Meanwhile, smartphones aren’t always reliable when it comes to getting a GPS signal or even, in some cases, making sure that their internal compass is pointing in the right direction. The best satnavs simply work, and if you’re already used to Garmin or TomTom’s interface and systems, you might not want to switch to something new. What’s more, today’s satnavs have learned some lessons from their smartphone rivals, and they’re packing in bigger, better screens, additional features and useful live services. The key thing is easy operation and the best satnavs make it as straightforward as possible to find your destination, pick a route and locate nearby amenities.īest car phone holder 2022: The easiest to use and most secure windscreen, vent and dashboard mounts Best big-screen satnav: Garmin Drivesmart 86.Best value satnav: Garmin DriveSmart 66.Best mid-range satnav: TomTom Sat Nav Go Essential.We’ve picked out the best satnavs you can currently buy to help you make the right choice. Of course, having a screen in the car can be a distraction, so the interfaces are designed to minimise driver interaction. In fact, many now include voice controls that can help you avoid using the touchscreen quite so often, and with better integration with smartphones and voice assistants, these are becoming more dependable. When you do reach for the screen, you’ll appreciate having one with the same capacitive technology used by smartphones. Cheaper and older models tend to have resistive touchscreens, which need more pressure when you hit a key and don’t provide such a clear or vibrant image.

How will satnavs make my journey smoother?Īll satnavs receive signals from GPS satellites, from which they can calculate where you are and in which direction you’re moving. They use this data with its maps to plan a route to your destination and track your progress along it, providing directions for when and where you need to turn, change lanes or take a roundabout exit.Įven basic satnavs now come with lifetime map updates, so you shouldn’t be confused by different road layouts or the appearance or disappearance of roads and roundabouts along your route.

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