If you don’t already have one, chances are you might be hoping for one
for Christmas or shopping around for somebody else’s Christmas list. It’s all
too easy to just pick up the sat nav that suits your budget and looks like it
does everything you need. But, it’s important to look closely at the range of
options they offer, compatibility with existing computer software and also any
extras that might be included. Here’s the lowdown on what to check before you
reach the checkout:

UK or Europe-wide?

Many models now come with European mapping as standard but cheaper sat
navs will still only include the UK. It is often possible to buy ‘add-on’
European maps but it’s worth spending a bit more to get included from the
outset, unless of course you have no intention to taking to the roads of
Europe.

Voice Recognition

This is a handy feature that makes it even quicker to set up your
journey plan and get going. With a manual model alone, you will have to type in
the destination and, whilst those with dexterous typing fingers will find this
a doddle, voice recognition will make the whole process quicker and slicker.

Traffic Jams

Many models will now steer you effectively around traffic jams, taking
you via another route that doesn’t involve the family having a full-blown row
on the journey to the grandparents. This is a very handy feature that’s worth
investing in if you do a lot of driving in bottleneck locations.

Screen Quality

It’s worth trying to have a look at the layout and quality of the screen
before you go ahead and make your final decision. Some are far clearer than
others, and there might be a particular layout that you find much easier to
follow.

Speed Cameras

If your local area is riddled with speed cameras, many sat navs now
feature an alert system that will give you advance warning of upcoming speed
cameras. If you’ve been caught out with a ticket, you might well be spending a
bit more to save in the longterm.

Shop Around

Finally, don’t just buy from the first shop you visit. There is a great
deal of difference in the price of most models of sat nav, depending on where
you buy. Shop around or use a price comparison site on the Internet and you
should be able to save some money – maybe even go up to the next model if you
can find it a lot cheaper.

About Author:

Tai Computers are a UK based software manufacturers who
specialise in supplying new businesses with IT software and ongoing support.