Sat Nav - Xmas

[Belmit]

Logged in to my dad's which.net account and grabbed the best buys. Not sure how this formatting's going to turn out...

Best Buys
TomTom GO 520

• Price: £250
• Score: 73%
• Type: Hand-held

This great-performing Best Buy sat nav from TomTom works well, with easy installation and programming, clear audio guidance and the ability to tackle giving 2 or more instructions in quick succession.
Visual clarity is aided by the wide screen, with 16:9 aspect ratio, and the map zooms in to show the detail of on junctions as you approach.


Garmin Nuvi 660FM

• Price: £300
• Score: 72%
• Type: Hand-held

The Nuvi 660FM is easy to set up and use, with clear prompts and graphics, although it struggles in built-up areas.
This model comes with European mapping and traffic management as standard. It’s easy to install and a touch-sensitive screen makes initial programming and changing routes easy. It comes with a bracket to mount it on the dashboard if you prefer this from the screen-mounting option.


Sony NV-U82

• Price: £200
• Score: 72%
• Type: Hand-held

Installing and programming this Best Buy Sony model is easy and it gives clear instructions. However, it can be tricky to change routes mid-journey.
The screen is large at 121mm, and it has a 16:9 aspect ratio – features which help make the visual prompts clearer and easier to understand. It also gives good clear audio instructions, although from time to time these are a little late for an effective response from the driver.


Garmin Nuvi 610T Regional

• Price: £250
• Score: 71%
• Type: Hand-held

This model shares many similar features and functions with the Nuvi 660FM, like the large screen, clear visuals and PIN security. It’s easy to install and easy to programme. Changing routes is no problem either.
It did well in London, finding all the inner city destinations, and overall it did better in the city than its sister model, but it was sometimes slow to give instructions and the screen map display was slightly behind actual position of the car.


Mio DigiWalker C520t with MioMap v.3.3

• Price: £267
• Score: 71%
• Type: Hand-held

Great for re-routing to avoid traffic jams, the DigiWalker C520t offers accurate route planning and good prompts, but changing routes mid-journey is a bit fiddly.
This model comes fully equipped with European mapping and traffic management control effective at re-routing to avoid those annoying jams. It re-calculated the routes several times on our city runs.


TomTom One Europe

• Price: £180
• Score: 70%
• Type: Hand-held

This Best Buy from TomTom performs pretty competently across the board and is exceptional value for money. It doesn’t come with a large screen like some other Best Buys, but even so, its visual and audio advice are good.
TomTom One is the biggest selling model in the UK. As the name suggests, this derivative comes ready loaded with European mapping, for which many more expensive models ask extra.


ViaMichelin Navigation X-970T

• Price: £210
• Score: 68%
• Type: Hand-held

As the Michelin name tag suggests, this sat nav comes loaded with information about the plush eateries listed in the guide of the same name. But it’s a fairly useful sat nav even if you aren’t seeking fine food.
It comes with European maps and traffic management to divert you away from the jams, and there’s speed camera data – which can be updated online free of charge.


Garmin StreetPilot C510 Deluxe

• Price: £120
• Score: 67%
• Type: Hand-held

The Best Buy StreetPilot C150 is without doubt the best-value sat nav of the bunch. It manages to perform to a level worthy of a Best Buy, yet its price tag is the lowest on test.
The screen is small but (as with all the Garmins), it’s a touch-screen, which has clear graphics and is user-friendly.