Here’s former...

Here’s former Auto Express Accessory of the Year Smartnav’s latest Touchscreen – bringing the call centre sat-nav system with live traffic information closer to conventional rivals.

There’s fresh casing colours and a removable monitor, but the heart of the revamp is the new screen display. Selecting routes should be easier, as the unit can hold up to 20 favourite destinations. Drivers can also key in postcodes or select any of the previous five destinations without speaking to the call centre. That’s still an option if you’re not sure of the exact address, but now motorists can get on their way quicker than before.

Features include a super-accurate GPS speedo, instruction mute, a direct link to breakdown and emergency services, and at-a-glance subscription and upgrade options. As Smartnav is call centre-based, map updates are more frequent than for disc systems, too. In addition, it provides warnings when approaching and entering the London Congestion Charge zone.

The Touchscreen’s price stays the same, at чЈ149 – that’s on top of the чЈ499 for Smartnav’s call-button-only system. This price includes fitting and a year’s subscription. Annual subs are чЈ120; you can add Gatso alerts and GPS tracking for чЈ109 a year each.

Smartnav Touchscreen, price: чЈ149 (plus Smartnav at чЈ499 and чЈ120 for subscription), buy from: 08705 561712, www.trafficmaster.co.uk