This satellite navigation...

This satellite navigation system is a real wideboy! The latest unit from Geosat is called the 5 blu, and the name gives a clue to the size of its screen – a full five inches – and its Bluetooth capability.

Our device picked up a satellite signal as soon as we switched it on, and it was ready to navigate in under two minutes. We then programmed in our test route, which included numerous points of interest along our journey.

The five-inch touchscreen was easy to use out on the road and, due to its generous dimensions, we barely had to glance at the box to get our bearings. Mapping is clear, but the graphics look a little dated compared to those from leading competitors such as TomTom. Still, the audio alerts were easy to understand and provided sufficient warning of turnings ahead.

The only real problem we experienced was with the size of the 5 blu – it’s so big that it’s difficult to know where to place it in the cabin. We found that putting it close to the A-pillar worked best, because it didn’t obscure as much of the screen. The other minor niggle is that the device is top-heavy – so owners will need to make sure that the sucker is well fixed or it may come off over rough surfaces.