Garmin nüvi 1690T sat-nav

Get connected with the latest range-topping Garmin sat-nav. The new 1690 features a raft of real-time nüLink! services, including traffic, speed trap alerts and Google Local Search.

What’s more, you can track Garmin-using friends or family via the Ciao! facility. As long as both parties set their units to upload locations, the 1690 will guide you to meet them. Set-up couldn’t be easier. The power lead now connects direct to the cradle, and GPS HotFix picks up the signal quickly, so you can be on your way in seconds.

Ciao! plotted a route to our friend’s location fast. But we had to tap the screen to refresh his position, which was irritating. Still, using the points of interest we found a place to eat, and we searched Google for a nearby cashpoint.

After parking, we took the unit with us – despite the 4.3-inch screen, it’s only 15mm thick, so is compact – and it guided us back to our car later.

You can also check the weather on the 1690, and we looked at live flight details before leaving on an airport run. Yet the unit didn’t accurately warn us about all the traffic on the way. The raft of features is excellent, but if you don’t use them, this Garmin is pricey.

Verdict

 * Problems? Expensive if you don’t use all the services on offer, Ciao! function doesn’t auto-update.

 * So why buy? Connected services work really well, routing is quick and cradle simple to use.

 * Contact: www.garmin.co.uk