Maplin drops a 99 GPS nav, the AYTOBE
By Nilay Patel 
posted May 2nd 2007 6:02AM
posted May 2nd 2007 6:02AM
[Via Tech Digest]
posted May 2nd 2007 6:02AM
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Wow, maplin selling something for a decent price? Never thought i would see the day...
The offer is only on until 15/05/2007 so snap 'em up quick!
If you are looking for a sub $200 gps unit in the US, check out the Mio c310. It got all the maps pre-installed and it's based on WinCE, there's a ton of hacks you can do with it (you can even install TomTom on it if you want).
I absolutely hate the non-word "hella" - there's nothing wrong with the word "very" so, please, use that instead.
And "deets"? Sure, use this when speaking, but slang like this only detriments the written word.
As I work for Maplin, I've actually had a chance to play with a few of these before we sold them off. While it's not a Garmin or a TomTom, it certainly does the job well for under £100. Out of about 30 that my store had in stock, we've only had 2 returned, which isn't bad considering what we normally sell.
And like Nightmare stated, the offer ends on the 15th, but it's likely to stay the same price next promotion if we manage to keep them in stock.
I've been looking at this for a couple of days and I just need to know the answer to one question; does it automatically re-calculate your route if you take a wrong turn or ignore its instructions?
Is that a remote? I can easily envisage seeing some retard driving while controlling his SatNav with the remote.
I guess jazzle has nothing better to add, other than his absurd protection of the English language. Sad people like this really get me annoyed.
However, if any of you are thinking of buying this, its £93 delivered when you sign up to the newsletter (via a voucher code).
Also, another GPS/PDA worth a look is the HP IPAQ rx5720 Travel Companion which can be purchased from expansys for £134.28 delivered but with the £30 HP rebate this works out to be £104.28 for GPS with Tom Tom 6 and a PDA – pretty damn good!
To see the “deets” (bet you like that eh jazzle) of the rebate look here http://www.dabs.com/images/Article/PDF/MorePC.pdf
Does anyone know if this GPS thingy is a talking one?
Yes it is.
This device has no europe maps and its unlikely the UK maps within it can be updated or will be by the makers.
This GPS can be hacked to run TT however.
a UK only GPS?
i guess that could be functional for some, but thats a pretty limited market, kinda like selling a GPS in the US in 3 or 4 state map packages.
sounds like your getting what your paying for.
Comparing the UK to three average US states is a tad silly...
but 4 comparing it to 4 large states is not.
the whole western seaboard of the US is 3 states, and that would be equal to or larger than the UK. Now if i was talking NH, RI, and VT i could see where your coming from.
hell, even texas with any 3 surrounding states would be larger.
Seeing as many of the folks I know in the US have hardly been outside their own state, not sure why Grant is criticizing a UK only GPS - those sold in the US typically don't include Canada or Mexico... duhh!!
"If you are looking for a sub $200 gps unit in the US, check out the Mio c310. It got all the maps pre-installed and it's based on WinCE, there's a ton of hacks you can do with it (you can even install TomTom on it if you want)."
Actually the newer Mio C220 has newer updated maps and can be had for that same price ($199) at both Staples and Circuit City stores this week. They're much better choices than the low end Garmin or Magellan products.
guess nobody saw the sunday ad for compusa? JVC eAvinu for $169.99!
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=343921&pfp=flash
i also work for maplin and all i can say u get what u pay for. Shadowise what store do u work at. i work at store 4
UK AYTOBE owners may like to know there is now a Yahoo Group set up for support.
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/aytobe/
yes it does and quite quick as well happy with mine although map a bit out of date and cant seem to get info on getting new one ok 99 quid cant complain
A.why are you commenting on a 2 month old thread?
B.It sounds like you need new friends in the US, since most of the people who have GPS's that i know use them primarily for out of state travel.
C.if you need help guiding yourself in a 15 miles radius of your home, you need to get out more. Since GPSs are typically over $300 i would assume people wouldn't buy one unless planning a trip away from home was too burdensome. I recently went to alaska and i brought along a garmin nuvi 350 and it was about 100x easier than trying to find things with a good ol' paper map.
Also, any decent GPS includes canada, i wouldn't use anything that didn't, because the chip set would probably take a half an hour just to connect with the satellite.
And everyone knows mexico doesn't have real roads, and if you're an american in mexico, you probably shouldn't be operating a car.
1. Grant - why are you commenting on post over a month old?
2. Anyone who didn't get hold of one the AyToBe units from Maplins will now have to wait until the new model arrives as it has now sold out. Keep an eye on http://www.aytobe.co.uk
because i get email updates if people comment, just like everyone else.
b. no one cares