Medion isn’t nearly as well known for its satellite-navigation devices as it is for its cheap and capable PCs.

In the past it has produced some extremely impressive navigators, though.

The new P4425 has plenty of additional features alongside traditional satellite navigation.

It’s a slimline and compact device with external volume controls, a straightforward display for navigation and adjustment on the move and a range of customisable features.

The main mapping software is very clear, if a little bland, and allows you to choose between visual maps, turn-direction icons or a combination of both to help make sure you don’t miss vital turns.

There’s plenty of information available en route through the trip computer and a handy shortcut button on the main map display allows users to access any of six customisable features with a single button press, which is an excellent way to keep your favourite features close at hand.

Directions are clear enough, though new users might find it a bit fiddly to configure the exact layout and behaviour of the main mapping screen to work as you’d like, but once you get used to it it’s much better.

Where the P4425 really scores points is with the range of extra features it includes, such as the music player, video player, photo viewer, Bluetooth (for connecting to a mobile phone so you can use the P4425 for hands-free calls), an FM transmitter (to send directions or music to a car stereo), Berlitz travel guides and an alarm.

The only problem we can see with all this is that the supplied 2GB memory car d is almost full with maps so in order to play music or video you’ll need to buy a bigger card and reinstall the maps from the supplied discs.

Medion’s device isn’t quite as easy to use out of the box as those from rivals such as Tomtom, but the inclusion of full European maps, free traffic information and speed camera updates mean that the P4425 represents extremely good value. If you’re looking for these sorts of extras there are no competing devices that carry them all for as low a price.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 at 11:03 am and is filed under Automotive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.