Strengths:Voice prompts, bright clear screen, easy to use, touchscreen, map updates from other users
Weaknesses:not much..smaller screen compared with other (more expensive) units, no memory expansion slot
Posted Dec 21, 2007 - This is a great device. Even my wife who is not tech minded found it easy to use. A short demonstration and she was up and running. It is straight forward to the extent that i didn't need to read the manual...i just clicked around the screen and browsed the options and selections. It is quite intuitive and easy to use.
The voice instructions are great, so you don't have to divert your attention from the road while driving. When i used it i found to be very accurate. It gives plenty of advance notice for turns, exits, etc...first it will tell you eg right turn ahead as you near it...then it will tell you eg in 800 yards turn right, then it will give you a third instruction to eg turn right when you need to.
The map is incredibly detailed compared to the older gps unit i had. My older one just had a line for a road..this one has two roadways for a divided street, and it even displays the u-turn openings in the divider.
The route planning is very good, giving you options to use the fastest route, or the shortest one, and also verifies with you if you want to use toll roads if there are any on the planned route. If you miss a turn, it quickly recalculates your route and gives you new instructions to get you to your destination.
Destination selection is very easy, and gives you several ways to select it: by specific address, by clicking on the map, by entering longitude/latitude coordinates, by selecting a point of interest, by recent destinations, or by a predefined favorites list which you can save.
Also, if you click on Help me, it will give you the nearest locations for Police, Fire, Hospitals, Car repair, gas stations, etc etc. It will give you options to get you there on foot, or by driving, and will even give you the phone numbers for the locations so you can call them. What i loved is that it will also give you your location in a text display to read to the operator. eg if calling the police, it will tell you how to let them know your location eg two miles after exit 10 on I-95 at the intersection with so-and-so street, etc. I was impressed.
It can also warn you when near certain points of interest via a selection of sounds. I set mine to warn me when near a school...school zone speed limit signs are easy to miss and end up with an expensive ticket (or worse), especially if you are driving in an unfamiliar area.
Another nice feature is it allows you to upload your corrections and download map corrections from other users via TomTom servers. I found the maps pretty up to date, but they did miss a closed off road i know of, so i made the correction and uploaded it. Things such as these will ensure your maps are as up to date as possible.
Another feature is the integration of traffic data, to help you avoid traffic jams. However, the equipment to receive it is expensive (almost the same price as the gps unit itself) and there is a monthly fee.
Only drawback i came across is that the battery charges via USB cable only (or car adapter, both included). Thus you cant just plug it into an adapter block to charge it. You have to use your computer (and leave it on) or use a powered USB hub if you want to shut down your computer.
Also it does not have a slot for memory expansion card (SD etc). But with the 1GB onboard, i find it enough to save all the map data and updates i need. You can even use some of the space for data storage, like a USB memory stick
Also the screen is smaller than other units, but those come with a higher price tag as well. This is really not a big deal, as you shouldn't be looking at it when driving anyway...that's what the voice instructions are for.
Other units come with extra functions, such as MP3 player, movie player, bluetooth etc...but at 2-4 times the price tag. This unit is a very well priced, no-frills pure GPS unit that does the job very well, and i have recommended it to many people
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