Satellite Navigation (Merged)

cruesfan

I have just bought a new Sat-Nav and it came pre-loaded with software to detect speed cameras.

Two queries:

As the Sat-nav didn't detect the new cameras on the A2 Belfast to Bangor Road, I was wondering if this type of software normally covers only GB; and

I thought it was illegal in NI to have a gadget that could dectect speed cameras or any other types of device used to combat speeding. Am I correct?

arkonite_babe

cruesfan

I'll add this thread to the existig sat nav thread so all the repliesa are kept together

ab

ooo000ooo

cruesfan wrote: »

I have just bought a new Sat-Nav and it came pre-loaded with software to detect speed cameras.

Two queries:

As the Sat-nav didn't detect the new cameras on the A2 Belfast to Bangor Road, I was wondering if this type of software normally covers only GB; and

I thought it was illegal in NI to have a gadget that could dectect speed cameras or any other types of device used to combat speeding. Am I correct?

It's not actually detecting the speed cameras just a "point of interest"

All4ABargain

A year ago I borrowed a Garmin Nuvi 310 & used it around the back roads of Fermanagh and also around Co. Monaghan. I was not impressed, as a lot of the smaller roads in Fermanagh (and Monaghan too) simply disappeared while we were on it, and then would re-appear again a mile later. It completely put DH & I off satnavs in NI. Tried out some addresses via postcode function in north Antrim (out in the countryside as opposed to the town), and they were out by a good few hundred yards - enough to get you muddled.
Last January we bought a Tom Tom Go520 and it's restored our faith in them. We went to a Halfords store first to get a demo and checked out all the weak mapping areas that was in the Garmin 310, and we were happy that all the roads were there. We have used it in all the NI counties except Co. Tyrone and it hasn't let us down yet. Sometimes postcode search can be a little bit off, but we've never gotten lost, and every single road seems to be on it - including all the minor ones. In fact it even seems to show a lot of farmers lanes too. I haven't come across a road in NI yet, that hasn't been on the TomTom - and believe me, we travel in the middle of nowhere quite a lot.
However, in the south it doesn't seem quite as good as the north. All the main roads are there and the majority of the small roads, but some of the very smallest roads aren't always there, but we're still very happy with our purchase & would definitely recommend it.

One word of warning - if you view your item in Halfords, don't listen to the sales talk and do your own research on satnav features, as we were told a lot of things that were simply wrong, just to get us to buy more expensive satnavs. Get the demo & buy elsewhere online for a better deal.

DesG

ooo000ooo wrote: »

It's not actually detecting the speed cameras just a "point of interest"

Actually it is warning you of a dangerous section of road, as of course speed cashers are only located in such areas

Cheers, Des.

Pretani

There seems to be quite a few people saying the garmin Nuvi, Navman and latest models from TomTom are pretty good in N.Ireland and the Republic.

Can anyone update on how their Sat Nav is performing?

tightasaduck's

Garmin Nuvi 250 currently available on Amazon at £88 - bargain and a nice wee sat nav to boot. You can also get a wee leather case for it for £2 odds and a car and home charger for 30p for BOTH! You have to add about £6 for the postage for the latter items mentioned as they don't come from Amazon directly. Still a right good deal though.

Pretani

I've been looking at the Nuvi 250. On activegps.co.uk website it says the 250 has "street maps for UK, Eastern and Western Europe" ans that the 200 has "street maps for UK and Republic of Ireland"

I take it that the 250 maps of UK+Ireland are just as good as those in the 200?

Pretani

Here's an important piece of information about the navigation technology concerning Ireland. There's also information about the map data, within the unit, which buyers may not be aware of when purchasing. According to how old the map data is, you may be buying a unit which doesn't recognise new roadlayouts etc. This may explain some of the inconsistancies posted on this thread regarding the Garmin units. One user could be using older map data, as opposed to another, but still own the same model.

http://www.mysatnav.ie/blog/gps-mapping-in-ireland/

Pretani

I went into Halfords today asking for a demo of the Garmin nuvi 200 and was told the 200's and 250's Halford is currently selling have 2007 maps and I'd be better buying the nuvi 205 for £20 extra with 2008 maps. So I asked for a demo of the nuvi 205. I put in my postcode and house number and the damn thing wasn't able to find it, it found houses which were 200-400 yards away, which is not acceptable. I asked the assistant why it couldn't pick it up and he said they weren't allowed to show all the addresses in an area.

Can anyone enlighten me about this? Do all sat navs only take you to the area and not the address? what happens if you're in a built up area with avenues, culdesacs, etc and need to find a specific address?