Bill:
To the best of my knowledge, the only difference you would notice between CN and CS is that CN will give you slightly more detailed and precise text instructions concerning turns when you have a route active.
CN's written turn instruction data exactly matches the writing on the overhead signs or signs by the side of the road, if such signs are present. CS turn instruction data is more generic in nature. So, if you are driving along a road with a route active, and the route requires that you take the next exit, CN would probably display the message "Exit right to Paris Orly Terminal 1, exit 16", whereas CS would probably display the message "Exit next right, exit 16". This example assumes that the overhead or roadside sign reads "Paris Orly Terminal 1". A similar example would be at a route junction, if you are navigating towards 'Anytown', CN would display the text message "Turn left towards Smalltown and Anytown", if the overhead sign at the intersection read "Smalltown, Anytown", but CS would probably display "Turn left on Highway 24", if that happened to be the name of the highway to Anytown.
CN is also a bit more proactive about moving you into the appropriate lane position on multi-lane roads before you actually need to take an exit, and CN provides better guidance through multiple sequential interchanges (meaning, two or more exits within a short distance).
The map display from either CN or CS will be identical at all times, and the contents of the two CD's, so far as what you can see on the screen, points of interest, routing capabilities, etc., is absolutely identical.
It is a tough call whether to buy CS or CN. It is true that CN is a heck of a lot more expensive than CS. However, if the better quality route guidance saves you time, trouble, and frustration - especially if you are in a country that you are not familiar with, where you don't know the language and the road signs and driving practices are different from what you are used to - it might well justify the extra cost.
What countries do you plan to visit, and how long do you plan to be there? If, for example, you plan to spend two weeks in Spain or Portugal, and most of that time will be spent in rural areas, I'd recommend you get CS. However, if you plan to spend a month or so in urban areas of France, Germany or Switzerland, then I highly recommend you get CN.
If it helps - I spend a lot of time in Europe, so I bought CN a few years ago, even though I had to fork out USD $500 for it. But this spring, when I visited South Africa for 3 weeks, I was only prepared to buy CS, because I figured for 3 weeks, it wasn't worth the money to buy CN. Turned out the only product available for South Africa was CS anyway, but perhaps that will help you understand my logic.
PanEuropean
PS: Bill, please send me a private message through the PM feature of this BB - let me know your email address, I want to contact you off-line about this. I might have a no-cost fix for your problem, if you will be in Europe at a time when I won't be in Europe.
