Sat Nav Basics

What is a Sat Nav?

Sat nav is short for satellite navigation. It is a system you can use to give you directions when you are on the move. It is a machine that talks to you as you go along and tells you exactly where and when to take a turning, ensuring that you never get lost again.

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)

Sat navs are often called GPS Systems because they use the Global Positioning Satellites which orbit the earth. The sat nav sees the position of the orbiting satellites and locates its position on the surface of the earth. Calculating longitude, latitude and altitude, the position is laid over a digital road map which accurately reveals your driving position to within a few metres.

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

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the name of the technology used with mobile phones, that enables hands–free calling.

Some sat nav units are also enabled for Bluetooth and can be paired with a mobile phone. If you have one of these units you can use the sat nav speaker to make and receive hands–free calls while on the move – helping to keep you safe and legal.

Internal Battery

Keeps your unit powered up when you turn off the ignition.

Internal Hard Drive

Stores all the map data you use from each journey, as well as points of interest and addresses.

MP3 Player

Built into some units, this enables you to play MP3 files through your sat nav unit.

Screens

Which Sat Nav To Choose?

When you buy a sat nav the mapping information is built into the software in the unit.

Mapping Levels

There are different levels of mapping that you can buy:

• UK Street Level Mapping – gives you access to roads in the UK, including motorways, major roads and minor roads.
• European Street Level Mapping – gives you access to roads in the European countries specified, including motorways, major roads, minor roads and city centres.
• European Major Roads Mapping – gives you access to motorways and major roads only in the European countries specified. Minor roads and city centres cannot be accessed.

Mapping Updates

Your sat nav will have mapping data supplied with it and this will not run out or expire. However, around 15% of the road network changes annually so, although you can keep on using your maps for as long as you want, there is definitely a benefit in updating them periodically. The two main suppliers of mapping software in Europe, Teleatlas and Navteq, both update their data quarterly.

Route Planning

A sat nav is quick, easy and fun to use and is designed to get you going with a few clicks. You key in your destination, using the touch screen, wait a few seconds for the mapping software to create your route and off you go.

Pre-Planning

Or, you can use your sat nav to search and plan your route beforehand. If the sat nav is portable you could do this in the comfort of your home.

The fastest and most accurate way of locating your destination is to key in a post code or part of an address.

Points of Interest

You can also key in or select a Point of Interest (POI). POIs alert you to local services such as petrol stations, hotels, restaurants, cash-points, cinemas etc. during your journey. You can set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

In the event of an accident or breakdown, on some units, provided you have a compatible mobile phone connected via hands–free/Bluetooth, you can locate the nearest hospital, garage, police station or phone for an emergency service.

You can also plan your route based on a combination of features. For example the desired arrival time, points of interest database, and fastest, shortest or avoidance route planning. You can make it as easy or complicated as you wish.

You can have fun on your holidays by searching for the nearest theme park, National Trust home or zoo for example. If you know the name of the tourist attraction just type it in the name.

Safety On The Move

Live Traffic Information

You can set some sat nav units to receive and display live traffic updates to help avoid conjestion, jams and accidents – some units provide this for free, and others require a subscription service.

Dynamic Routing

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

Speed Camera Locations

Ask for a sat nav where the camera data has been pre-loaded with the location of known fixed speed detectors sites. As you drive along 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 it can alert you if you have exceeded the road’s speed limit.

Emergency Assistance

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

Track Your Own Car

Some sat navs can keep track of your own car when you park so that you never lose it again. This is perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded places. The sat nav automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windscreen mount, so you can navigate with the sat nav on foot and then find your way back to your vehicle.

Handsfree Calls

With some devices you can now make hands–free calls from your Bluetooth mobile phone via the speaker of the unit – helping to keep you safe and legal.