Nokia 5230 with sat nav

Osem · 29-07-2010, 21:19

The wife's interested in one of these on Virgin but the reviews we've seen are variable (as usual) so does anyone have any first hand experience?

The sat nav option appeals as she walks a lot and likes to know where she is but is it already installed or does it have to be downloaded and most importantly is it any good?

We're all on VM PAYG right now and have VM TV (XL), landline and 2mb BB - do we qualify for any special offers/discounts via VM?

Any thoughts?

Cheers!

LondonRoad · 29-07-2010, 21:23

I don't know about that model but on my model E71 (crap - not recommended) the software was installed but you have to download maps and voices.

The sat nav stuff works OK. I normally only use it for driving but used it in walk mode when I was in London last week and it worked fine.

Peter_ · 29-07-2010, 21:24

OVI Maps are available for that phone and I use them on my Nokia 5800, I went to Scarborough and Newcastle in the car using the Satnav and you can use it for walking as well by plugging in headphones and listening to the directions if required.

http://europe.nokia.com/buy-online/n...vigation-promo

Osem · 29-07-2010, 21:44

This is one offer she's seen:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...ext%3E5230.htm

She's more interested in walking/cycling than driving so if it works well for that, great! So although it's not clear from the advert, I presume the above offer provides the sat nav application on the phone but not necessarily any maps. Are these hard to download? Do you need to buy a USB cable or could it be done via the memory card? We're both novices when it comes to mobile phones, apps, downloads etc. so keep it simple for us...

Peter_ · 29-07-2010, 21:49

I downloaded it direct using the inbuilt browser but it should have a mini USB B port fitted similar to mine and you can download it online very quickly.

It will be ideal for walking and cycling or in the car, I will be using mine next week when I go to Conway.

It can also show satellite views like google of the area if reuired.

LondonRoad · 29-07-2010, 21:53

It isn't really much use for cycling as it doesn't do cycle tracks. I also haven't identified a suitable bracket that I could use with the bike.

Osem · 29-07-2010, 21:57

Sounds ideal if we can get to grips with the techie stuff....

So are you saying she could download the maps direct to the phone via the mobile internet or via a PC and USB cable? Can't the maps be downloaded to the micro-SD card via the PC and then just slotted into the phone? Don't want to buy a cable if we don't really need one for anything else.

Cheers.

Peter_ · 29-07-2010, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

It isn't really much use for cycling as it doesn't do cycle tracks. I also haven't identified a suitable bracket that I could use with the bike.

I meant around towns and cities, I have no idea if you can get a Satnav with cycle tracks on.

OVI Maps is excellent for general use and I have no issues with it and it is less bulky as it is a mobile phone and of more use than a TomTom.

LondonRoad · 29-07-2010, 22:03

USB cable should come with the phone as standard. You have to use the Nokia Ovi software suite (can't remember if that was on the CD or I downloaded it from Nokia website) to identify your phone and you choose what maps/voices you want. You then just drag them to your phone.

It sounds more complicated than it is..... or my descripton is more complicated than it actually is.

Peter_ · 29-07-2010, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Sounds ideal if we can get to grips with the techie stuff....

So are you saying she could download the maps direct to the phone via the mobile internet or via a PC and USB cable? Can't the maps be downloaded to the micro-SD card via the PC and then just slotted into the phone? Don't want to buy a cable if we don't really need one for anything else.

Cheers.

Mine come with a mini cable in the box.

The maps download directly onto the phone as I think it needs to know which model it is in order to send down the correct files.

Osem · 29-07-2010, 22:09

Cheers guys will look into all this.

Pauls9 · 30-07-2010, 09:51

Mine didn't come with a USB cable, but they're not expensive. Compared with the hassle of getting the tiny card out of the phone, it's worth the cost.

The easiest and cheapest way to install maps and voice files is with Ovi Suite on your PC.

Compared with a dedicated GPS receiver the built-in one seems less sensitive, i.e. it can take quite some time to lock on the the satellites (or, if you're not tight like me, you could use the A-GPS which downloads data from the internet) and tends to lose lock more often. But that's made up for by the convenience.

LondonRoad · 30-07-2010, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masque

I meant around towns and cities, I have no idea if you can get a Satnav with cycle tracks on.

OVI Maps is excellent for general use and I have no issues with it and it is less bulky as it is a mobile phone and of more use than a TomTom.

You do get them for cycling. Most cities and towns have some cycle route infrastructure in place. I did read in a cycle magazine sometime ago that ovi had developed software for cycling but it doesn't seem to be an option for me to download. It may be available for some Nokia models.

TBH I haven't looked too closely into it because I tend to follow the same routes everyday into work. The route suggested by ovi when I did try it out was quite scary. Even with the motorway option turned off

Pauls9 · 30-07-2010, 10:33

LondonRoad: IIRC you're in or near Glasgow? When my wife and I were using Ovi navigation through Glasgow recently, we passed under the M8 and were amongst some tall buildings. The sat nav told us to "as soon as possible, turn round, then turn round." After we both shouted at it and then ignored its instructions, it stopped talking to us until I reinstalled the maps and voice files.

It may be my imagination, but does yours put on a tetchy sarcastic tone of voice if you miss a turning or think you know better?

Osem · 30-07-2010, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauls9

....told us to "as soon as possible, turn round, then turn round." After we both shouted at it and then ignored its instructions, it stopped talking to us...

...... a tetchy sarcastic tone of voice if you miss a turning or think you know better?

Sounds a bit like my wife...