Does TomTom’s entry-level Via 220 exemplify that less is often more when it comes to a good satellite navigation system? We spend a month with one, and have the results for you.

The first thing to note about the TomTom Via 220 is that it's their entry-level unit. Normally, you wouldn't be too excited about the prospect of reviewing or rather owning a unit like that, because let's be honest, it's not going to have all the cool stuff the high-end unit would have, right? Wrong.

We fancied a go with the Via 220 because it's the most likely unit than you or I would buy; it's the cheapest (RM499) of the range. Not that we're cheap, but seeing as how we don't drive sat nav-ready or rather pricey BMWs and S-Class', there's a good chance that majority rules with the Via 220.

That, paired with soon obvious fact that TomTom have indeed made a shining example of how less can actually be more in the world of satellite navigation, definitely makes the Via 220 highly sought-after.

"Less is more"

Being an entry-level model, the Via 220 mathematically loses out to its bigger, more expensive siblings, the Via 260 and Via 280 which boast more features. But to be honest, we can't imagine how things like voice-recognitions systems (which rarely work well, ever, in the entire history of mankind) and the ability to integrate your mobile phones for whatever reason, were ever necessary in a sat nav unit.

Essentially, I'd want my unit pointing in the right direction to my girlfriend's house, and then guiding me back home whilst I'm slightly giddy from whatever's just happened. In which parts of that was there need for the device to recognise my voice or call my grandmother?

The TomTom Via 220 works. You fix in where you want to go with a nifty touchscreen before you set off, decide if or not you want a route with toll charges, mount the unit itself to any flat surface - upwards, downwards doesn't matter because it's got a 180 degree rotating display, and you get there.