Cheap/basic Sat Nav

teambathmat

Hi there,

I am looking for a cheap/ basic Sat nav.

Had a look on ebay as I dont mind a used one and there are so many to chose from!!!!

I will only use it to get from A to B, so don't need a fancy one, and will probably only need to use it mabe 10 times a year.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Mark_Hewitt

The TomTom ONE is a good model and can be picked up for under a hundred pounds new. I don't have experience of other models.

Keep in mind ebay ones can be stolen..

BillScarab

As an alternsative to the Tom Tom One ahave a look at the Garmin Nuvi 200/205/215. I've got the older Nuvi 250 and it's very good.

I'd avoid second hand as unless you pay to upgrade the maps they will be out of date.

Ebe_Scrooge

Not being flippant here, but if you're only using it 10 times a year what's wrong with a map ?

I've resisted buying a sat-nav for that very reason - having borrowed one a couple of times I can't really see the advantage to me personally. In fact, I've sometimes had to resort to the map when the sat-nav put me wrong.

When I am going somewhere unfamiliar, I always like to check the map beforehand anyway so that I've got an idea of where I'm going - usually combined with a quick look at Google Maps, AA Route Planner or similar, and print out directions if required.

Sat-Navs can be very useful - my brother drives all over the place with his job, and he finds it very useful as he's almost always going to new places. But in the true MSE ethos, a map is an awful lot cheaper if you're not going to use it much :-)

AdrianHi

Second hand does not seem like good value because the first thing you'll want to do is upgrade the map which typically costs £50-£60 and a new sat. nav. with up to date map and better features can be had for under £100.
I favour Garmin over Tom Tom for map completeness and accuracy and I prefer it's routing. In some ways TomTom more pleasant to use though.

I quite like using the sat. nav. even for route I know because it tells me expected time of arrival and I get TMC travel information. It is a bit of a luxury though, you could manage with a map.

oldagetraveller

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Not being flippant here, but if you're only using it 10 times a year what's wrong with a map ?

I've resisted buying a sat-nav for that very reason - having borrowed one a couple of times I can't really see the advantage to me personally. In fact, I've sometimes had to resort to the map when the sat-nav put me wrong.

When I am going somewhere unfamiliar, I always like to check the map beforehand anyway so that I've got an idea of where I'm going - usually combined with a quick look at Google Maps, AA Route Planner or similar, and print out directions if required.

Sat-Navs can be very useful - my brother drives all over the place with his job, and he finds it very useful as he's almost always going to new places. But in the true MSE ethos, a map is an awful lot cheaper if you're not going to use it much :-)

I was reluctant to post similar for fear of being accused of posting uselessly and flippantly!

However, in true MSE style, yes, maps are much cheaper, more up to date (especially compared to Tom Tom maps) and reliable.
If you must, get a Garmin before a Tom Tom. A Tom Tom will send you the wrong way and you'll need to refer to a proper map and road signs anyway - I always had to and do now!:mad: My "One" is now gathering dust in a drawer and never used.

Mark_Hewitt

oldagetraveller wrote: »

However, in true MSE style, yes, maps are much cheaper, more up to date (especially compared to Tom Tom maps) and reliable.

10 times a year is still a fair amount.
I disagree that maps are chapear. Yes a road map of the whole UK is going to be cheaper, but that'll only give you the major roads. Whereas what you get with TomTom is basically an A-Z of the whole country.

If you were to buy A-Zs of everywhere it would cost you considerably more than £100. Even if you just got them for the places you are going it would still be expensive.

Plus, that's not what sat navs are for. For example I drove from Newcastle to Congleton last weekend, I managed to find my way all the way to Congleton from the route I'd memorised, but I need the sat-nav for the final half mile to my destination.

terryya

Personally I'd go for something like the navigo at £53 from ebuyer. It comes with turbodog software but can be 'upgraded' to use tomtom, navigo etc and all with the latest maps. It is very simple and all details are in the ebuyer reviews.

Plus you can use it to view pics, watch films, listen to music etc (if that floats your boat).

Markyt

i've just stuck Co-Pilot on my phone for £25. well worth the money.

thor

I agree with Mark. It is when you get close to your destination that Sat Navs become very useful. This is because at that stage it usually involves travelling through or around city or town centres where you can easily miss a turning. It can be very difficult trying to memorise when to turn left or right it you have to negotiate many of them in a small distance. I don't have a Sat Nav and it can get frustrating having to stop all the time to consult a map.