Smartnav colour touchscreen - tested

the call centre-based Smartnav system has been brought in line with the rest of the portable sat-nav market – as it now comes with a colour touchscreen.

The wired-in set-up remains unique, as users still call a 24-hour hotline for route and jam information from operator Trafficmaster. Instructions are then sent to your car in seconds. The outgoing screen option used to give generic junction diagrams on a black and white display, in addition to the spoken commands. But on the new colour version, the planner follows a map route, and there’s auto zoom at junctions. It looks much more conventional.

Visual alerts for London’s congestion charging zone are shown on the screen, as are speed cameras. Speed, distance to destination and estimated time of arrival are also displayed. Users can see their entire route, scroll across the map and set destinations. The colour screen is £199 for existing users, or a complete Smartnav system can be fitted for £598.