Garmin nüvi 550 sat-nav

Most people have their sat-nav in the car and leave it behind as soon as they get out. However, this latest Garmin nüvi 550 is designed to be used all the time.

Aimed at fans of the great outdoors, it has a waterproof screen and is ideal for scooter riders, cyclists and walkers, as well as drivers. But the chunkycase makes the display appear smaller than it is, and gives the system a rather dated look.

While we didn’t submerge the unit to test its waterproof claims, we did try it in heavy rain with no problem. Once in use, the device functions much like other units from Garmin. It also has easily interchangeable maps and routing options. We found a strong GPS signal quickly thanks to the HotFix technology, and we particularly liked the TracBack function, which helps you retrace your steps. The unit isn’t perfect, though – given that it’s meant for outdoor use, we would have liked to have seen a home charger included for the price.