jimdiesel Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 After months of deliberating on whether or not I actually needed a GPS device I have finally made a purchase. Having looked at all the usual suspects (TomTom, Navman etc), and reading numerous reviews and comments on the GPS forums, I went for one last look in the local Comet. It was then that I saw the Garmin Streetpilot i3 for the first time. Two things were very striking about it. Firstly it is incredibly small. The screen is only 1.7’’ and the whole device is only about 2'' square. Secondly the price, which is £199.99. I went home and read some reviews on the i3, which were on the whole very positive. Still not 100% on whether I actually need one I decided at the price, why not, so I purchased an i3 from PC World. My previous experience of Satnav is limited to the Audi RNS-E and MMI DVD systems, so all my comments relate back to these systems. On switching on for the first time, the i3 acquired the satellites within 1 minute. I mounted the unit just below he header rail in my wife’s A2 (the units small size really allows for more flexibility when deciding where to position it) using the suction cup mount. The unit itself only has 3 controls and no touch screen. The on/off button, a return to previous menu button and a clickable thumbwheel. Without even reading the instructions, I had set up all the system preferences and inputted my address the home favourite within a few minutes. The menus are very intuitive and the thumbwheel works very well. I then set off for home and the i3 performed exactly as the RSN-E would have done. The voice instructions are very clear though I found the 3D map view slightly confusing. So far so good I thought. On arriving home I went to review the list of turns and the i3 crashed. Not so good. Later that night whilst reading through some of the posts on a GPS forum, I found that other people had been experiencing crashes and lock ups. They cured these by installing the latest software. So I went to the Garmin site and using the supplied USB cable downloaded the latest software (2.50 as opposed to 2.00 that the unit came with). This has cured the lock up problem, and in the week since I did the update, have had no problems what so ever. I also downloaded the POI installer from Garmins site and added a speed camera database to the unit. The i3 has exceeded my expectations, its dynamic routing recalculates very quickly if you miss a turn, and I find it very easy to use. I have switched to using the 2D map view and I find this much clearer. The small screen size is not an issue for me, as I find the information well laid out, though some people my be less comfortable with it. Whether it is better than the other units on the market I have no idea, however it matches the Audi systems I have used, with the added benefit of the speed camera POI’s. However at the price I cannot recommend it highly enough. PROS Price Compact Size Easy to use control interface Excellent performance (IMHO) Full postcode search Excellent support from Garmin CONS No built in charging circuit Some people may find the screen to small The postcode search struggles without a house number. But you can get round this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Sounds a bargain for under £200! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 £200.00 mmmmm looks like saturday will be the first day of my sat nav ownership. Thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Jim, you said in your review that you can get round the "postcode without house number" easily. Could you tell me how? Oh and thanks to your review i am now £200.00 lighter in my pocket. Must agree that is quite an impressive unit for the size, i'm very pleasded with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philbes Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Bought the Mio 269 for just under £400 - has 2.5b hard disc with maps of the whole of Europe & most of Scandinavia (spelling?). Is also an MP3 player -0.5GB free on hard disc and also accepts SD cards. Comes complete with the usual suction mount, power lead for car and mains charger but also includes an external antenna (if required), mount for bike handlebars and a remore control (why?). Internal battery lasts 4+ hours for use outside car. Cheap option of speed cameras added to POI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Jim, you said in your review that you can get round the "postcode without house number" easily. Could you tell me how? Oh and thanks to your review i am now £200.00 lighter in my pocket. Must agree that is quite an impressive unit for the size, i'm very pleasded with it. [/ QUOTE ] Put 0 in as the house number and then click done. You normally get a number of options for that post code, which you can review by selecting an option then clicking on view map. Garmin are currently working on improving the postcode search. I found out yesterday that the first batch of i3's have been released with v7 mapping data. Apparently v8 will be available soon, but the price will go up significantly. For me Id rather have the unit at the cheaper price, especially as the maps seem pretty up to date to me. The forums on www.pocketgps.co.uk are a great source of information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Thaks jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 I bought one of these a couple of months ago for work purposes, I can't fault it, not quite as good as the GF's Tomtom Go, but then it cost half the price. The small size is not a hinderance either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Hmmm, interesting. Dixon's are offering them at £197 at the moment. When you say 'no charging kit', what do you mean? It just plugs into the car's 12v socket I presume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Hmmm, interesting. Dixon's are offering them at £197 at the moment. When you say 'no charging kit', what do you mean? It just plugs into the car's 12v socket I presume? [/ QUOTE ] Staples are doing them now for £179.00. It does plug in to the 12v socket and also runs on 2 x AA batteries (but doesn't charge them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Ooo, thanks for that. The AA battery power....how long do you reckon you get out of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Ooo, thanks for that. The AA battery power....how long do you reckon you get out of them? [/ QUOTE ] Upto 4 hrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Hmm, ok, well I might have to pack a few of those next week then because it'll save me having to put up with the lead stretching across to the 12v unit. NOTE: Comet are doing them for £169 if ordered online! See Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Argos are also doing them for £169. It says home delivery only but then gives you the option to reserve it at a store so I am guessing you can go in and pick it up for this price too. (I think you get a £10 voucher too for spending over a £100) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Also, one other thing to check MrMe if you do buy one, the latest map version they are now selling is V.8. The early i3's came with version 7 as v 8 was only released in the last week or so. I know there wont be a huge difference but best to have the latest as it is available and is only updated once a year. Worth checking as I guess some dealers will still have v 7 in stock and will try to shift them first. Also, if you are interested in downloading POI's such as speed camerea warnings etc this site may be quite useful, plenty of info on it. http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/index.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted November 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 My wife got to Slough and back, from York on a single set of AA's this week. We only have one power lead at the moment, and I have that routed down the center consul in the A6, so its batterys only when in the A2. I thought it was exceptional value at £200, but at £170 wow. How can the Road Angel Navigator or the new Snooper device be worth nearly three and a half times more. They may be better, but not that much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Argos are also doing them for £169. It says home delivery only but then gives you the option to reserve it at a store so I am guessing you can go in and pick it up for this price too. [/ QUOTE ] Spot on and thanks for that. Luckily for me the store at the Silverlink (10 mins from me) has one in stock and I've just reserved it for collection tomorrow. £169 as you say. I presume the maps can be upgraded online? If not I can't imagine it'll cause me too many issues anyway. Are the Speed Camera POI's free? Another thing - when a Speed Camera is coming into range does the unit warn you audibly or make it visibly more apparent on screen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Maps cant be upgraded online, you have to purchase the latest version although I think Garmin may well be doing this for free if you send the original card in to them (dont quote me). I doubt there will be a massive difference in the mapping so if it is V7 it wont be too much of a problem. The speed camera stuff is free to download and as far as I know it warns you audibly although I have not tried it myself. There are plenty of forums on there explaining how it works etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted November 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Chris, The speedcamera POI's are available from www.pocketgps.co.uk Even a clutz like me managed to install them. The i3 gives an audible and on screen warning. But only if you are traveling above the alert speed. Its not perfect but I find it works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Does the i3 cover all of Europe, or do you have to get extra maps or cards or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted November 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 It comes with the following loaded on the card. UK inc Northern Ireland Ireland Northern France Channel Islands Isle of Man Belgium Netherlands Norway The rest of the Europe and the world can be bought from Garmin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Pretty impressive. Any idea how much extra maps are? Presumably they come on cards you slot in? Or do you download them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 I've discovered that the whole of Europe (maps) can be purchased for about £30 and downloaded online from Garmin. I don't need that, but it's very good value if you did. Now then, I've bought the unit...I've upgraded the software (piece of cake)....and.... WOW! This is ridiculous. £169? It's crazy. The unit is incredibly intuitive, very simple to use, seemingly accurate from what I have seen so far, I've had no problems with 11 out of 12 postcodes I've put in it as Favourites and the display is outstanding. Thanks to everyone that recommended this unit to me. Powered off the batteries alone (2 x AA) makes it easily the most unobstrusive and wonderful gadget I have ever owned. It's options are impressive, it's sound very audible indeed, the scroll zooming is quick and easy (it's as quick as the SatNav in my 6 series without doubt) and the route calculation is possibly even a bit quicker than the SatNav in the 6 series! I suspect I might end up just keeping this on AA batteries all week because I love the simplicity of it and it means I can run it in conjunction with my Road Angel II to see how accurate the POI mapping of Speed Camera's is. I really am bowled over with this. £169! Go out and buy one! Now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted November 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Im glad you like it. Its a decent unit regardless of cost. But when you factor in the money its unbeatable. Which version software have you installed Chris? I was on 2.50 but have just installed 2.70 However on reading one of the forums , people are experiencing problems with 2.70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Ooo, well it only offered me 2.70 when I visited www.garmin.com. What sort of problems are they having? I've also just this minute installed the POI Loader and then then Speed Camera DB, all in a matter of minutes - very easy and very impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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