Advice Centre

Sat Nav & GPS

• How do sat navs work?

   

  

  Sat Nav or GPS systems use the Global Positioning Satellite which orbits the earth.

  The GPS locks into the Sat Nav receiver in your unit and locates its position on the surface of the earth. Calculating longitude, latitude and altitude, the position is laid over a standard road map which accurately reveals the driver's position to within ten metres.

  Built-in Sat Nav software can also work out the easiest route between any two points on the map and can combine average road speeds and other data, if necessary, to advise you on arrival times and road conditions on route.

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• Which sat nav should I choose?

   

  

  This depends on your vehicle, where you travel and what extra features you require.

  » Do you need a portable sat nav that can be transferred between vehicles?
  » Do you need a widescreen sat nav or a smaller compact one?
  » Do you need European or USA mapping or do you only travel within the UK?
  » Do you require features such as a built-in MP3 player, built-in Bluetooth hands-free calling, safety camera database, points of interest locator and traffic updates?

  Also consider the size of the screen, the touch screen variations, the voice navigation and how often you will use it before you decide which model to buy.

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• Are sat navs easy to set-up and use?

   

  

  Generally, yes.

  Most Sat Navs work straight from the box and just need to be fixed to your windscreen or dashboard on a mount and can be plugged into your cigarette lighter. Sat Navs also have an easy-to-use touch-screen with menus and options to help you find the features you need with no fuss.

  However, if you do feel you need some help, Halfords offer a FREE set-up and demo service to help get you started, showing you exactly how to use your Sat Nav and how to get the best from it.

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• Can Halfords fit my sat nav for me?

   

  

  Yes, Halfords offers a hardwire fitting service for all Sat Nav units bought from us, avoiding messy wires trailing across your dashboard.

  Fitting is normally priced at €59.99, but is offered for FREE on selected Sat Nav models. Fitting is subject to vehicle inspection.

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• Can I update mapping on my Sat Nav?

   

  

  You can update mapping software on most Sat Nav units to take into account any changes to the road network.

  Maps can be updated either from your PC, in the case of portable Sat Navs; or via your phone's GPRS connection, in the case of Bluetooth Sat Nav models. It's a good idea to check the level of mapping that comes with your Sat Nav unit and ensure you have the right mapping before you buy.

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• Can my sat nav be used in any car?

   

  

  Yes, portable Sat Nav units can be fixed to the dashboard or windscreen of any car.

  This is done with a mount and powered through your cigarette lighter, which also means they can also be transferred from car to car.

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• Are sat navs safe and legal?

   

  

  All satellite navs are legal.

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• Are there any common faults?

   

  

  It is very uncommon for a satellite navigation unit to be faulty and often there is an easy fix.

  Why not call your Halfords store and we'll do our best to help. If you prefer to call in we have fully trained staff on hand to do a free check on your unit. You may be asked to book if we are busy.

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• I can't power up my satnav. What can I do?

   

  

  The answer depends on your vehicle but here are some suggestions:

  »Make sure you have plugged the in-car adaptor into the power supply.
  »Check the adaptor, where there is usually a light to indicate if there is power at the socket.
  »Even if the indicator light is lit up, some devices have a master "power" switch in addition to the on/off, or standby switch, much like a TV. The instructions will show you where this is and how to turn it on.
  »You may need to turn the ignition on before the socket becomes live.

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• MY unit says it cannot see any satellites. What can I do?

   

  

  You may need simply to wait a while longer for the unit to get a "first-fix" on the satellites.

  This can take around half an hour the first time you put the unit in the vehicle.

  Also, check if the battery is fully charged. This is important as the GPS antenna uses power to get and keep a satellite signal. If the battery power is low, charge the unit up with the supplied adaptor.

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• My unit keeps freezing up during use. What can I do?

   

  

  This could indicate either insufficient power to the unit from either the battery, or the power supply, or memory issues within the unit.

  Make sure your unit is fully charged and/or connected to power and that you allow it time to make calculations and perform functions before trying to enter more information. If the unit is still frozen, you can perform a reset by following the instructions supplied with the unit.

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• Will my sat nav display a newly built road?

   

  

  It will do unless your mapping information is slightly out of date.

  You can buy an upgrade directly from the manufacturers but they do charge for this. However, there is no cut-off date or subscription involved so there is no urgency to do this.

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• I have a message saying my sat nav is out of date. What does this mean?

   

  

  This is nothing to worry about.

  Your Sat Nav unit is simply reminding you that there may be some more up-to-date software available from the manufacturer than you currently have. It does not mean that your mapping is obsolete and does not mean that the product is faulty, just that more maps may be available.

  This does not affect the operation of your unit.

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Sat Nav Accessories

• What accessories do I need for my sat nav?

   

  

  Sat Nav accessories are not a necessity, but it makes sense for you to invest in a few key accessories to keep your Sat Nav in good working order.

  When carrying your Sat Nav around you should always protect the screen by keeping it in a carry case (a damaged screen can lead to the need to replace the Sat Nav itself), and while a home charger is a usefull tool an in-car charger is important if you're always on the move.

  If your car has a UV reflect windscreen, you will also require a GPS antenna to ensure your Sat Nav receives a strong signal at all times.

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• Can I get branded sat nav accessories?

   

  

  Yes, all the top brands such as TomTom and Garmin produce a wide range of accessories tailor-made for your particular Sat Nav model.

  Take a look at our branded Sat Nav accessories.

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• How can I protect my sat nav from thieves?

   

  

  Always take your Sat Nav with you when you leave your vehicle unattended. Do not leave it in your glove box or under seats.

  » Don't leave any tell-tale sucker marks visible on your dashboard or windscreen and ensure no power leads for the lighter socket are left visible.
  » Lock all doors and close windows when leaving the car, even for a short time.
  » Keep a record of your Sat Nav's serial number.
  » Try to use a secure car parking facility wherever possible.

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• Does my sat nav need an aerial?

   

  

  Portable Sat Navs usually include an integrated antenna to receive your Global Positioning System (GPS) signal.

  However, some models need an external aerial, some of which come with the products, some which we may carry in stock and some which are available from the manufacturer directly, via their website. We will advise you before you buy your Sat Nav.

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