NaviGadget

another TomTom One review

Apr 3, 2006 gps navigation, reviews, tomtom

This review covers the features and operation of the tomtom ONE, it only touches on the use and operation of the application that does the routing and mapping – i.e. tomtom Navigator 5. That will be a review on it’s own at a later date.
The review unit was supplied by tomtom in Australia and I thank them for the opportunity to review the device.

Introduction
The tomtom ONE was released in Australia in February 2006 and because we in Australia tend to lag a little when it comes to new product releases the product specifications and all of the detail about the device were already well known.

On paper there didn’t seem to be any reason to buy the tomtom GO 300 and the device was eagerly awaited buy many potential buyers of a Stand Alone GPS personal navigation system. Compared to the GO 300, the ONE has a slightly faster processor, a smaller overall size, the same Navigator 5 software and lastly (and this is what really set the ONE apart) a SiRF111 GPS receiver built-in. The difference in signal acquisition and ability to hang onto a signal is such a large increase over the SiRF11 models that I couldn’t see any reason why buyers would get the GO 300. I still think this is the case but overall the difference is not as marked as I thought it would be.

One of the best things about the tomtom units is that they all run tomtom Navigator 5 software. In my opinion this is probably the easiest and most intuitive software available on any GPS device currently available which makes it perfect for those people who want a simple yet effective GPS system in their car. The Navigator software is very comprehensive and whilst there are some features missing that advanced users might miss, for just entering a route and selecting Points of Interest it is arguably the best there is. If you want or need track logging, coordinate entry (Latitude and Longitude) or parameter specific readouts, such as fastest speed and trip computer functions, for example, tomtom hasn’t got it. Although the new version 6 software due in June July will have a lot of these. For most users tomtom Navigator is all that they need and want.

What’s in the Box?
The ONE comes nicely packaged in an Orange and Silver box and contains everything you need to get going. In fact it is so easy to setup (like all the other tomtom models) that it really takes longer to unpack than it does to setup and start using it. I still highly recommend that new users thoroughly read the quick start manual followed by the manual included on the CD at a later date. Not doing this might mean you wont get the best out of the device….

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