Posts Tagged ‘Windscreen’
Tom Tom Sat Nav
The Tom Tom navigation system has become something of a household name with many of us owning one. As a result of this, thefts of the unit have soared and thieves will specifically target vehicles they know to contain one.
How, you ask, do they know you have a Tom Tom? Well in some cases this can be fairly obvious due to the cradle being left in the windscreen. Of course this is not something the majority of us would do but you may still be unwittingly leaving signs to be seen by all.
The most obvious thing and a fact many of us overlook is the suction cup marks left behind when the cradle is removed. I must admit to falling foul of this particular one myself. You’d think that it would end there but it doesn’t. Many versions of the Tom Tom now have Bluetooth to allow communication with a mobile phone. If you leave your Tom Tom switched on with the Bluetooth activated your device can be scanned for by a thief using a mobile phone. Regardless of whether you have hidden it in the glove box or under your seat it will still be found. I must add this also applies to certain laptops as the wireless Bluetooth technology is set as default to wake the laptop up when it receives a Bluetooth signal. This can be disabled if you know where to look within windows.
The latest scheme the thieves have come up with, if perhaps a fairly obvious one, is to follow a car home if they see it has a sat nav device and then steal the unit later in the evening. This is apparently becoming fairly common practice. Then of course there are those that simply chance their luck and break into several cars in one night in the hope the owner will have left the unit in the car. Also following in the same vein, do not enter you address as a take me home feature. If your Tom Tom is stolen the thief simply has to press “take me home” to be delivered to your door.
If you search for theft statistics you’ll find that in London alone 13,000 sat nav units were stolen last year resulting in many claims to motor insurance companies.
I would advise you check with your car insurance provider as you may only have theft coverage up to a certain level and this may not be enough to replace your device should it be stolen. You may be required to purchase a bolt on to your policy if you do not have enough coverage.
Things you can do; if your device is stolen you can register the serial number with the Tom Tom website, this may help track the unit down if updated or the traffic feature used. You can now also buy a strongbox which is simply a large metal lockable box which can be locked into your car to prevent theft of your device and any other valuables.
You can also help to crack down on the rapidly expanding market for stolen Tom Tom units by refusing to buy a unit without a box and instructions as this will have most probably been stolen.
Tom tom, sat nav , gps, cheap gadgets tom tom go 550
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Navman Sat Nav
Confused as to what to get your father on Father’s Day? What about a Satellite Navigational System for his car? As dad’s get older they start to become forgetful, unsure of what they’re were doing or where they were going, and well, people say their driving worsens, not that they’ll ever admit to it.
Sat-navs are now the newest must have in-car accessory for any driver. Offering step by step navigation through satellites in space in what’s known as Global Positioning System or GPS for short.
The older generation might say they got by just fine for decades with just an road map, a hazy memory of being there before, or a special sense of direction using the sun’s location, but just like mobile phones, give them a sat nav and within no time they’ll wonder how they got by all these years without one.
Sat nav systems help you to navigate unfamiliar streets and direct you to your destination in a quick, easy and safe way. The advantage is that you won’t have to read a map while trying to drive or stop to ask for directions, eliminating the frustration and unpleasant feeling of being lost.
The device is a handheld gadget with a screen and speaker, is powered by the cigarette lighter socket and sits on the dashboard or windscreen of the vehicle. Featuring software and maps the satnav directs you with voice prompts and an on-screen map showing your location. Just input your destination using a postcode or address and the sat nav will calculate the fastest or shortest route.
SatNavGPS.net compares satnavs by feature and price to find the most suitable sat-nav gift for him. From a budget Garmin, to a user-friendly TomTom or a feature packed Navman, there is something for everybody.
So whether your father loves gadgets or is a technophobe that has trouble using the DVD player, you’ll find the perfect gift with the help of the Sat Nav comparison site http://www.satnavgps.net
Sat Nav
Best Sat Nav Deals around.
A brief guide to sat nav deals and what to look out for when purchasing a new sat nav system.
A Sat Nav is no longer seen as a high tech luxury item. Due to the vast amount of sat nav’s and sat nav manufacturers on the market there are always good deals to be found. It is important to remember that it is not just the brand to look at when deciding on which sat nav to purchase. Some manufacturers are better than others of course but now there are other important factors to consider when buying:
Some Sat Nav’s have things such as Bluetooth. Mp3 players, FM Transmitters and GPS built in ready when you buy them, these are worth looking out for and don’t always mean an increase in cost either.
A portable sat nav is a good option if you are a family with more than one car, it is easily fitted onto the dashboard or windscreen and can be switched between vehicles whenever necessary. Portable sat navs are very handy devices and are generally very competitively priced.
Whether you opt for a portable sat nav or a built in sat nav in place of your car radio it is fairly easy to find one that is within your budget.
As well as being used for navigation they can also warn you of traffic problems, speed camera locations and upcoming potential hazards, some more sophisticated models have even more features like this.
Some of the best <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=” http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/shopping/sp/audio-video-and-tv/sat-nav-and-gps/
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Related Sat Nav Articles
Can Sat-Nav be used in all cars?
Usually, most systems can work in almost any vehicle, but there have been concerns spoken that a number of cars don’t manage very well with sat nav equipment owing to heat reflecting windscreens. Consumer groups have identified newer BMWs, Citroens and Renaults as causing this difficulty. This is because heat reflecting windscreens prevent the GPS receiver from getting its GPS signal. It is a good idea to try any new sat nav unit out in your vehicle before you buy. You will promptly see if its working or not.
Which Sat Nav should I choose?
Phone based or Portable Systems can be good for normal city or town excursions as you can take them from your car and carry on walking. If you journey long distances and clock up a lot of miles on a frequent basis Hard-Install devices with a larger list of features possibly offer better satisfaction and value for money. Make sure you buy the top model for your needs. Less Expensive might also indicate simpler and easier to operate. High-priced regularly means superior quality and more functionality. Read consumer reviews at Review Centre to obtain a good idea about the best models on the market today.
Is it easy to set up a Sat Nav?
As a rule, portable systems just need a bracket to fix them onto your windscreen. They can frequently use your dashboard cigarette lighter as a power source. Some built-in systems may require a expert fitter even though this is unlikely to be expensive. Make sure you check how easy it is to set up before making a sat nav purchase. Phone based devices are becoming more and more popular. These are slightly more complicated and may require extra software to be downloaded before you can use them. You may also need to upgrade your mobile phone contract.
Can Sat Navs detect Speed Cameras?
Laser and radar detectors have always been legal despite worries to the contrary. In 1998 the Queens Bench Divisional Court confirmed this. The UK Department for Transport is currently looking in to the legal and safety issues surrounding speed camera detectors. Any changes to the law are liable to be a long way off and if changes do happen they are unlikely to hinder what is a significant growing market.
