Sat Nav Recommendations

[C7Steve]

Thinking of getting a satnav for the Frolic to make navigation a little less stressful. I will still have a map too, but the satnav is really useful when navigating in built-up areas and on complex roads.

Looking for any advice on which models to purchase and any features that may be useful (ie Lane Assist). It would be a separate unit and not a built-in type that I plan to purchase.

Thanks in advance.


Cheers,

Steve.

[alicrozier]

I wouldn't be without one Steve. I have an old TomTom but get on ok with the integral Alpine unit in the Evora.

Key features I would look for are euro maps, as big a screen as possible and the lane assist is really useful when there is traffic. RDS based traffic warning/re-routing has proved useful but some phone data based systems can be expensive depending on your roaming plan.

I'd avoid paying more for any other gimmick type an ons.
Cheers,
Ali

[Fluoxetine]

I looked at getting one of these before I bought the Beemer (which has the pro nav fitted, containing many similar features).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-European ... om+go+6000

3D city maps, lane assist, real time traffic and dynamic guidance (think it has a sim card soldered to the motherboard - works across the EU at no extra charge), lifetime updates and a big screen

[mxvx]

Steve, I have a (widescreen) Garmin with Europe coverage you can borrow if you like?

I can get the model later if you want to check for the features but believe it to be pretty decent spec (about 1 yr old)

[graeme]

Tom Tom app for iPhone or Android.

Haven't used a windscreen-stuck nav for years now. Phone app is ideal, and way cheaper, and always there.

[Shug]

Not sure if it's still the case, but phone apps also had the advantage (last time I looked at a dedicated sat nav) that they run far faster processors, so can update much more quickly and smoothly. Doesn't seem an issue until you're in a busy city centre one-way system. Something like Copilot on iOS or even Google's own Nav app on Android is all you ever need IMO. Get a good mount for the phone and a USB charger for the cigar lighter socket.

[Corranga]

I use an old cheap TomTom which does me fine here in the UK. Some of the maps are a little old - driving to Edinburgh airport places me in the middle of a field so something with lifetime map updates would be better, plus buying maps separately is usually expensive so get Euro maps included. Works well with TYRE software for setting up routes for runs too

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.

[Ferg]

After Spaz last year where I had to stay welded to someone's bumper as I didn't have one and then getting properly lost on a run to Aberdeen in the autumn I decided it was essential. I got a Garmin Widescreen, with large screen. Have to say I'm very impressed. The live traffic feed and camera warning stuff is far better than I imagined it would be.

I went for a dedicated unit because the live data comes over FM radio, not data connection so you are not beholden to GSM network. Very little faffing about. Sure it doesn't do some of the crazy 3D building stuff you get on some of the phone options now, but the way it tells you which lane to be in for exits and explains where the hold ups are in your journey are excellent. Get the one with lifetime live traffic etc. sorted.

[BigD]

I had a sat nav for years for all my Euro trips etc, quite old then so no traffic data or the like, (had tomtom and a garmin) then recently started using my phone as the maps in my sat nav were all out of date. Have a decent holder for the phone etc but, (maybe it's my age) the screen is just too small. Can't read any of the trip info destination times etc etc and then you also can't use your phone at all as it'll interrupt the sat nav. Also a pain if you are listening to music from your phone and the sat nav interrupts all the time.

Imo a dedicated sat nav is better, I bought a tomtom go 60 mainly for the size of the screen but also wanted traffic info and lifetime maps so it does that well. Gets the traffic info very quickly even on roads you wouldn't expect there to be info on (although unlike garmin it needs phone data, I'll probably buy a three data sim for frolics). I'd probably get the GO6000 if I was buying again as the screen is sharper but didn't want to commit to twice the price when the cheaper one was better than any of my original sat navs anyway, and they all worked.

[rossybee]

Another voter for using the good ol' blower.

Windaes fone so Nokia HERE works brilliantly, and updates constantly so no field driving

And free to download countries of choice so worked for my trip to Spa & the 'Ring last summer

Makes my old windscreen mount nav unit seem archaic in comparison, now languishing unused under the armrest of the Vulva

[rossybee]

BigD - mine still runs in the background if you utilise one of the phone functions so no chance of missing a turn off or being warned of any speed limit breaches

[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

[BigD]

BigD - mine still runs in the background if you utilise one of the phone functions so no chance of missing a turn off or being warned of any speed limit breaches

Yep I know, but texting, calling and listening to music whilst drinking coffee and eating a sandwich tends to distract you from the sat nav and it's then easy to miss a turn.

[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.

[BigD]

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

That's the issue, if you don't want to use data in Europe then you'd have to download the maps to your phone and I never have enough space for that either.

Even with a Europe data roaming package I've had issues with loading maps etc on the phone which becomes a pain.