Sat Nav screens

[Spadge]

I borrowed a Sat Nav from a friend the other week and while the navigation was spot on the screen was like a mirror and despite being placed in different positions on the windscreen and dash we were unable to see much at all due to the reflection of the interior of the M/H. Even with a sunscreen fitted it was no better. I've no idea what make it was but having seen Garmin & Tom Tom in use they didn't seem to have this problem. So that I can avoid buying the same, the question is 'Why the difference' ? Many thanks in anticipation. :-S

[Brian Kirby]

The simple answer to your question is: to avoid reflections. Some have non-reflective screens, others don't. Why anyone would manufacture a sat-nav with a reflective screen I have no idea. Maybe they've never used one and just want the sales income, maybe the reflective screens are cheaper. However, surely the salient point is to just avoid the ones with reflective screens, whatever the reason they are fitted?

[woody.]

Surely its dangerous to look at the screen when you should be looking at the road , why cant you just listen to the audio , its usually plain enough to understand without needing to look at the screen anyway . (?)

[Brian Kirby]

You could, but you would then miss the odd junction the sat-nav doesn't recognise as a turning - because the junction priorities have been changed. It does happen.

 

Dangerous? I think not, any more than looking in the rear view mirrors is dangerous. Most of the time the sat-nav is silent, and only the odd glance is needed to check the shape of the road ahead. Much better IMO to know there is a tight bend just over the next hill, than to suddenly stumble upon it.