Going states. Buy SatNav from here or there?

[Adit18]

Hi folks

I'm off to the states next week for a couple of weeks (Florida to be precise).

I don't own a SatNav but will need one to use whilst out there.

I'm looking to buy one unit which I can use whilst out there and also use when I get back to UK.

Question is, what is easier to do?

1) Buy a TomTom or Garmin from here and load US maps on to it. When I get back I'd then need to load UK maps back onto it.

2) Buy one from there (pre-loaded with US maps). Use while I'm there, once I get back load UK maps on to it.

Question is, I am not experienced with SatNav maps, which ar available easily? Garmin maps? TomTom maps?

Also, I've seen the below three units which can both be purchased easily in either US or UK; presumably it'd be best to buy one of these?


TomTom One 125 Portable GPS w/ 3.5" Touch Screen

Garmin nuvi 200 Portable GPS with 3.5" Screen

TomTom One GPS Satellite Navigation System, 3rd Edition

Thanks for any advice!

[Mall]

Personally I would go for the Tom Tom, you will probably pick one up cheaper over there, but it depends if your going to need it to find your way to where you are staying

The maps for the TomToms seem to be coming out fairly frequently, plus you can download the map corrections via the TomTom home software.

[Adit18]

Hi Mall

Thanks for the reply! So you reckon its easier to get TomTom maps? If so which would be easier TomTom ONE or TomTom 125 Portbale, or doesn;t it make any difference?

Also what is the TomTom Home software? Does it run on the SatNav unit or my PC? Do I have to pay for putting the UK maps back on to the unit?

Thanks for your help.

[Mall]

I would probably go for the TTone, but again its all down to personal choice, the TThome software runs from your PC and you connect the unit to it to gett all the updates, if you browse the stickies it will explain all you need to know about updating the maps/software etc...

As for paying for maps, I only paid for the maps that came with the unit

[Adit18]

you only paid for the maps that you got with the unit? Now now, why so secretive? :-)

[koola2]

see this post for a bargain
http://digital-forums.com/showthread.php?t=402469
and then you can load you US maps onto it.

[Mall]

you only paid for the maps that you got with the unit? Now now, why so secretive? :-)

lol, the stickies explain it all...

All new maps can be downloaded from various sources and "activated" by clever little programs.

I've got the 910 unit and updated it to Navcore v8, with the latest v8 maps, and adjusted the TThome software to allow me to get all updates.

It's currently got Central & Western Europe, USA & Canada and Aussie map on it, all working great.

[Adit18]

koola2

Thanks for the link. The TomTom ONE first edition delivered for a total of £49.38

How easy is it to load the US maps onto it? Am on a bit of a tight schedule.

Here's some thanks for you both for helping :-)

[koola2]

Maps are easy to load, as I believe this one uses an SD card (I have the v2 version)
I take up to a 2gb card but you might need to restrict yourself to the East Coast.

[Adit18]

Folks am buying the Tom Tom 125 which is $137 dollars about 95 pounds, from Wal-Mart.

It doesn;t look like this one has a memory card slot, will I still be able to put UK maps on to it when I get back?

Thanks again.