Spec me a sat nav?

Zaf · 14 Feb 2013 at 20:47

I've been told the delivery of my company car is 25th Feb and to keep the Tax down I didn't bother with Nav option, so been told I've got £150 to spend on one!!!

So what is the best for that money?

I've been looking at this one with the Cyclops subscription

Garmin Nuvi 2545LMT

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_900547_langId_-1_categoryId_165685

Uriel · 14 Feb 2013 at 21:24

I've done a lot of messing about with smartphone satnav apps, so have used the mapping and traffic services on offer from the main satnav players. For sensible routing, accurate ETAs and precise live traffic, it's hard to beat Tomtom's live units.

Garmin use Navteq maps and Inrix traffic.The Inrix and Navteq traffic coverage on other satnavs doesn't come anywhere near close to Tomtom for the number of roads covered and accuracy. Having said that, I've seen a few occasions when the A57 Snake Pass between Sheffield and Manchester was closed due to snow and both Inrix + Navteq picked it up and Tomtom didn't.

If you have an android or iphone I would consider a decent car mount and their mobile apps though - although work may not pay for that.

If it was me - I'd get something like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...t Nav - UK, ROI & Full Europe&source=shopping

Edit: See review here for the differences in Live Traffic between Garmin and Tomtom. I'd say this is fairly typical: http://satnav-reviewer.co.uk/sample-page/tomtom-hd-versus-garmin-iq-traffic/

Further edit:
Another option - in stock and ready for delivery:http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_842991_langId_-1_categoryId_247401

teenwolf · 14 Feb 2013 at 21:28

don't know what the new garmins are like, i have had tomtom over the years and have been very pleased with them.

i also have tomtom on my htc 4g phone and that works great.

Tom_ed1987 · 14 Feb 2013 at 21:30

I had a Tomtom VIA 120. It was good, although it didn't have half the features my old GO720 had.

teenwolf · 14 Feb 2013 at 21:32

i bought one of those chinese things 7" INCH Car GPS SAT NAV running win ce cost me £40.
hacked it with tomtom and it runs great, no lag.

i did try to watch a movie on it and well lets just say it failed.

Draeger · 14 Feb 2013 at 21:51

I have the latest TomTom app on my iPhone and it's never let me down. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

I've also got a stand alone TomTom which I bought a few years ago but I rarely use it as the phone app does everything that the standalone does and is much more convenient to cart around with you as well.

Uriel · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:05

May just be worth a mention - unless I'm wrong, the phone apps have a greater radius for downloading live traffic - therefore perform provide a better live service than the standalone units.

The iphone app is a little further ahead than the android one and has a few extra features at the moment.

Tom_ed1987 · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:06

I also have the Tomtom app on my S3. There's something about it I don't like but it's hard to put my finger on exactly what it is. Possibly the viewing perspective. I much prefer the standalone.

Imy · 15 Feb 2013 at 09:13

I moved from a dedicated TomTom unit to the TomTom app on my iPhone and glad I did. It's the same great software but runs much faster and with a much more responsive touch-screen. Also (so far at least) all the map updates have been free whereas they were £5/quarter on dedicated units.

I used Tesco vouchers to double-up on iTunes credit so it cost me £30 I think for European version.

I did try the free/cheap alternative apps first and found them to be well presented but ultimately naff where it counted.

Howard · 15 Feb 2013 at 09:29

I say it in every sat nav thread and I'll say it again. IMHO the TomTom units have, hands-down, the nicest and best interface and therefore I'd recommend one. I have a Go Live 820 and aside from being a bit sluggish at times, it's a pleasure to use and has a fresh, intuitive interface. Every Garmin unit I've used has felt like a cheap Chinese implementation.

Third Opinion · 15 Feb 2013 at 16:47

Got one on my Nokia windows phone. Just as good as any stand alone I have used and far more practical in terms of security. £130 for a fairly decent phone, a Tom Tom alone is £80 minimum.

Zaf · 3 Mar 2013 at 22:15

Cheers guys I ended up with a TomTom GoLive 825 for £165 so only a little over budget

andicole0 · 4 Jul 2013 at 12:00

Could I resurrect this thread and ask how the traffic information is updated on the TomTom and Garmin. Do they need an attached Smartphone or are they Digital radio based?

Andi.

Uriel · 8 Jul 2013 at 12:10

Tomtom generally have a sim card included in the HD Traffic subscription. Some of the very recently launched (not sure if actually available yet) Tomtom Go! models offer either an SIM option or a smartphone link. Tomtom also have a TMC receiver option but the information is far less detailed than HD Traffic. For the standalone smartphone app, you pay a monthly or annual subscription but obviously use the smartphone's data connection for traffic.

Garmin offer traffic via digital radio (supposedly their highest level of detail), simcard (next best) and TMC (not as detailed).

I've used the equivalent of both (Tomtom and Garmin's Navigon apps) on the phone. Tomtom tends to be better for general traffic flow (frequently detecting jams very accurately down to B Roads - I've even seem jams detected on side roads when it got snowy). Garmin's feed from Inrix tends to be a little more reliable for actual road closures (they seem to have more info on non-trunk road A Roads on closures and roadworks from local authorities).

Tomtom's HD traffic is absolutely fantastic if you live in London, where Tomtom get info from TFL to give an enormous level of detail. For other local authorities it's currently a bit hit and miss but the passive jam detection still works pretty well.