Overall rating:

Product: TomTom Go Live 825
Price: £229.99 (SRP)
For: Easy to use, accurate traffic information, filled with live services
Against: Slow to react, power button awkward when fitted to screen, long-winded voice activation

Time was that a satnav system wasn't much better than an online route planner for finding your way around unfamiliar locations. Now though the very best can do so much more than just get you from A to B. TomTom kicked off the craze with its original Go Live series and has just revealed its latest offering - the Go Live 825 tested here.

It's instantly familiar both in looks and interface, and we especially like the simple windscreen mount that can be operated with one hand. However, mounted tight to the screen the power button is hard to get to and we were disappointed by the unit's slow reaction to each finger press on the five-inch touch-screen.

One year's free Live services includes the excellent HD Traffic information, which is a particular highlight - updating every two minutes. Not only did this give us accurate arrival times from the start, but also a clear idea of any delays and quicker routes to our destination.

Other Live services include the speed camera database and local or Google search function (including Tripadvisor reviews) proved particularly effective. We were less keen on the voice activation, which still requires a press on the screen to start.

But these tiny issues are a drop in the ocean when you consider how useful the Go Live 825 is - especially when travelling to an unfamiliar destination. For anyone who regularly has to do battle with rush-hour jams especially, the TomTom HD traffic is a lifesaver in itself.