Best satnav for Europe?

Wh05apk

john1 wrote: »

You can download Google maps so dont need data link from within the app


Take Maps with you, even when you're not connected

Download certain maps to use whether or not you have an internet connection. Offline Maps are especially helpful when you’re abroad or outside your network. You can browse saved areas or get your bearings by using My Location and compass mode. Only on Android

Also this app gets fair reviews and is free https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5tYXBmYWN0b3IubmF2aWdhdG9yIl0

Although you can download maps, I don't think you then get guidance, as they can only be used for browsing.

Stooby2

Have a look on eBay - there's older second hand TomTom units with all the maps you need. May well be a cheaper option.

longtimelurkersam

I prefer the use and feel of the Garmin range, but I suspec they might have some weird hard wiring in them as no matter where I go in Europe it ALWAYS wants to take me via France so I have to plan and programme it to high tail out of France and have mid points that wont let it take me back in.

Bogtrotter

Can't speak for the TomTom devices but the Garmin works well in France with a few glitches to watch out for.

I had been using a Nuvi660 until last year when I upgraded to one of the newer nulink devices. Maps are very good and generally I've noticed map updates fairly soon after new road construction is complete in France. Maybe look for one with free lifetime map updates included.

Occasionally the routing appears a bit wonky at times sometimes indicating a route taking you away from the main motorway "common sense" route, or recalculating a change of route after making a coffee or fuel stop when the unit powers off but if you review the route before you travel you can generally spot these "glitches" and when ignored the device will generally recalculate onto the correst route.

My device is one of the Nulink devices which provides a Google search, fuel prices, weather forecasts etc for a yearly subscription. I thought it was a bit of a gimmick at first but I found it quite useful in practice.

sandspider2000

Thanks all, food for thought there. I think I'd prefer a stand alone proper satnav unit rather than relying on a phone that may or may not work without data turned on. I am looking on eBay, but can anyone recommend specific models other than those I mention above?

Thanks again.

steve-L

I have bought most of my (cheap) cars privately. I have to say that I make a lot of judgements about the car by talking to the owner.

I use NavFree on my iPhone. (you can get it for Android now)
I have bought most of my (cheap) cars privately. I have to say that I make a lot of judgements about the car by talking to the owner.
1) Its FREE for the 1st country
2) Additional countries are about £2.99
3) Once you download the map it requires NO DATA CONNECTION, you can turn data off on the phone and it still works.
4) 99% of the time its as good as a Garmin or TomTom except it has ads, it is way better than Google navigate, it really is a proper GPS not maps turned GPS....
5) If the ads **** you off you can remove them for £2.99
6) See 1 ... Its FREE for the 1st country so that gives you 2 choices
a) You download France only and rely on my promises until you get there
b) You download UK, test and see if it meets your needs then pay £2.99 for the France map
7) I have used the French map but only in Paris and Pau... didn't test it a lot. (In a taxi checking they weren't diddling me) but the UK one is pretty good, occasional problem with roads that are gated or the odd no right turn being indicated but I mean really occasional....

Did I mention its FREE?

StrongWork

Tom Tom Start. We used the Start 2 (Euro maps edition) last year and it was absolutely fine.

I would also buy a proper paper AA European Road atlas as well. This way you can compare the suggested routes.

Bogtrotter

sandspider2000 wrote: »

Thanks all, food for thought there. I think I'd prefer a stand alone proper satnav unit rather than relying on a phone that may or may not work without data turned on. I am looking on eBay, but can anyone recommend specific models other than those I mention above?

Thanks again.

Read the reviews and see what you think. I have the Garmin Nulink 1695LMU. I'm very happy with it. It has full Europe mapping with lifetime updates, lane guidance, 1 year of Live services including traffic (afterwards £45 per year) and also pairs with youe mobile phone to operate as a handsfree device.

It's not a current model but you can still get a clearance item from Halfords and probably elsewhere. Although more expensive than your shortlist, maybe the lifetime maps might make up the difference.

Peater

sandspider2000 wrote: »

I did look at that, but it was cheaper to buy one! The cheapest one I could find was Eur10 per day to hire, and we're going to France for two weeks to start with. I've seen both the satnavs above for less than £100, and I get to keep them!

Fair enough. It's good for further flung places. Turkey for instance isn't included on UK/Europe packs. It's it's own map (tom tom) pack, which isn't very accurate at all to be fair. The cost for the pack was £150 while a weeks hire was £15 at the time.

sandspider2000

Thanks again people. Will look into NavFree, that looks quite a good option. And yes, getting a paper road map certainly won't hurt!
TomTom Start still looks like one of the better proper satnav options, so I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal there too.

Cheers.