Satnav advice... please

[Papa Lazarou]

I'm not a big fan of people living their lives on messageboards, but the membership here have been proven to be good authorities on the best 'toys' to purchase, so I'll give it a go.

I'm looking to get a decent Satnav for the car. It needs to have UK and European mapping, including safety camera locations. Ideally it should have Blutooth for hands free mobile use.

I've done some investigation and the ones I like the look of are:


Garmin 760T Garmin 760T http://www.thelink.co.uk/hi-tech/157221/garmin-nuvi-760t.html

UK & Europe mapping, speed cameras. bluetooth, FM transmitter - the lot really.

Tom Tom 720 http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1153128407.1216727911@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfeadeejjdijelcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&sku=302563#

Much the same...

I think I prefer the Garmin one though.

Then there's the next level down - cheaper but less extras.

Tom Tom New XL Euro-22 V2 http://www.thelink.co.uk/hi-tech/158227/tomtom-new-xl-euro-22-v2.html

Garmin Nuvi 255 http://www.thelink.co.uk/hi-tech/158743/garmin-nuvi-255w-traffic.html

Any others to consider? Do any of you have these models? Which would you recommend?

Cheers

Papa

 

[Buttinhams]

Which Magazine Best Buys

Which? score: 73%
Price: £200.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
TomTom - GO 520
This great-performing Best Buy sat nav from TomTom works well, with easy installation and programming, clear audio guidance and the ability to tackle giving 2 or more instructions in quick succession.

Visual clarity is aided by the wide screen, with 16:9 aspect ratio, and the map zooms in to show the detail of on junctions as you approach.

Read more about TomTom GO 520


Which? score: 72%
Price: £395.00
Type: Portable
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Garmin - Nuvi 660FM
The Nüvi 660FM is easy to set up and use, with clear prompts and graphics, although it struggles in built-up areas.This model comes with European mapping and traffic management as standard. It's easy to install and a touch-sensitive screen makes initial programming and changing routes easy. It comes with a bracket to mount it on the dashboard if you prefer this from the screen-mounting option.Audio prompts (which can be relayed through the car's speaker system if required) are the clearest weve heard it actually names the road you are on, reassuring if you are in unfamiliar territory. It has 4-digit PIN protection, to make it harder for thieves to dispose of.Its 1 main weakness is that it struggles in built-up areas. It seems able to maintain reception when surrounded by sky scrapers, but among its mis-directions, it instructed us to turn right off a main road, where such a manoeuvre isnt allowed, and it failed to inform us that we were headed towards the congestion charge zone.Pros: Very clear audio prompts, clear graphics, very easy to useCons: Struggles a bit in built up areas

Read more about Garmin Nuvi 660FM


Which? score: 71%
Price: £350.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
TomTom - GO 720T
TomTom’s GO 720 Traffic has just been discontinued, but may still be available in some stores. It’s certainly worth tracking down because its performance and long list of features makes it a clear Best Buy.

Route planning is accurate and it’s quick to recalculate, but the display is a bit cluttered at times, and the amount of information presented can’t be altered. Traffic information can be received ‘out of the box’ but the accuracy is a little hit and miss. Audio prompts are timely.

Read more about TomTom GO 720T


Which? score: 71%
Price: £265.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Mio - DigiWalker C520t with MioMap v.3.3
Great for re-routing to avoid traffic jams, the DigiWalker C520t offers accurate route planning and good prompts, but changing routes mid-journey is a bit fiddly.

This model comes fully equipped with European mapping and traffic management control effective at re-routing to avoid those annoying jams. It re-calculated the routes several times on our city runs.

Read more about Mio DigiWalker C520t with MioMap v.3.3


Which? score: 71%
Price: £260.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
TomTom - GO 920
TomTom’s GO 920 has just been discontinued, but may still be available in some stores. It’s certainly worth tracking down because its performance and long list of features makes it a clear Best Buy.

Addresses can be programmed via voice control, which is particularly intuitive, and other functions can be operated by a remote control. Owners can also make modifications to their maps, which can then be shared with other users. When downloading other users’ changes you can select to obtain either those verified by a TomTom team or simply download all changes, although the validity of these can’t be guaranteed.

Read more about TomTom GO 920


Which? score: 71%
Price: £200.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Garmin - Nuvi 610T Regional
This model shares many similar features and functions with the Nüvi 660FM, like the large screen, clear visuals and PIN security. It's easy to install and easy to programme. Changing routes is no problem either.It did well in London, finding all the inner city destinations, and overall it did better in the city than its sister model, but it was sometimes slow to give instructions and the screen map display was slightly behind actual position of the car.The Nüvi 610T doesn't come with European mapping, and while the audio instructions are loud enough, they can't quite match the crystal clarity of its more costly contender. Visual prompts are good, and the 110mm screen offers good clarity, though its no match for the 660FM. Pros: Easy to install and use, clear audio and visual prompts, good in the city Cons: Slight lag between actual position and visual prompts

Read more about Garmin Nuvi 610T Regional


Which? score: 71%
Price: £150.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Sony - NV-U82
Installing and programming this Best Buy Sony model is easy and it gives clear instructions. However, it can be tricky to change routes mid-journey.

The screen is large at 121mm, and it has a 16:9 aspect ratio – features which help make the visual prompts clearer and easier to understand. It also gives good clear audio instructions, although from time to time these are a little late for an effective response from the driver.

Read more about Sony NV-U82


Which? score: 70%
Price: £130.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
TomTom - One Europe
This Best Buy from TomTom performs pretty competently across the board and is exceptional value for money. It doesn’t come with a large screen like some other Best Buys, but even so, its visual and audio advice are good.

TomTom One is the biggest selling model in the UK. As the name suggests, this derivative comes ready loaded with European mapping, for which many more expensive models ask extra.

Read more about TomTom One Europe


Which? score: 70%
Price: £130.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
TomTom - One Regional
This Best Buy from TomTom performs pretty competently across the board and is exceptional value for money. It doesn't come with a large screen like some other Best Buys, but even so, its visual and audio advice are good.

TomTom One is the biggest selling model in the UK. And this package comes with maps of the UK - however a European package is also available.

Read more about TomTom One Regional


Which? score: 68%
Price: £246.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Snooper - S600 Syrius Plus
The S600 Syrius Plus is one of our Best Buy sat nav systems. Its accurate routes can be tinkered with easily, and its visual display is as good as any we’ve seen.

It comes with an SD memory card carrying detailed maps of the UK and Ireland. A further map of Western Europe is available for purchasing on a separate 2GB SD memory card.

Read more about Snooper S600 Syrius Plus


Which? score: 68%
Price: £160.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
ViaMichelin - Navigation X-970T
As the Michelin name tag suggests, this sat nav comes loaded with information about the plush eateries listed in the guide of the same name. But it’s a fairly useful sat nav even if you aren’t seeking fine food.

It comes with European maps and traffic management to divert you away from the jams, and there’s speed camera data – which can be updated online free of charge.

Read more about ViaMichelin Navigation X-970T


Which? score: 67%
Price: £250.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Garmin - Nuvi 760
The Best Buy Garmin Nüvi 760 plots an exceptionally accurate route and can guide you to within a few metres of your destination. In emergencies, it can provide directions to the nearest hospital, A & E, and police or petrol station along with the necessary phone numbers.As well as being windscreen mountable, it can be fixed to the dashboard to bring it closer to the driver. It comes with maps of 37 European countries, however only Western European countries are depicted in detail.Some turns in multiple, complex negotiations can be easily missed, but its very quick to re-route if an error is made and works well in built up areas. Audio instructions are clear and timely, but the display doesnt have schematics, which many users find easy to read.Its a little tricky to change the route when mobile, but the Nüvi 760 is generally easy to program. It can also suggest multiple routes for the same destination, so the driver can select the preferred option, and can be used in the USA without any extra software.Another useful feature is the FM transmitter, which can route all voice commands to the car stereo. It's Bluetooth enabled, so can be connected to your phone to receive calls and display text messages. The user manual's not supplied but can be downloaded online. It's slim, has a carry case and a 4 digit Pin security system.Pros: Pinpoint accuracy, clear instructions, lots of featuresCons: No schematics

Read more about Garmin Nuvi 760


Which? score: 67%
Price: £150.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Snooper - Strabo S360
The Best Buy Snooper Strabo S360 provides uncluttered maps and large clear schematics. It’s very accurate up until the final part of the journey, where it will merely direct you to the edge of the postcode.

Snooper models have a particular focus on speed camera and hazard warnings. At the time of writing, six months’ worth of software and speed camera downloads were free, and then an optional £4.95 per month thereafter, or £99.95 for life.

Read more about Snooper Strabo S360


Which? score: 67%
Price: £140.00
Type: Portable
Find lowest price
Garmin - StreetPilot C510 Deluxe
The Best Buy StreetPilot C510 offers reasonable value for money. It manages to perform to a level worthy of a Best Buy, yet its price tag is among the lowest on test.

The screen is small but (as with all the Garmins), it’s a touch-screen, which has clear graphics and is user-friendly.

Read more about Garmin StreetPilot C510 Deluxe

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Thanks Buttinhams... I don't have a Which account, so I couldn't access that info. I think the prices quoted there are out of date, as at least some of those models are much cheaper now.

Cheers

Papa

 

[driller]

jusrt buy a map

 

[Papa Lazarou]

jusrt buy a map

Thanks

I have maps, but I fancy a new toy ... ok?

 

[Arthur]

Thanks

I have maps, but I fancy a new toy ... ok?

Doesn't your N95 have Sat Nav? Why not just buy the TomTom software there is available for Symbian mobiles? Or better still steal it from the internet and give me £200?

 

[Papa Lazarou]

my n95 does have satnav installed, but it's pretty poor and seems to lose the satellite link very easily.

 

[Gazwag]

Dont buy the one this Turkish lorry driver has in his lorry delivering cars from Turkey to Gibraltar, he ended up stuck in a road close to Gibraltar Point, SKEGNESS.

 

[Dave the OAP]

i have the TOMTOM with safety camera recognition.

Works fine for me

 

[Heffle Gull]

I have the Navman S50 has everything you need, but check the bluetooth connectivity for whichever phone you have as it can be a bit temperamental.

other than that I cannot fault the Navman.

 

[kevinsmith]

I got ther Tom Tom 720T in April cost £210 then but cheaper now. Excellent for Here, Europe and bluetooth handsfree

 

[Bozza]

I can't provide comparisons but I do know my Tom Tom is excellent and does everything that I expected and need.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I can't provide comparisons but I do know my Tom Tom is excellent and does everything that I expected and need.

Any idea which model you've got?

 

[Woodchip]

I'd go with Garmin. Their customer service is excellent. I bust the GPS for my mountain bike (cracked the LCD screen). Sent it off on the Saturday (recorded delivery) and was repaired and back with me (cleaned up and couple of waterproofing seals replaced) on Tuesday morning.

No experience of their in-car stuff though, but after that experience I can't speak highly enough of them. Oh, and when you phone them you speak to someone in the UK.

 

[clippedgull]

Another vote for Tom Tom here!

Got two of the things!

Tom Tom 910 with UK & Europe (Hard Drive)

Tom Tom One with UK (SD Card)

Never let me down yet!

 

[Titanic]

I'd go with Garmin. Their customer service is excellent. I bust the GPS for my mountain bike (cracked the LCD screen). Sent it off on the Saturday (recorded delivery) and was repaired and back with me (cleaned up and couple of waterproofing seals replaced) on Tuesday morning.

No experience of their in-car stuff though, but after that experience I can't speak highly enough of them. Oh, and when you phone them you speak to someone in the UK.

Does that have off-road OS-type maps with cycle/bridle paths etc...? If so, what model do you have and what does it cost?

 

[Man of Harveys]

My Navman ROCKS and via Bluetooth is also a hands-free phone thingy too. Maybe they all do that, I dunno

 

[Mackenzie]

Garmin have been producing satnav for about twice as long as anyone else. Buy a Garmin.

 

[tinx]

I have garmin software on my N95 8Gb and I have to say it is excellent far better than Tom Tom which I had on my last one in my opinion.

 

[Woodchip]

Does that have off-road OS-type maps with cycle/bridle paths etc...? If so, what model do you have and what does it cost?

Think you can get maps for the 705, but I've got the older 305 and use it with Memory Map to plot waypoints. You can get some good bargains on the 305 now.