| Product: |
TomTom One XL Europe |
| Date: |
25/08/08 (121 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Easy to use, extremely helpful, updates more often than any other satnav
Disadvantages: more pricey than the others...but worth it
I recently bought the TomTom One XL Europe as I've said I needed a satnav for ages and because I've started driving alot further afield than usual I thought there was no time like the present.
The first time I used the satnav was on my way back from Staffordshire to Huddersfield. The amount of rain than night was unbelieveable and for the majority of the journey the streets around me were in pitch black (due to the fact I was driving past midnight).
I don't think I'd even be home now if it wasn't for the TomTom One. Being in the hands of this little gadget not only relaxed me but made me feel asthough I was safe because the device is 100% following you the entire time and there was never a point when I wondered what the satnav meant or which road I was supposed to be taking or when exactly to move right. This being because the voice directs you clearly, accurately and efficiently for your entire journey.
TomToms are the most popular brand of satnav because they are by far the most highly developed in terms of technology. TomToms update themselves every three months, whereas Navman and Garmin only every 6-12 months.
Furthermore, one thing I found especially useful with the TomTom is its ability to change route or plan when it is appropriate to you. For example, if you come across road works so you take the opposite road to the one which the TomTom is advising then after three times of telling you to turn around this satnav will automatically figure out a route involving the direction you took, making life so much easier for you as you dont have to search for a way to follow the satnav, instead the satnav follows you.
In addition to this, something I noticed particularly useful is the way in which the TomTom can warn you of speed cameras and when exactly you are over the limit of the road you are on. The TomTom will do this by making a loud 'ping' noise, which immediately forces you to realize your mistake and correct it, saving you from getting a ticket on a road youre unfamiliar with.
Because the TomTom is designed for your comfort and ease, once you have programmed in your home address, if ever you are lost then all you need to do is press 'home' on the touch screen pad and you will be directed back the fastest easiest way to your house. Of course, you can also programme in address and so on of places you are intending on visiting.
Now the TomTom One comes in different sizes and I was wary about getting the smaller one so opted for XL however, I do recommend you really consider this before you buy the satnav because the bigger version is an awful lot more expensive yet when you're driving you have to consider that you'll be listening to the satnav more than watching it unless you're really stuck and I imagine if you're really stuck then you'll pull over in which case you'll manage to view everything more clearly on the screen regardless of whether the size is small or large.
The only downside of the TomTom One is that the battery life is only three hours long, of course if you have a working lighter socket in your car then you can plug the device into here if needs be however this is not available to everyone so does need to be considered if youre taking a long journey.
In conclusion, after having used (not owned but used) other satnavs in the past, I have to say, if you are considering buying a satnav then it is definitely worth the extra money for the best satnav brand out there. The TomTom won't let you down and will always guide you in the right direction with the most updated road maps that are available via satelite navigation.
Summary: How did I drive without it?
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