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Navman Technically exciting GPS that should rival Tomtom, can they deliver?

Garmin Trusted by many to use the best maps, and with a loyal user-base, Garmin GPS systems have lots of promise.

Pocket PC Why buy a dedicated GPS system if you already have a Pocket PC? Get a package with software & GPS receiver, and you'll be navigating in minutes!

I BOUGHT THE GARMIN NUVI 255W IT WAS SENDING ME THE WRONG ROADS FROM MY PARTNERS NUVI 200 I HAD TO PHONE GARMIN UP AND THEY TOLD ME TO UPDATE FROM MY PC I DID THE OTHER DAY NOW WORKING BUT ITS A JOKE WHEN THEY SAY IT WORKS STRAIGHT OUT THE BOX MY SAT NAV IS NOT TELLING ME SPEED CAMERAS EVEN THOUGH THE SPEED CAMERA IS TICKED ON THE SETTINGS CAN ANY ONE HELP THANKS. DEREK.

I WOULD TAKE IT BACK IF I WERE YOU!

im looking for updates and speed cameras for my keomo sat nav where is their web site gone and is there an alteranative site. Sandra.

Sorry, but Keomo have gone bust. I don't know of an alternative.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 200. How do i set it up to alert me when a fixed camera is approaching as it says in the brochure? And is there any way of getting distance between two points but not from where the garmin is currently? Chris.

Go to the settings and make sure in the Proximity Warnings section Speed Cameras are ticked.
You need to go into demo mode (settings, system), then enter your first address, view map, set loc., then enter your second address, go, simulate the route - that should work.

Hi Having been impressed with my son's Garmin 200 sat nav I am thinking of getting one for my wife and I. My query is re road map updates for Garmin and TomTom sat navs. Are they free? Thanks
John.

You always have to pay for the full map updates that come out every couple of years or so. TomToms have a feature called "mapshare" which allows you to download map corrections (and add your own) for one year after you've purchased the device.

I have a nuvi 760. Does this have a feature for 'alternative routes'? Kate.

Yes, tap the the menu button - and its there. I think it says "detour" or something like that.

Only a Comment - I have just purchased a Garmin 250W and am very disappointed to find that my local hospital (Stamford - Lincs) as in common with my older C510 is not mentioned in the POI, even although this has been in existence for over forty years and incorporates an active A&E department, albeit that this operates on a non-weekend part time basis.

I mistakenly thought that the POI in the 250W would have been somewhat updated over the C510's. John.

Why not report it on Garmins map error form?

I'm heading to Cornwall this summer, and wondered what budget sat nav would you recommend which includes a pedestrian mode. Thanks. Chris.

Grab a Garmin Nuvi 250 from Amazon.co.uk - £95 with free delivery. (May '08).

Pls advise on your recommendation for purchase of sat nav system. my requirements are: widescreen, bluetooth, gb maps, audible directions, secure fitting(i read that some have dodgy windscreen fixings??!!). your thoughts will be very much appreciated. thx in advance. Neil.

The Garmin Nuvi 610t is a bargain at the moment - you get get it for £150 from
Amazon.co.uk
It's got widescreen, bluetooth for hands-free, traffic info, a great bracket, a loud voice and maps of the UK.
Make sure you check your mobile phones compatability at
Garmin

The voice has gone from my sat nav (tom-tom). Roger.

Whenever you get a problem with your GPS Sat Nav, the first thing to do is try a simple reset. Normally there will be a button or pin-hole somewhere on the device - refer to your instructions and don't stick a needle in the microphone hole!
If that doesn't work there will be a way to do a factory reset, with Garmins it involves the touch-screen, TomTom's there's a menu icon.
The moral is to always back-up your device regularly (Through Home with TomTom, copy contents to your hard-drive with Garmin), just in case.

How do I change the road speed settings on my Garmin Zumo? The arrival times are always way out. Ian.

I don't think you can.

I have recently purchased a Nuvi 250. When driving it does not visually or audibly give indication of fixed safety cameras. Is it faulty or do I need to activate something? Thanks Mike.

Press the spanner / wrench, settings, proximity alerts, change, then make sure the Garmin Safety Cameras is ticked.

Tom tom do an upgrade for 20£ from currys, to suit hgv vehicals. can garmin do the same,so it can check bridge heights, weight limits etc. David.

I only know of this company that do a similair HGV product for Garmin.

HI, Amazon Sales Rank No. 73256 Navman iCN 600 Series USA Maps. Are these maps on cd rom format (not sd card) and do they include Canada.
Many Thanks, Bob.

The 600 series maps are usually supplied on cd-rom, and you install it onto the devices sd card using Navmans software. I think it includes Canada - check this link.
However, these maps are quite old, and expensive. You'd be better off spending the money on a new Garmin or Tomtom, depending on which maps / features you need.

I am a techno phobe. This site is awesome, thanks. I had a Garmin 200 fitted with a new Saab with power wired in rather than through the lighter. The power seems to have blown 2 units (shorted). Saab are now saying it is no good to hard wire and they are giving me back money for the unit for me to get my own. Would you expect it to bolow like this and can it be charged from the lighter or does it have to be from the PC?

Ok, if you hardwire a Sat Nav into a car, there are a couple of things that the mechanic must make sure is right: It must be wired up to true 12v, which can be tricky in modern cars, as voltages often change depending on whats happening in the car. The other thing is that he must use a cigar socket connection, so the Sat Nav GPS uses its original lead - including the plug - because the Garmin needs the right voltage, I think 5.5v. If they chop the end of the Garmin lead off, the unit will blow.
Often its best just to use the cars cigar lighter socket, then its easier to move between vehicles.

Thanks for that. Having seen your great website yesterday I went and got the Nuvi 250 from Halfords. The fitted mounted unit (i.e. screwed in)that Saab put in is in front of the gear shift, relatively low down and the cigar socket is in the same spot. However when the Garmin is on the mount it part covers the socket! Great I know, but if on the sucker pad the windscreen shelves so far away the unit is out of reach! Hence looking to have Halfords hard wire it in too.
Halfords said easy as just take the power from the back of the cigar lighter unit.
Actually coming to think of it, I remember seeing the lighter adapter chopped off from when Saab fitted it. But if tapping power from the back of the lighter unit should it still be OK? Thanks for input.

If Saab chopped off the end of your original Garmins power lead then that is definitely what caused your unit to blow - they HAVE to use a mini cigar socket. When Halfords fit it they should know to use a mini-cigar socket, and the back of the Saab cigar lighter is a good a place as any other 12v source. If you want to have your unit higher up, but not on the windscreen, maybe a dash-board bean-bag mount would be suitable.

Could i buy a sat nav programe to use on my lap top so i could take the lap top on journerys with me. Marcus.

If you Google "laptop GPS Navigation", there's a few options out there - as long as you buy a GPS receiver too - CoPilot Live is one, but what's interesting is Garmin are about to release their own software for laptops, which you can buy with a GPS reciever:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=13484
It's not out yet, but should be good when it's released.

Are there free updates available for the garmin nuvi 310?

The operating system is updated for free here, but maps and speed camera updates you have to pay for...

This site is most helpful.
My query was already answered here after searching everywhere else. Many thanks to contributers.
Paul.

No problemo, spread the word!

I've just got a Navman N40i and I'm having issues with the in-car charger. The socket is definitely working as it is still heating up the cigarette lighter but nothing is happening when I plug the Navman in. Went to a Ford dealers and they were unable to help or provide any reasons for it not working. I've also tried it in another Ford and the same issue. Is this to do with the voltage?? Claire.

First up, is the power switch on the bottom of the unit turned on?
Does the unit turn on if fixed to a mini usb connector to your PC?
Next try the lead in another make of car.
If none of that works you may have a duff lead, or the fuse has gone in it., but sometimes Sat Nav leads don't fit a particular car and you have to use an extension lead or hard-wire it in.

The unit is definitely on and can charge it using the mains charger and pc connection.
You refer to an extension lead - where would I get this from as I don't really want to hard wire the unit in?

Ok, you can get cigar socket extensions from Halfords, but first you need to make sure that it isn't your in-car lead that is faulty or its fuse has blown. The easiest way to do this is to try it in a different car. If it works the lead is probably just not compatible with your Fords socket - a rare problem but it does happen.
If the lead doesn't work in another car, change the fuse in the end of the lead if its got one (check your instructions), or the lead might need replacing.
To be honest your best bet is to head down to Halfords anyway with the unit and lead and ask them nicely to check it as you might need to buy a new lead, If it works ask them to try an extension / splitter in your car so you can see it working before you part with any cash.

I am so lost in knowing what to buy.I like this site as it gives sound advice. I do not have a huge budget but like the sound of bluetooth in the sat nav is this feature really any use? What sort of system would you recomend? Ems.

The ability to take and make hands-free calls through your Sat Nav is an excellent feature. Bargains can be had at the moment on the TomTom Go 520 (UK Maps) or Go 720 (Euro Maps) which both include that facility. If you're just after a simple yet reliable Satellite Navigator, I still think the Garmin Nuvi 200 / 250 is a great option for those on a budget who don't need those extra features.