SatNav for tech-shy OAP

TrickyDicky101

My Mum has expressed an interest in getting a Sat Nav. She is completely tech-phobic though and doesn't even own a mobile phone (with no desire whatsoever to get one).

It needs to be incredibly easy to use and preferably with a large, friendly display.

Can anyone suggest a suitable model? UK maps only - this won't ever be used beyond the borders of Hampshire.

System

Tomtom. About as simple as they get.

elsien

How old is mum and has she ever used a Satnav?
The reason I ask is that my 79 year old parent also expressed an interest in having a Satnav so I showed her the built in one in my car which was very easy to use. She found it too distracting and felt she wouldn't be safe using it and concentrating on the road as well so jettisoned the idea.

TrickyDicky101

She's 74. She was quite taken recently when out with me when I was using Google Maps on my phone (as a Sat Nav). It's a fair point re distraction - I think she particularly liked the spoken instructions from Maps.

chrisw

My Mum's 82 and uses a Tomtom Start ok.

[Deleted User]

I use google maps on my iPhone now but used to have a tom tom and a garmin. I preferred the TomTom. If she has a smartphone, the tomtom app is very good and would be a cheaper alternative to a stand alone unit.

elsien

TrickyDicky101 wrote: »

She's 74. She was quite taken recently when out with me when I was using Google Maps on my phone (as a Sat Nav). It's a fair point re distraction - I think she particularly liked the spoken instructions from Maps.

Yes, parent found the spoken instructions far easier to follow than the maps.

TrickyDicky101

Thanks everyone - as far as the Tom Tom Start, does this provide the spoken instructions too or is it just visual?

DoaM

Is there any satnav (whether standalone or phone app) that doesn't give spoken instructions?

TrickyDicky101

DoaM wrote: »

Is there any satnav (whether standalone or phone app) that doesn't give spoken instructions?

I've no idea as I've never used one (other than Google Maps) which is why I was asking. Thanks for your input.

bouicca21

I used to have a TomTom start, but it was stolen, now I have a garmin. Personally I find the garmin display better, but the spoken instructions were better on the TomTom. The garmin appears to speak in a standard British accent but has some weird and unrecognisable pronunciations of street and place names.