I gather a few of you must have these and also may have tried other systems like Road Angel for example.
I am not interested in camera detection, more in getting about avoiding traffic and general navigation.
Anyone got any opinions as I have found the SmartNav is not all I hoped it would be?

 

Really? I have found it fine so far. I am having to get the touch screen replaced mind you, but this is free and customer service is good.

 

Yep I like mine too, I like it even more that the subscription hasn't runout

 

I have found the Smartnav useless compared with Tomtom on a PDA.
When the subscription runs out then it'll be ripped out - if it isn't already by some light fingered person who sees the non-removeable screen on display.
Traffic reports are late and hopelessly optimistic.
I'd recommend Tomtom with traffic reports enabled.

Nick

 

Yes my opnion is based on it coming with the car, if I were buying one from scratch I would go with the Tom Tom I had before in the WRX. Butty I looked into removing it when I first got the car but there are very noticable holes for the wires. Would you put something else in its place or stick an air freshener on it or something ?

 

I asked Smartnav why they supplied somehting so visible and was told that there is a removeable touchscreen option. I was offered it at a reduced rate of £100 down from £200 - which I politiely declined, saying that it should be standard.
I've not looked to see how the screen is attached, but it sounds like finding replacement bits of console would be needed.
Nick

 

Isn't the tracker part of this system? You may be leaving your car without one if you remove the satnav element. I would double check this.

Personally, I hardly use it but do find the speed camera detector the best feature.

 

What I meant to say is that I'd remove the touchscreen and only pay for the tracker cost every year.
I find it very disconcerting when I travel routes that would have hadTomtom bleeping for potential mobile cameras, yet silence from Smartnav.
It will only bleep for fixed site cameras and then for ones that are permanently installed, not for temporary cameras.
Temporary sites - according to Smartnav - also includes "long term" roadworks.

nick

 

Its ok as a basic system and handy if the tomtom is in a different car, but overall, I dont rate it too highly. Much prefer my TT One with the pocket gps world databse installed. This picks up all sorts of cameras and van spots too and is right on the money.

As for the tracker element, why is it now a Smartnav tracker when I have a heap of booklets saying RAC Trackstar that came with the D when new..?? It's not quite the kind of tracker I thought it was.....

 

I was told it had an RAC Trackstar as well, but it simply wasn't the case when I tried to activate it from the SIM. Wasn't too amused as no life time subs with the smartnav one.

 

Did you get RAC Trackstar leaflets and stuff too..?

Thats a bit naughty isn't it, saying it's one of those and then we find out it isn't....? Is that not allowed..?

 

I was given the RAC trackstar pack and credit card for my wallet which has my reference and RAC emergency contact ?

 

I've also got the RAC trackstar info.
There is also a letter and little credit card from Trafficmaster confirming a subscription to Smartnav Trackstar
Nick

 

Yeah I got the paper work too, but it definitely isn't in there according to the SmartNav/Trackstar people. Ring up and ask for the lifetime subscription and you will probably get the same response as me. "You have the SmartNav system not an RAC Trackstar"... "only annual or monthly subscriptions allowed with this service".

I think it is very naughty and basically false advertising. Luckily, I am content with the satnav and camera detector from smartnav, for my very limited weekend use, so don't mind paying a tiny bit more for the tracker. You get the 3 services in a monthly sub bundle with no minimum term contract.

 

Just a tip for Spec D owners...

Had to get my touch screen replaced due to an intermitent fault and they have replaced the standard one with the removable screen FOC. As long as it is under warranty, which it will be, you can get this done.

 

Mine often comes up with communication error when I start up. I'll use that to change the thing.

nick