Recommendation for total technophobe.

[King Rat]

I have been putting off getting a GPS, Satnav call it what you will, for some time, because I have seen them on boats and they are just far too complicated for me (I have trouble with my mobile phone and all its functions.....like not being able to answer a call when I am already on one!)

Is there such a thing as a sat nav thingy which is more or less a map with a blip on it, so you can see where you are and then choose which road you want to go on....oh I wonder where this goes? Or I think I'll go this way home...because you can see it will get you there eventually.

I suppose, what I am thinking of is an electronic road map, rather than the screen display I have seen of one road and it is just in front of you.

I also would like one that isn't difficult to learn how to use...half the trouble is I can't remember how to so things and have to look it up again. I carry the manual for my phone with me....due to a lack of interest in that kind of thing really. Been trying to subscribe to UKGSer for a year - but nobody will give me an address to send a cheque to! (FORGET any kind of electronic payment type. I refuse to use it.)

Anyway, be gentle. I know I am a duffer, i don't need you lot to point it out!

 

[John Armstrong]

I'd advise going to a shop / dealer who can guide you and show how the GPS works, but PLEASE do not get one that I own, as then I'll feel I'll have to try and answer all the questions you're bound to have

 

[Ogmios]

follow the leader?

i feel the danger of asking "which sat nav" is like asking which oil should i use

but i'll ask anyhow - (mods can abuse me later )

me; total eejit.
fancy a cheap basic sat nav for xmas.
would like -
~Europe maps for finding fuel / hotels etc.
~ability to easily programme in avoidance of cities / motorways / long boring straight bits here at home.
~limited budget coz it's really a luxury / not a necessity.

so... what should i ask Santa for?
TIA.
~~
His numpty Ogship

 

[Rushy]

king Rat

Buy a used Garmin 2610. Nice and simple to operate. Big buttons. Nice screen size. Great value , probably get one for around £120 !

I've got one , love it.

Plus another GSer who has one , Pipster , is only just down the road from you and you could pop round whnever you like and he'll show you how to use it .

Don't ask me though 'cos I'm almost as big a luddite as you and dont even have the Garmin software for the GPS loaded on my PC 'cos I it won't load for me

HTH

 

[adamneeds]

zumo 400 off ebay £129 with eu mapping

lemon digital suppler

dropped mine sent it to garmin to be fixed

sent me back a 550

am i lucky?

so i got a zumo 550 229 pounds

 

[Rushy]

zumo 400 off ebay £129 with eu mapping

lemon digital suppler

dropped mine sent it to garmin to be fixed

sent me back a 550

am i lucky?

so i got a zumo 550 229 pounds

Oi jammy git make your mind up

 

[adamneeds]

Oi jammy git make your mind up

cost me an extra £100 to get it fixed

hence £229

read no electronic transfer but they accept credit card payment over the phone

 

[Ogmios]

wot about my needs?!

nuvi 250?
on special in M+S...
any good - looks pretty - and it was the only one working on the counter.

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

none are simple if you're not up to reading the manual or you don't have skill level to program a VCR... FORGET IT


You get out of a GPS what you put in as i've proved in some of my feckups

 

[ebbo]

Frankly Raty, I'd just forget it, its just not for you.

Stick to paper maps and road signs, you'll be fine

 

[Bumpkin]

wot about my needs?!

nuvi 250?
on special in M+S...
any good - looks pretty - and it was the only one working on the counter.

No use for recreational bike use, that unit will only do A to B. If you want to be able to define specific roads to follow you'll need a higher end unit such as a Zumo or a TomTom Rider v2. If they're too much ££ then I would be considering an earlier used Garmin off eBay. Models to look for are Quest (not Quest2), StreetPilot 2610, 2720 or 2820.

Before embarking on a Garmin purchase from eBay you need to ensure that the previous owner will be including the unlock code, mapping (check which version, City Navigator v6, v7, v8, v8, 2008 and 2009, they went over to years in '08). The seller will also need to be willing to confirm the sale to Garmin so that the registration can be transfered to you which is vital for future mapping updates.

Bear in mind that you'll need to factor in the cost of a mount and power option if they aren't included in the sale, this can add £40 to £50 to the cost. They rarely come up on eBay on their own so you might need to buy these new.

In response to the OP, I would concur with ebbo, sounds like you'd just be causing yourself grief. Best to get a demo from another rider and see if it's within your tolerance level. A shop will probably try and sell on the idea as part of any demo.

 

[Ogmios]

Bumpkin,

Thanks for that Exactly what i needed.

though - now i've more questions than ever...
but thats my problem.

useful post; appreciated.

~~
Og,
lost in (cyber) space

 

[Ogmios]

little bump...

as it's now near Xmas - and theres a limited budget, but Mrs Og is happy to buy me new toys.

any (idiot / luddite proof) suggestions

y' know like;
a series of letters / numbers followed by a € or a £ sign and some more (but not many) numbers.

e.g; garminZumoStreetPilot2820 and €10......