Sat Nav recommendation
 

was wondering whether anyone could reccomend a decent sat nav , i have a strict budget of £150 , i have had a quick look around but don't really know which is best for my money , easiest to upgrade etc .

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

I've got a Tom Tom One XL, it's a fantastic piece of kit. Massive, clear screen. Very easy to use. I'd recommend it every day of the week.

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

From Halfords Link
European maps £5 extra.

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

thanks , tom tom one xl it is :)

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

any TOMTOM gets my vote, I have the Western European one

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

Garmin has a better map update policy.

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

i've Had both a Garmin and a Tomtom.

Bought the TomTom to replace the Garmin, although saying that had no problems with the garmin it was just I had the really basic model (Streetpilot i3) and wanted to upgrade with to something with touchscreen.


Both of them Get you From A > B

Although neither of them the maps seem to be all that up2date even if you have supposedly the latest map, I've had both try to send me down roads that have been closed for for 10+ years.

I can't comment on tomtom support, but the one time I did contact garmin they were helpfull (was over some info needed to order the disc with a newer map on, some of the i3 were missing a code that was supposed to be in the box)

The tomtom I have is the Tomtom One V2 I end up taking it to work with me and using it pretty much every day, Nice bit of kit apart from the odd Map error, the mapshare thing is a good idea hopefully might help get the maps a bit more accurate.

Ideally get one with a decent sized screen since you'll be able to see more around you (I.e if its a big roundabout it will fit on the screen) and be wary of the direction given (hear storys of people driving into lakes and all sorts becuase the sat-nav said to go that way) and you'll be fine

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 370 with USA and European maps on Ebay new for just over £110.
:cool:
I went for the Garmin Nuvi because it has a headphone socket and the battery life is about 8 hours before needing a re-charge. I can now use the sat-nav on my motorbike and also use it on foot. The nuvi is also good because motorways can be turned off and the unit can be used by learner motorcycle riders. BTW it's not waterproof so can only be used on dry days or needs to be put in a waterproof plastic bag when being used on a motorbike in bad weather.

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

I got a Magellan Maestro 4010 from Sainsburys for £29.99 (Actually I bought two, one for a christmas present for someone else) They aren't as good as a Tom Tom in mapping terms but for thirty quid I'm not whinging. Especially has it has bluetooth too ! :)

Updateable and Safety cameras preloaded.

(I just had to drive to Harrogate to get them !!!!)

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

Someone may be interested in the Garmin Nuvi 310 at £62.50 + VAT (free delivery) here:
http://cpc.farnell.com/AV18457/gps-i...sku=garmin-310

UK + Ireland mapping
Free updates for 12 months
Bluetooth handsfree

More product details here:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=398

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

There is only one SatNav and that is TomTom

Re: Sat Nav reccomendation
 

I've had a garmin and a tomtom and both have their upsides and downsides.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I've just bought a TomTom 1. You can get the traffic receiver kit from Amazon for £18.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Another vote for the TomTom One here. We got one last Christmas and it does the job perfectly. Gets you from A to B, clearly and (usually) without bizarre route choices.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Here's a review of the Garmin Nuvi 300/350. These are very similar to the one listed above but without the Bluetooth hands-free feature.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/garmin-nuvi-review.php

Loads more info about satnav elsewhere on that site.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

You want one of these:

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/sat-nag/index.html

;)

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I've tried a few and the best for what it's meant for. getting you from AtoB has to be the TomTom.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

CPC are running another offer, this time for the Garmin C550. This is an old model with rather bulky styling but it's a top of the range device with extra features such as European mapping, text-to-speech to read out road names, bluetooth mobile hands-free, MP3 player and free traffic info. Add to that, Garmin offers free map updates for 12 months from when you first register and compatible mapping software for your PC.

Only £74.95 plus VAT (free delivery)
http://cpc.farnell.com/garmin/c550/g...0/dp/AV1851743

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/as...0/en/cf-lg.jpg

More info:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=385#
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/07/g...550_review.php

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Excellent price, shame there out of stock.

We brought a Garmin Nuvi 300t from Tesco 2 weeks ago for £75, must say I dont know how I have managed so long without one :o:

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I use tomtom on my mobile, perfect for someone like me. Anyway maybe it's another option for some other people too. :tu:

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

This seems like a good price. :)

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I would give the new Tom Toms a wide berth. Just replaced my old 510 with a 730 and it's clear that they have made some quality compromises. The display isn't as vivid as the older models, the volume of the voice commands is too low, battery life is rubbish, the voice distorts when the battery drops below half way and the screen randomly flickers :( absolute crap, I'm seriously considering returning it.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Now in stock:

http://cpc.farnell.com/garmin/c550/g...550/dp/AV18517

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Now on special offer at £69.95 + VAT:

http://cpc.farnell.com/garmin/c550/g...0/dp/AV1851741

Note: these are manufacturer refurbs but still have a 12-month warranty.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I had a Navman which I bought about four years ago. As you might expect, the road maps are never completely uptodate which I accept (there's always changes, and they need to plot the roads before they can map them).

I paid about £100 for new maps - which is fine (although still missing some changes on the A1/M62 area).

Now I see they're not doing any further updates (firmware or maps) to this model.

Not that I use a Sat Nav that much, but if I bought another, I would make sure it had the promise of future updates. (I think TomTom do promise that updates will always be available).

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

That's right, Tom Tom give you a latest map guarantee when you buy a new unit. It is worth bearing in mind that even their "latest" maps are still hopelessly out of date though.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Better than forking out something like £300 for the unit, and then another £100 for maps, only to have the whole thing obselete within a further two years.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Beware though.. see my post a few up. I bought a new 730 a few weeks ago and to be brutally honest it really isn't very good at all.

Main issues:

Extremely quiet navigation instructions.

Speaker distorts and screen flickers when the battery hits 50%

Full charge lasts just over an hour even with battery saving measures enabled (3 hours with my old 510)

Shame really because everything else about it, especially the new mounts can't be faulted.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Garmin offer lifetime updates for European mapping for £99.99

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=256

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Bumping the thread and wondering if anyone can recommend one now. I want something that's easy to use, speed camera alerts, maybe road traffic updates (tho not essential)... It's to be used by the wife when she's on her own - I've never owned a sat nav but she's worried about some long trips she has to make on her own soon.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I just bought a tom tom today for hubbys birthday and so far it seems to be easy to use. Now have to figure out why it wont stay on the windscreen. I put it on and turned the wheel to lock it but it keeps falling of :(

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

You have to make sure your windscreen is DEAD clean: no bits of muck or grease before sticking it on or it will fall off when you least want/expect it to.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Thanks Peter. Another job on the list so for tomorrow. :(

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

No probs :) I'd had enough of mine falling off into the footwell. Don't forget to wipe the screen after you take it off as well to remove any traces of it being there. Little scrotes who break into cars tend to look for these things before they break in and rummage around in your glove box for the goodies even if the satnav isn't there.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Ya I saw that on a tv programme. A criminal who was very proudly showing the cars that they go for to steal. The one thing he said he looked out for was the mark on the windscreen for the SatNavs. He was quite proud showing of how they get into the cars and what to look out for :shocked:

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Does anyone have opinions on either of the following:

Garmin Nuvi 265WT Sat Nav - UK, ROI & Europe - £139
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165685#dtab

Mio Navman 575 Traffic Sat Nav - UK, ROI & Europe £149.00
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165685#dtab

Which one would you go for?

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I find TomToms to be the easiest to use and would always go for one of them to be honest.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

You can get that cheaper at Amazon - around £60 for the same. (Actually you get a voucher but the end result is the same.)

---------- Post added at 11:26 ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 ----------

Solve the windscreen issue with a dash mat. Essential a heavy beanbag with a plate in the middle to attach satnav to. If parking somewhere dodgy simply take every thing out though most times I just leave it all there, unit included.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I have always found mio devices to be a pain to use and to upgrade, go with the Garmin there is FAR more support to be found for them.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Thanks tweetiepooh for your help

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

me too, except it cost's a lot to get a new map, £34 a year.
unless of course you decide to go the internet ahem:naughty: route.
(did you see what I did there? :D route... sat nav???........I'll get me coat:Sprint:........where's me tom tom:))

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

TOM TOM is the best.

---------- Post added at 20:37 ---------- Previous post was at 20:36 ----------


You don't need to spend £34 year on new maps.

I've had mine for nearly 4 years and nev needed to update the map.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

neither did I, till it/I got lost on a trip to cornwall because of new roads. That's when I went the "internet route" (see that... I did it again...:))and downloaded the new maps and apps.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I went for the garmin. It had very good reviews compared against more expensive tom toms. The free traffic updates for life were a small factor when deciding, but the thing that swung it was the bluetooth. I'd have had to pay a bit extra for that on tom tom.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Glad you were able to find something you liked in the end. ;)

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

The only issue I had in cornwall/devon was the A30 it tried to take me of the A30 to get me on it. But I didn't leave the A30 as I knew I had to stay on it until Hayle (nr St. Ives)

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

My unit took us off the main road and we rejoined just past the a huge line of stationary traffic. Sometimes that detour is for a reason.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I assume that you have traffic information on your unit either free or paid for as otherwise the unit would plow on regardless.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

I do but once the unit has worked out the detour it won't tell you why it's going that way just a nice green icon showing no delays.

Re: Sat Nav recommendation
 

Careful with the new TomTom's (1000 series) as they are now a new OS and a closed system which means you cannot add anything unapproved to them such as POIs unless you get them from TomTom.