TomTom Start 20

The basics

Satellite navigation devices have had a tough time of late, with smartphones offering all the same features for free, without having to carry another gadget around. TomTom hopes that the affordable Start 20 will get people to switch from their iPhones and Galaxy S II's – read on to find out if it's good enough.

The good

At 4.3 inches, the TomTom Start 20 may be a lot smaller than high-end rivals, but it's still bigger than the majority of smartphones. It's also easy to see in all conditions – including bright sunshine – and the widescreen aspect ratio is perfect for showing directions.

As with previous TomTom models, we're impressed with the menu and ease of use that the TomTom Start 20 offers. It really is an intuitive device, and it's a lot easier to get to grips with than most smartphone sat-nav apps. The onscreen buttons are large, and our passengers had no trouble tapping out postcodes and addresses while on the move.

The mounting system has been revised – so it's no longer detachable – but this is not necessarily a bad thing. It fits nearly flush with the TomTom Start 20 itself, so you'll have no trouble putting it in your pocket and taking it out of the car when you get to your destination.

With 4GB of storage space onboard the TomTom Start 20, there's more than enough room for either full European mapping, or just UK and Ireland mapping.

The bad

There's very little to dislike about the TomTom Start 20. It's affordable, and using it means that your smartphone's battery life won't take a hit.

The bottom line

If you still haven't managed to get round to buying a sat-nav device, the TomTom Start 20 is a good place to start. It's affordable, well equipped and the impressive screen makes it easier to view and to use than a smartphone or other sat-nav rivals.