Lab

GPS devices

It wasn't too long ago that GPS devices were restricted to luxury cars, yachts and mountaineering expeditions. But in the last few years they've leapt from being expensive luxuries to affordable commodity devices.

Prices have dropped to such a degree that top-end in-car systems now cost less than £250. We've reviewed six such devices here, and we were surprised at the sheer range of features available for so little. Where traffic information was a luxury only a year or so ago, now you're behind the times if you don't include it.

European maps used to be unattainable at sub-£200 prices, but this month every device covers more than just the UK and Ireland. And we were pleased to find that they all have large, easy-to-read 4.3in screens (or bigger).

But it isn't just in-car satnavs that have benefited from the proliferation of GPS. There's also a burgeoning recreational sector, and we've gathered eight such devices split into two sections: fitness and training watches, and hiking devices, although there is some overlap between the two.

One thing is clear, though: this fantastic technology has now well and truly matured, as have its devices. To find out which should be your guide, read on.