Mio 269

Satellite navigation (sat nav) devices are steadily coming down in price and you will soon see budget models available for less than £200. Although the 269 from Mio looks expensive kits at first glance, the decent collection of features provides excellent value for money.

The device itself is neatly designed, looks stylish and is just about small enough to fit in your pocket. The 3.5in display is bright and has a resolution of 320 x 240.

As with most sat nav devices, it can be difficult to see the screen in bright sunlight but the built-in speaker is always on hand to give audio directions.

The Mio 269 is easy enough to use. The menus can be navigated either by using your hand or the stylus, which slots neatly into the casing.

Street-level maps are provided for 22 western European countries, and points of interest, such as petrol stations and hotels, are included. The 3D map looks good and is easy to follow, while various other views are available.

Where the Mio 269 falls down is with its slow operation. The map updates fast enough when you are driving around and routes are calculated reasonably quickly, but moving around the map using the stylus is painfully slow ­ each movement results in a lethargic redraw of the map.

A heap of accessories are included in the package. Along with a car charger, mains adapter, carrying case and earphones, you also get a holder for use in your car.

Should the reception falter, the external GPS antenna can be attached to improve matters. There is even a remote control, although we do not envisage this being used a lot.

When considering the total package, including maps and accessories, the Mio 269 excels on price, but it can be annoyingly slow at times.