TomTom’s One has been an A-List GPS stalwart for the last 19 months. But now a new third-generation version has been released. Many of the changes are retrograde when compared to the similarly-sized
second-generation TomTom, which may be because its superb value and features have meant there’s been little reason to buy TomTom’s more expensive units.
Bluetooth has gone (affecting hands-free usage and access to TomTom PLUS services) along with multiple-stop itinerary planning. Also, the SD card slot is no more, replaced by a ‘traffic data receiver’ port which is useless in Australia.
However, in return there’s an improved 512MB of internal memory, which is easily enough to add additional maps when travelling. It uses TomTom’s version 7 software and, most importantly, costs around $100 less.
As we first saw with
TomTom’s high-end GO 720 TomTom 7 brings many benefits. Maps tend to be more colourful due to improved relief data, and are slightly more detailed and easier to follow through spaghetti-junctions and tunnels.
Although itinerary planning has gone, you can still add a single via point to any journey. Speed camera locations are included and you can add your own via a couple of jabs of the screen.
There’s also TomTom 7’s ‘Help Me’ feature, which provides instant directions to take you to help, direct emergency services to your location, plus a first aid guide and manuals for basic automotive repair.
Like the GO 720, it should be compatible with TomTom’s Mapshare feature which allows users to adjust and share roads and POIs but, lamentably, this still isn’t available in Australia. This is unfortunate as the accuracy of the included POIs (like all GPS’) is still very hit and miss.
It comes with a basic, but solid windscreen mount, car charger and mini USB cable. The latter lets you connect to a PC and make use of TomTom’s Home software. However, all Home really does is let you back up your device and buy other maps. The battery is good for around 2hrs navigation away from power.
After testing it extensively in and around Sydney, we found we didn’t miss any of the absent features and that it’s still the easiest GPS unit to use and follow. At only $340 it trounces the competition and is the only GPS most people need to consider.