If you’re not a gadget lover, then this budget level Sat Nav system from TomTom, probably the best known Satnav maker, is indeed the One to have.  It may not look sexy, but, at this price, who cares?  It’s a doddle to programme and just as easy to follow.  Maps on the 3.5in touch screen are clear and it kept pace with the car, even in built-up areas.  Spoken directions are good and you can, for a small fee, have these relayed to you by the likes of John Cleese, Burt Reynolds or Mr T.

• Touch screen.
• Mapping 3D.
• Screen size 3.5in.
• Full postcode search.
• Maps pre loaded UK and ROI.
• Traffic information.
• Safety camera alerts.
• Point of interest.
• Car charger.
• Easyport mount.
• TomTom mapshare.
• Weight 148 grams.
• Size (H)7.8, (W)9.2, (D)2.5cm.

Verdict:  If all you want is a simple navigation system, this is a gem

10/10

Buy the TomTom ONE V4 online.

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This is a smart buy, as long as you don’t mind an American voice guiding you to your destination.  The snazzy, illuminated rep strips on either side of the unit are totally over the top, but it navigates reasonably well; the maps on the 4.3in touch screen are better than many (but not as good as the best) and programming is easy.  On the whole, a very attractive unit indeed.

Verdict: Lots of features, but a few annoying habits

8/10

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The big drawback to this is the cradle, which is attached to your windscreen by a sucker.  It kept falling off, which is a shame, as this is a slick machine: nicely finished, clear voice guidance, easy-to-follow menus, 3.5in touch screen and crisp, clear maps.

Sony NV-U93T Sat Nav Features

• Touch screen.
• Mapping 2D and 3D.
• Size of screen 4.8in.
• Full postcode search 7 digits.
• Mapping UK, Ireland and 21 European countries.
• Traffic information available but subscription required.
• Safety camera alerts, 1 year free subscription.
• Points of interest.
• Car charger.
• Blue tooth.
• Gesture command.
• Position plus technology which won’t lose your GPS signal in built-up areas.
• Improved cradle design that won’t leave marks on your windscreen.
• SIRF star III GPS for accurate navigation.
• Dynamic route information which details all the parking, petrol stations, garages, traffic problems etc along your chosen route.

Verdict: Close to greatness - if only it would sit still
7/10

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If you have GPS on your phone but don’t rate the mpas, Wayfinder is a good alternative.  Pay a one-off annual fee and you get maps, points of interest and speed camera alerts.

Verdict: Useful if you’re a regular phone satnav user

7/10

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If you want your satnav to look good en route, the S30 3D, with its clever on-screen graphics, does the trick.  Your route map, and any landmarks along the way, are shown in 3D on the 3.5in touch screen.  It’s clever, but a little distracting.  Well designed, if basic, but not the quickest to react and the voice guidance is desperately dull.

• Touch screen.
• Mapping 2D and 3D.
• Mapping includes 3D landmarks.
• Screen size 3.5in.
• Full postcode search.
• Maps pre loaded UK and ROI.
• Safety camera alerts, includes free 12 month trial.
• Car charger.
• Local search facility.
• Removable memory card.
• Windscreen suction cup.
• Weight 161g.
• Size (H)7.7, (W)11.1, (D)2cm.

Verdict: Fun graphics

7/10

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Ever wondered what happens to female Daleks when they retire?  They provide the voices for Garmin navigation units.  A pleasant enough budget model - apart from the annoying voice - even if the graphics on the 3.5in touch screen are a bit vivid.  Menus are mostly straightforward, though it did confuse left with right, directing us to Milton’s Indian restaurant in Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, rather than the poet’s house across the road.

• Touch screen.
• Mapping 2D and 3D.
• Screen size 4.3in.
• Full postcode search.
• Maps pre loaded UK and ROI.
• Traffic information.
• Safety camera alerts, annual subscription required.
• Points of interest.
• Photo viewer.
• Removable memory card.
• Car charger.
• Windscreen suction cup.
• Weight 173g.
• Size (H)7.1, (W)12.1, (D)2cm.

Verdict: Disappointing

6/10

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The S90i’s killer feature is NavPix: click on a photo from its ‘album’ of places of interest, and the GPS wil guide you there.  Also has a camera so you can take your own NavPix pictures, as well as Bluetooth to control your mobile - although it won’t make calls.  Has European maps, traffic information and speed camera alerts.  It has a 4.3in touch screen and is easy to use, although the voice instructions come through a tinny speaker.

Verdict: You can do better for the money

6/10

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You could argue there’s no need for a special satnav when your phone can do it for you, especially if you get a free phone upgrade when your contract expires.  At first, the Navigator seems cheap, but look closely and you’ll see that it charges for voice guidance - though it’s free for the first six months.  And, when all’s said and done, it’s still a phone with a fairly small 2.4in screen and speaker.  Still, maps are detailed and accuracy is good.

• Candybar style handset.
• Duo band.
• Talk time - up to 270 minutes.
• Stand-by time - up to 260 hours.
• Vibration alert.
• WAP compatible.
• Voice dialling up to 10 numbers.
• Size (H)129.5, (W)47.3, (D)18.8mm.
• Weight 144g.

Verdict: Handy, but there are better satnavs

6/10

Vodafone Nokia 6210.

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If you’re a gadget freak, you’ll love this.  The voice control operates not just the navigation but also your Bluetooth mobile.  The programming isn’t as slick as some, though, and it made the same mistake as its cheaper sibling when looking for Milton’s house.

Verdict: Clever, but too expensive

5/10

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On the face of it the MAP680 has it all - 3D landmarks, traffic info, Bluetooth to control your phone, speed camera warnings, MP3 and movie player, and so on.  But it just isn’t endearing to use.  Sure, it’s easy enough to programme, with clear audible confirmation of buttons hit, but the maps on the 4.3in touch screen are hard to follow, some of the routes suggested are odd and the voice commands are irritating.

• MAP680 is the ultimate navigation unit
• Destination input, turn-by-turn voice prompts, text-tospeech operation and selectable route guidance
• Full UK and Ireland map with full eight digit postcode destination input
• 3D buildings, 3D landmarks, Modelling terrain in 3D, Lane information
• Extremely fast route calculation and rerouting

Verdict: Feels like last year’s model

4/10

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