SAT NAV -whats the vest value for money

inspector_monkfish

Hi there

I'm after a Sat Nav for my car, but there seems to be too many to choose from!

Would like it to have Uk & Europe, but can't decide between TomTom or Garmin.

Seems to me they all do the same thing but TomTom seems to be slightly dearer.

Is that just because of the 'name' or are they actually better?
As far as i was aware, Garmin is pretty good name as well!

I don't need anything flash. Just something for the odd long journey every now and then. Would like Europe included, as we will be driving to Disneyland Paris occasionally.

Any help and advice would be gratefully appreciated

Regards
Insp Monkfish

AdrianHi

I'll put a vote in for the Garmin.
I like my Garmin Nuvi 310D, now 21 months old because
1. it is very compact compared to TomTom, 510
2. It has pedestrian and cyclist modes, so you can walk round London with it and it will take you the wrong way on a one way street when walking
3. Has an anti-theft lock - pin code access or a security location which unlocks it - set this to be your front drive and you don't have to unlock it with pin lock when you leave in the morning
4. has bluetooth hands free mobile phone function and will also show text messages
5. Has traffic master reception via FM aerial - reception not 100% but works a lot of the time and info. about traffic jams is indicated and it will offer you alternative routes. TomTom uses your mobile phone which incurrs mobile data charges plus you pay a subscription for the service. Coverage / availability higher than Nuvi though.
6. Actually has my house in the database (unlike the TomTom) - more complete maps and addresses
7. It's advanced chip set allows it to work through heat reflective windscreens where the TomTom needs an external aerial

Just be aware you might need to buy a replacement "professional" windscreen mount at some point (Amazon) as the standard one has a tendency to melt and stick to the windscreen in summer.
TomTom started up to serve the consumer market, Garmin have been around for a long time making navigation aids for al sorts of industries, walkers, naval etc. and I think it shows in the product.
I did have a TomTom 510 for 5 days which I had to send back because the windscreen mount power coupling never worked, common fault at the time which I assume is long since resolved in the design. Frankly the TomTom 510 is a bit of a toy by comparison to the Garmin Nuvi.

inspector_monkfish

AdrianHi wrote: »

I'll put a vote in for the Garmin.
I like my Garmin Nuvi 310D, now 21 months old because
1. it is very compact compared to TomTom, 510
2. It has pedestrian and cyclist modes, so you can walk round London with it and it will take you the wrong way on a one way street when walking
3. Has an anti-theft lock - pin code access or a security location which unlocks it - set this to be your front drive and you don't have to unlock it with pin lock when you leave in the morning
4. has bluetooth hands free mobile phone function and will also show text messages
5. Has traffic master reception via FM aerial - reception not 100% but works a lot of the time and info. about traffic jams is indicated and it will offer you alternative routes. TomTom uses your mobile phone which incurrs mobile data charges plus you pay a subscription for the service. Coverage / availability higher than Nuvi though.
6. Actually has my house in the database (unlike the TomTom) - more complete maps and addresses
7. It's advanced chip set allows it to work through heat reflective windscreens where the TomTom needs an external aerial

Just be aware you might need to buy a replacement "professional" windscreen mount at some point (Amazon) as the standard one has a tendency to melt and stick to the windscreen in summer.
TomTom started up to serve the consumer market, Garmin have been around for a long time making navigation aids for al sorts of industries, walkers, naval etc. and I think it shows in the product.
I did have a TomTom 510 for 5 days which I had to send back because the windscreen mount power coupling never worked, common fault at the time which I assume is long since resolved in the design. Frankly the TomTom 510 is a bit of a toy by comparison to the Garmin Nuvi.

thanks for the info mate

just had a look at those 2, and the Garmin Nuvi 310d is more than twice the price of the TomTom 510 (£245 v £114)

so i guess thats why its far superior !

as i say, all i need is something very occasionally, so that TomTom 510 could be just the job - certainly the cheapest TomTom with Europe i'v seen so far

AdrianHi

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

thanks for the info mate

just had a look at those 2, and the Garmin Nuvi 310d is more than twice the price of the TomTom 510 (£245 v £114)

so i guess thats why its far superior !

as i say, all i need is something very occasionally, so that TomTom 510 could be just the job - certainly the cheapest TomTom with Europe i'v seen so far

Not up to date with current prices. When I was buying both were about £350.
The Garmin Nuvi 310T is todays nearest equivalent to mine available from £119. For Euro maps you need the 350 which I can see from about £150
I would say the TomTom is easier to work with and update via the computer for non-techies, but the Nuvi more flexible if you are willing and able to put more techie effort into it.

movilogo

If you're happy with just UK & Ireland, Navman S30 is available in Staples for just £80.

scbk

If you're not going to be using it often why not just go for a cheap one? Look on ebuyer, one with UK maps for £60 (then just use a road atlas for one off trip to disneyland which is well signed anyway)
Or one with UK & Europe for £86

boatman

Best bet is to go to Halfords and see what you think, ask them to simulate a route, you can do it on Tomtom and Garmin. I'd go for the Nuvi 250(Europe maps) from Amazon for £94, you know what your getting!!

inspector_monkfish

thanks for all the info guys

AdrianHi

The question which is cheapest is easy to answer. The question what is best value is a bit more tricky and more personal to you.
The way I looked at it is a "cheap" sat. nav. device that tells me no more than how to get somewhere is only useful on the rarer occasions I'm going somewhere I have not been before.
I went looking for a sat. nav. device that could give me more than this. I wanted hands free phone use via bluetooth so the phone could be used in the car. I wanted something that could tell me about traffic congestion and help me take an alternative route. These two features make the sat. nav. device I have useful every time I use the car, not just when I'm going somewhere new. The proof is I've had my sat. nav. for 21 months and still use it everyday. The traffic alert feature has made the difference between missing the event I was travelling for by getting stuck in a traffic jam for hours and taking an alternative route and being a little late on 3 occasions now.
To me, that is "best value" but it is not the cheapest.

inspector_monkfish

AdrianHi wrote: »

The question which is cheapest is easy to answer. The question what is best value is a bit more tricky and more personal to you.
The way I looked at it is a "cheap" sat. nav. device that tells me no more than how to get somewhere is only useful on the rarer occasions I'm going somewhere I have not been before.
I went looking for a sat. nav. device that could give me more than this. I wanted hands free phone use via bluetooth so the phone could be used in the car. I wanted something that could tell me about traffic congestion and help me take an alternative route. These two features make the sat. nav. device I have useful every time I use the car, not just when I'm going somewhere new. The proof is I've had my sat. nav. for 21 months and still use it everyday. The traffic alert feature has made the difference between missing the event I was travelling for by getting stuck in a traffic jam for hours and taking an alternative route and being a little late on 3 occasions now.
To me, that is "best value" but it is not the cheapest.

well doesn't sound like i need anything as fancy as yours

i catch the train to work everyday, and wife takes the car to kids school and then onto work everyday (15mins from house - so no need for a sat nav there

we just want something for the odd journey around this country and to Disney Paris (borrowed someone elses last time we went)

insaid that, i don't just want the cheapest, but i don't want to pay way over the odds for all the bells and whistles i'm not going to need

sounds to me like i just want an entry level Garmin or TomTom with Europe maps....??

AdrianHi

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

sounds to me like i just want an entry level Garmin or TomTom with Europe maps....??

Yes I think that's what will suit you.
In the Garmin range that means the entry level Nuvi 250 (has Euro maps) £94 at Amazon right now
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OV16MQ/ref=nosim?tag=econv-1-565-21
There is a Nuvi 200 but that does not have Euro maps and seems to come at the same price anyway.

My 65 year old Mum uses the equivalent UK maps only Tom Tom (no extra bells and whistles to confuse her) and manages to navigate her way from Hampshire to Glasgow with it, so this must be good too.