The general public is mad about GPS sets for cars: they were top of the favourite Christmas presents last year. Really easy to use, these sets are ideal because they don't require a subscription. The user just turns on the machine, enters a postal address, and the computer calculates in real time the route using various parameters (quickest route, shortest route, and so on). Once the driver has done this, all he needs to do is follow spoken and visual directions, presented on the map on the screen.
The most popular GPS systems come from the Garmin Nüvi range, the dinkiest sets on the market. Lightweight and compact, each unit easily fits into a jacket pocket, gives very precise spoken details and has multimedia possibilities. The only weak points are the low-quality maps in the «300» version (Benelux, France up to Dijon and Germany up to Frankfurt) (549 ¤) and the strict, choppy voice giving directions. Another best seller often seen in supermarket and hi-fi shop special offers, the MiTAC Mio currently offers the best value for money. Despite a perfectible presentation of the navigation software and highly-annoying slow reaction times on the menus, this SEM (Système Embarqué Mobile) is pleasing to use with its clear and easy to read maps, and practical outer buttons. We should add that the « 269+ » version of MiTAC Mio at just 494 ¤ provides a very complete map system of Europe including 28 countries and 4 Eastern European countries.
Well known due to the publicity hype it has generated over the last few months, the Tomtom GO range (edition 500 costs 570 ¤) lives up to its TV and radio claims in terms of quality: the navigation software's design is impeccable, so easy it could be used by an eight-year-old! The flowing map presentation and mobile phone (only Bluetooth) connectivity make up for some faults, which should be rectified in the next version. For example, the shape is too cumbersome, the set lacks multimedia possibilities and contains last generation's GPS chips. Michi-Hiro Tamaï
