Navman or TomTom??

[MarkW19]

Just considering getting a bluetooth sat-nav solution for an iPAQ.

I've been looking at both the NavMan 4400 Bluetooth, and the TomTom2 Navigator Bluetooth, both at £350 from expansys.com.

The navman has 30 hours of battery life, but uses normal AAA batteries.

The TomTom has only 5 hours but has a rechargable battery. So there's not really much difference in features etc., it's just going to be the actual maps and software.

So, does anyone have any experience of both the Navman and TomTom software?

Which one is the best?

Would love some help guys!

Mark

[Sooty]

Mark

I have both systems. Navman "ST Pro" uses maps from Navtech and TomTom uses Teletalas maps. The Navtech maps seem to be a little more up to date but there is not much to choose between them. The latest TomTom 2 uses maps which were updated in December 02.

Smart ST is very limited when it comes to addons. There is however a wealth of addon software,configuration options and POI's(points of interest) for TomTom. TomTom also has a more friendly user interface in my opinion.

I use TomTom V2 every day with a free addon called Checkpoint for alerting you of POI's (speed cameras).

A friend has Destinator 2 software with a Holux GPS mouse, which is just about as good as TomTom.

Personally I would not choose a bluetooth option unless you are going to be using it away from the car (hiking etc) as its just more batteries etc that will most likely be flat when you need them.

There's not much to choose between the Navman sleeve GPS and the TomTom GPS mouse. They are both good at obtaining and keeping a GPS fix.

My money would go with TomTom and the Navman sleeve (to keep the wiring to a minimum).

If you want to see the different systems working before you decide, let me know, I will be happy to show you.

Go to http://www.pocketgps.co.uk for some excellent info and reviews.

[MarkW19]

Sooty: Many thanks for your help mate! I think I'll go with the NavMan system, is there a possibilty of a software update to the NavMan to alert you of Speed Cameras, in the future for instance? In a map update for instance?

Going to order both I think and see which one I like!

[Sooty]

Mark

As far as I can gather an update to the Navman system is not currently available but it maybe in the future, who knows.

The problem is with the software companies. Navman do not allow third party developers to access their software and TomTom do, hence the array of addons for TomTom.

The Navman ST Pro maps are very good but seem to stick mainly to public highways. TomTom also shows all farm tracks and all manor of other little things.

The main advantage of TomTom is the ability to add your own POI's, you can do this with ST pro but its not as featur rich.

After my experiences with many systems, if you want to keep it simple, I would go for the Navman GPS sleve with TomTom software (see pic below).

Sooty

[MarkW19]

Sooty: does this mean that the Navman won't be able to direct me in a lot of places then?

[MarkW19]

And sooty ( ), I believe you have to use a PC (windows) to install SmartST on the handheld don't you, because the maps and software come on a CD, so you have to transfer them across.

Is it just a case of dragging the neccesary files onto the iPAQ and then installing from the iPAQ itself, or do you need to launc a program on the PC to do it?

I have a Mac you see, and I've found a program that will mount the iPAQ and it's memory cards etc. on the desktop so you can transfer files to and from it, but I won't be able to launch a program. I could, but it'd just mean hassle going to someone's house and using their PC.

Any ideas mate?

Mark

[Sooty]

Mark

The Navman software will direct you on all UK public highways. i.e. motorways, dual carriageways, A and B roads. One other good thing about Navman if you travel outside UK, is that it also includes maps for most of europe which TomTom dosn't.

I was refering to smaller single track private roads and tracks. TomTom shows all these as well as public highways. TomTom also shows rivers, railways and all manor of other info that is not evident in Navman.

The Navman software will be fine if all you want to do is navigate on public highways from point A to point B. If you want to do more than that, get TomTom.

[Sooty]

Mark

I'm afraid I am a PC and windows person. Never used a MAC.

Both Navman and TomTom's maps can be installed directly to the PPC memory or to a memory card. You can install in segments of about 16-20mb or the whole UK is about 100mb. If you want the whole UK you will need a memory card. The Navman sleeve has a CF card slot. You can install maps to A CF card and slot it in here, or to an SD card on the PPC.

With Navman you have to have the PPC docked to the PC to install the maps. With TomTom you can install the maps to a folder on the PC and then copy them to a mem card or you can install directly to docked PPC. Its much faster to install to PC then copy with a card reader.

I am not sure if activesync is available for the mac, or if the Navman and TomTom installation discs will run under mac. I will try and find out. The Navman and TomTom operating software has to be installed onto the pocket pc via activesync.

[Sooty]

Just had a quick look on the web, can't find any specific info but it looks unlikely that you will be able to easily install from your MAC.

I might be wrong though.

[chughes163]

I would definitely go for the Tomtom software, however get the sleeve! - I made the mistake of going for the tomtom wiring kit and its always extremely unreliable and messy to set up

[ALD0]

I've got TOM TOM2 and have had it for 5 months now and updated it 3 times from the Website as they keep releasing the different versions-keeps getting better with less bugs in it, but over all am pleased with set up apart from the stupid wires, but I haven't got a Bluetooth Pocket PC

[Sooty]

Interceptor & chughes163

The pics below are my Ipaq / TomTom setup before I upgraded to a custom built PC based system.

All the wires are hidden behind the dash and the lighter socket is left free.

GPS mouse is hidden under dash.

I never experienced any problems with the wiring and still use a similar setup in my other car.

I have the brackets etc for sale.

[ALD0]

That looks really good, unfortunately my Mobile Handsfree is there.

[TomH]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sooty

After my experiences with many systems, if you want to keep it simple, I would go for the Navman GPS sleve with TomTom software (see pic below).
Sooty

Is it possible to buy a Navman sleeve without the software?

It just seems a bit wasteful to pay for SmartST software (which will not be used) and then buy the TomTom software too...

[Sooty]

TomH

I dont think the Navman sleeve is available on its own. There are other options though.

There are other GPS sleeves available for about £150. Or you could use a CF jacket and CF GPS receiver for about the same price. You could also use a CF jacket with external battery for another £30.

I have seen TomTom 2 software only for £100 on the net.

This would work out at about the same price as the complete TomTom wired kit.

I have a brand new boxed Navman 3450 sleeve with Smart ST software for sale at £200. I bought it in a fit of madness and have never used it. £100 cheaper than new.

Sooty