SAT NAV

[steve_b_wales]

I'm looking at getting a very basic Sat Nav, just to get from A-B. It's for my daughter, who would probably use it on 'long' journeys, twice a year, so don't want to pay out too much.

Any recommendations?

 

 

[Muddy Funker]

Have a look into a mobile phone app called Waze. I bought a clip for a couple of quid so phone can be secured to dash (air vent) and a car charger as it eats battery.

Had great results and because everyone that has it is connected you can give and receive live updates, speed cameras, debris in road, hazards ect.

 

Might be worth a look.

 

 

Edit: https://www.waze.com/

Edited November 30, 2016 by Muddy Funker

[ph5172]

I have tried a few and i find the TOMTOM ranges about the best.

 

RAC do one that is excellent but pricy.

 

 

We did try a cheap £30 one from the Bay and it was actually very good

 

 

I think they are all much of a muchness now and it really boils down to any extra features (traffic and the ability to add height and width restrictions) and what interface you prefer (as i said i find TOMTOM the easiest)

[wymberley]

I would imagine that they're all pretty much the same, with similar update facilities. I can't fault my Tom Tom which I don't currently use as there's one pre-installed in the car. However, the latter (X Trail) does not do post codes but street addresses - a right pain particularly for many hotel locations. Avoid this type.

[steve_b_wales]

Have a look into a mobile phone app called Waze. I bought a clip for a couple of quid so phone can be secured to dash (air vent) and a car charger as it eats battery.

 

Had great results and because everyone that has it is connected you can give and receive live updates, speed cameras, debris in road, hazards ect.

 

Might be worth a look.

 

 

Edit: https://www.waze.com/

:good:This might be a good idea for her, because she's glued to her mobile phone!

[fortune]

Iv'e got both a garmin and a Tom Tom. The TT is a basic and the G is a voice control jobby. Both are even steven for their operation. I slightly prefer the display on the TT but it isnt exactly same for same as the Garmin because that one is a voice control model which is brilliant because you just call out the commands such as change route >> to >> XYZ or volume up down brightness up down. this is really good because you don't have to stop on the road to tap in different things. I chose this feature because I was suddenly diverted off the motorway to take a different route and I didn't have a clue where I was going and neither did the majority of the other divertees. the basic sat nav that I had didn't change the route. We divertees were going round and round this roundabout six abreast to try to find which road to take to get back coming south. but another thing is lifetime free updates on the maps. I know that you only said a basic cheap one but Iv'e probably had the Gar 4>5 years now and reloaded the maps for all of Europe several times and used it abroad. Probably not a lot of difference between the equivalent models. I have had to contact Garmin re setting it up to do different things and you can actually speak to someone call free in Ireland and they have been very helpful and sent me email info on settings ect. but probably TT are the same. A good thing about the TT is that when you target the next location and you press go it will give an option of use last known location so that the route start is almost instant and you don't have to wait for the thing to find a sat fix. no point in driving for some time before it finds out where the thing is so a quick start up and routing is important. Another thing is being able to undock the unit and using it to walk with to find an address or place and not leave it in the window / sun ect as sometimes the sun has made it shut down due to overheating. whatever happened years ago when we had to use a map book, read road signs and ask for directions? Another useful thing is that the Garmin displays road layouts and junctions with a split screen picture so that you can actually see the junction so that you can get in the right lane well in advance so that your not trying to cross over into other traffic lanes. Nothing worse than finding you want to be in a different lane and trying to get over to it.

Edited November 30, 2016 by fortune

[steve_b_wales]

I would imagine that they're all pretty much the same, with similar update facilities. I can't fault my Tom Tom which I don't currently use as there's one pre-installed in the car. However, the latter (X Trail) does not do post codes but street addresses - a right pain particularly for many hotel locations. Avoid this type.

I use a Tom Tom Start 25 myself, which I find very good.

[steve_b_wales]

Iv'e got both a garmin and a Tom Tom. The TT is a basic and the G is a voice control jobby. Both are even steven for their operation. I slightly prefer the display on the TT but it isnt exactly same for same as the Garmin because that one is a voice control model which is brilliant because you just call out the commands such as change route >> to >> XYZ or volume up down brightness up down. this is really good because you don't have to stop on the road to tap in different things. I chose this feature because I was suddenly diverted off the motorway to take a different route and I didn't have a clue where I was going and neither did the majority of the other divertees. the basic sat nav that I had didn't change the route. We divertees were going round and round this roundabout six abreast to try to find which road to take to get back coming south. but another thing is lifetime free updates on the maps. I know that you only said a basic cheap one but Iv'e probably had the Gar 4>5 years now and reloaded the maps for all of Europe several times and used it abroad. Probably not a lot of difference between the equivalent models. I have had to contact Garmin re setting it up to do different things and you can actually speak to someone call free in Ireland and they have been very helpful and sent me email info on settings ect. but probably TT are the same. A good thing about the TT is that when you target the next location and you press go it will give an option of use last known location so that the route start is almost instant and you don't have to wait for the thing to find a sat fix. no point in driving for some time before it finds out where the thing is so a quick start up and routing is important. Another thing is being able to undock the unit and using it to walk with to find an address or place and not leave it in the window / sun ect as sometimes the sun has made it shut down due to overheating. whatever happened years ago when we had to use a map book, read road signs and ask for directions?

Cheers. I've got a Tom Tom myself and find that it suits my needs. It's used probably three times a year.

[steve_b_wales]

app called navmii free and its very good i like it better than tom tom and the bult in nav in my car

Thanks. I'll mentioned this and the other App to my daughter.

[wymberley]

Actually, Steve, thanks for posting. It got me thinking as my car is 2008 and I found this:

 

http://www.satnavdvd.co.uk/2013-nissan-xanavi-x7-navigation-sat-nav-map-update-disc-226-p.asp

 

Might have a punt - but it still doesn't do post codes

[Davyo]

Currently using Tomtom app on build in Galaxay 7a tablet, works a treat, have used waze/Navmmi,but although free (once you pay to get rid of the constant adds) i found both Navmii and Waze , missed junctions.

[Gordon R]

Avoid Mio. Can't be updated and pretty poor.

[Muddy Funker]

Currently using Tomtom app on build in Galaxay 7a tablet, works a treat, have used waze/Navmmi,but although free (once you pay to get rid of the constant adds) i found both Navmii and Waze , missed junctions.

 

I've not had any ads on Waze? Not paid anything yet either.

[McSpredder]

Bought a basic 4.3" Garmin Nuvi 40 about three years ago. At that time any satnav with lifetime maps was costing over £120, so I got this end-of-line model as Currys were selling them off for £39. When it gets too out of date I shall look for another special offer.

 

Generally very good. Main niggle is that options are to choose either (A) the fastest route, or (B) a route avoiding all motorways. If I opt for the fastest route, it seems desperately keen to push me onto motorways all the time. There does not seem to be any way of saying “I’ll go on a motorway if necessary, but would generally prefer to stay on ordinary roads.”

 

Quite a lot of comparison info on here: http://satnav-discounts.co.uk/gb/

[benspain_uk]

I just use google maps on my phone. Simply type in destination and then press the blue car button. It auto-downloads the entire route so doesn't need a constant connection so I do this just before I leave the house. It is also very good at avoiding known traffic problems and roadworks and always seems to sort out the best route very well. Only downside if if you end of going off route it does need an internet connection to sort you out.

 

The only other one I have is navmii as stated above as this downloads the maps to your phone, so can re-route you without needing a connection. Seems to work just as well as any other without costing me a penny but due to the maps being stored on the phone - it does take up a fair bit of space..

[Davyo]

 

I've not had any ads on Waze? Not paid anything yet either.

I think its Navmii sorry,just feed back from people i have installed tablets into cars for have claimed.We normally put either Waze or Navmii on the tabs as they are free.However i was asked to put Tomtom on an ipad that i installed but said i'd install it 1st on mine.Anyhow my opinion is i think its great and the traffic updates in realtime is spot on.That impressed i took out 3yr subscription and use it on three different devices.

[old_n07]

As already mentioned, the Tomtom app on a smartphone is a good one, you can try it for free (limited miles per month) and it is £14.99 per year or £34.99 for three years unlimited usage - this includes map updates and live traffic + speed camera warnings. You just download the map you want to your phone and the routing is all off line so you only use data when it does the live traffic updates.

Edited November 30, 2016 by old_n07

[Gordon R]

McSpredder - fair point about motorways. You need to know roughly where you are going in the first place. My sat nav took us three times around Wrexham and twice round a village near Tenby. Not impressed.

[Rupert]

I just use google maps on my phone

Edited November 30, 2016 by Rupert

[steve_b_wales]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I think my daughter does use an App on her mobile, but she borrows my SatNav sometimes.

[Vince Green]

Just remember its illegal to use a phone when driving, and the law doesn't say apps are exempt. Pedantic I know.

[Rupert]

Just remember its illegal to use a phone when driving, and the law doesn't say apps are exempt. Pedantic I know.

Doesnt the law use the word "electronic device", perception has projected this on to phones

[Chris Bb]

I have a Tom Tom which is good for me and it came with free-for-life map updates. My only complaint is that many "temporary" speed limits and cameras don't get removed but I do find that looking out of the window occasionally does help!

 

I have Navmii on my iPhone which is very good but does eat the phone's battery. It updates as you go along if it "learns" of accidents or delays, something the Tom Tom doesn't do.

 

Note that all satnavs will, at some time, send you down farm tracks and through obscure villages even though there's a perfectly good motorway only a few yards away. At least have an idea of your route before setting out.

 

I would imagine that they're all pretty much the same, with similar update facilities. I can't fault my Tom Tom which I don't currently use as there's one pre-installed in the car. However, the latter (X Trail) does not do post codes but street addresses - a right pain particularly for many hotel locations. Avoid this type.

 

I recently asked a taxi driver why he was using a Tom Tom when his car (a Peugeot) had a built in GPS on the dash. He explained that the built in one only accepted latitude and longitude as destinations and not many people knew those co-ordinates whereas they nearly all knew their postcode!

[Rewulf]

I have a Tom Tom which is good for me and it came with free-for-life map updates. My only complaint is that many "temporary" speed limits and cameras don't get removed but I do find that looking out of the window occasionally does help!

 

I have Navmii on my iPhone which is very good but does eat the phone's battery. It updates as you go along if it "learns" of accidents or delays, something the Tom Tom doesn't do.

 

Note that all satnavs will, at some time, send you down farm tracks and through obscure villages even though there's a perfectly good motorway only a few yards away. At least have an idea of your route before setting out.

 

 

I recently asked a taxi driver why he was using a Tom Tom when his car (a Peugeot) had a built in GPS on the dash. He explained that the built in one only accepted latitude and longitude as destinations and not many people knew those co-ordinates whereas they nearly all knew their postcode!

 

Navmii will use a lot of battery,basically because your phone has everything running in its woken up state.

Screen,internet,gps will soon work its way through battery levels on a few hour trip.

A car charger left plugged in sorts this out.

I use an older phone,no sim in,and just keep that as a gps device,navmii for road and Maverick pro for off road.

Its a little slower to pick up a gps signal,because it doesnt have the sim/internet to assist it,but once locked its fine.

The difference in battery life is amazing.

I always check the route it gives me first though ,sometimes it can be a little weird.

[fruitloop]

google maps its up to date and tells you of traffic jams and free to anyone who has a smart phone