Magellan Maestro 3100
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)Q: 1. Is there any in-car GPS that allows me to review the route from start to finish without driving, once I input destination address in the device? If yes, which portable navigation device (PND) lets me review the route before actually driving? - Wize Chap via e-mail
A: Dear Wize Chap, turns out you have a lot of choices. Most in-car GPS offers route simulation or fly-over simulation (the name varies by manufacturer) that provides a running demo of your route from a bird's-eye view. It's useful in that it gives you an overall idea of what you'll be encountering along your drive before even hitting the road. That said, the tricky part can be finding the feature on the device, since it's often buried in the submenus and you may also need to turn the capability on in the settings menu.
On most systems, once you enter your start and end points, the PND will present you the map screen and start navigation. From there, you can typically find various review options, including a list of text-based turn-by-turn directions, whether you want to find an alternate route, add a waypoint, and so forth. It's usually in this submenu that you'll find the route simulation. I'm not sure what your budget is, Wize Chap, but if you're looking for high-end, the Garmin Nuvi 880 is a good choice, or the Magellan Maestro 3000 series or the TomTom One series for more low- to mid-range models.
TomTom ONE 130
(Credit: TomTom)Today, TomTom introduced the latest models to its ONE and XL line of entry-level portable navigation systems, complete with a fresh redesign and new mounting system. Succeeding the current TomTom ONE 3rd Edition and the TomTom XL, the TomTom ONE 130/ONE 130S and the TomTom XL 330/XL 330S boast a slimmer frame and come packaged with the new EasyPort mount, which apparently, you can keep attached to the GPS, fold it down, and still manage to fit into a pants pocket. (Anyone else wondering about how these mounts will hold up during road tests?)
All four models will come preloaded with maps of North America and will be compatible with the TomTom Home and TomTom Map Share services, which give you access to the latest maps, more content (points of interest, weather, and so forth), and other community features. They also have larger, enhanced speakers that should make voice-guided directions easier to hear.
The TomTom ONE 130 and ONE 130S are expected to ship sometime in May for $199.95 and $249.95, respectively. Both have 3.5-inch screens and the 130S adds text-to-speech functionality for street pronunciations. Similarly, the TomTom XL 330S ($299.95) also has the text-to-speech directions, while the XL 330 ($249.99) does not. The XL series ups the screen size to 4.3 inches. Now, we love variety, but it seems like a no-brainer that if you're making the investment and you can get text-to-speech directions for just $50, why not? We are in line to receive the ONE 130S in the next couple of days, so hang tight for a full review.
TomTom GO 920
(Credit: TomTom)Today, TomTom took the wraps off of its latest portable navigation systems, adding three new products to the portfolio: the TomTom One 3rd Edition, TomTom GO 920, and the TomTom GO 920T. So without further ado, here's your friendly little breakdown of each.
TomTom One 3rd Edition: This entry-level GPS device is similar to the TomTom One but adds the Map Share technology and "Help Me" safety feature that was first introduced in the TomTom GO 720. Map Share allows you to make adjustments to your maps (such as noting blocked roads, updating points of interest, adding new streets, and so on) and then share the information with other drivers. You can make the changes right on your device, save them, and then upload and share them with other users via the TomTom HOME desktop companion. Meanwhile, the Help Me safety function tells you where you can find the nearest police station, hospital, or car service center, based on your current location. As a basic system, you don't get text-to-speech functionality, but you do get the standard text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions as well as a 3.5-inch touch screen. Perhaps the greatest feature, though, is its price tag. The TomTom One 3rd Edition will go for a wallet-friendly $249 when it hits store shelves next month.
(Credit:
TomTom)
TomTom GO 920/920T: From the low-end to the high-end. The TomTom GO 920 comes preloaded with maps of not just North America but also 41 countries in Western and Central Europe. And get this...you can enter addresses by voice! Just speak the city, street name, and address number, and if all goes right, the GO 920 will automatically go about calculating your route. In addition, you get a 4.3-inch touch screen, text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, a built-in FM transmitter, and the Map Share and Help Me features--pretty much all the bells and whistles. The TomTom GO 920T includes a RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver in the box and a year subscription to TomTom's traffic service. You can also purchase the traffic kit separately for other TomTom GO and One devices; price is $129.95 and $24.95 for yearly service subscription. The TomTom GO 920 will cost $599.95 while the GO 920T will retail at $699.95. Both systems are expected to ship in Q4.
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TomTom One XL
(Credit: TomTom)We had an inkling that the TomTom One XL would make an appearance sooner or later after the FCC revealed its existence, but today the in-car GPS device got its official debut. The One XL expands on its older and simpler sibling, the TomTom One, by increasing the screen size from 3.5 inches to 4.3 inches and adding support for real-time traffic services. The unit also comes preloaded maps of North America, millions of points of interest, 2D and 3D maps, text- and voice-guided directions, and integrated Bluetooth 2.0 to access TomTom's PLUS services via your Bluetooth-enabled phone. The TomTom One XL will start shipping in June for a very reasonable $399.95.
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TomTom One XL
(Credit: NaviGadget)GPS maker TomTom has been pretty quiet as of late, but thanks to some FCC slips, it looks like we'll be seeing several new in-car GPS devices from the company soon. Details are pretty light at the moment, but here's what we know so far. First, there's a product called the TomTom One XL. A follow-up to the no-frills TomTom One, the XL is said to feature a larger 4.3-inch touch screen and integrated Bluetooth so you can use it as a hands-free speaker system. You'll also have the option to receive real-time traffic updates, either through TomTom's Plus services or with an optional traffic receiver and a subscription to the Traffic Message Channel.
TomTom Duo docking system
(Credit: GPS Review)Next up is the TomTom Duo. It has the standard text- and voice-guided directions, Bluetooth, yadda, yadda, but perhaps more interesting than the device itself is the docking system that accompanies the portable navigation system. It appears the dock can accomdate the Duo as well as an iPod or some other MP3 player so you can listen to music through an FM transmitter. However, as GPS Review points out, the question remains whether the setup will be a replacement for your car stereo or a standalone piece.
Finally, there's the TomTom GO 715. An upgrade to the Europe-only GO 710, the standout feature on the GO 715 is the integrated SIM card slot, so you can pop in your phone's SIM to make calls and send/receive text message. Huh--interesting. No word on whether this will be a Europe-only system like the GO 710, but all three of these GPS devices are rumored to be officially announced at CeBIT, which starts on Thursday, March 15. Stay tuned.
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