The world of GPS navigation can be confusing at first, but we hope we can guide you through the maze. Here are some basics to get you started:

What is a satellite navigator?

Sat nav is short for satellite navigation. It’s a system you can use to give you directions when you’re on the go. It’s a machine that talks to you as you go and tells you exactly where and when to make a turn, ensuring (hopefully) that you never get lost again.

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)

Satellite navigators are often called GPS systems because they use the global positioning satellites that orbit the earth. The satnav sees the position of satellites in orbit and locates your position on the earth’s surface. By calculating longitude, latitude and altitude, your position is placed on a digital road map that accurately reveals your driving position to within a few meters.

The built-in software can also calculate the easiest route between any two points on the map and can combine average road speeds and other data, if necessary, to advise you of arrival time and road conditions on your route.

FM transmitter

Built into some satnav units, the FM transmitter converts satnav instructions and other content, such as MP3 music, into a radio signal, so music and sound are played through the car’s speakers , through the car radio.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the name of the technology, used with mobile phones, that allows hands-free calls.

Some satnav units are also Bluetooth enabled and can be paired with a mobile phone. If you have one of these units, you can use the satnav speaker to make and receive hands-free calls while you’re on the go, helping you stay safe and legal.

internal battery

Keeps your unit on when you turn off the ignition.

Internal hard-drive

It stores all the map data you use for each trip, as well as points of interest and addresses.

Mp3 player

Integrated into some units, this allows you to play MP3 files through your satnav unit.

screens

Most sat navs have touch screens, giving you a quick and easy way to navigate: simply touch the screen to enter a destination, view your route, and change settings, such as zooming in.

The size of the screen depends on the type of satnav you choose:

If you decide on a portable drive, you can choose between two sizes: typically 3.5″ or 4.3″ diagonal.

If you decide to have a built-in unit in your dashboard, then you could have a larger built-in screen or a motorized one that opens when activated.

single or double DIN

In-dash displays, where the display is built into the front panel of the satnav unit, are referred to as single or double DIN, where DIN is the size of the audio slot in which the unit is installed.

Single DIN (Single stereo slot size is about 52x179mm).

Double DIN (Stereo double slot size is about 104x179mm).

Motorized pop-up screens are often used on single DIN units. The screens are typically 7″ on average and often have a touch screen function. They are hidden within the main body of the unit, but open when activated.

Which satnav to choose?

There are three main types of sat nav to choose from: portable, in-dash or smartphone, and we can help you find the right one for your lifestyle.

portable satellite navigator

This device is ready to use right out of the box and is transferable to another vehicle and you can change it from one vehicle to another. Attaches to your windshield or dashboard with a mounting bracket. Portable sat navs primarily come in two screen sizes: typically 3.5″ or 4.3″ measured diagonally.

You power the sat nav via your car’s cigarette lighter, although with some models you can purchase a charging unit to use at home. You enter your destination using the full zip code, part of an address, or a point of interest and it speaks to you with turn-by-turn directions as you drive.

Motorcycle users can purchase a specially designed sat nav that is waterproof and more durable.

In-dash satellite navigation

This device is hardwired into the car and incorporates a built-in or motorized pop-up screen. An in-dash sat nav has a GPS receiver, usually placed on the dashboard for the unit to pick up the satellite signal. It also gives you the functionality of a regular car CD player, and you can choose additional features like MP3 connectivity.

Satellite navigation for smartphones

This is satellite navigation software that you load into your GPS-enabled smartphone to use the phone as a satellite navigator. You can then hold the satnav in your hand or fix it in the car with a suitable mount. It is ready to navigate by foot or car and comes complete with street level mapping. You can sync with your phone’s address book, calculate the quickest or shortest route, get turn-by-turn directions, and even send text messages to say you’re on your way.

Mapping

When you buy a satnav, the mapping information is built into the unit’s software.

Level Mapping

There are different levels of mapping that you can buy:

Street Level Mapping – Gives you access to the roads in your chosen country, including motorways, major roads, and minor roads. European Street Level Mapping – Gives you access to roads in the specified European countries, including motorways, main roads, secondary roads, and city centers.

European Major Roads Mapping – Gives you access to highways and major roads only in specified European countries. Secondary roads and city centers are not accessible.

map updates

Your sat nav will have map data supplied with it and this will not run out or expire. However, about 15% of the road network changes each year, so while you can continue to use your maps as long as you like, updating them regularly is a benefit.

The two main map software providers in Europe, Teleatlas and Navteq, update their data on a quarterly basis. Update services are also available in the US and full details will be provided with your product.

 Route planning

A sat nav is fast, easy and fun to use and is designed to get you started in just a few clicks. Enter your destination using the touchscreen, wait a few seconds for the mapping software to create your route, and you’re done.

Pre planned

Or you can use your sat nav to search and plan your route in advance. If your sat nav is portable, you can do it from the comfort of your own home. The fastest and most accurate way to locate your destination is to type in a postal code or part of an address.

Points of interest

You can also enter or select a point of interest (POI). Points of interest alert you to local services such as gas stations, hotels, restaurants, ATMs, movie theaters, etc. during your trip. You can set proximity alerts to warn you of nearby POIs. In the event of an accident or breakdown, in some units, as long as you have a compatible mobile phone connected via hands-free/Bluetooth, you can locate the nearest hospital, garage, police station or telephone number for emergency service.

You can also plan your route based on a combination of features. For example, the desired arrival time, the points of interest database and the planning of the fastest, shortest or avoidance route. You can make it as easy or complicated as you want. You can have fun on your vacation by searching for the nearest theme park, the National Trust house or the zoo, for example. If you know the name of the tourist attraction, just write it in the name.

moving safety

Sat navigators have a number of features that will help you reach your destination safely:

live traffic information

You can set some satnav units to receive and display live traffic updates to help avoid congestion, traffic jams and accidents; some units offer this for free and others require a subscription service.

dynamic routing

This gives you an alternative route when an incident or hazard has been identified. A useful time saver.

speed camera rental

Request a satellite navigator where camera data has been pre-loaded with the location of known speed trap sites. While driving, you will be warned when a camera is imminent.

Potential Hazards

Some sat navs can warn you of accident black spots, schools, and other potential hazards and can alert you if you’ve exceeded the speed limit for the highway.

Emergency Assistance

In the event of an accident, on some devices, you can access numbers for safety and emergency services, directions to the nearest hospital and auto repair services, and more.

Track your own car

Some satnavs can keep track of your own car when you park it so you never lose it again. This is perfect for unknown places and crowded places. The satnav automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with the satnav on foot and then find your way back to your vehicle.

hands-free calls

With select devices, you can now make hands-free calls from your Bluetooth mobile phone through the unit’s speakerphone, helping you stay safe and legal.

Sync with your phone

If you have a smartphone, you can now transform it into a full-featured sat nav, making navigation even more portable. Simply load the navigation software and map data into your GPS-enabled smartphone and you’re ready to navigate by foot or car.

You can sync with your phone’s address book, calculate the quickest or shortest route, get turn-by-turn directions, and then send a text message to let people know you’re on your way. You can access additional content such as traffic updates, hotel rates, weather, and more. Easy-to-use satnav software will automatically install and connect to your phone; all you need to do is continue on your journey.

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