With the addition of sat nav driving on the new test coming December 4th we thought it might be worth shedding some light on what best to buy.
The best sat nav and navigation apps will get you to your destination with a minimum of fuss, and smoothly cope with any disruptions or delays en route. They are a breeze to install and use. But other sat navs and apps are hard to use, with poor routing making them more of a hindrance than a help. They struggle to deal with route recalculations, too, which could leave you going round in circles.
How much does a good sat nav cost?
Standalone sat navs can range from anywhere between £50 to more than £300. Sat nav apps tend to be cheaper and range from free to around £50. There are lots of free options, including Google Maps and Apple Maps, and even paid-for apps will cost you less than £50.
Dedicated sat navs Dedicated sat navs are the traditional sat nav – standalone devices that work out of the box. The sat nav market has reduced considerably in recent years, with Garmin and TomTom accounting for the vast majority of models sold in the UK.
Pros:
Built with navigation in mind
Dedicated devices usually have good speakers and matte
Non-reflective screens
Most come with free map updates
Some also offer live-traffic updates, which can prove handy if you want to avoid delays.
Cons:
A separate device to carry around.
If you require additional maps further down the line (such as for driving in Europe), purchasing them can be expensive.
Traffic updates often cost extra.
Paid-for sat nav apps
Available for your smartphone, paid-for apps are an alternative to the dedicated sat nav. They are often considerably cheaper, and have many of the features of their standalone counterparts.
Pros:
Apps are a cheaper option and are easy to update. They’re also extremely convenient, as you’re likely to always have your phone with you.
Cons:
Their performance can depend on the smartphone you have
Some require a constant data connection, which can be costly if you’re on a limited data plan
You’ll probably also need to buy a windscreen or air vent mount, and a suitable charging cable.
Free sat nav apps
We all like the sound of ‘free’ and, no matter what your smartphone platform, there are a plethora of free apps available. However, they are something of a mixed bag in our experience, so it’s worth checking our reviews.
Pros:
They’re free.
Easy to download and try – and if you don’t like one app, simply delete it and try another.
Useful for occasional users.
Most smartphones come with one built in as standard.
Cons:
Since almost anyone can make a sat nav app and make it available in an app store, quality is highly varied
Some are advert-supported, meaning there might be an advert banner or pop-up ad on the app, which can be annoying
The basic (and built-in) apps often lack the quantity and quality of features available through standalone devices and paid-for apps.
Key features to look for
To make sure you get the most out of your sat nav, here are a few tips when you’re looking to buy:
Mapping and updates – Pick a model with free updates and mapping. These days, most models from the big-name brands will come with free updates out of the box, but slightly older models may not. These may appear cheap initially, but can represent a false economy as you’ll need to pay to update the mapping at a later date.
Traffic information – If you’re a regular driver, you may find traffic information useful. Most sat navs will come with some form of this, although with some you’ll need to buy a separate TMC receiver to plug in. Others will use the DAB signals from your car radio – the charging cable that comes in the box will usually act as the receiver. The best option is to use a device or app that uses your smartphone to pick up detailed traffic information via a mobile-data connection – this should offer the most up-to-date news to help stop you getting stuck in a jam. Look for a device that can be linked with your smartphone. Some newer devices, such as the latest TomTom Go range, have built-in Sim cards so you don’t need to link to your smartphone for live data services. These do cost a little more, though, so decide whether paying a little extra for this convenience is worth it.
Size – Sat nav screens are anywhere from 4 to 7 inches when measured diagonally across. While some people may enjoy the clarity of a larger screen, others may find it obstructive and will want to opt for something slightly smaller. Before buying your sat nav, it’s worth cutting a rectangular piece of card to the size you’re thinking of buying, and placing it in your car to get a feel for the size.
Brands – It’s important to be brand-aware when buying a sat nav. While there are only a couple of big-name brands on the market, there are plenty of cheap, rebadged models available on sites such as Ebay. While these are inexpensive, the few we’ve tested in the past have been poor, and the lack of aftersales service from an unknown company means it’s unlikely you’ll be able to keep the sat nav up to date.
The driving examiners will be using the well known brand of TomTom and their Start 52 model. What sat nav do you think you will use?
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