Garmin i3 vs NAVMAN iCN320

[Geordie Jester]

These two units seem to be fighting it out as the budget GPS xmas gift. Anyone had a lot of experience of the NAVMAN iCN320.

I think I am almost decided on the Garmin. A lot of reviews talk about how it fairs well against the TOMTOM's and is such a nice size whilst still being readable. Tomtoms and other feature-rich units im not really interested in. Not spending v much.

The only thing the NAVMAN iCN320 seems to do is that it marks points of interest (petrol stations etc) on the map itself. That said, the big screen is compromised by the dedicated regions showing direction etc leaving a bit of a cluttered view.

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/pr...l?pid=50501854
http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/pr...l?pid=50502165


EDIT: getting even cheaper now ! 159 Comet
http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/ca...%20GARMIN%20I3


Anyone had experience with navman that might make me go for that over the i3 ?

[Dan_Gleebitz]

Not a clue about the navman.
But the i3 is a superb bit of kit. Make sure it is v8 mapping though.

[lynx]

I have one of the iCN 6xx series units and i prefer it to the 5xx series. Only downside is mapping. Maps for the full of Europe are provided however you need a serial key to activate anything other than the UK maps. There are also plenty of custom POI's available including speed cam sites, red light cams etc etc. For an idea of whats available look here...http://www.getoutguide.pwp.blueyonde.../poidownloads/

[SILVERBACK]

im leaning more towards the navman myself as the screen is incredibly small on the garmin and there is no postcode input on it either which is a bit of a bummer.

[Dan_Gleebitz]

Originally Posted by SILVERBACK

im leaning more towards the navman myself as the screen is incredibly small on the garmin and there is no postcode input on it either which is a bit of a bummer.

If you mean to find a place/street, you can input via postcode or name.

Dan

[SILVERBACK]

last time i go by that review ebsite then lol.and after a bit more reading i notice the navman cant do the speedcam POI.looks like i could get the garmin afterall.

[Geordie Jester]

Yeah, me too.

The only thing I dont really like is the blue facia. I know, a bit shallow, but it looks a bit cheesey. Would have just been better they did it in black.

The small cluttered sub-screen puts me off the Navman. Plus the Garmin is literally a pocket-size device that would be a lot easier to take anywhere.

My car has one of those heated front windscreens. Do you reckon I might struggle to get a signal without the add-on aerial ? they are around 20 quid

[lynx]

Originally Posted by SILVERBACK

last time i go by that review ebsite then lol.and after a bit more reading i notice the navman cant do the speedcam POI.looks like i could get the garmin afterall.

First thing i done when i got my Navman connected up was to download the speedcams...not sure why you think it can't be done?


You can get them from...http://pocketgpsworld.com/uksafetycameras-navman.php

http://pocketgpsworld.com/uksafetycameras.php

[lynx]

Originally Posted by Geordie Jester

The only thing I dont really like is the blue facia. I know, a bit shallow, but it looks a bit cheesey. Would have just been better they did it in black.

The small cluttered sub-screen puts me off the Navman. Plus the Garmin is literally a pocket-size device that would be a lot easier to take anywhere.

The iCN 6XX series is available in both Black http://www.navman-pcn.com/index.php?product=27 and Platinum http://www.navman-pcn.com/index.php?product=12. I can assure the screen is less clutered than my mates Tom Tom.

[Geordie Jester]

Local kwiksave is selling these at 149.99

even cheaper now !

[SILVERBACK]

Originally Posted by lynx

First thing i done when i got my Navman connected up was to download the speedcams...not sure why you think it can't be done?


You can get them from...http://pocketgpsworld.com/uksafetycameras-navman.php

http://pocketgpsworld.com/uksafetycameras.php

i dont think the 3 series is compatable with the speedcam link is it ? your obviously is but i could have sworn i read the 3 series wasnt.i think i will just get a tom tom one to be honest as it seems to be the best of both worlds.

[Ianf]

"My car has one of those heated front windscreens. Do you reckon I might struggle to get a signal without the add-on aerial ? they are around 20 quid"

I have a mondeo with the heated windscreen and the Garmin works fine but note I had previously the Navman iCN 520 which had a low signal plus took upto 5 mins for a first lock from cold - took it back as I found it impractical

[Johnnie]

I have the Garmin nuvi 300 and very impressed with it, it may be out of your budget, I wasn't going to spend £330 either, but it's amazing.
(I wrote a review a few days ago)

From what I can gather the most popular features to look for on a satnav are:

Sirfstar III for better/faster signal

Ability to load POI's (speedcameras etc)

Full postcode search

NT V8 maps

The nuvi has all these (and much more), is probably the smallest unit with a 2.8” W x 2.1” H (3.5” diag.), 320 x 240 pixels screen which is very easy to read. In fact it's best to leave display mode to auto so when the unit detects it's night-time it switches to night colours, the day colours (mostly white) can be too bright and distracting when it's dark.

I can get a 4 bar out of 5 signal strength even in my house! so I don't think a heated screen would matter, (I work in a modern building that's mostly built out of metal sheeting and I can get a signal there as well) so if the i3 uses the same 'bits' then it should also be good in this respect.

To me this is a gps/satnav for the car or even when walking, an mp3 player (which actually has a very good sound quality) that I can use in the car (music is interrupted to give directions etc) or when walking etc, and a speed camera detector/warning.

[lynx]

I'll admit to never having seen a Navman 320 in action, however it appears not to have a 'moving screen' map.Check this out if your considering one, it may be a draw-back for some. I know that most of the time i'm not looking at the map but listening from the voice guided instruction, when your approaching multi lane junctions in cities that your unfamiliar with, i like the 'real time' moving screen.

[john59]

i3s at kwiksave or somerfields @£99.00, if you can find a store that has any left, with v8 mapping