Overview
Give your road mapping skills a rest as it looks as though Sat Navs are increasingly becoming a driver's trusty road companion. With so many Sat Navs battling it out to win pole position in the race to win your heart, after a hard slog we've compared the two most popular entry-level finalists, the TomTom One V3 and Garmin Nuvi 200.
Both TomTom and Garmin over time have proven their capabilities in order to create navigations systems that don't disappoint, but now its time to find out which will complete the race and make it first to the finish line.
Let the Race Begin!
Affordable, for under £150 the TomTom ONE v3 and Garmin 200 seems like a good deal. With similar specifications, they both include pre-installed 3D maps of GB and Ireland, voice instructions, Post Code look-up, speed-camera warnings, Points of Interest (e.g. Petrol Stations), store favourite locations, and slot smartly into your pocket/handbag so you're definitely getting your money's worth.
With sleek and simple designs, the TomTom and Garmin are both user-friendly so that you can quickly navigate from A to B and will fit neatly within your car's interior.
In terms of extras, the TomTom One v3 has the ability to plug in a FM TMC aerial and get free traffic information, when it comes to the Nuvi 200 TMC traffic capability is unheard of.
The One v3 also includes a neat feature called mapshare, allowing you update maps by adding road changes directly to your TomTom and making it available to others and also downloading approved map changes millions of other TomTom users. At this stage it's not looking good for the Nuvi 200 as it has no mapshare either.
If your thinking of upgrading your maps to European or North American maps at a later stage then One v3 is penalised as it has no SD card slot preventing the option to upgrade its map database, so if your thinking of making a trip to Europe make sure you buy the Europe Version or look at a higher model. However, the Nuvi 200's killer blow is an expansion slot for more maps, or pictures, so you have the ability to covert the Nuvi into a 250 or 270 by updating to European or American maps.
Finish Line: It's A Close Finish But Check Out Our Scores"¦
The Nuvi 200 might be your ideal motoring companion if you want a cheap and cheerful unit allowing you to be able to upgrade maps at a later stage, however it looks as though the TomTom One wins by a millisecond because of its solid design, ease of use and it's unique software.
The TomTom One wins pole position and is crowned king of the road for the entry level sat nav.
TomTom One
"¢ Design: 8/10
"¢ Usability: 10/10
"¢ Features: 9/10
"¢ Value: 8/10
Garmin Nuvi 200
"¢ Design: 8/10
"¢ Usability: 9/10
"¢ Features: 8/10
"¢ Value: 9/10
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