[Caniwi]

Was wondering if anyone has picked up a TomTom map of NZ, in New Zealand. That is, are they readily available? Considering buyng one here in Canada before we leave, as it's much cheaper, even adding on an NZ map. Just trying to find out which is the most readily available (keep trying the TomTom website, but they are continually updating their store!). My next choice would be a Garmin.....anyone have any ideas on that???

[Croft]

I've always used TomTom - consistently rated as having the best UI (User Interfaces) of all the SatNav packages, and has very good map coverage worldwide. Their NZ maps were only introduced late last year. I used to have TomTom loaded on a PPC, but now have a dedicated PND - the TomTom 720 which I have been very impressed with.

The only other package which offers NZ maps that I'm aware of is Navman - incidentally a NZ company. I used their product on a PPC too, and didn't like it.

[tomo1340]

I don't think you can get tomtom nz maps for ppc's otherise I would snap one up straight away even though I am not there. I think I have Navman somewhere although I don't have a NZ map for it and I don't think they sell them anymore.

[Croft]

Tomtom have a common code base across all hardware platforms, so if you've got TomTom (I suspect you'll need V7) you'll be able to get the NZ maps.

Navman withdrew from the PPC market and now concentrate on PNDs.

[cappuccino]

Tomtom have a common code base across all hardware platforms, so if you've got TomTom (I suspect you'll need V7) you'll be able to get the NZ maps.

Navman withdrew from the PPC market and now concentrate on PNDs.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a PPC and a PND?

[tomo1340]

Tomtom have a common code base across all hardware platforms, so if you've got TomTom (I suspect you'll need V7) you'll be able to get the NZ maps.

Navman withdrew from the PPC market and now concentrate on PNDs.

Thats just it, TomTom have no interest in releasing v7 for PPC.

Cappuccino> PPC is a pocket PC, a PDA like ipaq etc. amd PND is a device designed specifically to carry the sat nav program for instance the GO/One range from Tomtom.

[cappuccino]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Croft]

PND = Personal Navigation Device. Took me a while to figure that one out!!

[Caniwi]

Thanks for clearing those acronyms up. :) It's seems Tomtom has the market down there. Looks like I'll be going that route. Thx

[Croft]

Thanks for clearing those acronyms up. :) It's seems Tomtom has the market down there. Looks like I'll be going that route. Thx

Well, you have Navman too. Both of their future business models appear to be based on dedicated devices. It's which UI you prefer, and cost of course. Personally I prefer TomTom and am willing to pay the premium for the market leader, but Nav,an is still good.

[3littlepikes]

i am being very thick but i think i have got the jist that my tom tom go can be taken to NZ and I can get NZ maps for it ? do I order from the website ? I am a bit of a techno fob ( or rather a bit to old for all these gadjets but like them all the same , my son is not quite old enough to sort for me ( give him a few years )

[Croft]

i am being very thick but i think i have got the jist that my tom tom go can be taken to NZ and I can get NZ maps for it ? do I order from the website ? I am a bit of a techno fob ( or rather a bit to old for all these gadjets but like them all the same , my son is not quite old enough to sort for me ( give him a few years )

What kind of TomTom do you have? Can you connect via TomTom Home? In short, yes, you can download it, but it does depend on how much free memory your TomTom has. You may need to offload some maps to free up memory. I have a 720 and am able to fit all of Western Europe and NZ easily onto the internal memory, without having to expand onto a memory card.

[talisker]

You'll probably find you don't really need a satnav so much in NZ, unless you drive a lot around unfamiliar streets in a city. The road network outside the main centres is pretty simple really.

Mind you, I do think most people buy satnavs because they're cool gadgets, rather than because they used to get lost all the time.

[Caniwi]

:o I, personally, am thinking of it more for my Canadian husband, who isn't always going to have ability to have family and friends along for the ride when he drives. Not only in unfimiliar territory, albeit, relatively simple in comparison, but learning to drive a right hand drive vehicle on the left hand side of the road, at the same time. I can be done, yes, but from experience, the less things you have to be concerned about, the better.:o. And having the sun in the Northern sky, instead of the southern, can really screw up one's sense of direction.

[Croft]

You'll probably find you don't really need a satnav so much in NZ, unless you drive a lot around unfamiliar streets in a city. The road network outside the main centres is pretty simple really.

Mind you, I do think most people buy satnavs because they're cool gadgets, rather than because they used to get lost all the time.

I use mine all the time, even on shorter journeys where I know the road. If I come across a traffic jam I just redirect. My importantly I can glance across and see the layout of the road ahead, especially good when on country roads and determining if it's safe to overtake - also good in fog or at night for safety reasons. Seeing how far you have until the next junction, ETA - all good reasons I think to use SatNav - quite apart from the nightmare of driving in an unfamiliar city!

What I have found shocking though are young drivers who have NEVER used a road map and rely totally on SatNav. I colleague of mine was describing her friend didn't even know what motorway he took to work, just followed SatNav.