GPS recommendation

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hashbrown99

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Looking at buying a GPs unit

Apart from using it to navigate, I have also heard *cough :o* that some have bonus features like being able to pick up speed cameras and laser traps. The various websites are a bit vague about these features though.

Is this true (first hand experience if you have) and can anyone recommend one (pref R3000 or less)?
 
It does not actually "pick up" speed traps, but is set on the GPS as a POI (point of interrest). It is only where the speed cameras are static, and where the speedies usually operate (normally under any big tree or similiar - hehe).

I use a Garmin Nuvi 200 and with the custom POI's its definately worth it. You can get one in the region of about R2K.
 
I quite like the Nuvi 200 wide screen version. Called the 220 I think (I stand under correction, but it's not hard to find). Otherwise you could go for a TomTom, had they not been pulled out of SA. Just when they were doing so well...
 
PHTech said:
It does not actually "pick up" speed traps, but is set on the GPS as a POI (point of interrest). It is only where the speed cameras are static, and where the speedies usually operate (normally under any big tree or similiar - hehe).

I use a Garmin Nuvi 200 and with the custom POI's its definately worth it. You can get one in the region of about R2K.
Click to expand...

So you can use it to avoid them?
 
i have a TOMTOM ONE, works like a bomb. mapshare is awesome, can edit maps and streets and download updates from other people, hardly any mistakes on my maps, including one way roads and blocked off roads. great route planning, quick, can even speak afrikaans in guy or girl voice if u want. the only thing i must admit sadly is, the Garmins come with Streetpilot software, which makes it a lot easier to add stuff and plan things on your computer, whereas the tomtom you can only use it on your computer, as if ur using the actual thing. but then, you buying it to be mobile not to sit at ur pc all day, so thats only a pain the first time u realise it.

i'd go with tomtom any day again. mapshare is amasing, tomtom one sell for about R2100 and u get free map updates and mapshare, comes with bluetooth so u can download updates 'on the go' using ur 3g phone



traffic fines is like mentioned, point of interests, u get them on tomtom and garmin.
 
hashbrown99 said:
So you can use it to avoid them?
Click to expand...

if u set it to tell u about all of them, you will be slowing down every 500meters sometimes, because 'once apon atime some oke spotted a cop behind that bush' ....

HOWEVER, a gps also tells you that ACTUAL speed u driving, so you can go past speed traps at faster speeds than ur car's speedometer says u can cause of the way speedo's work. for example when ur speedo say ur driving 120, ur actually driving about 115.... i know its small dif, but its cool to go over speedtrap at 129 exactly and not getting fine :D
 
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hashbrown99 said:
So you can use it to avoid them?
Click to expand...

The POI with a speedtrap location simply warns you about the speed trap. Sure you can use it to avoid them, assuming you're driving within the limit but it wouldn't help much if it was a front-facing camera, because the warning comes a short distance before the POI.

But at the end of the day you're not supposed to be driving fast anyways, are you?
 
hashbrown99 said:
So you can use it to avoid them?
Click to expand...

With the POI's you can mostly only be notified that a speed trap / camera is ahead, or it is like a hotspot for a speedtrap.

You can avoid it, in the sense of an early warning given to you on by the GPS, but on using a route planner to avoid a Custom POI, I personally don't think is possible when using entry level Garmins (like the Nuvi 200 and 200W)

But I can assure you that its VERY useful to indicate high accident zones, Hi-jack hotspots, etc...
 
albert123 said:
if u set it to tell u about all of them, you will be slowing down every 500meters sometimes, because 'once apon atime some oke spotted a cop behind that bush' ....
Click to expand...

:D ROFL

PHTech said:
It does not actually "pick up" speed traps, but is set on the GPS as a POI (point of interrest). It is only where the speed cameras are static, and where the speedies usually operate (normally under any big tree or similiar - hehe).

I use a Garmin Nuvi 200 and with the custom POI's its definately worth it. You can get one in the region of about R2K.
Click to expand...

What about updates? Free or subscription
 
PHTech said:
With the POI's you can mostly only be notified that a speed trap / camera is ahead, or it is like a hotspot for a speedtrap.

You can avoid it, in the sense of an early warning given to you on by the GPS, but on using a route planner to avoid a Custom POI, I personally don't think is possible when using entry level Garmins (like the Nuvi 200 and 200W)

But I can assure you that its VERY useful to indicate high accident zones, Hi-jack hotspots, etc...
Click to expand...

A friend of mine has the 200W and he is able to import custom POI's.
 
hashbrown99 said:
Looking at buying a GPs unit

Apart from using it to navigate, I have also heard *cough :o* that some have bonus features like being able to pick up speed cameras and laser traps. The various websites are a bit vague about these features though.

Is this true (first hand experience if you have) and can anyone recommend one (pref R3000 or less)?
Click to expand...



bottom line, u cant go wrong with a TomTom/Garmin for about R2000.
 
albert123 said:
bottom line, u cant go wrong with a TomTom/Garmin for about R2000.
Click to expand...

You cannot go wrong with a TomTom, but they do not have any support in South Africa anymore. That unfortunately moves my vote towards Garmin 200W (which is very good nevertheless)
 
froot said:
You cannot go wrong with a TomTom, but they do not have any support in South Africa anymore. That unfortunately moves my vote towards Garmin 200W (which is very good nevertheless)
Click to expand...


I've had mine a year now, only needed support from them once? i got it through their website, from oversees. they called me back the next day, got my problem sorted while on the phone and downloaded map while guy was holding on. i doubt u will get that kind of support from the local garmin people even?

The Garmin updates is priced averaged at around R400. But some updates gan go for almost over R1K. But the POI's are free at Garmap
Click to expand...
once again tomtom beats garmin, most map updates in SA is through mapshare updates, not official maps... these are free on a daily basis. the major maps u get free when u buy your tomtom, you can download the latest version if urs has been in the shop a bit too long for ur liking.
 
GAME has the Garmin Nuvi 250W on special for R2399(a saving of R600 according to them).
It comes with pre-loaded Southern African,European maps and safety camera (speed traps) info.
 
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