GH Institute

All Out and about

• 
  Review of TomTom Start 2 satnav

  Features

  Weight: 125g.  Dimensions:  94 x 81 x 20mm. Screen size: 9cm Cradle. Lane guidance. Installed maps: England, ROI and N Ireland and partial Channel Islands.

  Comments

  Good points: Instinctive to use when programming. The screen maps are clear and easy to view at a glance. Verbal instructions are clear with a good choice of voice options and languages. It tended to find the more localised routes rather than taking the main roads. Quickly finds an alternative route when taking a wrong turning. Indicates which lane to take at a motorway junction. Compact to store, the screen mount folds into the back of it.

  Drawbacks: Only chain restaurants listed. Battery level indicator does not show unless it is low.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price: £119.99

  Stockist: 0845 161 0009 - http://www.tomtom.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Garmin Nuvi 1310 satnav

  Features

  Dimensions: 74 x 120 x 14mm. Screen size: 10.8cm. Cradle. Lane guidance. Installed maps: England, ROI and N Ireland

  Comments

  Good points: Clear widescreen and mapping which is clear at a glance. Voice commands are given with plenty of notice and are clearly audible.

  Drawbacks: Motorway lane directions are a little small and shown in the top left hand corner of the screen. Battery level indicator is not shown. Could do with more detail on the maps.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price: £120

  Stockist: 08450 579 000 - http://www.halfords.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Navman Mio 470 Spirit satnav

  Features

  Weight: 152g. Dimensions: 80.8 x 127.2 x 18.5mm. Screen size: 10cm. Cradle. Lane guidance. Installed maps: England, ROI and N Ireland.

  Comments

  Good points: Clearly shows which lane to take on a motorway junction. Good wide screen.

  Drawbacks: Testers felt the map was not detailed enough and the voice instructions robotic. It failed our postcode test, directing us in the wrong direction. When programming, the buttons need a really firm press and the unit is slow to register. Only chain restaurants listed. Long winded to programme.

  Rating: 57/100

  Price: £99.99

  Stockist: 0844 800 0912 - http://www.navman.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Boots Steam Travel Iron

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  800W, weight; 571g, tank capacity; 40ml, flex length; 168cm,  Measuring jug included, Collapsible handle, time taken to heat up to maximum heat; 32seconds.

  Comments

  Collapsible handle, quick to heat up and good results on linen and silks. Simple design, however does catch slightly when ironing causing it to drag. Good for ironing holiday essentials. 

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £16.99

  Stockist: 0845 0708090 - http://www.boots.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Russell Hobbs Travel Iron -dry or steam

  Features

  515-615W, weight; 749g, flex length; 191cm,  Measuring jug and travel pouch included, Collapsible handle, time taken to heat up to maximum; 41 seconds.

  Comments

  Largest of the travel kettles tested. Easy to fill and empty. One of the slowest to boil. Only kettle to have a removable filter.

  Rating: 64/100

  Price: £19.99

  Stockist: 0845 6589700 - http://www.russellhobbs.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Go Design Steam Iron to go

  Features

  700/800W, weight; 576g, flex length; 178cm,  Collapsible handle, time taken to heat to maximum; 44 seconds.

  Comments

  Good injection of steam on max setting, no advice on which settings should be used for different materials, water level difficult to see and iron leaks easily.

  Rating: 59/100

  Price: £23.49

  Stockist: 0208 9068505 - http://www.design-go.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Boots compact hair dryer 1600W

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  1600W, 2 settings,  Styling nozzle, hanging loop, weight; 347g, flex length; 140cm, noise reading; 88.6dB, max air temp; 67°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; Two speed lightweight hairdryer. Dried testers' hair more quickly than their standard hairdryers and scored top marks for ease of use.

  Draw Backs; Unfortunately the handle can't be folded for travel.

  Rating: 81/100

  Price: £7.99

  Stockist: 0845 0708090 - http://www.boots.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Remington's style compact diffuser

  Features

  2000W, 2 settings,  Cool shot, diffuser, styling nozzle, removable filters, hanging loop, eco setting, weight; 530g, flex length; 173cm, noise reading; 88dB, max air temp; 76°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; Very good detachable nozzle and fast to dry.

  Draw Backs; Same size as a standard hairdryer not the most suitable for travel as no folding handle.

  Rating: 78/100

  Price: £14.99

  Stockist: 0800 212438 - http://www.uk.remington-europe.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Marks and Spencer's travel hairdryer

  Features

  1200W, 2 settings,  Styling nozzle, hanging loop, weight; 326g, flex length; 169cm, noise reading; 85.5dB, max ait temp; 45°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; Very powerful for a compact dryer, useful directional nozzel.

  Draw backs; Not very hot, achieved the lowest temperatures of all the hairdryers tested.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price: £15

  Stockist: 0845 6031603 - http://www.markandspencer.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Go Design travel hairdryer

  Features

  1200W, 2 settings,  Styling nozzle, hanging loop,  weight; 425g, flex length; 172cm, noise reading; 86.3dB, max air temp; 64°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; soft grip handle, foldable design.

  Draw Backs; Detachable nozzle was a little difficult to fit and detach. Handle marks easily. Not particularly well balanced.  

  Rating: 68/100

  Price: £16.99

  Stockist: 0208 9068505 - http://www.design-go.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Corioliss Mini Vintage dryer

  Features

  800W, 2 settings, Hanging loop, travel case. Weight; 345g, flex length; 184cm, noise reading; 86.7dB, max air temp; 63°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; Lovely unusual design, narrow nozzle makes it good for styling.

  Draw backs; The handle is a little uncomfortable and the narrow styling nozzle means little air is released.

  Rating: 61/100

  Price: £25.99

  Stockist: 0127 3711231 - http://www.corioliss.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of John Lewis Mini Hairdryer (part of a set)

  Features

  800W, 1 setting,  Removable filters, storage case, weight; 257.5g, flex length; 177cm, noise reading; 89dB, max air temp; 73°C.

  Comments

  Good Points; Quick and easy to use, light and compact.

  Draw backs; Dried too fast to be able to style hair, made testers hair quite flyaway

  Rating: 57/100

  Price: £25

  Stockist: 08456 049049 - http://www.johnlewis.com

  GHI Test Report - August 2010

• 
  Review of Marks and Spancer's large duffle trolley

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  53 x 33 x 27 cm, 46 litres, 2.5kg, 3 year guarantee, padlock, zip away trolley handle. 1 x outside pocket, 0 x inside pockets. Removable shoulder strap.

  Comments

  Good points; Good size, light weight duffle, excellent value for money.

  Draw backs; wobbles slightly when descending curbs. Some scuffing to fabric surround plastic trim after drop test but no major damage to frame work.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £25

  Stockist: 0845 3021234 - http://www.marksandspancers.com

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Delsey Prestige duffle

  Features

  66 x 35 x 34 cm, 64.3litres, 2.75kg , 2 years guarantee,   Reinforced corners, shoulder strap. 3 x outside pockets, 1 x inside pocket. Internal straps. Removable shoulder strap. Internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Thick durable fabric, cushioned casing, only slight scuffing achieved on drop test, no effect to running of case.

  Draw points; Absorbed water resulting in some damage to inside items.

  Rating: 83/100

  Price: £135

  Stockist: 0208 7313500

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Kipling Canyon IF

  Features

  75.5 x 36 x 40.5 cm, 90 litres, 3.9kg, detachable shoulder strap, TSA combination lock supplied. 1 x outside pocket, 1 x inside pocket. Internal straps. Removable shoulder strap.

  Comments

  Good points; large roomy bag, with combination lock.

  Draw backs; Does not stand upright unaided, handle could do with being able to extend further, feels very heavy to pull, difficult to pack as opening not very wide and sides fall in on themselves. Zips difficult to do up.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £169

  Stockist: 0207 2999074 - http://www.kipling.com

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Maisie Moo wheeled duffle by Tripp

  Features

  54 x 32 x 28cm, 86 Litres, 2.68kg, 5 years guarantee, and tow away handle zips away. 2 x outside pockets, 2 x inside pockets. Shoulder strap.

  Comments

  Good points; Surprising more spacious that it appears, good sized pockets.

  Draw backs; Absorbed a lot of liquid on the water test. Handle slightly loosened on drop test and scuffing to fabric.

  Rating: 67/100

  Price: £79.99

  Stockist: 0845 3456085 - http://www.tripp.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Jasper Conran at Tripp Dangerous Weekend duffle

  Features

  50 x 25 x 39cm, 47 litres, 2.5kg, 5 years, padlock provided, Turn lock on side of bag, tow handle can be zipped away. 0 x outside pocket. 1 x inside pocket.

  Comments

  Good points; Lock down ends for added security,

  Draw backs; Very difficult to pull, falls over and overturns often. Slight scuffing after drop test some colour removed from patent coating. Overturns when ascending, descending stairs.  Leaked slightly around zipped areas on water test.

  Rating: 63/100

  Price: £99.99

  Stockist: 0845 3456085 - http://www.tripp.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Delsey Xpert Lite

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  64 x 43 x 28cm, 73litres, 3.9kg, 2 years guarantee, TSA combination lock supplied. 2 x outside pockets, 4 x inside pockets (mixture of zipped and open). Adjustable internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Only slight scuffing to plastic trim and fabric after drop tests. Straps inside are adjustable so less squashing to clothes

  Draw backs; Leaked through front pocket and main pocket around zip.

  Rating: 84/100

  Price: £165

  Stockist: 0208 7313500

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Carlton Tribe Trolley

  Features

  65 x 46 x 26cm, 67 litres, 3.1 kg, 7 years guarantee. 2 x outside pockets, 3 x inside pockets. Adjustable internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Only light scuffing after drop tests no real damage only cosmetic. Very light weight with comfortable handles.

  Draw backs; Soaked up a lot of liquid in water test, creating a lot of wet patches.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price: £79

  Stockist: 01707 871630 - http://www.carltontravelgoods.com

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Kipling Madras

  Features

  68 x 36 x 33 cm, 71 litres, 3.95kg, TSA padlock, expandable sides. 1 x outside pocket, 2 x inside pockets, Adjustable internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Handy adjustable side straps, allow you to reduce to a specific amount rather than just crushing items inside. This also protects against water as zip is hidden once the bag is tightened.

  Draw backs; not a very wide case so involves some considered packing.

  Rating: 78/100

  Price: £167

  Stockist: 0207 2999074 - http://www.kipling.com

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Radley Onley

  Features

  53 x 34 x 25 cm, 42.5litres, 3.7kg, Laptop pocket, Velcro divider separate the two sections. Laundry bag, wet bag and two shoe bags. 2 x outside pockets, 3 x inside pockets, Adjustable internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Quick drying exterior. Only leakage on front pockets in water test, main pocket remained dry.

  Draw backs; Fabric trimming ripped slightly on drop tests Front pocket is difficult to access once the case is full.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price: £160

  Stockist: 08450 707080 - http://www.radley.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Samsonite S-cape

  Features

  76 x 53 x 37cm, litres, 5.2kg, TSA approved combination lock.  2 x outside pocket, 1 x inside pocket. Adjustable internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; large case with handy pockets.

  Draw backs; trimming ripped during drop tests. Leaked heavily on front pocket during water test.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price: £79

  Stockist: 0208 5644222 - http://www.samsonite.com

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of SUB Zero-G Worlds lightest case

  Features

  73 x 47 x 25 cm, 85litres, 2.7kg, Rings on outside for potentially clipping on additional bags or identity tags. 2 outside zipped pockets. 2 x outside pockets, 6 x unzipped inside pockets. Internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Surprisingly water tight, only slight leaking on front pocket.

  Draw backs; handle does not lock into position this makes it a little awkward to manoeuvre. Fabric ribbed slightly on drop test.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £49.99

  Stockist: 0845 6402020 - http://www.argos.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2010

• 
  Review of Orla Kiely Multi-car cabin case by Tripp

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  48 x 34 x 23 cm, 35.6 litres, 3.2kg, 5 year guarantee, Combination lock supplied. 1 x outside pocket, 3 x inside pockets. Internal straps.

  Comments

  Good points; Scored well across the board. Excellent results on water test no leaking at all.

  Draw backs; Very light scuffing to plastic trim after drop test.

  Rating: 78/100

  Price: £199.99

  Stockist: 0845 3456085 - http://www.tripp.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2010