Medion MD41800

If you're the kind of person that likes the open road but is prone to getting lost, you'd do well to invest in a satellite navigation device. The remarkably priced Medion MD41800 with GPS navigation is being sold through Aldi stores as one of its 'special buys' for one week only from 13 May.

Rather than being a standalone satellite navigation device, you're actually getting a pretty good handheld computer, complete with a GPS receiver. It's slim, light and has a bright, clear screen. There's an SD/MMC slot for memory cards and a cradle is included for connecting to a PC. There's 64Mb of onboard memory but it also comes with a huge 256Mb MMC memory card, which stores all the map data.

In the box is everything you need to install the MD41800 in your car. The mounting bracket uses an ingenious suction clip, which sticks strongly to a window or dashboard but can be easily removed with the flip of a lever. A power adapter fits into the car's cigarette lighter and powers the handheld and GPS receiver. Once switched on, the receiver takes a few minutes to identify its location but it can then determine its position to within a few metres and can work out most routes within the UK and Ireland.

To start a journey, simply enter the postcode of the destination or the town and road. Special locations such as hospitals or tourist offices can be entered and you can also import postcodes from your contacts diary. There are options to avoid motorways or toll roads and destinations regularly visited can be saved.

Once on the move, the on-screen map directs you to your destination by means of a pointing arrow and helpful audio cues. They are accurate and give plenty of warning before junctions. It also gives lane information, although in our testing, one complicated roundabout did lead to confusing directions. If driving errors are made, the route is automatically recalculated.

The MD41800 is a great hardware bundle that doesn't cost the earth.

Contact: Medion 0870 513 4262
www.aldi-stores.co.uk

See also:

Dell Axim X30

The latest technology at an affordable price.  29 Sep 2004

Dell Axim X30 Wireless

Multimedia in your hand.  25 Aug 2004

Palmone Zire 72

Affordable, but packed full of features.  04 Aug 2004

PalmOne Zire 72

Fills your palm with a lot of great features.  13 Jul 2004

TomTom Navigator for Palm

TomTom drums up interest in handheld route planning.  10 May 2004

Sony Clie PEG-TH55

A new standard for Palm OS PDAs.  23 Apr 2004

Sony Clie PEG-TH55

Sony sets a new standard that other Palm OS-based handhelds will struggle to meet.  02 Apr 2004

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