Archive for August, 2009
A Review of the TomTom Brand of GPS Systems
GPS technology started out very simple back in the day when global positioning was thought of as a remarkable breakthrough. A bit later, its popularity began to rise and the intended demographic was people who travel routinely across great distances. These days you can see GPS devices in many local stores and shopping outlets since today with even better technology, GPS devices are now assisting commuters in reaching their destinations swiftly and without incident. TomTom GPS devices have further specialized their lineup to become useful to both the average consumer and serious traveler. TomTom actually went as far as designing several product lineups, each with its own numerical series. Another great unit to consider is the Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS System.
TomTom GO
TomTom GO was the original lineup, introduced in 2005 and is still going strong with its latest product offered just last year. TomTom GPS GO devices are self-contained appliances that were made to carry out basic GPS tasks that are suitable for ordinary travel by car or with a bike. The majority of their latest models offer Bluetooth, which makes it quite easy to synchronize with the Windows or Mac platforms. It also allows you to interface with smartphones. This operation will allow you to send and receive calls through your TomTom GO without letting go of the steering wheel.
Some of the more expensive models offer text-to-speech software meaning that the street names are vocalized by the TomTom so drivers are able to keep focused on other traffic. This is collection of choice for GPS beginners because they are easy to use and the amount of features are exceptional.
TomTom ONE
A TomTom GPS may be somewhat costly for the average car owners. The units in the TomTom GO series fit this generalization because of all the capabilities they have built-in. This situation called for the development of the TomTom ONE devices which are aimed at consumers with smaller budgets. Before you become too wound up about their amazingly low prices in relation to the TomTom GO, think about inspecting the list of applications for the model that you can afford.
Considering technology, the processors are a bit slow, so it will likely stall if you operate it too long, but the RAM is about similar and the ONE XL comes with a widescreen, making it more closely resemble a TomTom GO unit. However, the text-to-speech function is not installed on the TomTom ONE, and only some TomTom ONEs are equipped with Bluetooth. If those parameters are fine with you, enjoy the money you’ll save by purchasing a TomTom ONE. If you really like the Bluetooth, you might do better getting a GO since it is better equipped and is more reliable.
TomTom RIDER
You will most often see GPS devices in vehicles currently, so the units nearly all come with vehicle mounts. The problem is, car mounts cannot be used on Motorcycles. The TomTom RIDER is purposely designed to be employed on motorcycles. This device is provided with a useful collection of bells and whistles, making it on a par with the GO series and could possibly be the most dependable motorcycle GPS device around. Their price tag is rather alarming, though. An alternative unit to consider is the Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS System.
All of the TomTom appliances are quite reliable for GPS navigation. The TomTom ONE products are quite underwhelming, but their price is quite comfortable. The best device for you depends on what applications you would like. You’ll find a plethora of models for your discernment, and it’s likely that one ought to meet your expectations.