Sat Nav recommendations

FreddieFrugal

Hello, have been researching possible sat nav purchase but so far not found the one yet.

Need a Sat Nav for OH as she isn't fond of having to drive new routes unaided. But at the same time I'd like to get one with Full Europe maps, as we're going on self catering holiday to slovenia this year.

So far I've looked at TomTom Start 25 and Go 500. Garmin Nuvi 2447 LMT

I'd like one that you can input waypoints to construct a route
Easy attachment - I've seen lots of them have built in screen attachments which worries me as to how flexible positioning would be in larger cars - would be fine in OH's Fiat 500.

European maps

Smooth and responsive in working

Good display - no larger than 5", clear and attractive graphics (subjective I know - the Garmin's I've seen pictures of look a bit blocky and pixelated)

As long as its reliable then I don't care about much else, not fussed about fancy features. Don't mind paying more for a better piece of kit, but not if it's the same basic unit with LIVE features tagged on.

Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

londonTiger

I used to have a tomtom with IQ routes, but I smashed the screen after I put it in the glove box and slammed the cover shut and bumped the screen. I should have bought a new LCD and digitizer - instead I bogught a NUVI which is a "dumb" satnav.

The IQ makes a lot of difference it gave me lots of shortcuts through local roads which run paralell to main roads that are chuck full.

So its worth paying a bit more for sophisticated route guidance.

Also 5" is the minimum screen size for me. Not maximum. I found that the 4.3" screens would split the keyboards seperately for letters and numbers. 5" displays the full keyboard with letters and numbers which allows you to enter location by postcode a lot easier.

A satnav with address searching built is is handy too - rather than having to look up addresses on your phone and then enter them. My garmin nuvi 50 is **** with address searching.

londonTiger

n.b the tomtom 25 has iq routes

REDDDRAGGON

Whatever you get, I'd recommend that you make sure it comes with "lifetime" map updates. I've had a Garmin Nuvi for about 3 years that has served me well, and the little extra in the purchase for the lifetime maps was well worth it.

It's now relegated to my european trips and rentals as I have a built in Sat Nav in the car. Intelligent routing is worth it, which unfortunately the Nuvi doesn't have, but my car does.

londonTiger

For Garmin Nuvi 2447 LMT off the amazon page

GPS performances: Route planning : The shortest, fastest, as the crow flies, ...

I think their route guidance is rudimentary. The screen is small at 4.3" I would go got tomtom25 based on that.

FreddieFrugal

Bought a Tom Tom Go 500 which I'm pleased with so far. Routes quickly, easy to get alternative routes and can add in your own stops to alter the route manually. Looks good and so far it seems to do sensible routes, just from inputting destinations, haven't had chance to actually use it in the car yet.

Common route we used to use satnav app for until we knew journey off by heart was getting between Shopping outlet south of York and shopping centre North of York. The old one always routed us straight through centre of York. The Tom Tom sensibly used the ring road.

It's very straightforward and intuitive as well, OH had worked it all out within a minute of picking it up, so that bodes well.

Iceweasel

I transit Slovenia 4 or 5 times a year - the coverage on my Garmin Nuvi is as good as in the UK.

You can construct a route, modify it or run it in reverse if you wish.

It receives live traffic reports and can route you round them - brilliant in Germany and Austria to avoid the 'Stau' - congestion and accidents which of course cannot be planned for and if you don't speak the local language the traffic news on the radio doesn't help much.

Edit: - Updated maps at least 4 times a year - you don't get that with any built in system that uses discs.

MEM62

Garmin every time.

jimjames

Bought a TomTom 25 with Euro maps, very impressed so far. Previously had a TT520 that was about 8 years old and this is a vast improvement.