Brings together the best bits of sat-nav and Pocket PC

Score

• 4 / 5

For

• Sat-nav works well
• Good wireless connectivity

Against

• Onscreen buttons could be bigger

Verdict

HP's iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion is not the first device to combine Pocket PC functionality with satellite navigation, but it is one of the best all-round handhelds we've seen.

The styling is unique, with an asymmetrical design, finished in silver and bronze. There's enough space for a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, and a host of hardware buttons line the left side of the device. There's a 400MHz processor, and 64MB of memory, which powers the HP with little lag. Applications run smoothly, and you'll find an SD card reader on the top of the Travel Companion, allowing you to add more memory for your files.

Running Windows Mobile 5.0, there's a custom home page from where you can easily launch the TomTom navigation software, entertainment features or a web browser. You can return to this page at the touch of a button, and a joypad to the right of the screen lets you choose between functions, which we found particularly useful when in sat-nav mode.

Because it's a Windows Mobile product, you'll find the usual software included - such as Word and Excel Mobile - making this a useful out-of-office product. There's no SIM card, so you won't be able to use it as a phone. However, the inclusion of BT PhoneManager software and Bluetooth makes connecting to the internet through your mobile phone a simple process. You'll also be able to take advantage of wireless networks - with an 802.11b/g Wi-fi adapter built in.

The Travel Companion is equally adept as a sat-nav device, and comes with full European mapping stored on 2GB of flash memory. A button on the side allows you to switch the display to a landscape orientation - letting you get the most out of the screen. We found the onscreen buttons just about big enough to use without the stylus, although those with larger fingers may struggle.

Full postcode support makes it easy to enter your destination, and the HP stores a list of recently visited places. A SiRF Star III GPS module provides the most accurate navigation currently possible.

The maps are clear and easy to follow, and warnings of actions to be taken are given in plenty of time. The joypad allows you to zoom easily, and tapping the screen takes you back to the menu. A full car kit is provided with the Travel Companion, and offers the same usability as the device. The holder is simple to use, and fixes to your windscreen with ease.

The HP Travel Companion is far from revolutionary, but it is a very good product. In fact, it's as good a sat-nav device as it is a Pocket PC.

Specification