyfella	27 Nov 2009, 05:51 PM Post #21
Addicted Member Posts: 430 Group: Members Member #1,598 Joined: 12 August 2007	http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/58_10953.htm?WT.mc_id=2009-11-27-06-40 sorry, my mistake, your fault, it is $159 Edited by Davyfella, 27 Nov 2009, 05:53 PM.



hevs	29 Nov 2009, 09:17 PM Post #22
Forever Ignored. Posts: 1,929 Group: Members Member #38 Joined: 10 September 2004 Migration Status Citizen My Mood Changable My Location Harkaway. WHERE? North of Berwick, high on the hill.	Davyfella 27 Nov 2009, 05:34 PM I prefered the old Aldi one better. It was a 'Tevion' but used the Route 66 maps. It did what Simon wants in a sat nav, day/night colours, different colour schemes to suit, QWERTY keyboard etc. Ironically, ALDI are doing an updated version this week with a wide screen for $148. If I hadn't suffered Costco-sis I would have been buying that one instead We bought this one last time round as the "second car one" and its great, we have a nav man one and the Aldi one is just as good.



Michele	4 Dec 2009, 08:29 PM Post #23
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	The ALDI offer sounds good...we are waiting now until we know that we are staying before getting one.



ebyron	5 Dec 2009, 08:53 AM Post #24
Member Posts: 57 Group: Members Member #2,240 Joined: 19 May 2008	Michele 4 Dec 2009, 08:29 PM The ALDI offer sounds good...we are waiting now until we know that we are staying before getting one. Hey Michelle, How's the hunt going? Any luck yet? xxx



Michele	7 Dec 2009, 01:20 PM Post #25
What's your location? Posts: 1,015 Group: Members Member #1,483 Joined: 11 June 2007 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood Couldn't be better!!! My Location St Kilda, VIC then Adelaide, SA	ebyron 5 Dec 2009, 08:53 AM Michele 4 Dec 2009, 08:29 PM The ALDI offer sounds good...we are waiting now until we know that we are staying before getting one. Hey Michelle, How's the hunt going? Any luck yet? xxx We should know tomorrow if Chris has got a job!!! :Grin:


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