How To Display Live Services On The Screen Of My Garmin Nuvi

Does anybody still demand a satnav? At present that many cars are sold with built-in navigation and any decent smartphone tin can do the job, you might recall the answer would exist no. However, there's still a lot to be said for the best satnavs. For a offset, not all new cars include navigation in their entry-level models, while older, secondhand models might accept an outdated satnav – if they have ane at all. And tin y'all remove your car's built-in satnav and take it on your holiday in a rental car?

Meanwhile, smartphones aren't always reliable when it comes to getting a GPS betoken or even, in some cases, making sure that their internal compass is pointing in the correct direction. The best satnavs simply work, and if yous're already used to Garmin or TomTom's interface and systems, you might not want to switch to something new.

What's more than, today'southward satnavs take learned some lessons from their smartphone rivals, and they're packing in bigger, better screens, additional features and useful live services. Nosotros've picked out the best satnavs you can currently buy to assistance yous make the right choice.

Best satnav: At a glance

Best budget satnav: Garmin Drive 52
Best TomTom satnav for value: TomTom Saturday Nav Go Bones
Best mid-range satnav: TomTom Sat Nav Become Essential
Best satnav for value: Garmin DriveSmart 66
All-time TomTom satnav: TomTom Get Discover

How to choose the best satnav for you

The key affair is easy operation and the best satnavs make it every bit straightforward as possible to find your destination, pick a route and locate nearby civilities.

Of course, having a screen in the car tin can be a distraction, so the interfaces are designed to minimise driver interaction. In fact, many now include voice controls that can help yous avert using the touchscreen quite and then oftentimes, and with amend integration with smartphones and voice assistants, these are becoming more undecayed. When yous do reach for the screen, you'll appreciate having one with the same capacitive technology used past smartphones. Cheaper and older models tend to have resistive touchscreens, which demand more pressure when y'all hit a key and don't provide such a articulate or vibrant image.

How will satnavs make my journey smoother?

All satnavs receive signals from GPS satellites, from which they can summate where you are and in which direction you're moving. They use this information with its maps to plan a route to your destination and rails your progress along it, providing directions for when and where you need to plough, change lanes or take a roundabout exit.

Even basic satnavs at present come with lifetime map updates, so you lot shouldn't be dislocated by different road layouts or the appearance or disappearance of roads and roundabouts along your route. What's more, the two leading manufacturers – Garmin and TomTom – have now had years to hone their map displays and voice guidance, with clear, timely directions that accept you through what you need to do and when.

Where there are differences, they come downwards to things such as 3D junction displays that testify your path through a series of turns or complicated junctions, which can make all the departure when yous're on an unfamiliar route or surrounded by fast-moving traffic. Some Garmin satnavs also offer street views as you approach your destination and then you don't miss the building or a concluding turning. They might likewise use visual cues to assistance yous, like suggesting that you turn after a landmark such equally a church building.

The biggest fourth dimension-saving feature is alive traffic updates, which y'all'll even find on some affordable satnavs these days. The big manufacturers monitor traffic on major roads and proactively ship warnings and then y'all can avert any major concur-ups while you lot program or even as you drive. Speed camera alerts are another useful bonus, although y'all may accept to pay a subscription to keep them upward to date.

Is there annihilation else worth looking out for?

Satnav manufacturers aren't blind to the ubiquity of smartphones, and now pitch their satnavs as devices that work with your smartphone, to give you not just navigation only a range of smart features designed for in-car use. Some double as in-automobile Bluetooth systems, enabling you to make and take calls via the congenital-in microphone and speaker. They might even relay notifications or incoming texts to save yous taking sneaky peeks downwardly at your phone screen. Some utilize your mobile connectedness for live traffic updates, fuel prices, and advice on parking spots, and we're even seeing some incorporate Amazon Alexa, and then that yous tin can go beyond basic navigation commands to request streaming music or employ Alexa skills.

We're besides seeing satnavs that hook into other services, using the likes of Tripadvisor and Square to have you to restaurants, takeaways, cinemas and other points of interest in the nearby surface area. Over again, this isn't annihilation you can't do on your telephone, but information technology's dainty to see it integrated into your satnav, especially if it can help you notice a bite to eat or a remainder end when you lot're driving longer distances or going on your hols.

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The best satnavs to purchase in 2022

1. Garmin DriveSmart 66: The best Satnav for value

Price: £190 | Buy now from Amazon

While the name suggests a replacement for the mid-range DriveSmart 65, the DriveSmart 66 really replaces the entry-level DriveSmart 55 model, albeit with a slightly larger 6in screen. The skilful news is that it still has the feel of a premium satnav, with a slimline, smartphone-style form factor, a vivid, responsive 1280 ten 720 resolution capacitive brandish and a bundled suction-cup windscreen mount. What'due south more, Garmin's software is as strong as ever, with clear vocalism instructions, proficient references to buildings and street names, and useful 3D visuals to brand tricky junctions easier to manage.

Voice control isn't the DriveSmart's biggest strength – recognising boondocks names and addresses was hitting and miss and you have to look at the screen to make a pick. Nevertheless, planning routes is like shooting fish in a barrel, and the integration with Tripadvisor and Square helps when you're trying to observe a coffee or snack en-road. And while you'll need to observe an extra £twenty for a version with Amazon's Alexa, fifty-fifty the bones model includes Bluetooth calling and smartphone notification back up. Pay more to get a bigger screen and extras, but this is a rock-solid satnav at a nice, affordable toll.

Key specs – Screen: 5.7in 1280 x 720 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Alive traffic data, live parking and weather, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Square, junction assists, driver alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, vocalism commands

2. Garmin Drive 52: The all-time budget satnav

Price: £120 | Buy now from Halfords

It's a bit no-frills, but the Garmin Drive 52 has all the satnav basics, with sensible routes, clear directions and a 3D view to help at junctions. Garmin'due south Real Directions, which reference street names and landmarks, come included, and instructions are delivered in a clear and timely fashion. Like the more expensive DriveSmart models, it features points of interest from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, as well every bit live traffic alerts, speed photographic camera warnings and weather forecasts. For the alive alerts, you'll demand to connect it via Bluetooth to a smartphone running Garmin's Drive app.

There are some compromises on usability, however. The screen is noticeably dimmer than the display on Garmin's DriveSmart models and has a lower (480 x 272) resolution. Information technology'south resistive rather than capacitive – although it's surprisingly responsive by those standards – and y'all'll also need to hook information technology up to a PC over USB to download updates. Spending more will get you lot a stronger all-circular satnav, but for under £90 it's hard to grumble.

Key specs – Screen: 5in 480 ten 272 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare

Purchase now from Halfords

3. TomTom Go Archetype 6in: The best cheap TomTom satnav

Price: £140 | Purchase now from Amazon

TomTom's entry level Satnav is a niggling more expensive than Garmin'due south, but in some respects a better buy. True, the screen on the 6in model is nevertheless resistive, and slightly irksome to react with information technology, just at to the lowest degree it'southward big, clear and easy to read. Meanwhile, this model is surprisingly rich in features, with smartphone connectivity, text bulletin notifications and integration with TomTom'southward MyDrive app.

The real central here, though, is that you're nevertheless getting TomTom'due south excellent maps and guidance, in a device that feels relatively nippy and doesn't leave you too frustrated every time you search for a destination. It too updates over Wi-Fi and comes with a decent windscreen mount. Move upwards to the Essential for a meliorate all-round feel, with voice control and a better touchscreen, but this wallet-friendly option won't let you downwardly.

Primal specs – Screen: 6in 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live TomTom traffic, lane guidance, destination prediction; Smart features: Text bulletin readout, integration with MyDrive app

4. TomTom Go Essential 5in: The all-time mid-range TomTom

Price: £190 | Buy now from Argos

Step upwards from the basic TomTom and yous go a satnav that'due south easier to use. True, yous're looking at a 5in screen with a low 480 x 272 resolution on this model, but information technology's capacitive and a whole lot more responsive, making it easier to scroll around or enter text when you're searching for a point of interest or address. It takes voice commands as well, but in practice these are more reliable with places you've already visited than new addresses.

The Essential also packs in a wider range of smartphone features. You tin can make hands-free calls and become your satnav to read out letters, but it can besides trigger Siri or the Google Assistant on your phone if you need some actress help. TomTom's maps, alive traffic info and guidance are as dependable and articulate equally e'er, and the Essential also comes with the excellent snap-in, snap-out magnetic mountain. Garmin's DriveSmart 66 has the edge with its crisper, loftier-resolution screen, just if you prefer TomTom'south software, the Essential is a fine alternative.

Key specs – Screen: 5in 480 10 272 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live TomTom traffic, live parking and weather, lane guidance, destination prediction, voice control; Smart features: Easily-complimentary calling, text message readout, integration with Siri, Google Assistant and MyDrive app

Buy now from Argos

5. Garmin DriveSmart 76: The all-time all-rounder

Price: £229 | Buy now from Amazon

While it has the same 6.95in screen and physical blueprint as the old DriveSmart 66, the DriveSmart 76 is no longer the largest or most loftier-end pick in Garmin's in-car line-upwardly, with that honour going to the DriveSmart 86 with Amazon Alexa. Merely, if a tablet-sized satnav seems too big or the Alexa features unnecessary, this might well be a better pick. The screen is vibrant, clear, and large enough to make the most of Garmin'due south slick UI, and whether you're setting upwards a new route or looking for fuel or a snack finish mid-journey, information technology's not hard to find what you lot're searching for, helped by a solid, up-to-engagement database with content from TripAdvisor and Foursquare.

Vox commands suffer from the aforementioned bug as with the DriveSmart 66, and it's peculiarly frustrating that you can't choose from a range of search options without glancing at the screen. Nevertheless, the spoken and visual guidance is excellent, making good employ of street names and landmarks. On rural journeys there are still some odd omissions, not to mention situations where a bear right becomes a right turn or vice versa. It'south here, rather than in the towns and on the major roads, where TomTom has a slight edge. That's allegorical of the stiff competition the DriveSmart 66 is getting from the similar TomTom Go Discover, but the Garmin is slightly cheaper and, as an all-rounder, hard to crush.

Key specs – Screen: 6.95in 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data, live parking and weather, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, junction assists, commuter alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, phonation commands

6. TomTom Go Notice: The best TomTom satnav

Cost: £249 (6in), £280 (7in) | Buy now from Amazon

While it doesn't have the IFTTT programming functions of the older Sat Nav Go Premium, the TomTom Go Discover betters it in just about every other way. It feels nippier and has a larger, crisper 6in or 7in Hard disk screen, with a 1280 10 720 resolution for the former and a 1,280 ten 800 resolution for the latter. It's easy to search for destinations and the vocalism instructions are elevation-notch, with super visual feedback to assist you navigate junctions or make your way through busy towns. The bundled windscreen/dashboard mountain is exceptionally adept, holding even the hefty 7in model securely in position.

You too get live traffic data through your smartphone and lifetime map updates for the UK and Europe, while live speed camera alerts, alive fuel prices and off-road parking are thrown in for the first yr (yous'll need to pay a subscription after that). TomTom'southward phonation controls remain a flake restrictive, not to mention hit and miss on the recognition forepart, but this is the all-time of its satnavs for navigating your way around, and a nifty – if more expensive – rival to the Garmin DriveSmart 65.

Key specs – Screen: 6in or 7in capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic data and lifetime map updates, live speed photographic camera alerts, fuel prices and off-road parking (1yr), voice control

7. Garmin DriveSmart 86 with Amazon Alexa: The best big-screen satnav

Price: £280 | Buy now from Amazon

How large practice you want to become with your satnav? Well, depending on where you have it mounted, the 8in DriveSmart 86 can obscure a sizable portion of your windscreen, and y'all might wonder whether there'due south actually any do good to all that screen. However, it makes it easier to see the display if you demand a quick glance at a turning or a complex junction, or if you need to select an choice from the screen if using Garmin's voice commands. The extra size is besides a real bonus when using Garmin'south split up-screen features.

Another cardinal selling point with this model is its congenital-in Amazon Alexa features, although these are bachelor as an extra on the smaller DriveSmart 76. Information technology'south useful for quick questions, controlling sound playback and searching for nearby petrol stations, food outlets and other points of interest. It'due south just a shame that, while Alexa'south smart enough to read through the results so that y'all don't have to take your eyes off the road, you still need to tap the screen to select the right one. It actually helps if yous accept a front seat passenger.

All in all, though, this is a peachy satnav, and ane of the nippiest and near responsive we've ever used. If you're happy with the price and a big brandish, this is the one to buy.

Key specs – Screen: 8in 1280 10 800 capacitive touchscreen; Navigation features: Live traffic information, live parking and conditions, lifetime map updates, POI from Tripadvisor and Foursquare, junction assists, commuter alerts; Smart features: Bluetooth calling, notifications, Amazon Alexa