Sat Nav's

Based on our recent experience with Navman and their total lack of interest after we purchased a faulty unit directly from them I wouldnt touch them with a long stick. We ended up going having to go to consumer affairs to get a result. We SHOULD have remembered 6 years back when we tried to get an answer from them regarding a NavSleeve we had for our IPAQ which needed new maps. At the time it had cost over $600 for the sleeve and 2 years down the track they no longer supported it.

Garmin on the other hand has answered quieries in less that 24 hours.

As she climbs down off her soapbox..... LOL.

Cheers

Sue

I had a Garmin and didnt like it so now have a Tomtom Go 730.

Tom Tom maps are about $139

Garmin have a lifetime map subscription for about $200 which if it is actual .

new maps and not just upgrades would be a good idea I think>

Lots on here swear by Garmin so you will get some info no doubt.

I didnt like mine because it was often late when I got to an off ramp I would be past it before it told me to take it.

As long as you are not trying to find a street in a new subdivision you will be ok.

How many people do you see with a 6 year old street directory? Heaps.

If a highway is re-aligned or something then I am sure you will still find your way!

It will depend where you're travelling and if you want to use the new freeways (M7 west of Sydney, Albury/Wodonga bypass, etc.). I wouldn't expect many of the main roads around Oz to change that much, but you could be in for a few surprises as you approach expanding cities like Brisbane or Perth! It might depend how much you rely on the GPS - some people seem to switch off their brains when they switch on the GPS while others just refer to it occasionally to confirm that they're where they think they are!

Have you recently visited your local Dick Smith/JB HiFi and look at prices for a new unit with up-to-date maps and a whole swag of extra features? The new units (which come with new maps) are not much more expensive than a map update! But I agree, it seems wrong to chuck a functional unit.

Hi New boy Ifits 6Yrs old any brand GPS the electronics in it are probably near there use by date by now, I would be looking at a new unit. Cheers Daryl

Hello,
I use my gps a lot when in unfamiliar areas only so that I readily know what the speed limit is. Speed limits regularly change so up to date maps are an advantage fo this. Mine also signals a warning if I drift over the limit or enter a slower area with the cruise still on.
Cheers
mike

Hi New Boy, funny what you say about navman lack of service, a friend has had trouble with their unit and found their service level next to non-existent as well. I use a tom tom, agree the red light cameras are handy...providing your paying attention, also you can get a quality unit for under $300, personally the fancy models are a large mark-up for features I don't think your likely to use. The TT has map share which is handy for getting updates but in practice not sure its followed up that much - eg street I was told to follow in Canberra had a motorway through it now! The TT requires emphirus (spelling?) updates from the internet to make up for a low sensitivity GPS receiver chip, more than a couple of weeks with out updates- 2 months it starts to loose its ability to get a lock- not normally a problem just something to be aware of. In the countryside it really only shows main/significant roads eg on a hema map bold dashed lines or greater, but it does have country town roads in it which is good. If you are going of the beaten track you really need to go down the topo gps road either have 2 gps or a combined unit eg hema or similar, and good ol oziexplorer. Interesting I bought the map pack last year and some of those maps were 10~15 years+ since last reviewed! But like others have said its not really a problem if you use your common-sense. You can pick up a good quality gps ex ebay for $300 and just add ozi/maps and build your own 7" combined gps for <$600. But make sure its a model with a battery!