GPS / SATNAV 5 or 7 digit post code

mgk

Hi
I am thinking of buying a Sat Nav system and I see that many models only have 5 digit post code recognition (many Garmin and Navman models). However, I am also seeing many positive reviews for these models. 5 digit seems that it would not necessarily take you that close to your destination - any comments anyone?

Thanks

justpaper

working fine in tom tom 5 for moblies,.. it has a different menu for postcodes,. and it works out cheaper,. u can get a nokia 7610 for about 60£ or a 6600 for next too nothing about 40£ tops,. GBP 137.53 TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 ,. then u got a tomtom satnav better then ur cheaper models

edit >> new one out soon GBP 137.53 TomTom NAVIGATOR 6

http://www.tomtom.com/products/section.php?ID=237&Section=367&Language=1

nej

Avoid 5 digits ones. 5 digits will not get you close enough to your destination. Sometimes even 7 digits doesn't (especially rural areas, but saying that the postcode to our holiday park led us right to the gates!), but in towns it is fine.

TomTom's have 7 digit postcodes and are very good. The new "One", I think "One New Edition" is under £200 and will probably do all you want.

Tharweb

My Garmin i3 has 7 digits postcode recognition and it's the cheapest on the market, so I would have thought the more expensive verisions would have this feature.

pennymakespounds

we bought a garmim i3 earlier this year when the silly £99 was around .. can someone advise on the situation regarding map updates ... is there anything i can be / should be doing ?? .. be it free ? or paid for ?.

Also wondered what the speed camera situation is on these ?

DrBenway

pennymakespounds wrote:

we bought a garmim i3 earlier this year when the silly £99 was around .. can someone advise on the situation regarding map updates ... is there anything i can be / should be doing ?? .. be it free ? or paid for ?.

Also wondered what the speed camera situation is on these ?

I dont know about the maps as mine hasnt given me any troubles yet and i havent thought about updating it.

But the speed cameras can be downloaded here. You do have to pay at least 2 quid for a months subcription.

Tharweb

pennymakespounds wrote:

we bought a garmim i3 earlier this year when the silly £99 was around .. can someone advise on the situation regarding map updates ... is there anything i can be / should be doing ?? .. be it free ? or paid for ?.

Also wondered what the speed camera situation is on these ?

Apparently Garmin update the maps about once a year. They did it for free last time (v.7 to v.8) but are likely to be charging next time. Basically you sent your memory card in to them, I think it was a freepost address and they mailed it back to you when it had been updated.

As above re: Speed Cameras. The database has just been updated too.

Have you downloaded the Points of Interest from here which are quite useful and the download's free. The database was last updated on 23 August 06 and now includes Aldi's Lidl's and Netto's! :money:

mgk

Tharweb wrote:

My Garmin i3 has 7 digits postcode recognition and it's the cheapest on the market, so I would have thought the more expensive verisions would have this feature.

Good to know - the Comet web site says the i3 only has 5 digit post code recognition - one of the main reasons I didnt buy at £99 when it was on offer.
Maybe it is only Navman that are 5 didgit then - I was thinking of the Navman Pin570 combination PDA and Sat nav buit again the 5 digit is putting me off - I guess if only 5 digits it may only get you to wiithin a couple of miles of your destination?

pennymakespounds

i was suprised that both my sons' garmin i3 ...and my tom tom 910 .. both bought 3 months ago ... neither have our daughters flat near university ... a housing development built 18 months ago !!

Tharweb

mgk wrote:

Good to know - the Comet web site says the i3 only has 5 digit post code recognition - one of the main reasons I didnt buy at £99 when it was on offer.
Maybe it is only Navman that are 5 didgit then - I was thinking of the Navman Pin570 combination PDA and Sat nav buit again the 5 digit is putting me off - I guess if only 5 digits it may only get you to wiithin a couple of miles of your destination?

It looks like this may have been updated by one of the early firmware changes. Maybe the info on Comet's site is out of date.

It seems to meet recent demand in the UK, Garmin had to reprogram units destined for France...mine is one of these.

I think it's well worth the money...especially if they start to sell 'em for £99 again!