Hi

I am looking to buy a very inexpensive GPS that I can also down load UK maps to for use when I go back to the UK. Does anyone have any recommendations please.

Thanks in advance

Steer clear of anything that isn't TomTom or Garmin.

For both brands, you can buy UK maps for download.

Otherwise use your iPhone or Android and a mapping package on there, but bear in mind you will need a data package wherever you use it.

I would recommend ordering a TomTom from Amazon USA. Even after the exchange rate and delivery via someone like Shipito.com using USPS (lowest risk of any tax/duty charges), they are still far cheaper in America than they are in Canada.

The only exception price-wise would be a good sale price at Crappy Tire.

I bought a TomTom Go500 (a high end model with traffic) from Amazon USA for far less than it is here.

Factor in map updates when pricing SatNavs - look for deals on ones with Lifetim map updates included, otherwise these can be $40-$50 per year.

Garmin without question. I have Garmin in my A/C (not from Costco) and bought the OH a Garmin for the car (from Costco). Lifetime maps and ability to program routes were important to me. Car one, $400, plane one, a bit more than the one I bought the OH. Excellent CS if there is an issue.

We bought a Garmin quite a few years ago and it's still going strong. I've updated the maps every 2 or 3 years (roads around here don't exactly change radically). I suppose one day I'll have to replace it, but with the phone maps and the GPS in the car, it becomes less and less relevant to us.

Another vote for Garmin here. I use it every day here plus we took it to Italy last year, downloaded the maps before we went and it worked great there too.

Garmin does seem to be more popular over here, but having owned a number of both as well as several other brands (my first SatNav was PDA-based TomTom in 1999/2000 and I've used them ever since) I would say that TomTom is the better of the two in terms of motor vehicle applications.

I've never really liked Garmin's visual interface - that's obviously a matter of personal choice.

Garmin is better for the off-road systems, that's for certain, although I've got a Delorme PN-60 for that type of use.

TomTom provides the mapping that Apple uses on the iPhones and that installed in many in-dash systems.

I have a Garmin - relatively basic model - that I use both in North America and Europe. Its straightforward and simple enough. Recently, though I've tended to use my Iphone and google maps. But then I'm not paying for my data useage.

You can download an app called navmii, it's free and they have UK,Canadian and USA versions. It's free and I've used it lots of times on my iPhone and haven't got lost yet!!! It uses GPS on your smart phone and not your data.

Harmon. Don't get Magellan

Harmon is unlikely to have easily available UK mapping.

I had a Harmon Kardon (Becker) satnav module in a Merc in the UK, but I don't think they are otherwise available there.

Don't you find its a bit distracting looking down at the phone all the time ? I much prefer the old style stuck on the windscreen gps - I even use mine for going on the 1 way street to Marystown and back

Honest opinion

In today's world - smart phone (holder for the window) and Google maps

Buy a local Sim for cheap local data

I have a tom tom something or other, no clue on the model. Say's I can download maps for other regions, but never tried it since it had the 2 regions I need already loaded.

Got it at Best Buy on sale for 60 something, marked down from 120.

Seems to work fine, has some hiccups in Vancouver for whatever reason, but have not had any issues anywhere else I have used it.


I am not a smart phone kind of guy and the phone screen's are not as good, and the phone isn't as reliable, but then again I don't have a fancy Apple phone, I have a 120 dollar phone that they gave me free but no data, and even lucky if the silly phone is with me or charged. I guess I just never got into the smart phone craze.

My wife is, she won't leave home without her phone, I am just waiting on the contract on mine so we can cancel it without penalty.

With the phone propped up in an appropriate place or using a holder on the windscreen (which is the proper way) then whats the difference between that and a GPS? Google maps has voice directions as well.

Our Ford Escape has the navigation package built in but I hardly ever use it in Newfoundland. It's difficult to get lost here.

My GPS unit is wider and easier to see then the phone screen is. The phone it all and narrow and not easy to see from a distance.