Sat Nav Recommendations

[jj]

I'm happy knowing I've always got my sat nav, it's one less thing to pack/forget. Each to their own, though.

Agreed, I even managed to find a free state-by-state app that was completely offline for a trip to the US at christmas. Had it been a standalone tomtom I am sure it would not have been as easy or cheap (it was a free app).

Only slight pain is the 3gb that the tom-tom app takes up and having to remove some things off my phone to put it back on for eurotrips.

[mxvx]

Do all the phone nav apps work without data usage? If not, you would need full europe data for the time which relies on good signal

Rule of thumb is free ones use data, paid ones have their own maps and are standalone.

/awaits someone popping up saying X is free with free maps loaded to the phone...

Genuinely don't know why you'd buy dedicated hardware any more. If you don't want your phone active, stick it in airplane mode and use an app with maps built in. £30 for an expensive map app with all europe mapping versus three figures for a comparable bit of standalone hardware that isn't flexible. I'm happy knowing I've always got my sat nav, it's one less thing to pack/forget. Each to their own, though.

Does seem like the best solution (if you have a big enough screen). My iphone 6+ is about the same size as my garmin widescreen (but not quite). What app do you use and do you know how much space it eats up?
Thanks

[Shug]

Do all the phone nav apps work without data usage? If not, you would need full europe data for the time which relies on good signal

Rule of thumb is free ones use data, paid ones have their own maps and are standalone.

/awaits someone popping up saying X is free with free maps loaded to the phone...

Genuinely don't know why you'd buy dedicated hardware any more. If you don't want your phone active, stick it in airplane mode and use an app with maps built in. £30 for an expensive map app with all europe mapping versus three figures for a comparable bit of standalone hardware that isn't flexible. I'm happy knowing I've always got my sat nav, it's one less thing to pack/forget. Each to their own, though.

Does seem like the best solution (if you have a big enough screen). My iphone 6+ is about the same size as my garmin widescreen (but not quite). What app do you use and do you know how much space it eats up?
Thanks

I don't have a standalone paid app - I use Google Maps navigation (on an Android phone) and if I'm going anywhere in particular, I'll do the map route the night before and download it for offline (a wee hidden feature in maps) The other half uses copilot and raves about it - no idea what space it takes up though - a wee google could probably find that out dependent on what maps you want to install.

[Doc883]

Recently bought a 5" Tom Tom with full European Mapping from Halfords for £89. They have deals on at the moment and if you know someone with British Cycling Membership you can get an extra 10% off.
http://www.halfords.com/technology/sat- ... _-tomtomgb

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... echtradein

[graeme]

... and download it for offline (a wee hidden feature in maps)

Well I never... top tip!

[alicrozier]

My sat nav needs are a bit specific...waterproof for example. Motorbike version or case for phone next time maybe.
Bluetooth link to headphone dongle has proved dodgy in the past and battery life issues on full day journeys...

Hence I just continue with the old (almost disposable) TomTom on a diy fixed bracket to the 'windscreen'. I put a new battery in it recently - very cheap of ebay and easy.
Phone can be charged if needed via USB and hard wired to ACS headphones for music.

Try to keep it simple but still takes me 10 mins to get everything fired up, harnesses on, helmet etc.

[Corranga]

/awaits someone popping up saying X is free with free maps loaded to the phone...

I already have

I've used Nokia HERE (free on Android) a few times for when I'm stuck. It has the advantage of allowing maps to be downloaded for offline use, so you can pre-can stuff on your phone and not end up with a massive bill for Euro data use. I found the interface to be good too.

As Ross pointed out, it's also free on Windows phones.
I must admit, I was really surprised at the £230 satnav someone on here posted. I've never spent more than £50 on mine. For that sort of money, I'd be considering a 2nd Android phone with a decent sized screen and some software due to all of the other things it could then do!

[flyingscot68]

I use two different (almost) free ones on my iPhone.
Waze is excellent in the UK. Works off data though.
I regularly listen to music and make calls with it running, you can have it up on the screen even when using the call function. Handy for cameras and police warnings. Guides you round traffic etc very well.
I use Navmii in Europe. You need to pay for the EU maps but they're only a couple of quid and you can remove/reinstall as suits to save memory.
Brought us all the way back from Innsbruck without a hitch.
A brodit holder and charger does a great job too.

Might consider a bike type waterproof separate unit for the Zenos, or maybe just a waterproof holder for the phone.
After all, if you've spent the cash on a smart phone why spend more for a sat nav?

Cheers


Sent from somewhere using something

[Ferg]

I agree in principle that a smart phone is the better solution. But when I've used for long journeys the phone gets very very hot and usually the faff between managing calls, alerts and ensuring your nav is still running ends up distracting you from driving. The beauty is though that you can get up and running with a phone and then decide if you need a dedicated unit later.

[ste7en]

Whether you end up with a stand alone unit or using your phone, I can highly recommend Ram Mounts for mounting your device in the cockpit. Not cheap but high quality, very versatile and probably the last mount you'll ever need to buy.

I use the following three components;

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/universal-ra ... c-149.html
http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/double-socke ... c-158.html
http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/xgrip%C3%82% ... 0_162.html

The universal clamp is installed on the edge of the stowage shelf just to the left of the head unit and the short, double socket arm places the holder slightly lower and to the left of the head unit. Hate things mounted to the windscreen and suction mounts always seem to drop off at the most inopportune moments for me. This mounting system is rock solid. Only thing you have to watch is taking care to place your device in the holder so as not to depress power and volume buttons.

[campbell]

Just taking a quick break from enjoying my cold beer in the sun here in Bonn

My 2p as follows.

We bought a Garmin Nuvi wide screen 3-4 years ago, after invaluable help from one during Spa trip. But it's barely been out of the box.

Why?

Because, before buying the Evora, I discovered that the Google Maps app for iPhone did all the Garmin did but bundled into a device I generally always have with me. Yes the phone gets warm and needs to be hooked up to power, realistically, but if you are following a prepped route you don't even need full data coverage (apparently). Eg, I navigated our new MINI through deepest darkest Yorkshire Dales with practically no phone coverage, yet mysteriously Google Maps Nav continued working. Granted it won't deal with new on the fly route design in such situations. Which may be more of an issue for some than others

Now, however, I have Apple Carplay through the touchscreen headunit in the Evora. This means using Apple Maps. I intend to rely upon this - plus a good ol' paper atlas my brother donated last night. I've even programmed in my hotel stops as "Favorites".

I'll also be taking my excellent screen mount for the phone - a Montar - so that I can switch to Google Maps if Apple Maps gets upset.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B ... ge_o00_s00

The Montar was great for in car video at Cadwell last year too, so doubles up for that obviously.

As for data, I think Three includes France as a Feel At Home destination, so its part of my existing package in any case.

/2p