Sat Nav

[doubleboost]

Looking for something decent with voice control.
Big screen & easy to use .
Up to a couple of hundred quid 300 max

 

[JOEPRO]

For me I use my Samsung phone on a proper car phone mount and Google maps.

I have went through several Tom Tom and similar sat nav devices and they all end up with expired subscriptions or becoming unsupported. Google maps is free and always up to date and you use your existing smart phone assuming nearly everyone has one nowadays.

You might ask "what about data roaming in foreign countries then huh?" I use Saily app to buy cheap USA etc E sim and it's very cheap to use data the whole trip.

 

[Ross365]

I think that I've just been converted to using the Waze app on my phone. It won't meet all your aspirations, but has some nice features and it's FREE!
FREE includes up-to-date congestion/incident/accident/ warnings.

 

[Bullet2012]

Definitely phone based nowadays
Not a lot between them
Apple, Google or Waze
All offer live information but all are also equally crap
A stand alone sat nav is now more redundant than a Roman map of London

 

[dobbslc]

I've found this. My Tom Tom has free lifetime updates but still doesn't know what roads have been shut to motorists in London for the last 4 years! It always tries to take me through a bus gate on Bakers Street that's been there for at least 3 years utter rubbish but the speed camera warnings are far better than any of the phone apps
I think they've dropped the satnav in favour of the phone app but is the phone app just as bad?

 

[winchman]

I bought a large screen one you can programme the vehicle size in to , I found it clunky and slow so just use Google maps on my phone

 

[daleyd]

Waze for me, it helps if your car has phone integration but if not a decent mount and you’ll be sorted.

Speed and police locations are a godsend, they’ve saved me a few points and a few hundred quid -and the live traffic updates are usually pretty accurate.

 

[Bravheart]

Neanderthal me doesn't know what it was but the boss set up the phone nav. when in a strange town. Must say it was brilliant talking us through to where we wanted to go. Even planning which lane to be in for this and the next set of lights for turns etc. at rush hour.

 

[Rannsachair]

I still use a Garmin 51LMTS when I am abroad, has lifetime European maps and is pretty good overall bar in some cities does not know bus lanes and one way streets. I use it in my Defender. My wife has a built in Android compatible display in the Lexus, so google maps is used there.

I have a BMW Nav4 (Garmin) on my bike too.

 

[sako243]

Okay not a big screen because it was to slot into the dash on my Defender but I've been very happy with this for the price

https://amzn.eu/d/6rh3z2L

Bluetooth or USB to my phone and the just Android Auto on the head unit, it will play music off USB stick etc., but I almost never use that.

They do a bigger version as well but I have no experience because the dash would have required extensive reworking. Hands free is as good as it will be in a noisy 30+ year old Defender run in 33" mud terrains.

 

[voipio]

Hate to say it, but Google maps works well. It's used mostly on an Android tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab A), in a customised mount in the car, with datalink provided by a MiFi on Three, or sometimes using a mobile phone hotspot. One thing I've noticed recently, is that now (last month or so) it takes ages to work out the best route. It used to be lighning fast before. The tablet also has OS maps for the whole UK downloaded (no need for data link during use) so will work in not spots.

Google maps tend to present a rather bland view of the world. The OS maps are much better for giving a detailed view, but don't do routing (although Memory Maps is trying out a routing function).

 

[jmp49]

As others, android auto head unit, or if you really want to up the game, a android headunit that replaces part of the dash/vents and has a larger screen, gps reciever, cellphone modem etc built right into it, more features + spec more price though. Then you dont need your phone, but you do need a second sim on your number which some providers give free, or others make a small charge.
One of these with either google maps or waze (waze is better because other users quickly mark speed cameras and temporary radar setups and accidents etc), & you can do a route in advance and do offline maps or waze and send it to the head unit, so if it has no 4g signal it all still works. Or just input the destination into the head unit when you start in google maps or waze running right on it.
If your a numpty like me and leave the phone at home, it means you still have nav and a way to get hold of people.

 

[JOEPRO]

One of these with either google maps or waze (waze is better because other users quickly mark speed cameras and temporary radar setups and accidents etc), & you can do a route in advance and do offline maps or waze and send it to the head unit, so if it has no 4g signal it all still works.

Google maps acts exactly the same as all features you mention above.

In fact, the other day I got a speed camera notification on google which said reported by waze drivers!

Google maps also has offline maps. Perchance yesterday I had my data turned off on my phone and Google maps worked perfectly as normal during my trip using offline maps. It must use location services on sim but no data, no idea how it works - but it does.

 

[Morris]

I also use Google maps. My phone is an antique but works well enough for me/us.
When we were in the US I downloaded the next days maps when I had WiFi and used it offline (no data costs) and it worked fine.

 

[rtcosic]

As others, android auto head unit, or if you really want to up the game, a android headunit that replaces part of the dash/vents and has a larger screen, gps reciever, cellphone modem etc built right into it, more features + spec more price though. Then you dont need your phone, but you do need a second sim on your number which some providers give free, or others make a small charge.
One of these with either google maps or waze (waze is better because other users quickly mark speed cameras and temporary radar setups and accidents etc), & you can do a route in advance and do offline maps or waze and send it to the head unit, so if it has no 4g signal it all still works. Or just input the destination into the head unit when you start in google maps or waze running right on it.
If your a numpty like me and leave the phone at home, it means you still have nav and a way to get hold of people.

Google maps acts exactly the same as all features you mention above.

In fact, the other day I got a speed camera notification on google which said reported by waze drivers!

Google maps also has offline maps. Perchance yesterday I had my data turned off on my phone and Google maps worked perfectly as normal during my trip using offline maps. It must use location services on sim but no data, no idea how it works - but it does.

In June 2013, Waze was acquired by Google for $1.3 billion. Initially, Google kept Waze as a separate app with its own developers, but as a Google user, I've noted Waze-style features appearing on Google Maps recently. I assume as a cost-cutting measure the two apps are being merged into one and the Waze 'brand' will wither away.

 

[Mark 5]

It infuriates my kids and my G-Kids think I am Nethaderall for not using my phone and Google maps, when required.

Nope, I use my trusty Garmin Nuvi 2595, ok it's dated but I still get free UK map updates. It does have issues pronouncing Welsh names and places, which can be amusing but it has been reliable.

I have a sat cable which gives the 2595 real time info.

 

[zzr1200]

Google maps for general use, and what3words/googlemaps for specific locations. A good phone holder and a usb power lead. Sorted imho.

 

[Justme]

I've found this. My Tom Tom has free lifetime updates but still doesn't know what roads have been shut to motorists in London for the last 4 years! It always tries to take me through a bus gate on Bakers Street that's been there for at least 3 years utter rubbish but the speed camera warnings are far better than any of the phone apps
I think they've dropped the satnav in favour of the phone app but is the phone app just as bad?

I use Tomtom phone app. I find its great.
Updates often.
Seems to have all the roads right. Get traffic updates fast, shows local sort term closures.

You can plan routes online & it syncs to phone.
Yes its costs but for me its worth it.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I use Tomtom phone app. I find its great.
Updates often.
Seems to have all the roads right. Get traffic updates fast, shows local sort term closures.

You can plan routes online & it syncs to phone.
Yes its costs but for me its worth it.

It is a shame that TomTom refuse to update their errors. I was telling them for five years that their database was wrong, but they were uninterested. I wonder if they have sorted it yet? If you have chance, input GL1 5SR 134 and see where it shows? It should show the junction of Bristol Road and Frampton Road, but for a decade, it was pointing to Bristol Road in Quedgeley (GL2 xxx and Vicky Verki whoever she was).

 

[ukracer]

For me I use my Samsung phone on a proper car phone mount and Google maps.

I have went through several Tom Tom and similar sat nav devices and they all end up with expired subscriptions or becoming unsupported. Google maps is free and always up to date and you use your existing smart phone assuming nearly everyone has one nowadays.

You might ask "what about data roaming in foreign countries then huh?" I use Saily app to buy cheap USA etc E sim and it's very cheap to use data the whole trip.

Or get a Samsung tablet and hot spot to your phone. That way you will get large screen always up to date and voice control.