10 BEST SATELLITE SYSTEMS - The Independent, 14 February 2005

As chosen by technology expert Mark Harris

Timex Bodylink £275
This ultimate tool for monitoring all types of exercise consists of a heart rate monitor, watch, data recorder and a satellite tracking unit. Strap all of these to your body before you train (a workout in itself) and your coach can download the data to a PC, analyse your performance and even tell whether you stopped for a breather.
Timex (0208 326 6900, www.timex.com)

Mio 269 £400 ---- BEST BUY
For simplicity and price, it’s hard to beat this portable solution. Just power up the rechargeable battery (or plug into a car’s cigarette lighter), turn it on and start planning your journey. The small screen is bright and colourful and the touch menus are effortless to use. It has dedicated walking, cycling and driving modes – and even doubles up as a high capacity MP3 player.
Mio (No UK phone; www.mio-tech.be)

Alpine IVA-D300R £2,600 --- BEST LUXURY BUY
This all-in-one in-car navigation system does everything but drive you there itself. As well as incorporating a GPS receiver with maps of over 100,000 European cities (are there that many?), the Alpine gathers digital traffic jam alerts from radio broadcasts and plays CDs, MP3s or DVDs. It comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display that gives tactile feedback when you use it, making for safer data entry.
Alpine (08703 333406; www.alpine-europe.com)

Garmin GPSMap60CS £400
When you’re stranded on a desert island, ditch the record collection and pack one of these all-terrain navigation units instead. It has a colour basemap with roads, rivers and borders, and you can download more detailed maps from your computer. A built-in compass gives accurate directions and a barometer provides precise altitude data. It’s completely waterproof and will work for up to 30 hours on just two AA batteries.
Garmin (01794 519944; www.garmin.com)

Magellan eXplorist 100 £100 -- BEST BUDGET BUY
This basic satellite receiver doesn’t contain any map data but instead tracks your route as you walk, cycle or even sail (it’s fully waterproof). The eXplorist shows distance and direction travelled on its clear black and white screen, and you can save important landmarks like mountain summits or pubs. At the end of the day, it will guide you safely back to your starting point.
Magellan (00800 62435526; www.magellangps.com)

AA Navigator £350
A built-in antenna transforms this Pocket PC into a powerful navigation system. Using AA software and Ordnance Survey maps, it can guide you to any UK street or postcode with route maps and turn-by-turn voice prompts. When you get to your destination, you’ve got a fully fledged 300MHz PDA organiser, complete with contacts, calendar and pocket versions of Excel and Word.
AA (0870 4202722; www.aanavigation.com)

Motorola E1000 From free (some contracts) to £300 (pay as you go)
No one likes to look a tourist in the urban jungle, so bin that street map and let you fingers do the walking. This 3G mobile phone uses AGPS technology to call up a local map at the touch of a button, or deliver the quickest walking route to your destination (25p a time). If it’s local knowledge you’re after, it can direct you to your nearest cash machine, bar or restaurant.
Three (08707 330 333; www.three.co.uk)
Navman Sport.Tool R300 £100
Pedometers are notoriously unreliable for measuring distances, especially when you’re running. This water-resistant, arm-mounted unit uses satellite tracking technology to display your current speed and distance to an accuracy of just 2%. Set a target jogging pace and the R300 will also warn you if you start slowing down. Similar units are available for in-line skating (£80), walking (£90), skiing (£119) and water sports (£119).
Navman (01978 729941; www.sport-tool.com)

Road Angel £400
While the morality of dodging speed cameras is questionable, the efficacy of this dashboard unit isn’t. Approach a hidden camera, accident blackspot or mobile laser unit and the Road Angel springs to life, warning you with flashes and bleeps to slow down. If the worst happens and you have a prang, it can also display your exact longitude and latitude coordinates for summoning help.
Boys Stuff (0870 745 2000; www.boysstuff.co.uk

Trafficmaster SmartNav £900 plus £120/year
If you find over-complicated technology more stressful than the M25 at rush hour, try this neat in-car unit. Simply press a button on your dashboard and you’re connected with a human being at the Trafficmaster call centre who confirms your destination. Then simply follow the voice instructions or turn indications on a touchscreen. Another £10 per month buys RAC Trackstar technology to track your vehicle if it’s stolen.
Trafficmaster (0870 050 3000; www.trafficmaster.co.uk)

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