SAT NAV for S America
 

1. Do I need one? Should I get one?

2. If so, any recommendations? Looked at TOMTOM 550 & Garmin 396 - both have very mixed reviews

Thanks for all & any feedback

Some kind if navigation tool is always great to have. I have had a Garmin Zumo 660 on my RTW travels and when it works it is great! But unfortunately that is less than 50 % of the time. So I have added a phone and downloaded Mapsme which can be used offline and works great, although maps are not 100 % and lavks details in cities. Google maps can be downloaded too albeit only stays available for 30 days snd requires a certain wifi capacity for downloading which you not always will find in south-America.

Pros for phones:
Everybody has one so you dont have to spend a lot of money on a Garmin or Tomtom etc.
Easy downloading of maps, much easier than onto a GPS.
Easy to use offline

Cons:
Phones arent always watweproof so in rain they are vulnerable.
Can be hard to charge on the bike. I have been through 4 poweroutlets on my bike - they simply dont last and phones dont like the vibrating on a bike.
Less capacity than a GPS.