The new theft-resistant...
The new theft-resistant registrations are designed to crack down on vehicle cloning and curb the rising number of cases where stolen reg plates are being used to evade parking tickets and speeding fines. Police figures show that more than 33,000 sets of plates were taken from vehicles in 2004. Motorists will be expected to cover the cost of the new technology, as the theft-proof versions are likely to be twice the current price of standard ones at around ÷£20 a pair.
If you have made the...
If you have made the switch to two wheels, youò€™ll know how difficult it is to navigate when riding your scooter or bike.
Garminò€™s latest Zümo sat-nav ò€“ the 550 with European maps ò€“ aims to resolve the issue by giving riders the features drivers have enjoyed for some time.
You certainly get plenty for your money. In addition to a versatile handlebar mount, thereò€™s another for windscreens, with built-in speakers. We did note one big omission, though ò€“ a headset isnò€™t included.
Unless you pay an extra Ò£50 or so for a Bluetooth unit, you have to keep a keen eye on the screen. You canò€™t take advantage of the hands-free calling or the MP3 player, either.
Thatò€™s not ideal, but at least the displayò€™s icons are large and easy to follow. The touchscreen controls use the same oversized design, making them easy to operate with a gloved hand.
On the road, guidance was faultless, and it spotted all the safety cameras along our route.
Other bike-friendly features include a security screw which comes with a driver you can attach to your keys, plus a fuel tank range alert. However, the lack of a headset for this money is a major disadvantage.