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Satnav or Samsung Galaxy gps?

  • 24-04-2012 04:03PM
    #1
    Robzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭


    I've just started driving in the last 2 months and definitely need some guidance as I'm always getting lost. The point is should I go for a dedicated satnav like Garmin or would a Samsung Galaxy do the job just as well? I heard that it costs something like €50 to update the Garmin maps on top of the price of the equipment itself. Would I have to pay to update the Tom Toms as well?


Comments

  • #2
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,392 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    Galaxy S II does a brilliant job as a sat nav. May not have lane functions or traffic avoidance, but if you have it, use it!


  • #3
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 21,548 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    The built in Navigation app in Android is OK, but if you want the fancy stuff like lane guidance you can get Android versions of both TomTom and Navigon, not Garmin yet AFAIK, but I'd imagine it's not far off. One thing to bear in mind is that in this case the maps are stored locally on the device rather than being downloaded on demand so if you don't have a generous data plan, and/or you're roaming this can be an advantage.

    EDIT: Could have sworn there was an Android version of TomTom, but it's only iPhone at the moment.


  • #4
    KoolKid
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 24,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭KoolKid


    I have tried lots of various phone app s for this, none of them compare to a dedicated GPS device,


  • #5
    Robzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭Robzer


    I was actually looking at a Galaxy Mini - the SII is a bit out of my price range. I'm probably leaning towards the Tom Tom but the question still stands will I have to pay extra to update the maps?


  • #6
    gerryo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 498 ✭✭gerryo


    Robzer wrote: »
    I was actually looking at a Galaxy Mini - the SII is a bit out of my price range. I'm probably leaning towards the Tom Tom but the question still stands will I have to pay extra to update the maps?

    Most GPS vendors provide free map updates if new maps come out within 6 months of purchase/registration.
    Maybe there is a "lifetime" update option for a reasonable price?

    I have a Garmin Nuvi 265W for a couple of years, but recently got a Samsung Galaxy Mini & find the GPS quite useful.
    Not as featured as a dedicated GPS (e.g., no speedometer) , but it's not let me down so far w.r.t directions.

    One benefit is the maps are auto updating & you can search locally for points of interest/resteraunts/etc using the internet.

    Surprisingly, the amount of data used for live map tile downloads is quite small.
    There is a way to preload maps so you do not need an internet connection when roaming abroad.

    The main benefit I find with the Galaxy Mini is that it is a phone + GPS + can be a WiFi hotspot for other folks travelling with you in the car.
    I guess it might play music through the car stereo while simultaneously being a GPS/Phone/WiFi, but I've not tried that yet :)

    Overall, a good unit for intermittent GPS use, but maybe not for hard core users.


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