Ford Focus Tdci – With Or Without Satnav?

[anaxcrosswords]

Been looking around the net at 2010/11 models (£30 road tax will do me very nicely thanks) but not sure whether to go for one with Satnav. Its low central position makes me wonder if it’ll be a distraction. I already have a good screen-mounted Satnav which I’d be happy to use, and at least I can refer to it while keeping my eyes on the road. When it’s in use I do refer to it quite a lot, mostly to check ETA, speed cameras, complex junctions etc.
To those who have a Focus with Satnav, do you quickly get used to that position or do you regard it as less than ideal?

[bhg481]

Built-in sat-nav has the advantage that it can still follow the route even when it can't see any satellites (assuming it's like my Volvo). This is because it has a built-in giro (for direction) and is connected to the speedo (for distance), so is good in tunnels etc and doesn't need time to find the satellites when you switch it on because it remembers where you are, although ferries can confuse it. The disadvantage is that it usually costs a lot more and can't be programmed unless you are in the car.

[Hopkirk]

Another disadvantage is f it goes wrong, you have to pay a Ford dealer a handsome sum to sort it out.

If the one on a suction cap goes wrong, you can just buy a new one from Amazon.
(other satnav suppliers are available)

[bhg481]

I forgot to mention in my earlier reply that the main reason I paid an arm and a leg for a built-in system was the sheer convenience of not having to constantly take it down and hide it everytime you leave the car in case some low-life thinks it would be a good idea to smash your window and steal it; even a ring on the windscreen is enough to indicate you have one.