Sat nav for parents

Yorkie1

I_have_spoken wrote: »

Multiple 10s of MB to gigs for full European maps



Very unlikely, the update is managed by a program installed on the PC, it's not just a question of plugging into the USB port and the library PCs should be locked-down to prevent random program installs.



Do they actually have broadband/wifi into their home?

Yes, they have a BT Home Hub with (I suspect) the basic BB package. Then just the iPad, which connects wirelessly to it.

donny-gal

The longest part of the update is it backs up the TomTom first, which would not be permissible at a library.
I think that twice a year is more than adequate to keep it up to date, many people are still using them 5 years after purchase without update.
If they go to Belgium so often they will know where they are going, and will see if there are new routes signposted.
The initial set up stage of adding POI's is the biggest need, but you could purchase it for them, set it up, then send it to them.
DG

securityguy

Yorkie1 wrote: »

They travel to Belgium 5-6 times per year, and France at least once in the summer. I tend to see them about twice per year (Christmas and once during the summer period) so can't always be the solution.

Do they buy a new road atlas every time? No?

There's no need to update your SatNav any more frequently than you update your atlas.

securityguy

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Thanks - will start looking at these. She doesn't have GPS, I'm pretty sure. I believe you, but it just seems so bonkers that this compatibility simply doesn't exist!]

The set of people who want to update SatNavs but only have iPads is very small, to the point that it's not worth anyone's while supporting or testing it.

Yorkie1

Thanks all. As suggested, I think the solution will be to help them find one they're happy with and then do the installation / updates for them when they next visit.

All your suggestions and comments have been much appreciated. :T

Yorkie1

usignuolo wrote: »

my oh is defiantly non technical. we have a Garmin Europe version and he rarely
leaves home for a journey of any distance without it.

you can plug it into USB port on PC to update periodically for roadworks etc and on the road it will warn of heavy traffic and propose alternative route where it spots severe congestion.

it is good for navigating from a to b via main roads (you can tell it to avoid motorways but needs a bit of drilling down to do that.) and its best at fine navigation into a postcode or street address. dont expect scenic route plans

don't know if your parents listen to music or radio in car. oh has not worked out how to do this at same tie as listening to GPS!

one tip :we have a"toad " holder which squats on the dash and is very stable. also
you shouldn't leave GPS visible in car when empty too tempting to thieves.

I can't locate this brand, do you have a link or more details, please?

Contessa

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I can't locate this brand, do you have a link or more details, please?

I was in Halfords today looking at Satnavs and they had A "toad holder" for a Garmin for about £24. Looks a bit like a frog sitting on a Lily Pad (imagination needed!) and the advantage seems to be that the satnav is closer to the driver.

My satnav (a Garmin about 6 years old) doesn't have traffic updates. I'm not really sure how useful they are. Recently I've been caught in two horrendous delays on the M6 ( in the second a distance that usually takes one and a quarter hours took seven!!) In both cases there was no where to go to. Hours to reach the next exit (but in that case I went back home as it would still had another 300 miles to my destination) and in the other I could see the roads off the motorway and they were all traffic jams.

Gloomendoom

Contessa wrote: »

I was in Halfords today looking at Satnavs and they had A "toad holder" for a Garmin for about £24. Looks a bit like a frog sitting on a Lily Pad (imagination needed!) and the advantage seems to be that the satnav is closer to the driver.

My satnav (a Garmin about 6 years old) doesn't have traffic updates. I'm not really sure how useful they are. Recently I've been caught in two horrendous delays on the M6 ( in the second a distance that usually takes one and a quarter hours took seven!!) In both cases there was no where to go to. Hours to reach the next exit (but in that case I went back home as it would still had another 300 miles to my destination) and in the other I could see the roads off the motorway and they were all traffic jams.

You can usually check the route ahead for jams before you set off. The satnav should also alert you to delays ahead as you drive... assuming you have set a destination.