If you want to buy a new satellite navigation system for your car, you are in the right place. Here you can find out what you need to consider when buying this type of system for you.

What maps are included?

One of the most important considerations for this kind of system is the quality of the maps that are included. There is no point in buying a system that does not have detailed maps. The last thing you need is to arrive in a town only to find that your satellite navigation system’s maps do not include details of the roads in that town.

This is less of an issue in countries like the UK, US and Germany where good maps exist across all platforms, but if you are travelling in Spain or Portugal, it can be a big issue. Some systems include detailed maps for most towns and cities in these countries, but others only have good maps for the major cities in those countries, so always check the quality of the maps that are included in the system.

Easy to update

Bear in mind that road networks are in a constant state of flux. Every day new roads are opened and one-way systems and junctions are changed and updated.

Over time, these build up into a huge number of changes. For example, in the UK every day the Ordnance Survey team makes 10,000 changes to their maps.

These are exceptionally detailed maps, far more detailed than those used in most satellite navigation systems, but it does give you some idea of how quickly your maps can become out of date. Therefore, you really do need to buy a system that is easy to update. It is also important to check how much updating the system costs. Some firms offer you the first update free, but charge for further updates.

Ease of use

Any sat nav system needs to be easy to use. When you are driving, you cannot afford to look down for long or become distracted, so choosing a system that is intuitive to use is important. Touch screens are easier to use than those systems that you have to navigate via a remote control.

Screen size

The size of the screen is important too. The bigger the screen is the better, so a 4.7-inch screen is best. However, if you do not have much space available a 3.5-inch screen is a better option.

Additional functionality

Most modern satellite navigation systems incorporate a range of entertainment options and double up as hands free phone systems. Some allow you to connect two phones, which is surprisingly useful. They usually incorporate music players too.

The Parrot Asteroid Smart does all of this and features a few other extras that you do not see incorporated into most other systems. One of the best of these extra features it the ability to connect the system to a reversing camera. It will also show a video on an external screen, which is great for keeping your kids entertained on long journeys.