My mum has been on at me for a couple of days now about getting an up to date Sat Nav for my dad. Budget is about £100, but I have no idea what to look for these days, as I always use my smartphone for navigation duties.

Ideally, it would be good to have map updates for a small fee or even free, as my dad gets a bit stressed when the sat nav sends him somewhere on a road that doesn't appear on the unit.

Get him a Windows Phone with Here Mapping Lumia 635 (the Maps are free and can be downloaded and updated on the phone) or a get a cheap tablet and screen mount. Even if he does not use the phone/tablet the sat nav is excellent and is as cheap as a dedicated unit.

Failing that if going dedicated then any Tom Tom.

Our 2 TomToms have been invaluable.

However, be careful not to get a unit that has no memory card slot as the maps are continually getting bigger and you can end up running out of space. This was why I bought the one we currently have to replace the bottom of the range one we initially had.

Also, we have had a problem with the current XL model (admittedly bought 2nd hand off eBay), which is that the main map freezes randomly (the instructions both on-screen and audio continue) which is annoying.
I think I was stitched up by the seller, but can't prove it. It's still fine most of the time, but perhaps look at one of the more modern ones.

Avoid Garmin Alexis as it is too slow updating in towns, notably in Verviers. The good thing about Garmin is the lifetime free map updates.

My TomTom is much faster as you have probably noticed and I prefer the way directions are given, but will suddenly switch itself back on for no reason. If you don't hear it the battery flattens. Probably just mine rather than a design feature.

Second.

The free sat nav, HERE Maps, on Windows Phones is brilliant. Traffic updates, free maps worldwide, frequent updates etc etc

I've used it in the UK, US (New York to be specific) and Belgium/France - not let me down yet

I used a Garmin nuvi to get to spa and back and had no problems with it and didn't find it slow , maybe I'm just lucky with it but have had no problems at all , has the euro maps and lifetime free map updates but I did have to get a larger memory card .

I'm on my 3rd Garmin and have never had any problems with them.

Halfrauds are currently doing the Nuvi 56 (5" screen) with free lifetime UK maps and traffic updates for £99.

If you prefer TomTom, they're selling the Start25 (5" screen) with lifetime Euro maps for £99.

In the Amazon BF sale at 9

Or this at 12
Usually satnav discounts are substantial on Amazon

Swear by my Tom tom via live sat nav. Regular map updates & traffic live info