Sat Nav Newbie

[square1]

Hello, I've come to the realisation that I need a sat nav or something that does the same job. I'll probably try and get a second hand one, but haven't a clue what make/model to go for. Can anyone advise? Many thanks :-)

[Raistlin]

Have a look here: http://bestsatnav.co.uk/

They give reviews and give answers to questions you may have wanted to ask...

I bought this for the wife

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-2597LMT-Lifetime-Updates-Bluetooth/dp/B00B3SELA8/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

[FROSTYBALLS]

If you go for a sat nav, go for one with 'lifetime maps' and the mapping on an SD Card - rather than having mapping on internal memory.

Without ' lifetime mapping' or similar, you will need to pay for updates after a period of time - which can be expensive.

Sat navs with mapping on internal memory and no SD card slot, often have memory space issues after a few updates have been applied (eg. TomTom XXL Classic). Example - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-nuvi-50-LM-Lifetime/dp/B009RLFY8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1407087353&sr=1-1&keywords=sat+nav+lifetime+maps

[square1]

If you go for a sat nav, go for one with 'lifetime maps' and the mapping on an SD Card - rather than having mapping on internal memory.

Without ' lifetime mapping' or similar, you will need to pay for updates after a period of time - which can be expensive.

Sat navs with mapping on internal memory and no SD card slot, often have memory space issues after a few updates have been applied (eg. TomTom XXL Classic). Example - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-nuvi-50-LM-Lifetime/dp/B009RLFY8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1407087353&sr=1-1&keywords=sat+nav+lifetime+maps

Hi Frosty, really helpful, thanks. So the issue is around updates. However, are updates really that important? Are they mainly to take in the latest housing estate that's been built or road 'improvements' etc? So effectively a sat nav without updates applied would still work but would be like using an old Ordnance Survey map for instance? Or would it just have a fit and completely balls up my route?

[Raistlin]

Not only do the updates show you changes in road layouts but they cover speed restrictions, speed cameras as well as new points of interests.

A life time update means you don't have to replace the unit in a few years time.

[FROSTYBALLS]

A life time update means you don't have to replace the unit in a few years time.

Provided there is enough memory - which is why it is better to go for a sat nav with an expandable memory - eg either an SD card or a micro-SD card - rather than one with an internal memory only. For example the TomTom XXL Classic has an internal memory capacity of 2gb, with no SD card slot.

[Raistlin]

Is there any other type worth buying

[FROSTYBALLS]

If you're going to invest in a sat nav, you presumably want one that will be usable for a reasonable period of time, before having to replace it due to being out of date. With sat navs without lifetime mapping updates, an annual subscription to the update service can cost as much as £70 or so.

The two market leaders in the UK for stand alone sat navs are TomTom and Garmin.

However there are budget choices available from people like Binatone, Navman and Mio - which, from around £40 with or without lifetime mapping., could provide you with at least a couple of years service.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binatone-R435-Satellite-Navigation-Ireland/dp/B00F948SWE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1407100440&sr=8-6&keywords=sat+nav

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Navman-Mio-616LM-Ireland-Mapping/dp/B00J7PN59W/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1407100645&sr=8-34&keywords=sat+nav

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Navman-Lifetime-Upgrades-Traffic-Updates/dp/B00FGT1GEO/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&qid=1407100674&sr=8-45&keywords=sat+nav

[square1]

Any thoughts on sat nav apps for iPhones?