REQUEST: A good GPS solution for use in IRELAND

JOSSYJACOB

I am a Non-Irish national with provisional driving licence and own a Peugeot 2001 car . I find it very very difficult to find places in Dublin while i am driving. I also recently got a job in county West Meath. I was thinking of buying a GPS receiver to use it with a Software like MS-Autoroute 2006 on my laptop. But I dropped the idea, since it would be a great risk to drive looking at my laptop.

Please suggest a good GPS solution (with model number and cheapest place to buy) that would serve the following requirements:
1. Latest maps
2. Maximum coverage in Dublin and at least average coverage in other counties
3. Must get voice guidance and touch screen
4. Do I have to go for a PDA/Smartphone with built in GPS / attached Gps receiver or a "Dedicated" GPS solution
5. Must be easily un-mountable since i dont want to leave it in my car when i leave the car.

I have found reviews of tons of GPS devices at CNET.com like Tom-Tom, Garmin, Navman but find it very difficult to select the best one for Irish roads

JamesM

I bought a Navman iCN 520 from the following site: www.expansys.ie/product.asp?code=125359. The price was just over €400, including delivery.
I wanted it mainly for the UK, but it has good coverage of Dublin and the main towns in Ireland.
I just checked the Dublin coverage. It covers very well the area inside and including, Swords, Lucan, Rathcoole, Shankill.
It does not cover Skerries, Newcastle or Bray.
Jim.

SouperComputer

Either navigon or copilot. They have the most complete maps for ireland.

Bam Bam

Garmin c320.

It has all of dublin city, is compact, voice reminders and the unit can be easilt removed from the holder.

JOSSYJACOB

What is the price of navigon or copilot

the NAVMAN mentioned seems to be with UK maps. Any thing for Ireland?

Any url for reviewing the above mentioned navigon or copilot?

JamesM

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

What is the price of navigon or copilot

the NAVMAN mentioned seems to be with UK maps. Any thing for Ireland?

Any url for reviewing the above mentioned navigon or copilot?

The Navman I mentioned, with the link, above says UK, but has Ireland as I described.
Jim.

kevmac

Do a search for "Sat Nav" already extensively discussed.

NavTeq maps = Good

TeleAtlas maps = Bad.

For instance: My NavTeq based Sat Nav has Skerries and Bray fully mapped.

MercMad

The ALDI one discussed regularly here seems to be good, haven't heard an bad points about it ! Its about €349.00 AFAIK !

If you get a PDA you need a failry good one as the maps take up a lot of memeory and so does the actual programme !

I bought a cheap Ipaq PDA on eBAy and downloaded Mapopolis free. I just got the demo maps, its decent but not perfect !

mayhem#

I've tried most major GPS solutions available and CoPilot has the best maps for Ireland overal. Most other ones will have OK maps for Dublin and other major cities but as soon as you venture outside these you're basicall ****ed.
I would not buy an all-in-one unit but just buy a PDA (iPaq) seperately and stick the software on there...

E.

JOSSYJACOB

mayhem# wrote:

I've tried most major GPS solutions available and CoPilot has the best maps for Ireland overal. Most other ones will have OK maps for Dublin and other major cities but as soon as you venture outside these you're basicall ****ed.
I would not buy an all-in-one unit but just buy a PDA (iPaq) seperately and stick the software on there...

E.

Is there any PDA with gps receiver on it?

or

Do i have to buy a bluetooth gps receiver and connect it to a bluetooth enabled PDA

mayhem#

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

Is there any PDA with gps receiver on it?

or

Do i have to buy a bluetooth gps receiver and connect it to a bluetooth enabled PDA

There are one or two PDA's with integrated GPS receiver but they are prone to breakage.
If you go for the CoPilot option these are sold including a Bluetooth receiver...

E.

JOSSYJACOB

Found a GPS solution from LG. How good is it?

http://www.lge.com/prodmodeldetail.do?catModel=0&actType=&modelName=&currentPage=&categoryId=020205&parentId=02&modelCategoryId=020205&modelCodeDisplay=LN-600

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315487

Where should I look for CoPilot with a Bluetooth receiver.

Also plz suggest MS-Windows based PDA with Bluetooth, IR & Wireless functionality with a good amount of RAM.
I prefer the GlobalSat BT 338 Bluetooth Gps Receiver based on SIRF III chipset (£84.99)
Any other good SIRF III chipset based receiver?

RobAMerc

I read in PC pro I think a few weeks ago that the Acer n35 had the best price / quality balance.
Its a PDA and GPS etc all in one.

Good news is you can pick it up at Argos with the GPS maps etc installed for less than €350 I think.

Not sure if this is what your after but I'm gonna get one:)

Hope this helps !

JOSSYJACOB

How good is Acer n35 GPS (it is not using SIRF III chipset - seems to be cost effective) ?
(http://acer.ie/acereuro/page4.do?dau22.oid=7709&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=17&CountryISOCtxParam=UK&LanguageISOCtxParam=en&crc=2267329320)

kitten_cutie

I have one of the Aldi ones that I bought a few weeks ago. Dont really need it anymore as most of my driving is done pretty close to home. Comes with cables,car charger,usb cable,handy little pouch and windscreen holder. Paid 349.99 for it-will let it go for 250 if anyones interested. It uses windows CE so i read somewhere it can be turned into a pda. comes loaded with great maps of ireland and england. Its amazing piece of kit.

unkel

kitten_cutie wrote:

Paid 349.99 for it-will let it go for 250 if anyones interested

Put it up in the for sale computer forum and the for sale general forum and I'll guarantee you it will be sold for asking price within minutes

Go on, give it a try!

JOSSYJACOB

kitten_cutie wrote:

I have one of the Aldi ones that I bought a few weeks ago. Dont really need it anymore as most of my driving is done pretty close to home. Comes with cables,car charger,usb cable,handy little pouch and windscreen holder. Paid 349.99 for it-will let it go for 250 if anyones interested. It uses windows CE so i read somewhere it can be turned into a pda. comes loaded with great maps of ireland and england. Its amazing piece of kit.

What is the model Number? Do u have a link for it so that i could see the specification

Big Nelly

kitten_cutie wrote:

I have one of the Aldi ones that I bought a few weeks ago. Dont really need it anymore as most of my driving is done pretty close to home. Comes with cables,car charger,usb cable,handy little pouch and windscreen holder. Paid 349.99 for it-will let it go for 250 if anyones interested. It uses windows CE so i read somewhere it can be turned into a pda. comes loaded with great maps of ireland and england. Its amazing piece of kit.

Interested as well, just started a new job(Field Sales for Ireland) so a Sat Nav would be very handy!

JOSSYJACOB

mayhem# wrote:

I've tried most major GPS solutions available and CoPilot has the best maps for Ireland overal. Most other ones will have OK maps for Dublin and other major cities but as soon as you venture outside these you're basicall ****ed.
I would not buy an all-in-one unit but just buy a PDA (iPaq) seperately and stick the software on there...

E.

ALK Copilot Live 6 PDA Bluetooth satnav kit costs around £177.99 at http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=1794

Which PDA would be cost effective with the above?

MercMad

I'd suggest eBay for the software...................try

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=gps+software&category0=

.................and for the PDA too !

kitten_cutie

sorry to ruin your thread again jacob-but the gps i have is MSPNA175. Dont know the processor speed. I did here some people that changed it to run on the win ce thats already loaded on it instead of the medion screen. This also works as an mp3 player!

Big Nelly

kitten_cutie wrote:

sorry to ruin your thread again jacob-but the gps i have is MSPNA175. Dont know the processor speed. I did here some people that changed it to run on the win ce thats already loaded on it instead of the medion screen. This also works as an mp3 player!

Quick google and I cant find anything

JOSSYJACOB

.

Is there any site to compare different PDA's?

nirmalkishore

Tried google search using space at different letters and voila!!!
MS PNA175

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=MS+PNA175&btnG=Search&meta=

JOSSYJACOB

Which is the best place for online shopping in ireland.
Is it :-
1.Komplett.ie
2.Expansys.ie
3.Shopireland.ie

Any other?

gibbon75

I'm thinking myself to buy an Acer N35.
Is it any good GPS wise (maps etc.)

JOSSYJACOB

gibbon75 wrote:

I'm thinking myself to buy an Acer N35.
Is it any good GPS wise (maps etc.)

The Acer one is "OK" if you dont want SiRF Star III high performance and low power consumption chipset. It can use the signals from 20 satelites and hence more accuracy.

A new model from Fujitsu Siemens is comming this July
1. Pocket LOOX 810
2. Pocket LOOX 830

Very good specification, but comes at a price - approx Euro 700

SouperComputer

JOSSYJACOB wrote:

The Acer one is "OK" if you dont want SiRF Star III high performance and low power consumption chipset. It can use the signals from 20 satelites and hence more accuracy.

A new model from Fujitsu Siemens is comming this July
1. Pocket LOOX 810
2. Pocket LOOX 830

Very good specification, but comes at a price - approx Euro 700

any idea what software/maps these are using.

I think Navteq just polished up on a new version too.

Cyrus

could get a nokia n70 phone and route66 mobile7 tis brilliant uses the ol navteq maps

gibbon75

My budget is €450-€500.What would be the best option in this range?

JOSSYJACOB

I came across the Rikaline 6033 Bluetooth GPS receiver with 32 Channels today. Dont know how reliable it is !

Any body using it ? plz tell me how good it is .

To Gibbon,
My advice is to go fo a Bluetooth enabled PDA with any of the ones listed at the follo. link:

http://www.buygpsnow.com/category.aspx?categoryID=9&startpage=1





Detailed analysis about various GPS chipsets and receivers can be had at
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp?group=2

gibbon75

I came across this LG unit at komplett.ie:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315487

It's €455 and uses Navteq

JOSSYJACOB

gibbon75 wrote:

I came across this LG unit at komplett.ie:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315487

It's €455 and uses Navteq

Gibbon,

How good is the LG one?

gibbon75

well,couldn't find any reviews so far

But I want to buy a single unit rather than two eg:PDA+bluetooth or CF GPS,
because I don't have a garage,so I don't want to tackle with 2 units+wires etc. every night.

Kansa

You might try looking at http://www.garmin.com

Besides using in the car, it's always nice to be able to slip it in your pocket or take it walking or through the woods without worrying about damaging it. I use a Garmin Etrex Legend, but I use it primarily for outdoor activities and mapping (my job). Also works great for me when navigating in the car. I've used them for about 10 years and they've never failed me. Can also upload/download points and tracks to/from your pc.

By the way, I'll be visiting Western Ireland in mid-April. Is anyone familiar with software for this unit when navigating Ireland? I've looked at Garmin's MetroGuide Europe and this seems to be what I need. Any thoughts?

SouperComputer

well thats the problem at the moment. Outside Dublin, Cork and Belfast the maps are pretty poor.

AFAIK navteq just wrapped up in ireland, so I guess we'll have to wait for it to filter through to the software vendors.

JOSSYJACOB

gibbon75 wrote:

well,couldn't find any reviews so far

But I want to buy a single unit rather than two eg:PDA+bluetooth or CF GPS,
because I don't have a garage,so I don't want to tackle with 2 units+wires etc. every night.

ASUS MyPal 636 seems to be a good option

gibbon75

Is the Asus using the Navteq maps?

gibbon75

Well,from Germany you can get the ASUS MyPal 632 (same as 636 less the wi-fi) for €320+€20 shipping.
This PDA is provided with Destinator PN 5 nav. software (which is using Navteq maps).But if I will order from Germany,it would come with geman maps,wouldn't it?
Or Destinator is "international"?
From the UK the Asus would be €90 more...

Villain

I have Co-Pilot 5 and its pretty good, has anyone got Co-Pilot 6??? I like to see the difference in maps for Ireland before I upgrade for €150???