Ever needed to find a truck stop, or worried whether your vehicle will fit down a narrow lane or under a bridge? If the answer is “no” then you can happily buy just about any sat-nav you like. Otherwise you should check out the ProNav PNN-200 from Navevo which has extra features to help drivers, like you, of HGV, van and other specialist vehicles.

The ProNav doesn't look that different from an ordinary consumer sat-nav. It's the usual small silver and grey device, small enough to be carried in the hand, with most of the available space taken up by a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen.

The inevitable suction-cup attachment is provided to stick it to the windscreen and there's a pull-out stylus, although most of the time a finger is just as good. The batteries are re-chargeable with an in-car power lead to keep it topped up while on the move.

You can also connect the ProNav to a PC, using the USB cable supplied, but you don't get any software. Rather you have to select USB disk mode when it starts up and either copy files to and from the ProNav by hand or use Microsoft ActiveSync to keep it updated.

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As part of the package you're supplied with a 512MB memory card containing the mapping software, maps and other information. This simply pops into a slot on the side and you're good to go. However, when you switch it on you're asked a few questions not normally requested by a standard sat-nav.

Things like what type of vehicle you'll be driving and, more specifically, its width, height, length and axle weight. Using this information the ProNav can better plan routes to, for example, avoid those narrow lanes, restricted zones and low bridges which some larger vehicles may not be able to navigate. It can also warn of cross winds, steep hills and other hazards specific to the vehicle concerned.

Another nice feature is the ability to find London loading bays and warn of penalty charge hotspots as well as locate petrol stations capable of taking HGVs, plus find those all important transport cafés. Added to which you can hook the ProNav up to a Bluetooth mobile phone and make and receive hands-free calls without having to install yet another device in the cab.

Specialist features aside, the ProNav works much like any other sat-nav, with facilities to plan routes throughout the UK and Northern Ireland using either postcodes or place names. We found the maps clear and easy to follow with a choice of either 2D or 3D displays, while the spoken instructions are equally clear with plenty of volume adjustment. Routes are quickly calculated, the instructions delivered in a timely fashion and adjustments soon made when you take the wrong turn.

On the downside there are no European maps available. However, free map and information updates are available throughout 2009, along with a trial subscription to a safety (a.k.a. speed) camera service to help avoid getting a ticket. We don't expect many users to take advantage of the built-in MP3 and photo players, or the Ebook reader for that matter. But they're all there if you need them, along with lots of other features to interest the professional driver.

A specialist device, the ProNav PNN-200 does a lot more than the average sat-nav, planning routes tailored to specific vehicles, such as HGVs, vans and horseboxes, to avoid obstacles that don't affect the ordinary car driver. It can also locate specialist points of interest, such as HGV fuel stations and loading bays, and highlight fixed and mobile safety (speed) cameras. Plus you can pair a Bluetooth mobile to it for hands-free calling.