Lost time is never found again

Having had a built in Satellite Navigation system in my Alfa 147 for 18 months, when the time came to get a company car, for my new role, I was actually concerned. How would I ever find my way from A to B, especially the last mile or two near B without the benefit of an electronic navigation system? I made the decision that I would invest in a new system, as it would be worth it to remove the worry about whether I can find a place and arrive on time using old fashioned maps and printed directions from www.theaa.com!

Picking a System
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Tom-tom and Navman seem to be the two main suppliers of in car navigation systems available at present, and both are rapidly gaining in popularity. A colleague of mine also had a Navman which he had raved about, and like me spends a good deal of time on the road between our hotels. The Navman units typically look a little sleeker than their tom-tom counterparts. They have a vast range of navigation systems as well as being an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of GPS systems. It is easy to upgrade via their website www.navman.com

The Navman iCN 520 system I chose is described as a Drive-Away system, meaning it is extremely simple to install and use. It also has Back-on-Track routing, which no navigation system should be without, in my opinion! Like many of the systems available, this system is easily transferable from one car to another, which was also an important consideration for me, as the first car I have is a temporary vehicle.

When I bought the unit perhaps four months ago, it was retailing at around £300 including VAT (I paid a devatted price). Now, like most technology, increased demand has meant the price has fallen to around £280 including VAT or from $410 in America. Halfords in the UK are selling the unit for £350 including a “free” snooper system, so it definitely pays to shop around and find a deal on line if you can.

Inside the Box
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I bought my unit from an online supplier and it was received within 48 hours.

The unit itself is remarkably lightweight and measures about 2.5” by 5”. You also receive a memory card, a computer disc showing maps relevant to the purchase e.g. GB and Ireland and an application disc. You can purchase additional maps if necessary. Most of Europe is 95% to 100% mapped, with the exception of Spain, Portugal and Ireland (major cities are mapped though).

There is also a USB cable, so you can download maps and Points of Interest (read Speed Cameras!) from the website, and a cigarette charger to top up the battery while you are on the move. You don’t have to do any downloading to use the Navman however, as it is a “Drive Away” unit.

You also get all the necessary bits and pieces to attach the unit to the windscreen and an A4 diagram showing you how to put all these bits together in eight easy steps!

You also get a pouch which you can use to protect the Navman when you leave the car. Given that satellite navigation units are now a prime target for thieves it is good practice to remove it and take it with you (don’t just leave it in the glove compartment, as the cradle stuck on the windscreen gives away the fact that you have a unit)

Finally there is a 100 page instruction manual, full of step by step instructions on how to operate the Navman.

Getting Started
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I followed the 8 step document to attach the cradle to the windscreen, which was relatively straightforward. I positioned this on the windscreen as per the drawings, but in hindsight the position is not the most ideal as sometimes I feel it is blocking my view slightly. Having ensured that the unit was switched on, and fitted with memory card and map of Britain, I tried to slot into the cradle and found my first hurdle.

I found at first that I simply could not get the suction pad to stick to the windscreen! It simply kept falling off all the time. I resorted to phoning Halfords to see if they were aware of such a problem. There was supposed to be an alcohol wipe in the box, but I did not appear to have one. Halfords were not aware of such a problem, but did say I could go down and someone would have a look for me. I was slightly concerned as the following day I had a drive from Scotland to Maidstone.

Eventually I tried the suction pad one more time and amazingly it stuck, where it has remained to this day. Finally we were in business.

There is a tutorial on the Navman itself, and you can access this from the start up menu. You can also use the instruction booklet, but to be honest, it seems to be overkill in terms of its instruction.

There is a stylus which conveniently slots into the back of the unit, and replacements are available if you do manage to lose it.

Before the unit will allow you to do anything, you have to agree to the terms of use, in particular that the unit should not be used on the road, and that you as a user are still responsible for your actions on the road! Common sense stuff.

Using the Navman
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Even without resorting to the user guide, the Navman is straightforward and simple to use. I did access the tutorial first of all, to understand the main buttons on the unit. To set a route, you simply need to select the “Go To” option from the Main Menu page, and you will be able to select from a range of options.

Recent routes will be stored, and this is obviously very useful as it saves you having to type the whole thing in again. You can also store in your HOME address (which could of course be any address that you navigate to frequently). If you need to input a new address you can do this by using the town name, street name, postcode or a point of interest (e.g. nearest Airport, Hospital, hotel, petrol station, anything!)

I tend to use the street name where possible, and then enter the house number if known. This is perhaps the quickest and most accurate method. The postcode functionality will get you to the right location very quickly, but as you can only enter the postcode in the format ZZ1 1.. then you might find yourself struggling for the last few hundred yards, which is usually when you need a navigation system the most. Fortunately for me, as I work in a Hotel group, many of our properties are also shown, as Points of Interest, and so that can also be very accurate to use.

You can configure the points of interest that you want to be shown on the map, although given that the screen is relatively small you will not want to select all options as you won’t be able to see the route for all the pictures.

The route is shown in a kind of 3d display, so you can see how the road network spans out in front of, and to the side of you. It took me a couple of attempts to read the instructions properly, especially with regard to exiting motorways and major roads. You can also select a 2d display option. The system has built in Traffic Blackspot areas, so you can avoid these, and will navigate you to points of interest such as petrol stations.

You can opt whether to have the voice instruction on or off. If it is in a built up area, then it is a lot easier to follow a voice than try and read a screen at the same time as navigating a city centre. For longer journeys with more motorway driving I would tend to have it switched off, as I don’t need to be told to “bear right” at every junction!

If you go off track, the system will recalculate the route for you, and put you back on track. Like any navigation system, sometimes you will find that you think you know a better route and will overrule its decision (neither of my two navigation systems seems to recognise the A70 as a valid way of accessing the M74 from my old address in Ayr, despite the fact I live 100 yards from the A70. I am not sure why this is the case, other than the systems must perceive the road as not to be suitable. If you therefore take the route not as guided by the system, you may find that data such as estimated time of arrival may not be as accurate until the system catches up with you.

If you forget to connect the unit to the cigarette lighter and you are on a long journey, you will invariably find you get a warning to connect without delay. This can be alarming if you are driving at the time, as you need to try and connect the power cable while driving, or risk losing your instructions. It isn’t a major problem as long as you remember to ensure the unit has continuous power before you drive off!

My other little niggle I have is probably typical of all systems which adhere to the windscreen. In bright sunny weather it can be difficult to see the screen! I didn’t have this problem with my factory fitted system in the Alfa as this was mounted in the centre console.

You can use the Routing options to select your preferences, for example to avoid the toll roads, or to spend more or less time on motorways, or whether you prefer the quickest or shortest route.

Overall, I am more than satisfied with my purchase, and despite the limitations of not using a full postcode, I have not had any major problems with finding my way since its purchase four months ago. I perceive that battery life is a little short (but then I am on the road A LOT), and it was slightly out with one of my destinations, but all in all it is a reliable and straightforward system to use, and in the case of the latter point, is streets ahead in terms of ease of use, when compared to the Alfa system I have in my other car.

www.navman.com