I'm going to be driving in Europe again fairly regularly, and whilst I managed with a phone and Google maps in the UK, the roaming charges are going to be prohibitive.

I was thinking of getting a Garmin (I use an edge 500 on my bike and it's brilliant) and had a Tom Tom XL until a year ago when it was stolen from my car.

Meantime, I'll continue to use my phone - but having a real problem finding a good quality mount for a Galaxy S3. I'm using a dash bean bag as I don't want the tell tale sucker marks on the screen inviting unwanted attention. I've tried three different makes, and they're all rubbish.

Tommy nothing else

I've used Garmin and TomTom and prefer the Garmin units as I prefer the user interface and the display. Worth popping into Halfords or somewhere and seeing them side by side though...

Chris

I bought a garmin for SWMBO and TBF it's been a really good sat nav, our's has the traffic jam avoider on that's saved us a few times on the motorway. It also has the speed cameras on it too, but as she got done driving past a fixed camera she's passed every day since it was put up I didn't pay to update it! Only thing that annoys me is when it continually says recalculating while it works a new route out when I either choose another way or miss a turn. as scoobychris says best see them together and get the shop assisant show you the differences as they change all the time.

before plumping for either a Garmin or a Tom Tom, maybe have a look at a Becker :think:

http://mobilenavigation.mybecker.com/en/products/becker-traffic-assist/

Im on my 2nd garmin & im more than happy with them,my other half has a tom tom & she likes my garmin better.

before plumping for either a Garmin or a Tom Tom, maybe have a look at a Becker :think:

http://mobilenavigat...traffic-assist/

any reason why?

The which? best buys are all tommy or garmin.

The tommy that I had was frustrating when programming in a postcode, as it doesn't take the full code. This is where google / android wins hands down, I've never once had a problem finding a house or a POI including factories / businesses.

I like the idea of Garmin also because of the free / lifetime map updates. TBF the traffic avoidance on my tomtom worked well

Why not get a satnav app for your phone like sygic or tomtom etc that doesn't require a live data connection. I use a Breffo Spiderpodium to hold my s3 -works fine in the air vent

Dont buy navman they are crap!!

Why not get a satnav app for your phone like sygic or tomtom etc that doesn't require a live data connection. I use a Breffo Spiderpodium to hold my s3 -works fine in the air vent

The spider looks ideal, so long as I can manipulate it so that the phone doesn't obscure the vent too much. How does the TomTom app work? Presumably you buy the map, which is installed on the phones memory?

Halfords have an excellent offer on the TomTom Go LIVE 1005 V2 Europe finishing tomorrow. It includes 3 years free Live services and free lifetime updates to the installed maps with up to 4 downloads a year. The price is £279.99 less an additional discount of £20, ie £259.99. You need to use the link below to find it.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_931919_langId_-1_categoryId_165685?_$ja=kw:satnavdiscounts%7Ctsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-satnavdiscounts-_-TopLink

The map update package saves £79.99 and 3 years Live services would normally cost £142.50.

The spider looks ideal, so long as I can manipulate it so that the phone doesn't obscure the vent too much. How does the TomTom app work? Presumably you buy the map, which is installed on the phones memory?

Exactly that you install the maps on to the phone or memory card if installed. All of the big brands do an app. It's how tomtom started out -I still have an old Dell Axim pda somewhere with a cradle with loads of wires and a gps reciever attached from about 10 years ago

Halfords have an excellent offer on the TomTom Go LIVE 1005 V2 Europe finishing tomorrow. It includes 3 years free Live services and free lifetime updates to the installed maps with up to 4 downloads a year. The price is £279.99 less an additional discount of £20, ie £259.99. You need to use the link below to find it.

http://www.halfords....ounts-_-TopLink

The map update package saves £79.99 and 3 years Live services would normally cost £142.50.

Looks good, but waaaay too much £££s. Be cheaper to pay Vodafone and take my data bundle with me.

Has anyone tried copilot live?

It's popular on some other forums (random google search for it) and the play store reviews of TomTom are not that great, given its premium price. Not sure it's even compatible with HD handsets yes (I've got a Galaxy S3).

any reason why?

The which? best buys are all tommy or garmin.

The tommy that I had was frustrating when programming in a postcode, as it doesn't take the full code. This is where google / android wins hands down, I've never once had a problem finding a house or a POI including factories / businesses.

I like the idea of Garmin also because of the free / lifetime map updates. TBF the traffic avoidance on my tomtom worked well

Weird.

Ive had 3 tom tom's and they all took the full post code. I think they are superb, really easy to use and far better than the built in factory fit sat nav's i have used. GArmins seem to get good reviews also but i havent tried one so cant comment but i dare say you wont have any trouble with garmin or tom tom as they have been producing similar devices for years so pretty much have it sorted.

I had a Tom Tom XK Europe:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0018NPMI8/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

I could be confusing the postcode issue with the in built nav in my old Accord - sorry it's an age thing....

As it happens I've bought Copilot premium for £24. Bit annoyed as I then paid anither £6 for 12 months traffic, which I subsequently found out was already bundled with the original purchase. Gits.

If you get a TomTom remember that after a year the price of updates gets silly and you'll probably be cheaper to replace at that point.

Also we've found our TomTom to be pretty crap really considering the price. Makes lots of mistakes and has some postcodes in totally the wrong places. Been finding we had to take a google map print as a backup.

Having just tried out the Copilot, I can't see any justification in not using a phone as a nav - let alone paying £100+ on a separate device that's likely to get nicked at some point (after all who carries their satnav around in their pockets). I recall the Tommy that I had often mistook bends for junctions, and invented a couple of roads that didn't exist. I've been using Google maps navigation for the last 12 months or so, and the only reason for paying for something is to avoid roaming charges when abroad, as google maps are so much more detailed / accurate / than the Tom map ever was.

Have you thought about getting a cheap Skoda/VAG - MFD2 Sat nav unit and replacing your stereo (not sure which version you have) then recode with VCDS. Then just download the Europe maps from a certain site and burn to disc. I have done this although my Intergral SATNAV was already fitted when i bought the car but its got me to Italy through France and Switzerland a couple of times. Although im on 2009 maps atm.

I have a Tom tom and its pretty good, took it to france on a road trip and it was perfect The only gripe i have is that mine doesnt like average speed cameras!! It just keep on telling you about a speed warning even though you pressed the button to say ok!!....On the way to belfast i have to turn it off as it keeping beeping for 45 mins!!! :(

I have a Tom tom and its pretty good, took it to france on a road trip and it was perfect The only gripe i have is that mine doesnt like average speed cameras!! It just keep on telling you about a speed warning even though you pressed the button to say ok!!....On the way to belfast i have to turn it off as it keeping beeping for 45 mins!!! :(

You can turn it off its in the settings, Well it is on the ones i have used.

tried that and it stii didnt work!!..Tom tom set me a whole new download and it still does it!! :(

I have a two Garmins a Nuvi 1310 and a Zumo 660. Got to say that they are great, never had any major issues with them, and the Zumo is Dust, Vibration and waterproof, so you could use it on your bike (it's designed for motorbikes).

I had a code and got a deal for lifetime map updates to the Nuvi, and the Zumo came with them. I know many people who have had the TomTom Rider which is there equivalent to the Zumo, and on the whole most people have had a lot of problems with them. Mainly the build quality rather than the mapping, one friend sent his back three times to repair the same fault. He ended up taking a hammer to it in sheer frustration!

Can't really help - I never use one.I've got a sit nag, which in over 40 years ( with a map) has Never got us lost. Can reccomend this option - great tea /coffee /food maker . keeps me warm in bed . Great dish washer & with the right washing machine & iron , clothes are there . Can Tom Tom do all this .

Can't really help - I never use one.I've got a sit nag, which in over 40 years ( with a map) has Never got us lost. Can reccomend this option - great tea /coffee /food maker . keeps me warm in bed . Great dish washer & with the right washing machine & iron , clothes are there . Can Tom Tom do all this .

Maybe not, but which would you rather look at

Only joking, I'm sure your missus is tidy

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