sat nav

[terryvanman]

My Garmin 700 just gave up today,,,when I plugged it into the ciggie lighter it came on and then "Battery Low" sign came up and it went blank. I turned it on again and the Garmin sign comes up and then it just died,,,,,There is power going to the unit [well the plug is showing a little red light] but nothing ..it just turns off,,,
So what do I do,,it's an old unit buy todays standards 4 years or more and the latest Garmins are getting cheaper...do I get it fixed is it a silly problem,,,Or do I buy a new one, If I buy new which one do I go for? it's only for the van,, not the scoot. Budget around £100

Help

[Bluebottle]

Go for the obvious first. Try another charger and look at the female socket's terminals from inside if you can get the back off. Sometimes the spring goes out of them and they just need bending back so that they make a good contact.

Can you get access to the batteries without damaging it?
Might be worth a punt at changing them. Deep cycle batteries don't cost so much these days

I doubt if you can get a repair for less than the cost of a new unit

[SoloSzabi]

Smart phone and Navfree app! You just have to buy a smartphone holder ( personally I use interphone one) and download Navfree ( free sat nav application - I work for the company) from iTunes or Android market. It is a free application and you can use it abroad without data connection, so no roaming charge....

[johnp]

I would just get a new sat nav for what they cost now.

[poldark]

Guessing you want European maps, do you want to stick to Garmin especially, if not this seems decent price.

Tom Tom

[kayz1]

My Garmin 550 went t**s up just before the Scotlandshire trip, got a new battery online for 20 odd notes delivered..works again it's just me that forgets to take it out with me..

[mottza]

Smart phone and Navfree app! You just have to buy a smartphone holder ( personally I use interphone one) and download Navfree ( free sat nav application - I work for the company) from iTunes or Android market. It is a free application and you can use it abroad without data connection, so no roaming charge....

+1 from me. I used NavFree in Lanzarote earlier this summer and is now my main sat nav. The "proper" sat nav is never used anymore.