Sat-nav security in the scan

Fingerprint recognition used to be the preserve of sci-fi films. Yet with the new GoPal P4425 sat-nav from Medion, you can embrace the technology in your car – and increase your chances of defeating thieves.

Well, that’s the idea. The unit uses fingerprint scanning, and won’t work unless it recognises the appropriate digit first. But we experienced problems with the scanning technology on our test sample, as the device wouldn’t recognise our prints! Medion does have a fix for customers with the same problem, though.

That issue aside, the P4425 presents itself well. The glossy front has a large, easily legible display, and the rubberised rear casing holds the stylus – although the touchscreen controls are big enough to be selected with fingertips. An integrated cradle which holds the TMC traffic alert receiver helps keep trailing wires to a minimum. But we weren’t so keen on the dull colours. The unit was sometimes a bit slow to respond to GPS signals, too, and got confused by one-way streets on our city centre route.

The GoPal P4425 isn’t the simplest sat-nav to use. Yet as long as the fingerprint scanner works, it’s unlikely to be on many thieves’ hit lists.