Garmin Streetpilot i3 £164.99

jordylass

I bought a small camera case from Tesco which does the job for me.

UltraViolet68

colin_tomlinson wrote:

As a matter of security, it is recommended when leaving the car that:-

1. You take your Sat Nav system with you.
2. You put all the accessories (holder, charger, etc) in the glove compartment.
3. You clean the ring mark off the windscreen.

So maybe it's worth just taking the holder with you as well?

With regard to a case, I don't think there's one specifically for the i3, although Maplin sell the Garmin 3815 case.

Thanks Colin - I do take the system with me (hence wanting a case) but if I remove the holder from the window every time, will it not lose the 'sticking power' eventually?

The main car I will be using it in is a non desirable standard family car with nothing of interest to scroats and the other car is one I use for pleasure trips only and is rarely parked up unattended (never anywhere that feels 'dodgy'). When home it is straight in the garage so no need to remove the mount as it is not going to be seen. I know crime can happen anywhere, but hopefully with the above, there is enough to avoid undue concern.

So with respect to the cases, how much is the 3815 case do you know and is the 3815 larger or same size as the i3 so case will fit?
Jordylass - can I ask how much the camera case from Tescos was and whether you are happy with it?

Colin - with the TomTom 1 vs Garmin, I can only answer that I compared both and for me it wasn't worth the extra. Garmin is a brand that has been involved in this sort of equipment for many years. TomTom is reletively new but has become a very widely known name (better Marketeers?). Both are good products.
Some appreciate the larger screen of the TomTom but for my personal choice;

1. I wanted a small simple system - both are intuitive and easy to use.
2. Small so I could take it with me without having a large or heavy item to carry around - the Garmin is smaller/lighter.
3. Screen size not an issue to me as I want to follow voice directions and keep my eyes on the road.
4. Touch screen isn't a plus for me as they do inevitably become marked eventually. I don't intend to use on the move but would set it up before setting off, if I need to change something - I would pull over.

I wouldn't use the extra functionality of a more expensive system so as long as the one I bought is reliable and simple to use, it ticks all my boxes.

Hope that helps.

colin_tomlinson

UltraViolet68 wrote:

So with respect to the cases, how much is the 3815 case do you know and is the 3815 larger or same size as the i3 so case will fit?

Well, having followed my own link, it seems the price is £7.99. I'm afraid I don't know enough about the different models available to say if it would fit. Tbh, I imagine a generic camera cover would do it.

UltraViolet68

Sorry, I am fairly new to this - I didn't realise it was a link.

I hope some of my findings when making the comparison was useful for you.

Goatie

colin_tomlinson wrote:

Can anyone please tell me the difference between the Garmin i3 Street Pilot and the Tom Tom One? (I appreciate one is scroll wheel and the other is touch-screen with a larger screen!) Has anyone tried both?

It seems the current price difference is £70, and I wonder if the Tom Tom One is worth the extra money?

Garmin i3 £149.99 in Woolworths (see above)
Tom Tom One £219 in PC World (Web exclusive - £279.99 in store)

I have exactly the same dilemma! On 5th Gear last week both these devices were reviewed ... the Garmin came out ok but with the comments that the screen size was very small and hard to read, the maps weren't as pretty as others, and maybe if you'd bought one you'd feel you should have spent a little more. The Tom Tom One came out tops with a good touch screen, good size (big screen but slim portable unit), fast, user friendly, etc.

Having decided previously on the Garmin I am now also leaning towards spending £70 on the Tom Tom - has anyone any comments?

northern_munky

I have been thinking of buying a Garmin too, it looks great value at £149 (bet its down to £99 after xmas too ). But I have heard it can take you down dead ends and dirt tracks which worries me though, has anyone been disapointed with it in that way.

PS Do you Garmin and Tom Tom (and others) owners know you can download the speed camera database for free from http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/ They are starting charging a download fee in Jan though so get in there while you can.

pennymakespounds

i've recently done all the thinking and homework on sat nav and went for the tom tom one on the basis that it seems easier to use with it being a bit bigger and touch screen .

got 48 hour delivery from ordering online from carphone warehouse £220 less 10% via quidco less 2% amex c card.

used it the other day for 5 places in leeds /sheffield/rotherham/manchester.. excellent, took me to the door everytime.

i've done a general update to latest version from tom tom website , tried to download speed cameras from pocketgps but whilst my laptop says it has the files .. seem to have got all the Points Of Interest except speed cameras to download.

ps i've just heard halfords have reduced a medion from 329 to 154 ? !

i'm sure all prices will drop ...i just took the view that you can't hang on forever !!!

blackrat62

The Garmin i 3 is superb - never had it send me down any dead ends - indeed I would rate the accuracy of its maps as superior to the TomTom One I now have.

In essence the i3 maps are better but the One routes better.

The i3 has a considerably superior camera warning system - it only warns you if you are over the limit whereas the One always warns you - annoying.

It is up to personal preference and how significant you see the price differnce. The One has a larger touch screen and is easier to use but the i3 is £70 cheaper and also VERY good.

Personaly I chose to sell my i3 and bought a One - but I was willing to pay the price difference - others may not be. Buy either, they are both excellent.

Goatie

Bummer! PC-World have just upped their online and collect-in-store price from £219 to £249 for the Tom Tom One! Nearest price now is Carphone Warehouse at £222 but they're out of stock!

Perhaps its best (if you can!) to wait till after Christmas and see how the market shakes out?

Woby_Tide

Garmin i3 now £144.99 at Woolworths online