Product Reviews

Despite having a very odd name, this collection of wire, plugs and random bits of plastic could be a godsend for motorists. It allows handheld Pocket PCs to act as an in-car navigation system. Connect it up, load some software and your handheld will shout out directions as you drive: "Turn left! Turn right! Straight on!" At least, that's the theory.

TomTom uses the Global Positioning System to work out where it is. First you have to type in your rough location - the nearest town will do. Then, via a small boxy aerial, it taps into the signals from orbiting GPS satellites. From these,

Next you enter the name of your destination and here I was amazed by the system's encyclopedic knowledge of even the smallest hamlets. After a short spell of calculation, it was time to start our engine!

Then the problems started. GPS signals suffer in built-up areas and under thick tree canopies. If the TomTom can't receive data from the satellite, it can't navigate. And this happened all too often - even in open spaces. Clueless and confused, the system demanded U-turns on motorways and willed me to take fictitious left turns. Not only were its errors irritating, they were distracting too.

In many ways, the fact that TomTom works sporadically and inaccurately is worse than it not working at all. Then at least you'd know where you stood. Follow its instructions blindly and who knows what might happen.

Luckily, I had a passenger with a £3 AA road atlas.