Garmin nüvi 1240 sat-nav

Most drivers pack away their sat-nav once they’ve parked their car. But the nüvi 1240 from Garmin is designed to be used on foot as well, so you can take it all the way to the door of your final destination.

The newcomer is equipped with a compact 3.5-inch screen – that might be a little small for some drivers, although we didn’t find it too much of a problem in the car.

And besides, the benefit of the tiny dimensions is obvious when you’re on foot. The 1240 fits in the palm of your hand for navigating unfamiliar streets. It looks stylish, thanks to the slimline casing and silver trim. In pedestrian mode, the unit works in a similar way to an online route planner, giving a list of easy-to-follow turn-by-turn instructions.

And we liked the way it offered three route options, including the use of public transport where relevant. It blends all this with accurate routing and quick decision making – all the abilities we would expect from a Garmin.

In detail:
Garmin nüvi 1240 sat-nav
* Price: £159.00
* Rating: 4/5
* Contact: www.garmin.com
* Problems? May be too small for some drivers, and only really offers a benefit if you often walk around unfamiliar destinations.
* So why buy? A great companion if you are in a city you don’t know.