Garmin Quest 2

The Garmin Quest 2 is a top-of-the-range satellite navigation unit. The unit is of tough, rugged construction yet is easy to use and handle.

Automatic route recalculation is standard, as you would expect from a system of this price. Voice-guided, turn-by-turn instructions are given and the bright, clear screen ensures there is little uncertainty in what the drivers next course of action should be.

The Garmin Quest 2 is powered using the combined speaker/12-24volt adapter or by connecting it directly to the vehicle's cigarette lighter. The rechargeable internal Li-Ion battery means the Quest 2 can also be used as a standalone unit once recharged, either out and about on foot, or transferred to another vehicle - making it ideal for the family to share one unit.

The screen is bright and clear and the graphics are sharp. The colour of the display can be changed after dark to ensure the user is not dazzled by a bright display.

The route planner function allows you to save up to 50 routes. The unit will also auto-sort multiple destinations to provide the most efficient route. If you have to make multiple stops on your journey, program each location in to the Quest 2 and let the software calculate the optimum order in which to visit each location.

This facility alone makes this THE unit to have for sales professionals, delivery drivers/couriers and those who need to make numerous stops on a regular basis.

A Points of Interest (POI) database is also included. This is essentially a large database with locations of such destinations as pubs, hotels, hospitals, petrol station etc. stored in the satnav's memory. You can choose from a large list of different amenities, the Quest 2 then identifies the closest one to your current location and then calculated the best route to get to it! The user can also add their own waypoints with names, categories, comments and graphical symbols.

Another great benefit is the "One button home" button - this quickly routes you to your "home" address - ideal for those who have had a busy day and want to get home as soon as possible.

Additional Points of Interest can be added using the free POILoader software available from the Garmin website.

The unit is of rugged construction and is waterproof. The manufacturer claims it can be submerged in 1 metre of water for 30 minutes.

The unit normally comes with street-level maps of the UK and major routes of Europe. All maps are stored internally and the system is compatible with other MapSource maps allowing the possibility for expansion at a later date.

A USB connection allows the user to connect the unit to a PC for installing maps and POI's downloaded from the Garmin website.

The key feature of the Quest 2 is the multiple-stop route optimisation and this feature alone will make the Quest 2 worth every penny to a lot of professional drivers.