TomTom One

While there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all GPS device, TomTom’s One comes really close. First off, this is one of the smallest dedicated GPS devices we’ve ever slipped into a jacket pocket—only 3.8 x 3.2 x 1 inches and a mere 6.5 ounces. When attached to the windshield, the 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen is barely big enough, and the onscreen keyboard is a little cramped for large fingers, but both are adequate.
 
In fact, everything about the One works. In our tests, the SiRFstarIII chipset provided excellent reception, and satellite acquisition times lasted only a few seconds. The integrated lithium-ion battery is rated for two hours of use and can charge from the included DC adapter or your own mini-USB cable.

 

The device connects via Bluetooth with a range of supported phones for TomTom’s optional services, such as traffic updates, and you can choose from dozens of languages for both the UI and spoken commands.
 
As in nearly all GPS devices, we found imperfections in the commands in off-freeway environments below the scale of about 100 yards, but at such distances, your eyes and brain should be able to help you more than map data can. You can’t plan an itinerary using TomTom’s PC software. You have to do it on the device itself, adding waypoints and multiple destinations (all savable as separate routes in the few megabytes of free flash memory) from a wealth of points of interests, addresses, and so on.
 
We found this a cumbersome task, since you have to go into the navigation area of the UI, then into Advanced Planning. In our testing, we sometimes had to backtrack to reorder our waypoints. In the end, we had to repeat the process several times until we could remember all the steps.
 
In all other regards, our experience with the One was virtually flawless. The interface is impeccable and thorough (right down to displaying routes in 2D or 3D, text, flyby demo, and more); map browsing and zooming are a snap; and instructions are delivered clearly and with good timing relative to when you need to act on them. We found POI data extensive, and it can grow through online downloads.
 
This version of TomTom’s PC software doesn’t allow you to download pictures, MP3s, or Audible audiobooks. But if you can live without such bells and whistles, the One is a fairly priced, extremely friendly, and highly satisfying GPS navigator. We won’t be leaving town without it anytime soon.