Sat Nav Reviews

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Where We Test Sat Nav Systems

We currently test satellite navigation systems in South East Wales for a number of reasons. That number being two.

  1. We're based there so it makes travelling a little bit easier!
  2. Wales can be a harsh environment for sat nav systems, with lanes and tracks, minor and major roads as well as a motorway.

The Test Route

We start at the Asda supermarket [CF14 7EW] just of Junction 33 of the M4. The aim of the first route will be to navigate to Borders bookstore in Talbot Green Retail Park [CF72 8LW]. The quickest route would be using the M4, leaving at Junction 34 and following the A4119. The aim of the test is to find the Quickest Route.

At junction 33, we will deliberately pull into the Moto services [CF72 8SA] off Junction 33 to test the speed and accuracy of the re-mapping facility.

From there, Pontypridd train station [CF37 1DT] is the next target, with the sensible route being the A473. However, there is a direct route using B roads which may prove more of a lure with the systems. The aim of the first test is to find the Shortest Route.

Using the POI functionality, we navigate to the nearest Tesco store [CF37 5SN]. From there, it's a short drive to Castell Coch [CF15 7JS], a historic castle five minutes from the start of the route. The aim of these tests is to test the POI functionality.

Route Map

Key:

  1. Asda supermarket, Junction 32 of the M4
  2. Moto services, Junction 33 of the M4
  3. Borders bookstore, A4119
  4. Pontypridd railway station
  5. Tesco supermarket, A470
  6. Castell Coch, Tongwynlais

Test Route Objectives

It's important to understand the test route is a fairly small test. Having said that, it will take into account various road types and speeds, rerouting and point of interest handling. A longer route would not test these functionalities any differently.

A score sheet will be used to determine the ranking of each system. Points will equate to 100, to give a percentage. A system that scores 1 will get a score of 1%.

Over time, the route may be changed due to operational conditions. The testing criteria will be changed in line with new developments in satellite navigation. Nevertheless, the test will always need to check for quickest route calculation, shortest route calculation, rerouting functionality and point of interest accuracy.

Which?