So, you have decided that want a Sat Nav (satellite navigation system) but not sure what to look for or how to begin searching? Then read on…

What is a Sat Nav?

A Sat Nav (satellite navigation system) is a computer device which can target your vehicles position and direct you to a destination. It uses satellites which are positioned in space to pinpoint your exact location and to navigate you to your destination. It will tell you when to turn left or right and the estimated distance and time to your destination. In-car sat navs is actually technology that is useful and makes life easier.

What features do they have?

You can buy Sat Navs that show UK roads, Europe roads or Worldwide roads. How far do you intend to travel? Many come with additional extras like local points of interest and roadwork information or different voices that can be downloaded.

Safety:

Do not leave it on view in an empty car as they are often a target for thieves. It is advised that you even remove the sat nav holder and wipe the windscreen clean so that potential thieves will not suspect that a sat nav might be inside your car. A survey conducted by Autoglass showed that one in seven motorists had recently been a victim of car crime and 41 per cent of those reported that the thieves were after the gadgets - more than 260,000 sat navs were stolen in 2005. The Government estimates that there are more than four million sat navs in the UK presently so a huge proportion are being stolen.

Do not forget about maps!

A recent survey conducted by www.motorinsurance.co.uk showed that (60%) of drivers acknowledge that sat nav is a great technological advance. However, around a quarter (26%) of drivers believed that satellite navigation systems weaken navigation skills in the same way that calculators have weakened mental arithmetic skills. Maps are always handy in case your Sat Nav battery runs out, so keep one in the car just in case.