NavMan iCN630 blows Garmin Away?

[Simon Eassom]

I've been about to dip my toes into the big ocean of GPS for nearly a year now (I'm impulsive with many things, with others I'm a terrible procrastinator) and I thought I'd made my mind up about the Garmin Streetpilot III deluxe (having considered the 176, 196, V, etc). Now, I'm not so sure!

I've been concerned about the massive price drop in the StreetPilot III over the last two months and warning bells have been rung about what's imminent. Before Christmas, the Streetpilot III was £1095 from GPS Warehouse, then £1025, then £999 with full Europe unlock, 128mb card etc. It's now £850!!!

Mandy Phillips on Ebay, today, has dropped her price to £799!!! WTF's going on?

Well, it seems that Garmin are running scared and shipping out loads of StreetPilot IIIs at low prices to sell before the end of March . . . before the arrival of the (big fanfare) . . .

NavMan iCN-630 @ £999

Bigger screen than the StreetPilot III.
Better graphics
64mb onboard, a whopping 512mb card
All the features and more of the StreetPilot III
About one-third the weight of the Garmin
Grey rather than black (ooh very nice!)

Check out the NavMan iCN630

GPS Warehouse will have them in stock from the end of March. Mounts are already available at RAM UK: raw-mount.com at under £25.

Big question is . . . do I go for the Garmin at £799 now or wait two more weeks and pay £200 more for the NavMan? Watch this space!

Simon E.

 

[boxer]

Looks nice. 512mb card!!!

Is it waterproof??

 

[MiGSel]

Yeah looks VERY good, but I don't think it's waterproof, judging by the pics on the site.

They're only talking about IN the vehicle...

 

[Greg Masters]

Regrettably, the NavMan is not waterproof and doesn't have a sound output socket (according to GPS Warehouse)!

Greg

 

[Simon Eassom]

Correct, Greg, I've contacted various sources this arvo and all doubt that the Navman is waterproof, primarily because (as Greg says) it has a built-in speaker.

NavMan are aware of the potential loss of motorcycle business if the unit isn't weatherproof and are currently considering the possibilities . . .

Oh well, looks like I'll save myself £200 and get the StreetPilot III at £799. Or should I . . .


[Apologies for my earlier, slightly premature, ejaculation. Should have checked ALL the facts before I got so excited]

 

[Greg Masters]

Simon

As I was saying to another GSer this week, although the SPIII is a high ticket item, it's been the best 'toy' I've ever bought. To paraphrase Tom Peters, it's made by people whose customers like things that actually work!

Just make sure that you get the Deluxe item, v5.xx maps and then don't register it with Garmin. If they work to the same form as this year, you'll get a free mapping upgrade to v6 whenever that comes out.




Greg

 

[Howard Millichap]

Simon,
Buying a gps is like any other electrical gadget. i.e. There will always be a better one just coming out. You'll have to bite the bullet and buy the current model. It WILL be out of date very soon. Accept it.

Personally, I think the SPIII is a great gadget. Since I've had mine (4 months) it has lead me on several magical mystery tours. You pick a destination, let it plot a route and then follow. Sometimes you haven't a clue where you're going, but it does get you there. ALTHOUGH, it did try to route me along a VERY rough green lane in Wales recently. On the GS with knobblies I'd have loved it, but I was on the Tiger with Tourances. (even I'm not that mad).I had to turn round and let it try again.

 

[CoolCarbon]

you know it makes sense!!

Navi/SPIII, It does what it says on the Packet !! oh, and it's waterproof!

CC

 

[AdamZ]

Re: you know it makes sense!!

Navi/SPIII, It does what it says on the Packet !! oh, and it's waterproof!

CC

And bounce proof upto 30 mph but not at 60mph but they do a great line in "Out of Warranty" Repair.

The questions that really do have to be addressed are:

a) quality of the map data. The are a large number of map data suppliers around at the moment and there is no standard for interchange of information. With Garmin there are a number of third party translation software packages which allow for waypoiny and route exchanges.

The detail of the maps are critical cause it is no use having a wonderful unit if it aint got uptodate street directions (one way streets etc)

b) You cannot go just on price. The accuracy is important and here it gets very technical with WAAS or things like that, at which point I give up and accept a level of "comfort" from a "Name product"

c) The routing and recalculation software. Not sure that Garmin have the best solution here and some of the facilities of Navman seem good. But it is fun watching a Streetpilot III go balmy cause Ireland is full of "green space".

d) The find capability. Mapsource is crap on the PC and even worse of the Streetpilot. I use Autoroute to find and then transfer to Mapsource. Not a lot of help on the road tho...

 

[goose]

off road store

THE STREETPILOT III DELUXE IS IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP TODAY FOR NEXT WORKING DAY DELIVERY - WITH A FREE EXTERNAL AERIAL AND FREE SHIPPING TOO!!!

We are selling the Streetpilot III Deluxe with a free external aerial for £844 inc Vat

offroadstore

This sounds like another tempting offer. I could not care less about the logo, but this site does need a warning that it can damage your bank balance.

 

[cecilthecat]

I just got a response from an email that I sent to 'Navtech' regarding the introduction of the ICN630 but in a waterproof form for use on a motorbike.

Their response was:

'Yes NAVMAN will be producing a motorbike GS system in around 10 months'

It will be interesting to see what they come up with.