Next generation sat navs

The latest sat navs revealed
Brand new satellite navigation features that do more than just get you from A to B
Tips on how to avoid falling victim to sat nav theft
The sat navs you can expect to see in shops near you this year

Take a look at some of the newest satellite navigation features available - some of which are already available on new sat navs, such as the TomTom 930T, and some which will follow later this year.

Next generation sat navs

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We have found that each new generation of sat nav systems has consistently proven to be more impressive than the last. Most models available on the market will get the job done, but bigger, brighter screens, more features, and voice recognition have made the latest sat navs more intuitive and easier to use.

The latest satellite navigation features

Voice recognition software

All you have to do is speak the address details, and the sat nav device can plot the route for you. This is a useful feature for when you need to change or plan routes while on the move.

We tested a sat nav voice recognition system to see how well it functioned with numerous different accents and found it worked very well.

Traffic management system

Beat the traffic with a jam-busting traffic management system

This sat nav function uses traffic updates from local radio stations to help plot routes around congested areas. All you need to do is attach a radio antenna to receive the traffic information.

We found it to be a very clever feature, designed to shorten your journey times.

Lane guidance

When following the voice commands on a sat nav it can often be difficult to know exactly which lane you should be in. The lane guidance feature shows you the road signs on the display as they would appear on the road itself.

This is a very handy feature, particularly when you are travelling on unfamiliar roads.

Further improvements

Sat navs have traditionally lacked a feature warning drivers where low bridges or narrow roads are. This is soon to change, as new maps from mapping company Navteq are being designed to allow sat nav makers to easily incorporate this data into the latest models.

Safety tips

In 2007 more than 16% of car thefts involved sat navs. Follow our tips to avoid becoming a victim.

Take sat navs and their mountings when you leave the car
Wipe away any suction-pad marks the sat nav leaves on the windscreen or dashboard
Avoid leaving sat navs in the glovebox as thieves usually check there first
Record your home address under another name

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