Best satnavs for Christmas 2012
Getting from A to B with a map is a royal pain. Here's a look at the best satnavs for making life easy
If Christmas finds you constantly fielding calls from relatives who don’t know how to get to your house, pack one of these satnavs under the tree for them – they need never pull in to read a map again. You’re welcome.
TomTom GO LIVE 1005
£250, Amazon UK
As number one in our top 10, the TomTom GO LIVE 1005 just had to make the list. It packs an easy to see 5in display along with an excellent route calculation system. Plus the visuals telling you which exit to take are excellent – so there’s no excuse for being in the wrong lane. You will need to pay extra for TomTom’s Live services, but the first year is free.
Garmin nuLink! 2340LMU
£130, Amazon UK
A quality 4.3in display and clear visual instructions combine with a year of traffic services including actual traffic camera streaming ahead to ensure you don’t get caught up an a jam. You can even use Google Local Search while on the move and it comes pre-loaded with maps for 24 countries.
Garmin nuvi 3490LMT
£240, Amazon UK
In keeping with mobile, the Garmin is just 9mm thick and boasts a multitouch display. As sat navs go, the brushed metal backplate looks great – although how often do you sit on your bonnet looking in? Exactly. The top-end nuvi also includes a few apps for looking at pictures, converting units and so forth – all things that could prove useful when abroad. Of course, it also gives you traffic reports and makes planning a journey incredibly simple.
Binatone F350
£45, Argos
If £200 seems like overkill, the Binatone has your route-mapping needs covered for a mere £50. Binatone is hardly well known, nor is it particularly cool, but for actually taking you places it does just the trick. Although cheap, the 3.5in display is hardly paltry – and it even comes with speed camera alerts without the need for a subscription. A perfect satnav stocking filler.
Navman Panoramic UK, ROI & Full Europe
£135, Navman
It may look like a small television strapped to the dashboard but the Navman Panoramic sat nav and its 7in display make following directions a whole lot easier, particularly as the years pile on and the eyesight isn’t quite what it was. So, one for the grandparents, then. Planning a route is quick, with the Navman serving up a choice of fastest, shortest, easiest or most economical routes – plus the ability to add multiple waypoints for any unplanned ‘sightseeing’.
Check out our 2012 Christmas Gift Guides
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Cost no object? These are the Christmas gifts for you
What are the best games to buy for Christmas 2012?
Dan Grabham
Editor-in-Chief 
