Best Buy European Sat Nav - Advice on Buying Please

[sjr-997]

Hi, we are going to France in a few weeks for a holiday, but going into Belgium as well. I already have a Sat Nat system in my Porsche, which is fine (though only ever used it in the UK) - I want a system that we can put in our other car that works in UK and Europe. Has to be easy to use (couldn't fathom my sister's Tom Tom when I had a go with it at Christmas so would like to avoid that brand if possible) - don't really have a budget as haven't a clue what you 'need' to pay to get a decent one. My girlfriend has stipulated (its going in her Renault Clio 197) that it mustn't have suction cups and trailing wires across the dash (she's worried someone will break into the car for it) and indeed my sister had her landrover broken into for hers...so has to be highly portable, ideally battery and cig lighter powered/charged. birds eye view would be ideal (my porsche doesn't do this) - we'd take a paper map as well... :-) grateful for any advice/insights.

[Nuggs]

I just bought a Garmin Nuvi 250 for a forthcoming trip to France.

Looks like a cracking piece of kit - very slim and tactile (not like the overweight Tom Tom units) and comes pre-loaded with European maps.

I like it a lot so far

[sjr-997]

cool. which UK website does everyone rate overall for sat nav purchases ?

[icb]

Garmin 250 is an excellent bit of kit. I bought mine in Halfords, £169. Presume be cheaper on flea bay.

[rev-erend]

I saw a 'Via Michelin' system on one of the shopping channels (full EUro maps and cameras) .. and much cheaper than the Garmin 610 I just bought

[s.m.h.]

I bought a LG system for £159 a few weeks ago and used it going to Spa and to and from the (tiny) hotel 15k's away. Clear and once you understand how the functions work its pretty good. Mate who was with me was so impressed he said hes getting one. Only down side, maps have to be loaded from disc - supplied. It took me a few minutes to find some addresses as they need to be spelt in the countrys language. Postcodes work as well. No speed camera or accident info but for the money I think pretty good. Also managed to find us a hotel at 2am in Belgium, paid for itself doing that!

[After Shock]

Garmin 660 with speed cameras has so far been great! Although oddly seems to do a few unusual 3 side square trips close to home!! Only just had it so still working it out

Off to France soon so..........