Sat Nav hire

I'm normally a bit dubious of Sat Nav's being old school and preferring maps! I don't like the way people seem to be transfixed by the screen either, I've lost count how many times I've been cut up on my motorbike by a car driver as they veered across a lane whilst gawping at the screen.
However, I swallowed my pride and hired one for a trip to Germany just for the convenience and peace of mind knowing if I went off course, or intentionally wanted to do something off route, I knew it would always steer me back in the right direction. This was invaluable it turned out.

So, before the trip I did a bit of googling and came across www.cheapsatnavhire.co.uk amongst others. I did thorough checks of two or three companies and this one just seemed right and had what I wanted. Using the website was dead easy and the booking was done and confirmed in a very short space of time. I got an e-mail a day or two before delivery confirming it was on its way and it included the tracking details. The box arrived first thing in the morning and included everything needed...Sat Nav, headset, UK/European chargers, RAM mount, battery cable, manuals etc.
I didn't use the headset in the end as I tend to wear earplugs and didn't really want someone rabbiting in my ear!
The only problem (and this is nothing to do with cheapsatnavhire I guess) is that the RAM mount is really only usable for motorbikes with traditional tubular one-piece handlebars. Unless I'd done something wrong, it doesn't seem to fit motorbikes (such as my VFR800) with 'clip-on' handlebars, of which there are probably quite a few. You can buy from a well know auction website an adaptor with a 1" ball that fits into the steering stem nut. However, there wasn't time for me to get one of these (plus it's another £40 to pay out) so I just stuck it in my tank bag under the clear PVC cover.

The sat nav itself (Tom Tom Rider) was fine to use once I got the hang of the menus and display. I didn't really use the map as such, just the bit in the bottom left with the mileage to each junction and where to come off at which junction. This meant I just needed to take my eyes off the road for a nano second..... when driving in Germany you need your wits about you what with the speed they drive at and the tendency to quite happily lane change at the last moment just a few feet in front of you. Any longer looking at the screen and you could end up hittinng the back of the car in front with obvious consequences.
I think it's the tendency for people, as mentioned earlier, to stare at the map itself that I think is the dangerous element of sat navs. Personally, I don't think it's really needed but that's just me.

I boxed everything up the day after I got back and sent it back via Post Office Special Delivery. This cost me £9 so bear in mind when working out total costs for the hire.

For someone like me who doesn't use sat navs that much, this is an ideal way to avoid spending probably upwards of £400+ for something that'll rarely get used. Just under £50 all-in was the total cost. If that's done once a year or so its definatley value for money.