Targa Satellite Nav System PNA E3530 in Lydl

mcrowley

I am wondering if anybody knows if the Targa sat nav advertised in Lydl for 99 euro is worth bying. It sounds good on the spec but I don't much about sat navs and what to look for

deckstunt

Yeah it does look good. I have never used a Tagra Sat Nav but the graphics and layout of the "operating system" look good. I tried to find an online manual for the PNA E3530 but could only find one for the PNA E3520 here: http://tinyurl.com/5wcebh

It does give some idea of the functions and graphics etc.

There is some specific info for the PNA E3530 here:http://tinyurl.com/66g7h7

There is some more info on the "operating system" from Sygic here:http://www.sygic.com/manuals/manual_en.html and they have an annimation of the software in action here:http://sygic.com/oem/index.html

Tele Atlas is one of the 2 main suppliers of Sat Nav mapping. Their maps of Ireland are fairly good. I think Navteq, the other main supplier is supposed to have a little bit more coverage for Ireland, but i wouldn't have a problem with Tele Atlas. Plus getting the maps for Europe at that price is great value. I would expect to just get UK & Ireland for that money.

Also Lidl are great to deal with, keep your recipt, open the package carefully and try it out for a day or two. If you don't like it bring it back and they will give you a refund. The 3 year warranty is exceptionally good too.

If you do buy it for a test run, try it in built up areas with tall buildings and in forested areas to see if it can keep a lock on the satelite signal.


Also, if you can get to a Lidl in Northern Ireland you'll get it for £69 which is around €82! http://tinyurl.com/5mpj2z

GoneShootin

How would these compare to ones from Garmin and the like? Whats the battery life like on it? I see it doesn't take AA or whatever, which is a balls as the ciggie light in my car ain't working no more [given as i whipped it out]

rinnin

I thought there'd be more of a discussion about this.
Tried finding my house on the TeleAtlas website and it hasnt a clue. Feckin rediculous not having postcodes in this crappy country! :mad:
Was thinking of asking for this for christmas but the 28 day lidl returns policy runs out on St Stephens day. Dunno what to do now.

Naos

One of the lads in work has just spotted this and got us worked up about it.

Looking for reviews online and can find nothing though, so if someone could shed some more light on this it would be great!

Ferocious

Just got one at lunchtime. Don''t know a whole lot about sat navs and haven't had much time to play with it.
The interface looks good and seems easy to use but the main problem was it couldn't pick up a signal indoors. Driving back to work (Galway city), it indicated that it had found 3-4 signals but on the map it still said something like 'waiting for suitable signal'. There is a diagram - three concentric circles - which indicates that the signals it was recieving where weak - on the outer circle. A series of bars (one for each sat its in contact with) indicates the signal strength on the map. These were about halfway for three signals but the unit couldn't identify my location and stayed on the map which opened on initiallisation. Maybe there's some sort of simple re-set procedure, although I powered it off and on?
Again, I didn't have a whole lot of time to troubleshoot it, but I'd imagine it should have been able to pick up more/stronger signals...

rinnin

Ferocious wrote: »

.... but the main problem was it couldn't pick up a signal indoors. Driving back to work (Galway city), it indicated that it had found 3-4 signals but on the map it still said something like 'waiting for suitable signal'....

Well you have to be outside to pick up a signal and sometimes you need to keep it stationary (like on your dashboard when you're parked) to pickup full signal strength before you can start driving off.
My Dad has a Garmin and if you're driving when you turn it on it wont be able to find your location, unless you're stuck at traffic lights for a good while.

Would be interested to find out how you get on Ferocious when you get time to test it.

Ferocious

Oh right rinnin. Its just that I've seen a Binatone and some other brand I can't remember having no problems getting signal indoors. I wouldn't be too worried as long as it worked out on the road so maybe the movement (or lack of) might sort it. Thanks.

rinnin

I read somewhere that someone with a Lidl Sat Nav from last year had trouble with the touch screen - as though the buttons were misaligned when you used the keyboard to put in an address. Is this the case with todays Lidl one?
Thanks

Naos

Went over just there, all sold out.

rinnin

Naos wrote: »

Went over just there, all sold out.

Bummer. Maybe try a different branch. Seems to always be one closeby.

breakin_ball

Hi,

I got one of these...seems ok for the money, but very basic.
You can navigate into the file structure, and voice files have the following formats:

2 x .pak
1 x configuration file
1 x wav test sound file

This is very different and proprietary comapred to other well known brands.
Anyone know where to get other voices?

All help appreciated.

IrishHomer

Sorry to dig up this old thread:o

Pal of mine has one of these Lidle Targa Sat Navs and he is trying to find our can US maps be put onto it? He cannot find the manual.

deckstunt

If its the same as the above the "operating" system details are here:http://www.sygic.com/manuals/manual_en.html and Targa here:http://tinyurl.com/66g7h7

If you ask some one at those website they might be able to tell you if US maps can be put on it.

Usually Lidl equipment comes with a web address and or helpline phone number on a sticker on the back. That may give a website where you caan download a copy of the lost manual.


There is a great source for free Sat Nav maps at: http://www.openstreetmap.org

Wikipedia info:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap

Its a collaborative, Creative Commons type effort, so Ireland for example is by no means 100% covered,but it is not bad, and is getting better all the time. Bigger countries with bigger poulations are usually much better mapped. Also AFAIK because US federal government copyright is much more lenient, the US maps are extremely well done.

The download page for Garmin SatNav maps is here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

biko

Sorry for the bump but LIDL is selling Targas again at €99.99, which seems to be a good price.

Ferocious, are you still using yours in Galway?
Anyone used it in UK?

Btw, it seems you cannot update the maps or points of interest, which seriously limits the device.
Then what are the slots for for?

ongarite

Magnus wrote: »

Sorry for the bump but LIDL is selling Targas again at €99.99, which seems to be a good price.

Ferocious, are you still using yours in Galway?
Anyone used it in UK?

Btw, it seems you cannot update the maps or points of interest, which seriously limits the device.
Then what are the slots for for?

I will probably pick this up next week as its got some excellent potential as touch screen pocket pc.
Its a MIO PNA based device so you can install MioPocket through SD card or internal memory and convert it into useful little device with loads of nice applications.

Ferocious

Magnus,

I haven't used mine in quiet a while. The holder for the unit which attaches to the windscreen also doubles as the charger. That part is gone AWOL on me, probably due to a couple of car changes a while a ago. It's ok for the money but i didn't find it great around Dublin - the permanent road works off the motorway can't help though

biko

ongarite wrote: »

I will probably pick this up next week as its got some excellent potential as touch screen pocket pc.
Its a MIO PNA based device so you can install MioPocket through SD card or internal memory and convert it into useful little device with loads of nice applications.

Hope you're right but their site says:
Software & configuration: Installation of additional software
Unfortunately it is not possible to install additional software.

Also I couldn't find anything conclusive googling it.

Ferocious wrote: »

Magnus,
I haven't used mine in quiet a while. The holder for the unit which attaches to the windscreen also doubles as the charger. That part is gone AWOL on me, probably due to a couple of car changes a while a ago. It's ok for the money but i didn't find it great around Dublin - the permanent road works off the motorway can't help though

Thanks, I think I'll give the Targa a miss. To me it's important to be able to update the maps and POIs which this device can't do.
Also it only has UK/IRL so can't bring it with me to Europe.

ongarite

The manual for the Targa is here:
http://www.service.targa.co.uk/dokumente/PNA-E3530_manual_EN.pdf

You can edit the existing POI & create new POI. The manual also confirms it comes with full European maps (page 104 of manual).

biko

I went and got a Tomtom XL instead

YouNeek

ongarite wrote: »

The manual for the Targa is here:
http://www.service.targa.co.uk/dokumente/PNA-E3530_manual_EN.pdf

You can edit the existing POI & create new POI. The manual also confirms it comes with full European maps (page 104 of manual).

Actually, that link is for the PNA-E3530.
The model Lidl were selling today was the PNA-3530N. Manual is here:

http://www.service.targa.co.uk/dokumente/PNA-E3530N_manual_EN.pdf

Page 106 confirms maps are for GB & IE, so I think I'll be bringing it back!!

David Comerford

Hello I have a lidl sat nav E3540N, originally made by Targa, but I have lost installation disc, Help!!!