Sat Nav for the SatNavVirgin!?!?!

bigmomma051204

As the post suggests, i am virginal when it comes to satnavs....have never had one but am starting a job which will take me around cotswold villages and surrounding area o which i know nothing lol, so figure i may have to now give up my anti-satnav priniciples and get one!!!

I have no clue about them (but am quite okay at using stuff once i have fiddled around a bit!!) at all so need something simple-ish which basically gets me from A to B. Thats pretty much it! I am sure they will have other features (maybe a speed camera detecting one might be useful if there are such things - are these mega loads more??!) but i really just need to NOT get lost in the cotswold countryside (unless i PLAN on doing so and have a nice picnic with me..)

So whats a good basic but quality Sat Nav? Anyone recommend any in particular?? Plus i have read on other threads about having to "upgrade on t'internet" etc etc.....do i have to do this often? does it cost lots??

Also, when i buy the satnav, can i basically get it out the box and use it? I understand i may have to charge batteries or some such (???!) but apart form that i mean??

Sorry for waffling on!!!!!!

geewhiz

I have the Garmin Nuvi 250 and can highly recommend it after having a Navman and returning it due to various faults.

I paid £230 for it but it's now only £99 in Argos, for that price you also get European maps.

As for your other questions:

• Yes they can be used out the box as soon as they are charged, even before charging if you just plug it into the car.
• No real need to update or buy new maps as how likely is it that a new road will be built in your area and you won't know about it. Maps cost about £50-£100 to upgrade anyway. The garmin comes with a months free speed camera updates which is useful so you know you are up to date.
• Be aware the speed camera warnings are for fixed cameras and temporary camera locations, they do not detect laser guns etc !

There's so many models to choose from now including lots of makes I've never heard off so not sure if they are worth the risk to save £40 from a decent brand name. I'm sure others will be able to comment on that.

fwor

As per the previous post, you can't really go wrong with an entry-level unit from TomTom or Garmin. I personally didn't like the user interface on the Navman units of 2 years ago, but they've probably changed completely by now.

The more expensive units in their ranges have additional features like MP3 players, mobile phone handsfree features, etc, but obviously only pay for these if you're sure you'll use them.

If you've got a Halfords nearby it's worth going in when they're not too busy and getting them to show you a couple of models. Be prepared with your excuses if you want to slide out of their hard sell and save a few quid buying the one you like on the internet instead...

alanwjones

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131342 Cheap and does the job, you can even run tom tom software on this.

gardner1

another vote for garmin nuvi 250

amcluesent

TomTom Go 720, maybe not in the bargain bucket but much better than the rest.

terrierlady

garmin takes my vote i have the bluetooth model as I need to use the phone sometimes, easy to use plus the screen changes at night to make it easy to see and in direct sunlight the screen is easy to see, not so the naviman.

Poppy9

My OH is a techno phob.

I bought him Navman s50(?) (£99 in Sainsburys). He loves it as it's simple to use and has a nice big wide screen.

bigmomma051204

erm - how about this one????

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/207423/sat-nav-garmin-nuvi-300t-99-99/

is it better than this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5041459/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CGarden%2C+DIY+and+leisure%7C9554618/c_2/2%7Ccat_9554618%7CSat+nav+and+alert+systems%7C9554891/c_3/3%7Ccat_9554891%7CSatellite+navigation%7C9880998.htm which is PINK (!!?>!?!!)

And are they both better than this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5040780/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CGarden%2C+DIY+and+leisure%7C9554618/c_2/2%7Ccat_9554618%7CSat+nav+and+alert+systems%7C9554891/c_3/3%7Ccat_9554891%7CSatellite+navigation%7C9880998.htm as its cheaper.....???

oh its all so bl00dy confusing!

gardner1

if you can find one in argos go for the garmin 250 with uk/europe maps