Help me choose a SatNav

Halcyon · 27-02-2011, 12:44

Hi,

Since I've started driving I feel a little nervous still when driving to places I don't know and thought a SatNav could help me and give me advanced warnings and help plan my journey.

Could anyone reccomend any to me. A friend said Garmin are good.

It has to be close to £100 if possible as I am limited on money at the moment.

Ideally I'd like it to show lanes and good displays of where to turn off onto roads.

I don't know much else about them so am open to suggestions.

Also if I get a UK one, can I upgrade the software to Europe later on?

Many thanks for your reccomendations.

Peter_ · 27-02-2011, 12:48

Before purchasing a standalone Satnav have you checked if the is a one that works on your mobile phone, I have a Nokia and OVI Maps are free and and as good as my daughters TomTom.

Gary L · 27-02-2011, 12:55

TomTom are the best I'd say.

papa smurf · 27-02-2011, 13:12

my old sat nav packed up a month ago so i purchased a Binatone F350 with UK and ROI GPS Sat Nav from argos £60 it works fine .

Hom3r · 27-02-2011, 13:24

TomTom hands down.

You can get Tomtoms that support bluetooth phones and use it as hands free.

Some have enough space to play MP3s.

vanman · 27-02-2011, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Hi,

Since I've started driving I feel a little nervous still when driving to places I don't know and thought a SatNav could help me and give me advanced warnings and help plan my journey.

Could anyone reccomend any to me. A friend said Garmin are good.

It has to be close to £100 if possible as I am limited on money at the moment.

Ideally I'd like it to show lanes and good displays of where to turn off onto roads.

I don't know much else about them so am open to suggestions.

Also if I get a UK one, can I upgrade the software to Europe later on?

Many thanks for your reccomendations.

word of warning ! don't just rely on the sat nav use your eyes and your common sense. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...ollen-river.do

Gary L · 27-02-2011, 13:42

A few being,
Go straight on through red lights. turn into someones drive. drive up a no entry. drive up a one way the wrong end. drive faster than you normally would because you think Jane can't keep up.

Hom3r · 27-02-2011, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanman

word of warning ! don't just rely on the sat nav use your eyes and your common sense. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...ollen-river.do

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

A few being,
Go straight on through red lights. turn into someones drive. drive up a no entry. drive up a one way the wrong end. drive faster than you normally would because you think Jane can't keep up.

Sorry but numpties that do that should be made to retake their driving test.

Sat nav is an aid.

**Hugh** · 27-02-2011, 13:57

If you have an Android phone, Google Maps with Navigation is free (and very good).

Halcyon · 27-02-2011, 14:21

Thanks for your replies so far.
I dont count on the statnav replacing my vision of the road, just as an aid to help me.

I have an iphone so will have a look if there is an app.
I thought getting a stand alone unit would be better though.

**Chris** · 27-02-2011, 14:27

A good sized screen is useful to glance at and verify a verbal instruction that you didn't quite understand - for that reason I would not choose to use a sat nav on any but the largest smartphones.

The TomTom One that we have is about 3 years old and is great. Basic, as the range goes, but does everything we need it to. The only thing with it is the map is getting a bit out of date, but we can buy an update for that when it becomes too much trouble, so no problems there.

**Hugh** · 27-02-2011, 14:28

Chris, agreed.

We used the Google Maps/Navigation on a HTC Desire, and it was very clear, and also speaks the directions.

Gary L · 27-02-2011, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

and also speaks the directions.

That's a very handy thing to have with Satnavs.

jamiefrost · 27-02-2011, 17:28

Go with your phone if you can, other wise I would go with Tom Tom best interface I've used

JJ

**Chris** · 27-02-2011, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Thanks for your replies so far.
I dont count on the statnav replacing my vision of the road, just as an aid to help me.

I have an iphone so will have a look if there is an app.
I thought getting a stand alone unit would be better though.

This review is a little old but probably still useful.

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-...iphone--663917

Remember you need to have your phone mounted safely in the car to use it effectively as a sat nav whilst driving ... just be careful you don't end up spending more on a mounting kit than you would on buying a basic sat nav system from scratch.