Which sat nav would you recommend?

redmandarin

Please can you give me the benefit of your wisdom?

I've searched this site and googled, but I'm now a bit confused by all the types of sat navs (and add ons) that are available!

My requirements are:
Widescreen
Lane guidance
Map updates
Speed camera alerts - inc mobile/temp cameras - pref free or cheaper than the £90 - £100 a year I've seen!
Traffic alerts - pref free, but they're not crucial, especially if a lot cheaper without
European maps included (unless it's a doddle to download them)!
Spoken directions - including street names
Custom POI's would be nice - but not crucial!

From what I've seen most people on MSE recommend Garmin or TomTom,
I found a Garmin that fits the bill but it's £230! Are there any alternative options or other models or brands that wouldn't be so expensive? I also need to take into account cost of yearly subscription for speed camera alerts, but I can't see it on the Garmin site, and TomTom's £7.99 a month is a bit steep. Plus there are sometimes additional charges for traffic alerts (some sat navs are expensive, and I think it's cheeky to have to pay additional charges)!

Any advice you have about which sat to get would be fantastic! Thanks!

isofa

TomTom, I've had one for years and in the main they are excellent devices. Although Garmin get good reviews, but are usually better for boats and hikers...

There are various 3rd party speed camera site downloads. All much cheaper than from TomTom direct, more accurate and regularly updated, http://www.pocketgpsworld.com is one of the most popular in the UK and very cheap.

All have spoken directions.

You can put as many custom POIs on TomTom as you like, there are hundreds available free on-line from Tesco stores to popular restaurants and all sorts.

You can have UK, Euro or worldwide maps depending on how much you want to spend, you can buy and download additional ones from the TomTom site at any time.

There are various models, the cheaper ONE series have all the above features, the more expensive 700 and 900 series have many more functions, (and are widescreen) some have FM based traffic info, but the top end ones can connect via a SIM or mobile to download live traffic reports, but these are subscription based obviously.

The newer TomToms also have lane guidance.

Some good comparative reviews on PC Pro site www.pcpro.co.uk and others (e.g. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/237552/tomtom-go-740-live.html)

-TangleFoot-

Any of these take your fancy?

colinstevens

+1 for TomTom - I get my speed cameras from.. www.pocketgpsworld.com - 12 months = £19.99.

amcluesent

Hard to argue with a refurbished TomTom 520 at £99

Taffybiker

Garmin safety camera updates cost £29.99 a year, after a free trial period.

£99.99 buys map updates for life.

Not all models include traffic avoidance routing (included free lifetime subsription)

missile

OPs requirements matched mine. I also wanted voice instructions, as I find it a pain keying in destinations. I wanted the tom tom, fed up with a screen which is difficult to see in sunlight, no signal and ages to load on cheapo sat navs

Bought a TomTom 730 Delux including case, charger and "safety" camera database from Currys @ £199.97

redmandarin

Hi folks, Thanks for your valuable help - much appreciated!

Sorry for the late reply, I've been reviewing all your suggested options. I have decided on a TomTom XL IQ Routes Europe 42. It doesn't have traffic alerts, but I wouldn't need those often anyway - and if I win the lottery, I could always buy a receiver and pay for a TomTom subscription! Then once the 3 month free trial ends, all I'll need to do is download the safety camera info from PocketGPS World (if I can work out how to do it! )! I also need a case, but they're expensive. I've seen one in a pound shop, but it'd probably be to small for a widescreen!

I'm a new driver (a mature one ) and I only know bus routes, so I really need the help of a sat nav! I'm looking forward to getting it so I can enjoy my new found freedom! Thanks again!

DCFC79

You can get the speed camera alert for free by just keeping an eye on your speed and the surroundings eg any signs informing you of a speed camera, a brightly coloured police car on the side of the road with 2 officers stood outside of it holding a speed gun, find it works for me

missile

My TomTom came with fixed scamera sites pre installed. You will be able to download 1 new map and map share updates from the tom tom website free.

Please note the map update is 2GB and the site is painfully slooooooooooow. It took me 6 hours to download. Do not switch off part way through or you will loose your free update.

redmandarin

DCFC79 - that's exactly what I do now! I don't want camera info so that I won't be caught speeding! As a new driver, I'm on two years "probation" so I have no intention of going over the limit, either now or later on! I just think that it would be useful to have speed camera alerts to ensure that I do keep to the limit! In the few months that I've been driving, I've noticed that sometimes it's not always easy to see speed limit signs as there aren't enough of them, or some have faded or are old and bent out of view, or obscured by trees!

missile - Thanks for the info!