At Lordpercy.com we have been using the Traffic Master YQ2 for 3 years and the data it gives while traversing the M25 is invaluable, but it is a bit cumbersome and we've often wondered when Traffic Master would combine a full GPS navigation system with their traffic data.

Well the wait is over and we have SmartNav, and just what is SmartNav well that's the fun part there are so many options we can't help but feel that Traffic master have gone a bit OTT. The basic system uses traffic masters roadside network and GPS system to navigate via voice commands, all you get for your £500 investment is a button on the dash that you push to talk to a SmartNav operator which is connected using a mobile phone network. Once they have your destination point a route is sent to the unit and off you go following the clear and concise route, its certainly stress free.

Routes are plotted to a postcode and house number, although as its a human at the far end you can get away with partial information or ask for a route to your nearest hotel or petrol station, the guidance uses road names and numbers to counteract the lack of a screen and will ask if you wish to re route around traffic before doing so.

There are a plethora of options, safe speed is a speed camera warning system that beeps to warn you if you approach a known GATSO site too fast, a tracker style system to monitor your cars position and help you recover it if stolen and even a concierge service to book flights, hotels even flowers plus an SOS system in case of breakdown.

This is the rolls Royce of satnav but you must bear in mind a fully installed BMW system with hardly any of these options will cost £2500 which is just as well because SmartNav soon adds up. The base system is £500 plus installation then you can pay per route (90p) and re route (20p) or take a buyout of £120 for 1 year or £350 for a lifetime subscription. The safe speed costs £6 a month extra, the tracker option costs £100 to upgrade and then £8 a month.

Sure these all add up but you could end up with a lot of boxes in your car if you went separately, plus each option is cheaper than a stand alone solution for each of the options.

Our test ride in a SmartNav enable car was quite impressive a nice lady answered our press of the little SM button and asked us where we wanted to go, we were (of course) a little vague but she found the London street we wanted and the route was set in. It planned to use the A1 but as we approached the A1 / M25 junction SM warned of traffic ahead and diverted us through the M10 and into north London before picking up the A1 lower down, we'll never know if there was traffic but then we guess that's the idea!

We even managed to book a parking place in London through the SM concierge service, overall we were very impressed even though the safe speed bleeping got a bit much in central London.

Would we recommend it, well yes if you have the cash and need at least a few of the options and do a lot of travelling, for most drivers it would be a luxury but hell where's the fun in not treating yourself once in a while.

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