Your sat-nav has now reached its desination

Paul Carter checks out a satellite navigation unit that does more than simply tell you where to go

The market for in-car satellite navigation systems is certainly not lacking in choice, with a wide variety of options available to suit most needs and – perhaps more importantly in the present climate – most budgets.

But as all disabled drivers will know, getting to a destination is often only half the problem.

As Helen Smith illustrated in the last issue of Disability Now, finding an accessible parking space near to where you want to visit can often be a struggle.

One product riding to the rescue is the BBNav from Navevo, billed as the first “dedicated blue badge solution” and specifically designed to make journey planning easier for disabled drivers and those transporting disabled people.

The BBNav comes pre-loaded with information on over 10,000 blue badge on-street parking bays, along with details of over 3,500 accessible carparks provided by PIE (Public Information Exchange).

In addition, the unit can direct users to over 20,000 points of interest for blue badge holders, such as accessible accommodation, accessible toilets and Shopmobility schemes.

The BBNav stands up well to scrutiny.

The on-screen Navteq maps are sharp and bright and its voice instructions are as clear and concise as other sat-nav systems.
Carparks and parking bays are marked directly on the maps with various symbols. (Admittedly the key to the symbols does take some getting used to, but this is more due to the large variety of parking concessions available.)

The system can run in two modes – easy and advanced – with the former offering fewer and simpler options for the novice user.

One area of potential difficulty is that while the unit can be operated by touch alone, it works better when you use a stylus to navigate the various choices. Touch can be less responsive and more likely to result in the wrong number or letter being entered.

The BBNav is a versatile and useful tool for travellers who need access information on their destinations, while remaining a capable sat-nav system in its own right.

The downside is that with a recommended retail price of £199.99, it’s definitely at the premium end of the market.

That fact alone may place it out of the reach of the many disabled motorists whom it has the undoubted potential to help most.

INFORMATION
BBNav is priced at £199.99 inc VAT and is available from www.bbnav.co.uk and selected retail stores