I need a sat.nav.!!!!!!!!!!!

As with all equipment, trust it but be sceptical and plan ahead. Mrs Shiney's old Tom Tom finally gave up but was very good - most of the time. We've just got her a Garmin and that seems good as well - still testing it. My car has one built in and is also very good but if I don't want to keep changing the parameters (have it set for fastest roads) I need to do some proper advance planning.

I always study the route on maps or on-line, pick the way I want to go, make brief notes and then use the Sat Nav. I then go the way I planned and ignore the Sat Nav if it tells me different. It re-adjusts its route as I go along. By the time I'm getting near my destination it will have the correct local roads to navigate and does it superbly.

Sat Navs are at their best when you are driving in towns or in very rural areas. In towns they can navigate you around the roads without you having to try and study your route whilst watching the traffic. It doesn't matter if it takes you a slightly longer way round. In very rural areas it is usually good for directing you round country lanes because it's hard to try and orientate yourself on winding roads.

Try and get a Sat Nav that you can key in your route and then whizz through it on screen to the destination. That way you can see whether it is actually taking you to the correct destination. Some have this facility and others don't.

 

Val, Mrs Shiney's Sat Nav can actually be set to take you back to your car if you take it with you.

 

If you drive to a town you don't know very well, for shopping, and wander around the shops then you might find it difficult to find your car. Some of the car parks, also, are so large that it can be difficult - particularly if the large park and ride car parks.

She now, also, uses her Sat Nav when she takes the train to London. She can then set it as a walking Sat Nav and it will take her around the West End or The City and, in that mode, use one way roads and walkways.