GPS satellite-navigation systems

Round-up by: Andrew Lim

Last updated: 22 Jun 2007

Lost? Don't be. There are plenty of GPS satellite-navigation systems on the market that will get you exactly where you need to go. Forget all the horror stories -- if you're a sensible driver and you don't take everything a sat-nav says literally, then this will probably turn out to be the best technological investment you've ever made.

From driving to a part of town you haven't been to before, to touring the countryside or even driving abroad, a GPS system will make it all easier and more enjoyable. You can even get sat-navs so small that they'll fit in your pocket and you can use them while you stroll the streets or hike the hills.

Depending on what you need, different features will be more or less important. A big screen is always good if you're going to use it mainly while driving, as it's much easier to see what's going on. You also want to look out for whether or not it says street names, as this will prove more helpful than just 'turn left' and 'turn right' instructions.

Seasoned drivers who often use the motorway or people who have a habit of going over the speed limit will be interested in speed-camera alerts and traffic updates. If you're more of a walker then you're going to want something small and light that fits in your pocket.

Other interesting features available on certain models include Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use it as a hands-free kits for your mobile phone, MP3 players and photo viewers. Of course, the thing that matters most is whether or not you like the way it gives you directions, so make sure to test out the interface at the shop. You're going to have to put up with that tone of voice for quite a while, after all.

Finally, one of the most important factors is price, and fortunately sat-navs are getting cheaper and cheaper. As you can see from our selection below, you can now pick up a brand-new system for under £200 and even some entry-level models for under £150, which isn't much to pay for the peace of mind you'll get -- and fewer arguments with your map-reading passengers.