$988
Available at Best Denki and Challenger

At first glance you won't think much of Packard Bell's GPS Compasseo 600. Housed in a tough plastic casing, this squarish device does not look all that amazing.

But once you put this palm-sized wonder to the test on the roads, you soon realise how deceiving looks can be.

The gadget, which uses the latest SiRFStarIII chipset for navigation, also doubles as an MP3 player and photo viewer.

For starters, its bright 3.5 inch colour, 320 by 240 screen is very nice, though slightly too reflective.

As part of its handy car kit, a car cigarette lighter and holder are included, while its portable size and built-in battery makes it great for hikes, too.

The package comes with Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia maps on a 512MB MMC card, and map updates are available for download over the Internet. Testing the Compasseo 600, it picked up GPS signals almost immediately when driving in the open, or when I exited underground tunnels.

There were occasions, though, when the device would stubbornly fail to latch on to satellite signals until I reset it.

Menus are superb, too: intuitive and easy to use with the touch screen interface.

To plan your travel route, all you need to do is enter the postal code or the address of your destination, and both the screen and voice navigation will guide you to where you want to go.

When approaching flyovers like the one along the Upper Serangoon or the Ayer Rajah Expressway at Keppel Road, the system is also able to advise you if you should go on or underneath it depending on your destination, constantly reminding me to watch my speed, and even warnings to beware of upcoming speed traps.

To charge this device, plug it into your PC's USB port with the included USB cable, or via the car's cigarette lighter socket. One minor grouse is that it doesn't switch over to the night mode automatically, and small onscreen keyboard is too small.

FINAL SAY

This gadget will make you really lazy, because it is simply so easy to use and reliable, you will stop planning your own routes! You have been warned.