Sat navs can provide a whole range of services. However, in order to make the most of your device, it's essential to look into accessories that will increase your sat nav's functionality and its long-term durability. Most sat navs come with a bracket and suction cup that fixes to the windscreen or dashboard.
Some can be clipped to one of your air vents. You should position your mount so it doesn't obstruct your view of the road and so that the charging cable doesn't get in the way of your car's controls. If you lose your mount, then don't panic; replacements and additional holders can also be bought separately. You can browse our various sat nav mounts here.
When you're not using your sat nav, you should protect the screen with a sat nav case. A soft carry case will protect it from basic bumps and scratches, while a sturdier solid case will fit cables and accessories.
We offer a range of Garmin , TomTom and own brand sat nav accessories, both online and instore. Many sat navs have space for an additional memory card, which will allow you to store more maps and information and footage from a dashboard camera. Browse our range of Micro SD Cards. If you're buying a new car, you may be offered a built-in sat nav as an add-on purchase. This is usually because you have to choose them as part of an expensive multimedia system. Even worse, the maps they use and features they offer could be out of date, while map updates may cost extra and have to be installed at a service centre from manufacturer-specific USBs, which you may never get around to doing.
In addition, traffic alerts won't be very responsive compared to live traffic data and may come only by subscription. What's more, you can transfer a standalone sat nav from one vehicle to another. They're also ready to use straight from the box, so whatever your travel plans or car options, they're a simple way to make driving more stress free for both experienced and new drivers alike. The majority of sat nav laws point to common sense safety tips, such as not having an obstructed view of the road, or not being distracted by screens.
One requirement that drivers need to be mindful of is that it's against the law to hold a sat nav whilst driving - just like a mobile phone. Instead, drivers must have hands-free access. This could be through activating your sat nav with voice commands, or setting up your sat nav while safely stopped.
It's essential that drivers are familiar with how to use their sat nav legally. Being so is a requirement of the UK driving test today. We know it's sometimes tricky to set up and get used to a sat nav.
That's why if you buy a sat nav at Halfords, we can set it up for you and give you a demo for free. So let our experts take on the hassle of installation, tidying up unsightly cables and giving your sat nav that professional polish.
Please enable cookies in your web browser to improve your shopping experience. Your browser's JavaScript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you experience this site's full capabilities. Extended Christmas returns. Mobile Fitting Services We'll come to you. Buyers Guides. Sat Nav Buyer's Guide With the help of a good sat nav , you'll be able to handle any journey confidently, - spending less time fretting about directions and more time enjoying the open road.
What is a sat nav? How do sat navs work? Best used cars with Apple CarPlay. Search all used car deals. See related. What is Android Auto? Best cars with Android Auto. The best cars with Apple CarPlay. What is Apple CarPlay? Read more about: cars. GPS is basically a very hi-tech version of the traditional navigation technique, triangulation.
The signal from the satellites was at one time degraded which gave inaccuracies of up to ft m but this changed in the year , and accuracy is now within 50ft 15m.
Today's navigation systems go beyond GPS. Cell phones can triangulate their position between mobile phone masts, whereas sat-navs contain compasses and accelerometers to help them navigate safely. But as many frustrated drivers know, this is still far from being full-proof.
They work straight out of the box and are usually installed using a suction mount fixed to your windscreen. We put all dedicated sat navs to the test using a GPS simulator, which replicates driving a set route, including minor and major roads, as well as a variety of junctions and roundabouts.
We assess the quality of the guidance given, including how clear and timely the instructions are. A good dedicated sat nav will be a breeze to use, and will have clear mapping combined with easy-to-follow audio and visual guidance. The worst from our tests could have you driving in circles, as the instructions are difficult to understand and lack useful guidance features such as a lane assistant. Standalone sat nav screens are anywhere from four to seven inches when measured diagonally.
The best large-screen sat navs will give you a clear view of the map, even while you're focused on driving, and the menu icons will be easy to see and select. Whatever the size, the screens of the best standalone devices are designed to minimize windscreen glare. Head over to our sat nav reviews to find out about all the models on test. Pros: Built with navigation in mind, dedicated devices usually have good speakers and matte, non-reflective screens, and most come with free map updates.
Some also offer live traffic updates, which can prove handy if you want to avoid delays. Cons: A separate device to carry around. If you require additional maps further down the line such as for driving in Europe , purchasing them can be expensive. Traffic updates often cost extra. Available for your smartphone, a sat nav app is a convenient option — simply download and begin navigating. Apple users can download apps from the App store, and those with Android smartphones should search Google Play.
Windows users have less choice, but compatible sat nav apps can be found in the Microsoft Store.
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