My current garmin sat nav stopped working today (Garmin Nuvi 2310) the unit had Bluetooth, but as my new car has that built in I no longer need that feature...

 

So what I am looking for is a 4.3" screen or bigger with full European maps as I am thinking about a trip to Milan in the car via the alps or a trip to Prague later this year and lifetime updates not so fussed about traffic

 

any recommendations?

basically, if you were happy with your previous Garmin, then buy another one

 

 

What's your budget WeirdKerr??

£150 or so.....

not so fussed about traffic

The Tomtom Live Traffic Updates is a worthy add on to have and if the Garmin version is similar (and not like the VAG version) then I'd seriously want it as part of the package!

What exactly has gone wrong with old one? Long press on power button does the reset. I have a 1490 and over last 50-60K of use I have had to do it 3 or 4 times but still going strong on latest F/W and maps. Even changed the battery after a couple of years old. For the big 'F Off' reset with device off press and hold bottom right corner of screen and then power on. Not sure if this is with all nuvi models but I doubt they would have changed it. That will factory reset it. If it doesn't work same can be tried with other corners of screen etc. 

 

Failing that try Amazon's sale on at moment been some Nivi model on offer and then of course Halfords will be having sales too. 

Satnav choice is like pitting Android against IOS.  It really is what you prefer.  I have always had TomToms and so like them as I am used to them.  My in-laws have had Garmins and so like them.  I struggle with the Garmin as it is different to the TomTom but in reality probably no better or worse.

 

Decide on the features you want such as Euro maps, Traffic, Speed Cameras (not France of course!), etc then compare them.  Probably some reasonable deals on the older models.  Think TomTom were and still may be doing lifetime map updates on some models.

 

Personally I have an old TomTom I keep for emergencies but generally use my mobile with Google maps as the nav aid when I need one these days.

The Unit I have doesn't have Euro maps only UK and ROI, so i'm looking for a full euro map

 

I tried the long press to reset it but nothing happened

 

Speed cameras are a no... I will be going to France and from what I have heard even if the unit ONLY has UK and ROI speed cameras installed you can still be liable for prosecution if stopped by the French police

Speed cameras are a no... I will be going to France and from what I have heard even if the unit ONLY has UK and ROI speed cameras installed you can still be liable for prosecution if stopped by the French police

 

Even the French aren't that stupid!

I read an article in either Autocar or Auto express a while ago where one of their journalists was stopped and they had checked his sat nav for speed camera warnings and found it was switched on despite him telling them that he only had UK database for the warnings he was still fined

Tomtom have approval from the French authorities for their speed camera database. Basically when in France a Tomtom alerts you to "Safety Zones" where cameras are, but does not give you the actual location.

 

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2013/03/tomtom-update-for-danger-zones-in-france-for-speed-cameras.html

Tomtom have approval from the French authorities for their speed camera database. Basically when in France a Tomtom alerts you to "Safety Zones" where cameras are, but does not give you the actual location.

 

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2013/03/tomtom-update-for-danger-zones-in-france-for-speed-cameras.html

not surprised TomTom do this as they are fitted to some Renaults including the megane I considered before buying the leon 

I managed to get a garmin 2597LMT for under a hundred quid in Amazon's black Friday deals. I'm sure if you go to Amazon at the moment you will pick up a similar deal.

OK it has bluetooth but you can disable it and it comes with lifetime updates for maps and traffic comes for free.

Alternatively you can if you have a smartphone either Android or iPhone you can install a sat nav app for between £19 & £40.

I had a lot of problems with Tom Toms they did everything but navigate, great at all the internet clever bits but couldn't get them to link to a satellite . Spent hours on forums where everyone was moaning. I bought a Garmin with lifetime updates of European maps.

I take it with us sometimes as the Columbus probably isn't.' tax up to date, in Spain at the beginning of the month the Columbus worked brilliantly, so for me the Garmin is a " belts and braces" in Europe as well as great when we hire cars abroad.

I had tried my smartphone once or twice but found it to be too quiet plus there are more areas of poor 3g signal up here so it is not as practical...

It doesn't require 3G/4G signal. It uses the phones built in GPS & the app such as Co-Pilot/Sygic when you install it, it downloads the maps separately which is best done using a broadband connection.

 

On my phone I have: Google Maps which is 3G/4G reliant, but I can use it anywhere.

 

Sygic for UK/IRE only or

 

Co-Pilot for both UK/EU.

 

So I have all of the "bases" or options covered.

Her dad just bought a tomtom go live 1005 from halfords. Free lifetime maps and a hard carry case for 149.99. I had a play and it seems very good. Maybe worth looking at?

for French cameras - and all other countries in Europe I use this site - works very well

 

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Cameras#compatibility

I always laugh when I see all the reliance on sat navs. My sat nav has been in use for more than 40 years, and gets updates when needed every few years. Itt alerts me to cameras and other problems. It also makes a mean sausage pie/ mince & gravy/roast beef dinner /roast pork with stuffing and excellent pies /cakes. It washes our clothes and dishes, and caters for some of my needs that I have problems with, like retrieving things off the floor. Auric makes fun of his- I just adore mine- it's W.I.F.Y (MK1).

I always laugh when I see all the reliance on sat navs. My sat nav has been in use for more than 40 years, and gets updates when needed every few years. It alerts me to cameras and other problems. It also makes a mean sausage pie/ mince & gravy/roast beef dinner /roast pork with stuffing and excellent pies /cakes. It washes our clothes and dishes, and caters for some of my needs that I have problems with, like retrieving things off the floor. Auric makes fun of his- I just adore mine- it's W.I.F.Y (MK1).

 

I'm intrigued as to what gets updated every few years and yet you still claim to be on the Mk1 version!

 

Do you have a newer version that only gets used when the the Mk1 version is having her batteries recharged?

 

I find that the versions that are about 20 years old never seem to run out of energy!

Those of older years might be lacking in energy ,are  not lacking in other directions. Things might get updated, but the origonal still exists, hence the Mark one version . WHY bother with a younger version ,when the older model gives superior performancwe and satisfaction .The 20 yer old versios never seem to lack energy, but lack experiance.

Edited 9 January, 201412 yr by VWD