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Step 1 - Dedicated Sat Nav Units

Price Range: Typically Up To £500

Dedicated Satellite Navigation Systems give you everything you need in one convenient unit. They are simple to set up and can be easily fitted into any car which make them the ideal route finding solution for any driver.

These products are sold with different navigation services and other added value features depending on their cost. We explain more about the differences on offer in further detail below.

Key Benefits:

1. Everything you need in one unit for car navigagtion

2. Simple to set up and easy to use

The key features to look out for in these dedicated Sat Nav units are their build quality, navigation features, size of display screen, additional in-car features and battery life.

Build Quality
The build quality of these Sat Nav units is generally good. They are made from durable plastic, have a built-in GPS receiver and are designed to be held in position by a windscreen mounted cradle (this is attached to the screen by a suction cup). Be careful to ensure that the windscreen mounting cradle is capable of holding the weight of your Sat Nav unit when you need to brake sharply.

Choice of Navigation Features
Each dedicated Sat Nav unit is sold with its own software pre- installed. The depth of their navigation features are clearly stated within the specifications for each unit.

Basic units provide you with a no frills solution to get you simply from A to B based on Post Codes or a user-set list of favourite destinations and provides a list of Points Of Interest (such as petrol stations, car parks, city centres etc). More advanced models allow you to update your Points of Interest, speed and safety camera locations and to receive (under a subscription service) the latest traffic information. The more expensive uniits can be updated through a USB cable or a mobile phone connection.

For further information on the features of navigation software then please Click Here.

Maps Provided
These are pre-loaded on the unit by the manufacturer. Basic units come with just the UK maps, more advanced units can include Europe. Map upgrades can be purchased seperately.

Size And Quality Of Display Screen
A bigger screen makes it easier to see the displayed maps and screen information. For safety reasons whilst driving a vehicle a user can listen to driving directions. Whichever model you choose it is important that the screen display is easy to read in comfort from the driver's seat when your vehicle is not moving.

Additional In-Car Features
Some of the more advanced units have MP3 players and bluetooth connectivity that allows drivers to make and receive "hands free" calls on a mobile phone.

Battery Life
Typically 2 to 4 hours on a fully charged battery. These car mounted units are plugged into the vehicle's cigarette lighter for all day use.

Positives:
Ease of use and ease of set up.

Negatives:
Being a single purpose device it only does one job.

Our Verdict:
An ideal navigation solution for drivers which can take the stress out of finding your way to your destination and improve your driving experience.

You can also check the latest product reviews using the links on our product review page in order to shortlist your preferred dedicated Sat Nav unit.

Now check our Specification Guide against your intended Sat Nav usage: