recommendations for car sat nav

Belle24

morning, can anyone recommend a car satnav/brand, it is a gift for my mum who will only need a fairly basic model for UK driving but im trying to balance cost vs quality - i would prefer to not pay extra for 'fancy' functions that she wont use but happy to pay for something that will last that is relatively straightforward to set up and use.
Any recommendations much appreciated, thanks

santer_2

You can look at some options here, if they all disappear, check the screen size

http://www.satnav-discounts.co.uk/tomtom-go/satnavselector.htm

You can check for brand reviews here

http://www.reviewcentre.com/products2384.html

Amazon can also be a good place for reviews if you search for a particular product

My Sat Nav is on but no destination is entered if travelling local, so I just get to hear the speed related beeps

IMO, Lane Guidance is the most useful as you keep your eyes on unfamiliar roads whilst the unit advises which lane to use, often from a couple of miles away.

Live traffic updates are also useful, along with eco routes.

Then Google is OK but not essential

Make sure the map can be updated to the latest version free, the first time you check for updates, beyond that I would leave updating the paid for maps until it becomes outdated on the routes you use most. Using the postcode mostly takes you where you need to be even if changes have happened along the way.

Use pricerunner and other sites to check the latest prices, some will have 12 months of updates included.

You could use a beanbag mount to avoid the gottasatnav marks on the windscreen, mine is ring shaped and the sat nav mounts sits in the middle

Most places have them, this is just one example of type, again, check for the best price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00261J1D8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001NLSYQM&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0TE8WK72EJV4YEWYMBMT

Strider590

santer wrote: »

Most places have them, this is just one example of type, again, check for the best price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00261J1D8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001NLSYQM&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0TE8WK72EJV4YEWYMBMT

Amazon are good, better than highstreet shops,(Pretty sure I saw that thing for over £40 last time I browsed the highstreet shops).

But Ebay is better


Im convinced that satnav was invented by the oil/petrol industry to make us get lost and use more fuel! :rotfl:

samwsmith1

I got a Tom Tom Via live 120 last month which I have found excellent, very easy to use and has a built in windscreen mount, may be out of your price range though.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-VIA-LIVE-120-UK/dp/B0048BPRIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317744111&sr=8-2
Might be worth having a look at the Tom Tom site at the different models - http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/ check Amazon after as it will usually be cheaper.

Trebor16

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 255W from Amazon last year. It's a very nice unit, with the widescreen and has full postcode searching. It came with UK and Europe mapping and also the speed trap warnings. A nice little unit and straightforward to use.