[Tracewhy]

Evening all

Has anyone had the Smartnav installed? Is it any good? would you recommend it?. And yes I know the Avic-X1 is better (I have that in the other car), but I *specifically* want one without a screen so as not to spoil the retro'ness

Also, how much did it cost you if you don't mind saying anyway

TY

[mikeythemini]

Its good - very good service, Then I would say that - I sell it
We get more customers coming back to say how pleased they are with it than any other nav we sell.
Also the speed camera & theft tracking options can be handy

[bigshunt]

i have it as well

best bit , is no entering addresses etc, you speak to someone tell where you want to and thats it.

Also doubles up as an incoming car phone

Got low on fuel once , spoke to operator they sent to nearest fuel station

speed camera alerter is a nice tool

[Restyle]

My Wife`s just had SmartNav fitted to her car as part of her new Pay as you Drive insurance package
See >> http://www.mini2.com/forum/finance-i...ml#post3203523

On the tests using it so far, Its performance is OK but I must say I prefer my Tomtom system better.
After pushing the SmartNav button, you can be waiting anywhere between 5 & 90 seconds for your "personel advisor" to take the call. You then talk to them via the A-Pillar mounted microphone & under dash speaker, telling them where you want to go - either postcode or rough address. They then download a route to your system. The system uses the Trafficmaster nationwide grid of road cameras to let you know of any hold ups on your route - & any changes during your route.
So far so good.

So what dont I like about it ...

• If you make a wrong turn off the given route, either by mistake / local shortcut / or to avoid an accident, the system wont respond for the next 1/4 mile or so other than to say "You have left the given route - Please do a U-Turn when safe to do so". After approx 1/2 mile on the "wrong" route it tells you to "press & hold the button" to get an updated route - which it then does without you having to talk to your advisor.
• Now with a normal type of satnav, this would immediately recalculate your route within a couple of seconds of straying off course.
• You have to talk to the advisor to obtain each route - You cant preprogram it with favourites etc, as you can with a regular system. So you also cant use any preprogrammed POIs which I find so usefull on my Tomtom.
• As it relies on the mobile telephone network to download routes, it would be useless if you got lost in a poor signal area.
• Ive not found the actual "Destination arrival points" to be very accurate, sometimes leaving you several hundred yards away.
• Its speaker system could be better, the radio must be turned right down to hear instructions.
• After its initial "Free" period, It can cost anything from £80 to £200 pa to run !!
  

Personally, I`ll stick to my TomTom

[ALD0]

Tom Tom is a much more reasonable option price etc, and moving car to car

[Rishy]

You can get the optional screen for the smart nav, ive used it loads of time in my parents car they love it, just renewed the safespeed for another year and use the navigation as pay as you go each route is about 80p but they only use it when they dont know where they are going. ive used both tom tom and smart nav they are both features that the other do not

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rishy (original)

You can get the optional screen for the smart nav, ive used it loads of time in my parents car they love it ...

A visual display is what the Smartnav badly needs in order to compete with the likes of the Tomtom & Navman stand-alone units, but after just having a look at their offering it seems woefully inadequate for its £149.99 price tag {without fitting} !!
Considering you can get a Tomtom One "European" for less than £150 , I cant really see Smartnav`s business model lasting too much longer unless they radically rethink their pricing strategy.

Thats not to say the Smartnav system hasnt got a couple of good points in its favour :-

• You are informed of any traffic congestion on your route & guided accordingly
• The Maps are suposedly updated every 3 months
• Its unlikely anyone would break into your car to nick it

[Ramon]

I agree, I have used TomTom all over Europe and "Mrs TomTom" has saved my marriage many times! (GRIN)