Garmin Quest

The Garmin QUEST is a mid-range satellite navigation unit and offers all the benefits you would normally expect from a GPS system at this level of the market. A map of the route is shown on the colour screen at the same time as voice-guided, turn-by-turn instructions.

The unit can be powered either directly from the vehicle's cigarette lighter or using the combined speaker/12-24volt adapter supplied. The Garmin Quest has a rechargeable Li-Ion battery internally and, as such, can be transferred from one vehicle to another with the minimum of effort making it ideal for a family to share one satnav system.

In common with other satnav systems, if the user should accidentally or on purpose stray off the pre-planned route to their destination, the Garmin Quest will quickly calculate a new, optimised route.

The Quest's screen is bright and clear and the mapping and graphics are sharp. The unit's brightness can be dimmed during the evening/night to ensure the glare of the screen doesn't affect the driver.

A Points of Interest (POI) database is also included with the Garmin Quest making it easy to find hotels, hospitals, airports etc. The user can also add their own waypoints with names, categories, comments and graphical symbols.

Additional Points of Interest can be added using the free POILoader software available from the Garmin website. Connecting the Quest to a PC is straightforward using the USB connection.

A built-in satellite receiving antenna and the rechargeable internal battery ensure this is a true all-in-one unit that can easily be transferred from one vehicle to another. The unit is of rugged construction and is waterproof.

The unit normally comes with street-level maps of the UK and major routes/roads of Europe. Maps are stored internally and the system is compatible with other MapSource mapping data allowing to be used for other outdoor pursuits if necessary.

The Garmin Quest is a good satnav system and has been around for a while now.