Leisure Power Campingsat Satellite Kit
Price £149
Weight 6.3kg
Size (assembled) 50 x 32 x 37cm
Assembly time 32 minutes
Fittings Supplied Receiver/set-top box supplied
Receives radio? No
Tel 01925 234888
Web www.leisurepower.co.uk
Verdict Packed into a durable compact case, this dish can be aligned while in its case - which doubles as a tripod. No set-top box is included, but this is reflected in a lower price, and there is a space in the case for one.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: JANUARY 05

Bionaire 'Twin-heat'
Model number BCH 3220
Price £49.99 Weight 2.3kg
Dimensions 32 x 16.5 x 18cm
Power consumption 2100W
Tel 0800 052 3615
Web www.theholmesgroup.com
This is a stylish and virtually silent fan heater. The top panel houses the digital controls and the LCD display has a night-light option. There is also an LED indicator that displays temperature. The controls are complex, but instructions are clear. The swivel function means that heat can be blown in different directions, and there's a generous 2m flex. It's expensive but it does come with a two-year guarantee.
Verdict This heater is hard to fault, but it is on the expensive side.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: FEBRUARY 05

Hinari Lifestyle MX 707 TC
Price £35
Controls Digital with 99-minute timer and ten power levels
Oven capacity 20 litres
Microwave output 800W
Max power consumption 1200W
Weight 13.3kg Size 46 x 29 x 37cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.albaplc.com
This model has an attractive elliptical porthole window on the door, accented by a handle that has a dimpled thumb-patch, which gives you a better hold if you have wet or greasy hands. The interior of this microwave is painted white and, although it is shaped and recessed, it is also fairly easy to clean.
The control panel has a smooth finish and the black-on-white markings are by far the clearest to read of all the models in our test, while the instruction manual makes them easy to master. You get a bumper range of ten different settings and the fastest boil time of any of the microwaves we tested.
Verdict Stylish looks, fast speed and digital functionality at the same price as some manual ovens.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: MARCH 05

Autoglym Caravan
Motorhome Cleaner
Price £6.99
Tel 01462 677766
Web www.autoglym.com
Overall score 4/5
Comments: April is the month of spring cleaning, which gave us the perfect opportunity to test what's on the market to get your tourer spick and span. Autoglym's van cleaner is a versatile product that cleans hobs, carpets, upholstery, and even the bodywork. What's more, it removes all stains with minimum effort. You simply spray it on, wipe away the foam and rinse if required for a pristine finish and a pleasant smell. It might not be the most glamourous gift idea here - but it saves so much time and effort that it actually makes a great stocking filler.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: APRIL 05

Alba TVD 3455
Price £89.99
Type Portable TV with DVD
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 11kg
Size (h x d x w) 39 x 39 x 37cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.albaplc.com
After all that hard work cleaning caravans in April we decided to put our feet up, turn on, tune in, and switch off. And the Alba TVD proved the perfect television set with which to do so. This stylish 14-inch set has an in-built DVD player and Teletext, and comes with a sturdy carry handle. There is a SCART socket at the back and there are AV sockets on the front and rear. The picture was clear, as was the sound from the two speakers. The easy-to-use menu on screen drops down at the push of a remote control button. This is the one occasion we have included our Budget Buy over the
Rating ¤¤¤
EDITOR'S CHOICE: MAY 05

Argos two-tier chrome drainer
Price £7.99
Weight 1.5kg
Dimensions (d x w x h) 38 x 20 x 18cm
Web www.argos.co.uk
Tel 0870 600 2020
This classy-looking chrome drainer is intended for domestic use, but it's useful for the space-conscious caravanner because it is arranged over two levels. The top shelf has 15 plate slots, which means there's plenty of room for dishes and bowls, and it's tall enough to leave space for cups or shallow pans underneath. Its outer legs rested just over the lip of the recessed draining area we used. But don't worry about it not being a perfect fit in your van, because the tilt ensured all the water fell onto the draining board. It also has a barrier along one side of the bottom shelf, which can keep cups from sliding off if you've pitched on a slope, and the chrome finish is easy to clean. The two shelves slide into each other and can be stored in an overhead locker.
Verdict Smart-looking and practical for caravans with larger sink areas.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: JUNE 05

Leatherman Charge Ti
Price £114.95
Tools/functions 9/17
Case Leather belt-pouch
Weight 350g
Size stored/open 12cm/16cm
Web www.whitbyandco.co.uk
This top-of-the-range multi-tool comes at a hefty price, but it has great build quality. The smooth, sculpted, titanium handles mean it's tough yet lightweight, and they also offer a comfortable grip.
The range of functions is impressive - not least because they all work - and all the blades safety-lock in place. The two sockets accept a wide range of push-in accessories, and eight double-ended extras are supplied along with a storage rack. The Charge Ti had the best saw and file on test, and there's a handy lanyard or pocket clip alternative to its leather pouch. Although it's hard to fault the Ti, the pouch is a tight fit, and we would have liked to have seen a corkscrew included.
Verdict The best all-round performer with peerless build quality. You get what you pay for.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: JULY 05

Clarke BIN103025-Z
Price £41.07
Tel 01992 565300
Web www.clarkeinternational.com
Optical spec 10-30 x 25
Weight 0.294kg
Size 10 x 11.5 x 6.5cm
We were impressed with the appearance of these glasses: a smooth, silver-coloured plastic body to protect the optics if they're dropped, and rubber grips to make them comfortable to handle. Their compact size and low weight further enhance usability. At this price, we weren't expecting miracles – but Clarke surprised us. In our low light, they were among the best in our test. In our distance clarity test, the binoculars' results were impressive again. The only feature we don't like is the ruby coating on the lenses. This gives the view a blue hue, although it's supposed to reduce ultraviolet shimmering on long distances.
Verdict Practical styling, excellent price, and powerful, high-performance optics.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: AUGUST 05

Quest Aerotex
Cost £12.99 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 01527 516518
Web www.questleisure.com
Approved by CC sites? Yes. Recommended by it.
Weight per square metre 400g
Very slight yellowing of the grass was visible after two weeks, but it was still growing. Aerotex is easily cut with domestic scissors. The soft, rubbery texture helps it hug the ground nicely. It also feels soft on the feet, insulating them from the cold ground. According to the manufacturer, despite Aerotex's tactile quality, its natural jute fibres make it resistant to caravan steps and furniture feet. It didn't become slippery after our 'slip test' soaking. It can be hosed through after use or soaked over night in a biological washing solution to get it really clean. Its soft texture makes it great padding when packed among your other caravanning kit.
Verdict Eco-friendly caravanners will have a clear conscience, knowing that not only are they protecting the grass, but that Aerotex is made with real jute.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: SEPTEMBER 05

AA Route Planner
Web www.theaa.com
This route finder gave us comprehensive guidance. The roads you should take are clearly indicated at the end of each instruction and are highlighted in blue for motorways and red for A roads. Even if you print the instructions out in black and white the roads are still clearly defined, so you will know which route you are looking for next.
Another plus point is that the guidance lists service stations en route. This is especially useful when travelling long distances to places like the North of Scotland where service stations are few and far between.
In busier areas, it warns of traffic black spots, which enables you to plan your journey at times when those areas should be less congested. It also includes a number to call for traffic news. A return route is also an option for the drive home again.
We could zoom in on sections of the map of our entire route, but it was very time-consuming. This was, in fact, the only place where the AA route planner fell down.
Overall, it provided clear instructions. The routes it selected were sensible for caravans, avoiding narrow roads, and its timings were realistic.
The website was easy to use except for the part where you type in your address and destination. We had to verify both of the addresses several times, which made it slower to use.
Verdict The route was excellent. Useful bits of information included in the itinerary, such as where service stations are, made this one of the most informative itineraries. However, it would have been nice if each section of the route had its own map that could be enlarged to aid clarity.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: OCTOBER 05

Shinco SDP-6820
Price £199
Tel 01159 240688
Web www.allcam.biz
Size 190 x 142 x 37mm
Screen 8.5in
Region Free
This is an all-singing all-dancing model, supporting a wide range of disc formats (MP3, DVD, MP4, Div-X, CD and JPEGs). It also boasts a three-way memory card reader that supports secure digital, multi-media cards and memory sticks so you can view pictures directly from the memory card of your camera, or directly from your camera via a USB port. This is just one of the holiday-enhancing features that won us over. Another is the DC-out socket to power Shinco's optional TV adaptor (which doesn't have its own power source). This way you can keep up with favourite series without bringing a separate TV. All the clever stuff aside, the image appears a bit grainy if viewed from up close, but with a screen this big, you don't need to. The way it swivels is pretty impressive, too. If turned right around, the screen can be folded back, transforming the unit into a tablet-style player, which is ideal for back-seat viewing.
Verdict A big screen and it's a must for gadget lovers.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: NOVEMBER 05

Rohan
Model Pokhara 05004-07-157
Price £80 (men's only)
Web www.rohan.co.uk
Material Upper: leather. Sole: Rohan Endurance. Lining: eVent
Colour shown Dark brown
Travel- and outdoor-wear company Rohan recently launched its first footwear line, and the Pokhara is among the models available in its 'lifestyle' Explorer range. (A women's model is to be launched in the spring of 2006.) The whole boot is made from very soft leather, including the area around the ankle, which is especially comfortable. The rest of the lining is well-cushioned, so the boots feel totally flexible and worn in from the outset. This flexibility, combined with its being a fairly short boot, means you can still move your foot and ankle easily. However, it offers plenty of ankle and arch support.
There is ample room for your toes, and a stiff rubber 'bumper' at the front protects them, as well as the suede finish. The boot lining is made from a breathable, waterproof material called eVent. It performed well in our test, with the boot being resistant to a good soaking and the foot remaining at a comfortable temperature.
Good news for those who are prone to sweaty feet is that the boots have an anti-bacterial property in the sole that prevents nasty odours. Another welcome feature is the slightly textured, soft, rubbery sole, which gives excellent grip on smooth, slippery surfaces.
Overall, these boots offer an indulgent experience for the feet in all weathers and on all terrains, and their shorter design offers more flexibility than traditional leather boots. At the same time, they are lightweight enough to use as everyday footwear and the tongue is flat and neat, making the boots easy to put on. They come with a shoehorn and waterproof carrying bag.
Verdict Superbly comfortable and very capable boots that will cosset your feet.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: DECEMBER 05

NEXT MONTH: POWER INVERTERS