Looking for Sat Nav for UK & Europe
Dec 1, 2014, 10:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
Posts: 3,893
Looking for Sat Nav for UK & Europe
Dear Experts
We are planning to purchase a sat nav budget £100-£200 to use here in the UK and also sometimes abroad in central and northern Europe and possible if we go to the US.
We do not own a car and will be renting when we drive somewhere.
Is there any particular sat nav that people recommend. We want one that has lane recognition and is very easy to understand (my sense of directions is very bad).
Cheers
We are planning to purchase a sat nav budget £100-£200 to use here in the UK and also sometimes abroad in central and northern Europe and possible if we go to the US.
We do not own a car and will be renting when we drive somewhere.
Is there any particular sat nav that people recommend. We want one that has lane recognition and is very easy to understand (my sense of directions is very bad).
Cheers
Dec 1, 2014, 11:05 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AU (ex 10+ year 1k) 1.5MM, AS Newbie, HH ex Dia
Posts: 337
I've been using Garmin US/Europe models for 10+ years. I picked up the latest model (nuvi 2559 LMT) this year and I've been very pleased. Faster destination entry and search, fast satellite acquisition, excellent directions and display (although it took me a while to get familiar with the instructions on the "wrong" side of the road around Heathrow). I've used mine in the US, UK, France, and Germany so far.
The only complaints I have are that the screen is rather reflective and the battery life is short (around 2 hours). Since you need to plug in to get traffic, that's not too much of an issue.
The only complaints I have are that the screen is rather reflective and the battery life is short (around 2 hours). Since you need to plug in to get traffic, that's not too much of an issue.
Dec 1, 2014, 1:34 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
Posts: 3,893
I've been using Garmin US/Europe models for 10+ years. I picked up the latest model (nuvi 2559 LMT) this year and I've been very pleased. Faster destination entry and search, fast satellite acquisition, excellent directions and display (although it took me a while to get familiar with the instructions on the "wrong" side of the road around Heathrow). I've used mine in the US, UK, France, and Germany so far.
The only complaints I have are that the screen is rather reflective and the battery life is short (around 2 hours). Since you need to plug in to get traffic, that's not too much of an issue.
The only complaints I have are that the screen is rather reflective and the battery life is short (around 2 hours). Since you need to plug in to get traffic, that's not too much of an issue.
Dec 1, 2014, 3:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
Dear Experts
We are planning to purchase a sat nav budget £100-£200 to use here in the UK and also sometimes abroad in central and northern Europe and possible if we go to the US.
We do not own a car and will be renting when we drive somewhere.
Is there any particular sat nav that people recommend. We want one that has lane recognition and is very easy to understand (my sense of directions is very bad).
Cheers
We are planning to purchase a sat nav budget £100-£200 to use here in the UK and also sometimes abroad in central and northern Europe and possible if we go to the US.
We do not own a car and will be renting when we drive somewhere.
Is there any particular sat nav that people recommend. We want one that has lane recognition and is very easy to understand (my sense of directions is very bad).
Cheers
Stand-alone GPS products have their uses, but for standard driving directions a phone with Google Maps seems a much more economical way to go, so I'm wondering what feature you want that they don't offer.
Bob
Dec 1, 2014, 3:49 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
Posts: 3,893
Is there a reason you aren't just using Google Maps on a smartphone? Assuming you've already got the phone, a couple of hundred pounds should pay for plenty of data charges instead of buying a new piece of kit, and the app itself is quite good. Or you could add a Garmin or other phone app if desired.
Stand-alone GPS products have their uses, but for standard driving directions a phone with Google Maps seems a much more economical way to go, so I'm wondering what feature you want that they don't offer.
Bob
Stand-alone GPS products have their uses, but for standard driving directions a phone with Google Maps seems a much more economical way to go, so I'm wondering what feature you want that they don't offer.
Bob
Dec 1, 2014, 4:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
The phone would also have the advantage of using it for walking directions when on foot. I use my phone for that quite a bit when wandering around London, Paris, New York, etc and needing to find the closest Tube stop, restaurant, or a specific address.
Dec 1, 2014, 4:04 pm
#7
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
I've started using Waze on my phone. It's a "social" navigation system, and is free!
It's good for the UK and US, but it was a bit lacking in Spain.
Some of the taxi drivers in Paris are using it so a way of avoiding traffic jams.
Another good one is Co Pilot. Pretty cheap.
It's good for the UK and US, but it was a bit lacking in Spain.
Some of the taxi drivers in Paris are using it so a way of avoiding traffic jams.
Another good one is Co Pilot. Pretty cheap.
Dec 1, 2014, 4:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I've started using Waze on my phone. It's a "social" navigation system, and is free!
It's good for the UK and US, but it was a bit lacking in Spain.
Some of the taxi drivers in Paris are using it so a way of avoiding traffic jams.
Another good one is Co Pilot. Pretty cheap.
It's good for the UK and US, but it was a bit lacking in Spain.
Some of the taxi drivers in Paris are using it so a way of avoiding traffic jams.
Another good one is Co Pilot. Pretty cheap.
Dec 2, 2014, 11:44 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
There are some cheap vent clip mounts that can get the phone up closer to eye level and make it less cumbersome to use, which is usually the biggest detractor compared to a dedicated GPS. Something like this is well worth $4 and small enough to keep in a gadget bag so you have it any time you need it.
Dec 3, 2014, 2:52 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
Programs: A3 *G, BA Silver
Posts: 2,706
Is there a reason you aren't just using Google Maps on a smartphone? Assuming you've already got the phone, a couple of hundred pounds should pay for plenty of data charges instead of buying a new piece of kit, and the app itself is quite good. Or you could add a Garmin or other phone app if desired.
Stand-alone GPS products have their uses, but for standard driving directions a phone with Google Maps seems a much more economical way to go, so I'm wondering what feature you want that they don't offer.
Bob
Stand-alone GPS products have their uses, but for standard driving directions a phone with Google Maps seems a much more economical way to go, so I'm wondering what feature you want that they don't offer.
Bob
I've used my Nexus 4 in both the US and Ireland on recent trips. I take a window mount (not for CA) with me. For a longer trip in IE I took a 12v adapter. Works great and Google does a better job with the traffic timing that my Garmin.
I think the days of the dedicated SatNav are limited.
Dec 3, 2014, 3:59 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London-etc
Posts: 3,893
Thanks again for the very helpful tips. I will have a look on the best app especially one that has lane indication.
Just wanted to ask, a very dumb question. If I use it abroad do I have to be roaming or does it just use GPS?
Just wanted to ask, a very dumb question. If I use it abroad do I have to be roaming or does it just use GPS?
Dec 3, 2014, 4:23 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: CLT
Programs: FT Member #8119 F & J Free Agent
Posts: 6,550
There are apps that can download maps for free and just use gps (no data). I like Sygic but I paid for the maps, apps like Navfree may work for you.
Dec 3, 2014, 5:15 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
Programs: A3 *G, BA Silver
Posts: 2,706
If it's cheaper/easier you can use a portable MiFi for the roaming data.
Downloading local maps can save some data. Or use another app.
I've got a corporate all you can eat data plan, so it's not an issue for me.
Dec 3, 2014, 3:30 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: ORD
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Posts: 16,900
I used my T-Mobile Smart Choice data in Germany recently. The iPhone worked like a charm and we never had any data lap problems. Had a car with a GPS but never saw any reason to turn it on, the phone worked great.
Dec 4, 2014, 4:46 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
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However, it requires roaming and depending on your plan could be expensive.
