car Satnav replacement options

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1101

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#317331 6-Oct-2024 19:38

Hi. My old Uniden car satnav unit finally died.

So , what are the options to replace it.
Using my phone & Google maps is a bit of a a pain . I have to balance it on my knee .
Would using an old 7" andriod tablet work ? or just be more of a pain than the phone ?

Garmin & Tomtom still make them , but are hard to find in NZ & quite pricey starting at $317
https://www.heathcotes.co.nz/products/010-02858-20-garmin-drive-53-live-traffic

I know a car satnav is old school, but I found it easy to use .
Any suggestions
Cheers

gehenna

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#3293637 6-Oct-2024 19:50

Why not just get a mount for your phone?

Dynamic

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#3293685 6-Oct-2024 19:53

Your smartphone is 'always up to date'. Have you considered a mount of some sort for your phone?

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RunningMan

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#3293687 6-Oct-2024 20:06

Depending on the car, replace the headunit with one that has android auto. Bit easier to see than a phone screen.

eracode

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#3293691 6-Oct-2024 20:27

Truly think mounted phone is the way to go - unless you want to do the head-unit thing.

If you really don’t like Google Maps (brilliant IMO) have a look at HERE WeGo maps which has Android and Apple apps. Was formerly Nokia Maps. It can operate using either data or pre-downloaded maps (no live data needed - but GM can do that too).

Although I now prefer GM, I have previously used HWG extensively in the past both here and overseas. Despite the somewhat odd name, it’s really very good.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#3293693 6-Oct-2024 20:34

Quadlock kit for your phone?

https://www.quadlockcase.com.au/collections/shop-car

BlakJak

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#3293695 6-Oct-2024 20:49

$20 for a decent phone holder and you're set.

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1101

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#3293701 6-Oct-2024 21:21

Does this look like a good option?

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/kogan-portable-car-stereo-with-wireless-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-kogan/

7" screen & connects to phone via Andriod Auto . Built in stand & speaker

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#3293731 7-Oct-2024 08:17

Thing I find with those sort of units, is support can be limited.

As others have said, just spend the money on a decent phone mount. I use Waze myself for GPS.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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shk292

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#3293756 7-Oct-2024 09:49

If head unit is double-DIN, then replacing with AA/AC head unit is best solution.

Otherwise, as stated above, a decent phone mount will do the job - I bought this one for $8 from Noel Leeming in preparation for a holiday https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/p/tech.inc-magnetic-window-mount/N214014.html

As well as always being up to date, GM has live traffic for better routing and vastly better search facility then any specialist GPS

gehenna

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#3293893 7-Oct-2024 12:36

1101:

7" screen & connects to phone via Andriod Auto . Built in stand & speaker

It's basically the same as your phone mounted on your dashboard. Just get a cheap mount and try it with your phone, if it doesn't work well for you then you only lost $20 and can then spend more on a 3rd party thing like you've linked.