Review: Viamichelin X-950T sat-nav device

Viamichelin also produces software-only sat-nav products for PDAs, so it comes as no surprise to find that its own all-in-one device looks and feels very much like a repurposed Pocket PC. At its core there’s a Windows CE.Net 4.2 operating system running on a 312MHz Intel processor and 32MB of memory. It’s not the most powerful machine of those on test, but the Viamichelin Navigation software runs fairly smoothly.

Like all the other systems here, touchscreen controls provide the main interface, although a selection of hardware buttons frame the 3.5in display. Generally the software is easy to use, although there are instances where the on-screen buttons may prove a little small for those blessed with chubbier digits. A stylus is thoughtfully provided as an alternative.

With the X-950T, Viamichelin plays on its heritage in other areas to help give its product an edge. In addition to the standard points of interest, the X-950T features a lot of useful content from the 2006 Michelin Green Guides, including hotel and restaurant information for many towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. This sort of information can become out of date quite quickly but Viamichelin promises that updates will be available, although the cost of this service is yet to be confirmed.

In the case of our test model, both maps and guide information were limited to the UK and Ireland, although it’s worth noting that a more expensive X-950T Europe package (£329) is also available.

The X-950T still manages to represent good value for money, however, since it features TMC traffic updates and an FM antenna at no additional cost. Once again, the more expensive Euro-model has the edge, as it offers a pan-European TMC service that can deliver traffic info in English, regardless of the local native tongue.

A formidable package that’s particularly suitable for holidaymakers in the UK or Ireland, the X-950T would be much higher up our list if it featured support for full UK postcode searches.

This article is part of a group test of 10 satellite-navigation devices
See also:
Introduction
Acer p610
Garmin Nuvi 310
Magellan Roadmate 3050T
Medion Gopal PNA465
Mio Digiwalker C510E
Navman N40i
Novogo S700
Sony Nav-u NV-U50T
Tomtom One Europe
A tables of features can be read via our pdf download above

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