nonnaB 4,893 Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 We have 2 satnavs, a tomtom and a cheap one. We dont use them much as the last few years weve not travelled much. A few years ago when one of my grandsons was learning to swim I use to take him to a nearby spa. I knew exactly how to get there but was convinced there was a shorter route. So setting the SN to continue the quickest route I set off. So far so good until I entered the area where the spa was. " turn right and straight on....recalculating...at the next exit turn left, after 200 m turn " you get the gist. I finished up going round in circles and eventually got stuck as I couldnt turn round and had to reverse quite a way back Every time I passed a certain point where there were 3 old men sitting( oops they were old to me then) they just glared at me and probably thought " woman driver" I did however find a quicker route just by looking around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 Before anyone says ‘my satnav’s the best’ the same in-car system is used by Audi, Merc, Porsche, BMW and Jaguar/Land-rover. I presume we all drive at least one of those! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,424 Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I wouldn't say mine's the best. I don't use it much anymore. It was handy when we were driving to Canada and back. It once helped us to find a dentist in South Dakota when Mrs. L had a tooth problem on the way. Apart from that I mostly consider them a novelty at best and a distraction at worst. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oztalgian 3,217 Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 One of the best in car driving aids, provided you keep it up to date, many have lifetime free map updates. Given that we do not have too many choices on alternative routes outside the urban areas I use it as a speed warning due to the constant changes in limits that we suffer from here and a warning of traffic delays on your proposed route. You must still of course use common sense. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,377 Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 I used mine on my recent drive to Amsterdam but once I'd found the E40 after leaving Calais it became redundant. They are useful but in the UK I don't really need one. In Glasgow, which I used to know quite well, I turned it on as the city has changed enormously since I was last there but had to turn it off again. I found it way to distracting in heavy traffic and simply relied on road signs to navigate my way out. At work we had TomToms and for an experiment set it from 'fastest' to 'shortest' route on a journey from Carlton to Nuthall. It seems it overlays the map with a straight line and takes you through Nottingham using every little side road closest to the straight line. I went down streets I didn't even know existed and had to give up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 I used it when travelling near to Glasgow towing a largish boat. It took me through the City centre which wasn’t ideal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 I detest the damn things. I had one for Christmas years ago, and I never took it out of the box for months. I was brought up on a mid 50's AA Book of the Road, and OS maps. Every time we use it, madam and I end up rowing. She's no idea whatsoever of postcodes, and I expect an instant response, so it's a recipe for disaster. I only need to visit a place once, and it registers instantly ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 These are best because they work like any expensive sat-nav but this one is completely free. Download to your phone Android, IOS etc & away you go, uses none of your phone data when using either. ! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps&hl=en_GB 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,377 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Love 'em or hate 'em they are here to stay and it's now part of the driving test to navigate using one. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 So true Brew, but I've always thought that some basic form of map reading should also be compulsory. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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