TomTom ONE 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator
by TomTom
|
List Price: Our Price: $59.99 You Save: $190.00 (76%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of TomTom ONE 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator
Customer Review: Tom Tom is Bad Bad
Summary: 1 Stars
I was so excited to get my new Tom Tom XXL GPS because it would make my life easier. And sometimes it does. But all too frequently it sends me the long way or even worse it sends me in circles, not to my destination. The unit I have has proven to be unreliable. One of the problems is that the unit loses contact with the GPS positioning system. Apparently there are more problems with this unit than just that.
I went to the Tom Tom website to see if I could fix it. They sent me an email stating I could down load a patch to fix the corrupt data base that was likely the source of my problems. They also stated that if they didn't hear from me in 3 days they would consider the problem solved. That approach really didn't set well with me and it speaks to how they see customers. "Do this or too bad" doesn't instill a warm and fuzzy feeling. Maybe that was just semantics or a poorly worded effort on their part. That shouldn't matter so much if they solve the problem because what I wanted was a unit that works well every time I use it.
The real problem is that I followed the directions to the letter and it didn't solve the problem. The unit still sporadically sends me the long way...and now it sends me in bigger circles. That is always a bonus when you are tight on time and the unit takes you on a route that adds 30 minutes to the trip. So much for making my life easier. The unit is so unreliable I have gone back to using map quest.
I understand that product defects happen. Nothing is perfect. The difference between companies is found in how they respond to customer problems. I let Tom Tom customer service know that the patch they suggested didn't fix the problem and that I was unhappy. I didn't hear back from them. Apparently that is their definition of customer satisfaction despite the fact that I believe I responded within their 3 day deadline.
I know a lot of people have had good results with Tom Tom. I know that because the research I did prior to purchase was all good. It seemed like a safe investment. And it may be that for you.
However, check out the customer service and support prior to plunking down your hard earned money with Tom Tom. Based on my experience with them they couldn't care less about making things right. If you get a good unit and do not have problems. Great. You'll likely do well with your purchase. But what if you don't get a good unit?
My Tom Tom experience is this: If you like to gamble, buy a Tom Tom. If you want a company that will fix the problem if and when you have one, buy a unit from a different company. I can't recommend another company because I am searching for another unit right now. If Tom Tom wants to fix my unit I would be happy to update my review. What do you think the chances are of that?????
Customer Review: Excellent GPS at a Budget Price!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just purchased the TomTom One 3rd Edition and thus far, I'm extremely happy with it. It's easy to use and does what I want it to. At first, I really debated spending a few more bucks and getting a unit with "text to speech" (i.e. the gps announces street/route names), but I just didn't want to spend another $60 or more for this one feature. While "text to speech" would be nice, the TomTom's verbal directions along with display provides ample information for making the right turns.
Connecting the unit to my Acer laptop and connecting to the TomTom website via a Verizon aircard was pretty easy. I was able to update the maps, and then I had some fun exploring downloading some of the POIs (points of interest). I'm sure that other more expensive GPS units have a larger libraray of POIs, but I can get by with what the TomTom provides...I bought the unit for navigating the roads. It's also fun to play around with the various voices that are available for free and charge. The mounting unit has worked well so far in summer weather. The volume is more than adequate, and the screen is bright enough even in summer sun.
Important point.....the TomTom Third Edition comes with maps of the US and Canada. Many of the other budget units do not include Canada. Since we live near the border, I wanted to be able to use the unit when traveling in Canada.
Thus far, routing performance is good. As with any GPS, it may choose a route different than what you know. What I've seen thus far is that any route the unit chooses would be comparable in time/miles and work. The unit is quick to recalculate. I think it is good to keep in mind that a GPS will get you to where you want to go, but it's a good idea to have a back-up plan such as a standard map for those times when a GPS routing program fails. From what I've read, this can happen with all brands of GPS units.
So....I like it...it works....it was cheap...and the price at Amazon was great!
Update: Just a point of comparison. My son's friend was just visiting with us at our summer cottage located on Chautauqua Lake, NY. At the cottage, I have no trouble getting a satellite signal with my TT One. In comparison, the Garmin Nuvi 260W was unable to lock on a signal for most of the three days that he was here. I don't know whether there is some sort of temporary problem with a satellite or what. Otherwise, the Nuvi is a very nice unit. In comparing a couple of travel routes, the Nuvi did pick out a better route for traveling between Bemus Point and Wilson, NY. But, I didn't see where for my needs that I would want to pay the extra money for the 60W...even though it is a very nice unit.
Customer Review: Nice GPS at a budget price
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought the TomTom One (3rd generation) in November 2007, it is a nice low-cost GPS. It works very well and I don't know of a better GPS at that price point with comparable features. Highly recommended!
That being said, it has some quirks:
- If you're driving in urban neighborhoods with 3-story houses on a rainy/cloudy day, it might take a while until the GPS gets its first satellite "lock". Once it has this initial lock, it is very stable and won't lose it. But I've literally driven several miles in San Francisco without getting that initial lock, which sucks if you don't know where you're going.
- It has no "text to speech" feature, meaning that it won't say "turn left on Folsom Street" but "left turn in 200 yards". No big deal usually, but on freeway entrances this can be really confusing, especially if there's several of them in short order. The TomTom will say "take the motorway" (yes, motorway, even when set to American English) instead of "take highway 101". If there's two ramps, one to highway 101 and one to highway 280 (or one to 101 north and one to 101 south), you'll have to guess which one it means or look at the display.
- You have to press the "On" button for about 5 seconds until the unit turns on. If you're going 65 mph and want to switch on the GPS, that's about 150 yards while driving with one hand.
- You have to touch the display 4 times and jump through 3 screens to have it stop navigating and just display the map.
- The resolution of the display is low, typically you will see only about 2 crossroads.
- If you switch it to 2-D mode and have it display the map so that north is on top, it becomes useless, because it can only write street names horizontally. If you're driving east, you'll see the street that you're on displayed horizontally, but no cross street names, because those would have to be written vertically.
- This things sucks on the battery like there's no tomorrow. Typically, it lasts about 30 minutes and then you need to plug it into the cigarette lighter, which is not a problem in a car, but a huge problem on a bike or on foot.
- In California, law prohibits using the suction mount on the windshield, so you need to glue the provided black coaster to your dashboard and attach the GPS with its suction mount to it. This disk didn't last long in my car, the glue weakened and the disk came off the dashboard. I bought a "vent mount" from MFX instead, which works pretty well and can be removed completely (although that requires some fiddling).
Okay, with this list of caveats in mind, figure out if you can live with them and if yes, go and buy it!
Customer Review: TomTom suffers from poor engineering, clumsy POI selection
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought my TomTom from Amazon for $125 on Black Friday. As a result, I really tried to appreciate the GPS for its great value. Unfortunately, despite the bargain pricing, I decided to return it to Amazon.
TomTom uses Tele Atlas maps, which are less accurate/comprehensive than Magellan and Garmin's NAVTEQ (let's just say there's a reason why Google Maps chose NAVTEQ over Tele Atlas). TomTom's routing software is poor. It has taken me on the most bizarre routes for the simplest trips. One time, I decided to go to a local deli listed on the TomTom. It directed me to a residential neighborhood (where I began to lose some confidence in its ability), then to the last house on a dead-end road (needless to say, I did not find the deli).
The TomTom interface is not intuitive. For me, the biggest disappointment was its POI selection. If you want to know which POIs are near you (i.e. - find the nearest gas station), you have to click through about 5-6 menus to locate it. With other competing GPS brands, you will be en-route to your POI with minimal clicks (the way it should be). Its POI database is also small (around 3m compared to Magellan and Garmin's 6m+). While the POIs show up on the default map while driving (you will see icons indicating food), there is no way to click on them to find out what they are. Instead, you have to fumble your fingers through several menus to see what restaurant that fork and knife icon actually represent. These icons should be interactive (as they are on the Magellan - with a tap of your finger, you can see what you're approaching).
Pros:
- Good customer support
- Quick map refresh rate
- Easy to customize (I loaded my own POIs, voices, and alerts)
- MapShare (TomTom's exclusive technology allows its huge user base to make map edits/corrections)
Cons:
- POI interface is difficult to use - I shouldn't have to click through several menus while driving just to find the closest gas station; there should be interactive POI icons (see above)
- POI database is small and poorly organized (categories are highly limited)
- TomTom uses Tele Atlas maps (NAVTEQ is better)
- Routing engine is slower than competitors (all the research shows that Magellan and Garmin will consistently get you from Point A to Point B much faster)
Conclusion: I would advise you to look elsewhere. Although the TomTom will do the job, I think its major weaknesses make this product difficult to recommend (despite its low price tag). TomTom needs to take a lesson from the two GPS leaders and start replacing clumsiness with simplicity, and haphazardness with solid engineering.
Customer Review: Great machine for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I waited over one year before purchasing a GPS. Although a sad confession to make , the anticipation of the 'buy' was a harmless past-time in this period. I assessed my needs & how often I would actually use one & when the one 3rd ed. hit the 160 ish mark , I bought it. I am very happy with it. I set up the on-line downloads & that updated it straight away ( free for the first month ) & allows one to create routes etc & download more 'points of interest'. For example a sign for Dunkin' D's shows up when I drive past one ( there are many other options , to appease my wife , a sign for Target also appears ) . I also downloaded, for free, an English ladies voice for the directions. All personal choice & I prefer the sound of her. I like the option of Zip/post codes & it shows telephone numbers of points of interest . On driving, I have found it to be quick in picking up signals ( again , one can download sat' info' each week that assists the GPS in locating them ) & the information to be just what I need. The announcements , thus far, have been easy to understand & operate on; as have the screen directions. I like the 'help' features that give basic information on first aid & car stuff.
I wld strongly recommend this product. My 2 pieces of advice : If you drive & need to use a GPS ALOT , consider one with a larger screen - that is true for any GPS ( I didn't think the extra 100 or so was worth it for the number of times I really need to use it , but a daily user may think differently) . ALso , I strongly recommend buying the bracketron Nav-MAt. I live in a high crime area ( my car has been broken into 4 times & once they only stole the rear view mirror ) & this beauty ensures that no marks are left on the screen , also , it makes it easier to take the GPS out of the car & away somewhere safe.
Overall, this is a very solid & well priced unit that will serve most buyers well . It does exactly what it says 'on the tin'.
-----
Update - I have used this a lot over the past few weeks. Updating points of interests is quite easy. Like a few other reviewers; it is far easier to plan ones route & update etc via the computer screen. The TT allows 'remote' access & from the computer ( with the TT attached ) new routes & map updates can be processed. I have also set my screen to show the 'map update' icon. For example, when driving, if you notice that a shop has closed & it is on the POI ( points of interest ) -or you want to add a new POI, simply tap on the icon & it will save the location & allow one to edit & send the information to others. I used this option last night. It was very quick & once you have done it once, it will be second nature.