Help with what GPS to buy??!

[sbland]

Hello, was wondering whether one of you kind folk could advise as to which is the better - both looks and functionality GPS to buy? I have a 3900 series Compaq (Bluetooth), which I'm very happy with. Am looking to buy either the Navman 4410 or the Tom Tom 3 - just am not too sure which to go with? I know the Tom Tom is the cheaper option, but I'd rather pay more to get a better system if the Navman was better.

1. Now I know the Navman uses the Compaq (of which I think I can get a windscreen mount with TPDA and the Tom Tom has it's own screen - which is better?!

2. I've been advised to increase to an extra 128Mb on top of my 64 otherwise I will have probs, is this correct?

So really I'm after a bit of advice or pro's and con's of each unit just in order to make my decision - can anyone advice? Or has anyone seen or had both that can be objective, as I can't seem to find anything on the NET.

Many thanks in advance to whoever answers

Cheers

Simon

[Stevie]

Hi Simon I will try and be as helpful as I can:

Software:

Both software applications are very much the same, both have the short postal code search, both have 2D and 3D views. Tom Tom comes with UK maps as standard but Major European roads, good if you are just going direct from one city to another You can purchase the official European maps. Navman however comes with UK and European maps as standard, more detail in the euro maps for NavmanBoth mapping data I would probably say are about the same. I would however suggest that tom tom is slightly easier to use, it really does come down to user preference.

Hardware:

This is where they do slightly differ.

Navman have Sleeve based GPS systems and Bluetooth. The Navman 3450 is a perfect example of the sleeve based, very portable as it is just a expansion jacket for your PDA. The Bluetooth hardware is also very high quality it last for about 20 hrs if I am correct, this is very long when you compare it to Tom Tom who only have about 4-6 hrs use. The Navman also comes with a wrist and arm strap if you want to use the receiver out side.

Tom Tom have cabled systems and Bluetooth systems. There cabled system is ideal for only in car use (cant get more reliable than a physical cable). There receiver is connect to your PDA either through a official tom tom car kit or via a Y cable. There Bluetooth system is very nice also, it is very small and looks the part. There receiver only lasts about 4-6 hrs which is fine if you are only going short journeys or want to charge it in your car, but that then involves the use of a cable.

Memory wise if you are only going to be in the UK 128SD would be fine but if you are looking to go into Europe you would require other cards.
In my opinion I would personally would like the Navman Bluetooth receiver and the Tom Tom software as a package. I hope I have not confused you more

[sbland]

Hi Stevie, thanks for you advice, I'm right at the final point of buying one, and from what most people tend to have said is that the Navman 4410 is probably the best one to get, the only reason Tom Tom have more ratings is because more of them are sold because of the price!?

My last questions are: we'll be getting bluetooth not wired - so do both systems Tom Tom and Navman display on your compaq? Is the mounting included or do we need to buy that separately?

I take it with the Navman the receiver just stows away somewhere (within range like the glove box) then you have the Ipaq mounted? the Tom Toms, I've seen have their own TV screens that you can change the colour of!?

Anyway, thanks again in advance for your help, hopefully we can make our decision today.

Cheers Simon

P.S. Nice of Microsoft to release Outlook 2003 and not have activesync not support it, I've now lost all of my contacts and my IPaq will not sync with my PC now - HP can't help me!?! Any suggestions?