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Aside from the innovative extras, the S30 is a pretty solid performer. Map data comes from TeleAtlas, just as with the Mio C220, which is an excellent choice and, as a result, the S30 performed well during testing. The 3.5in, 320 x 240 touchscreen is bright and clear, and responds positively to the touch. It's equipped with an autozoom function - also like the C220 - which zooms in at junctions and zooms out when you're driving at high speed.

Audio instructions are competent too, matching those of the C220 and Garmin 200W. Turns in close proximity are linked together, plenty of advance warning is given and, importantly, instructions are also repeated the closer you get to a junction so that if you weren't paying attention at first, you get a second, and third chance depending on how fast you're driving.

Other good stuff includes an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to access all settings and functions without having to hunt about too much. The volume control, for instance, can be launched by holding down the volume button on the navigation screen; recent searches, favourites and the address search are just two simple clicks away; and you can get a route overview simply by cycling through the views on the map screen. Just as useful is the fact that important POI categories, such as food, SOS (pharmacies, garages and the like), fuel and parking are a simple click away on the second main menu screen - no need to go rooting around in the POI search menu. You also get speed camera updates free for 12 months, though these disappear unless you opt to pay for the £50 per year continuing subscription.

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