The end of the summer is almost here, and the IFA show is going on in Berlin which is the big Euro electronics show ahead of the holiday shopping season. With new Garmins and new TomToms announced there are now some signs that there are good bargains. I have seen it time and time again in the GPS world.
A few to keep in mind:
TomTom ONE XL - The TomTom ONE 330 XL has been launched and the very capable TomTom ONE XL is now down about $30 in recent weeks. No Text to speech, but TomTom has a good software upgrade program that allows you to keep these models as current as ever. At $169, it's a $20 upgrade to a widescreen.
Garmin Nuvi 350 - Now that the Garmin Nuvi 300 series has been discontinued, the Nuvi 350 and Nuvi 360 are prime candidates for low prices. As an aside, the Nuvi 350 started it all, as the first thin format factor GPS that was at the time targeted at business travelers. The rest of the industry followed, and now you can barely find a unit that is thicker than 1-inch. The Nuvi 350 is still priced at $199, while the Nuvi 360, which adds Bluetooth, is priced at $324.
We broke the news the other day on the GO 940, and TomTom announced today that they are launching the TomTom GO 740 LIVE and 940 LIVE which will be connected devices through their cellular networked HD module. This will offer high quality up-to-date traffic data feeds with available traffic data and information from other users who are also using the TomTom HD service. The service will also offer fuel prices to subscribers. The units will be available in Europe, and carry a 9.95 Euro monthly price.
Google Search - TomTom has brought Google to the table as a partner for search on the GPS, and will deliver results that are easily routed to with the touch of a button.
The only question is when this will come to the US.....
TomTom looks like they are about to release the TomTom GO 940 LIVE; an up-versioned model of the TomTom 930 that adds their HD traffic module. A page has just appeared on a retailer's site, offering it for pre-sale. The GO 940 would have all the features of the GO 930, including IQ routes, Lane Assist, and Enhanced Positioning Technology. TomTom LIVE Pack
The TomTom GO 940 LIVE will also include the "Live" package, that for the UK at least will have a subscription to HD Traffic, Safety database (think speed cameras?), and fuel prices. Oh yea, and Google Search!
Google Search - Rumored a few days ago, and now (semi-) confirmed it looks like TomTom and Google are in a nice tie up on mobile search. With the HD mobile GSM band connection and the proper work to streamline results, the combination could be pretty powerful.
The TomTom GO 940 LIVE is priced at 399 pounds plus VAT, and will require a subscription after the free three month trial is up for the LIVE connection via the TomTom HD module. Think in the price range of $10 - $15 per month....
TomTom announced the TomTom PRO 4000 & 8000 today, a couple of re-purposed models that are targeted at the business consumer who may need a little more control over the fleet and a little more capability that a normal GPS might not have. This includes a 2-year warranty, a free map update in the first year, dedicated customer service, a ruggedized sleeve, and a PIN lock to keep sensitive information private.
"We are pleased to offer a product which speaks directly to the needs of our business and enterprise partners" said Tom Murray, vice president of market development, "with the unique features the PRO Series offers, TomTom is helping today's mobile workforces to travel more efficiently and more safely than ever before."
TomTom has launched their HD Traffic module in the Netherlands where they have users sharing their location in a network of GPS units acting as traffic probes; you help me and I help you. The FCC Site is showing the test results for the TomTom HD unit clearing the way for the module to be launched here. Usually by the time these are posted and publicly available, a launch is imminent. My hunch is an announcement soon with shipping for the holidays.
The TomTom HD Traffic Module is a cellular tranceiver that sends and receives traffic information so that you have the most up to date data available. Not only will it get information that is readily available to units with a TMC receiver, but it will also share the peer based information that other users of the TomTom HD system generate. So, if another user is stuck in a traffic jam up ahead, your unit will be aware of the jam and give you better route timing or routing options. This is similar to the Dash Express offering and how it works. Dash indicated that they needed about 2,000 units per metro area to get high quality coverage; I would imagine a similar number would be needed for TomTom also.
The TomTom HD module will be working on the GSM 850 and PCS 1900 bands and will most likely carry a monthly fee.
The new TomTom ONE 130 and ONE 130S come to the market at a time of intense competition and high expectations for the major GPS makers as they vie to marketshare and the attention of the millions of shoppers who are discovering the wonders of not getting lost and actually getting to where you want to go without stopping, backtracking or imagine that, asking for directions at a gas station. The TomTom ONE 130/130S are the refreshed face of the TomTom ONE line that continues to bring big player GPS features and quality to the market at entry level prices. The units slim down in 2008 with an ultra thin look, and an innovative mount, dubbed the EasyPort. Fold flat profile and a twist to adhere suction mount make the EasyPort different in the GPS world. With the addition of the "S" designator, you get a nice bump with Text to Speech on this unit, something that I continue to advocate for if you can afford it.
The new TomTom ONE XL 330 and ONE XL 330S come to the market at a time of intense competition and high expectations for the major GPS makers as they vie to market share and the attention of the millions of shoppers who are discovering the wonders of not getting lost. When you can afford it, there are some nice bonuses to having a widescreen GPS which include a better overall view of where you are going, easier input of data (i.e. your destination's address), and just pure readability of the whole interface. I'll explore the advantages below. I recommend widescreen GPS units if you can afford it.
The TomTom ONE XL 330/330S are the refreshed face of the TomTom ONE line that continues to bring big player GPS features and quality to the market at entry level prices. The units slim down in 2008 with an ultra thin look, and an innovative mount, dubbed the EasyPort. Fold flat profile and a twist to adhere suction mount make the EasyPort different in the GPS world. So, while a widescreen GPS may take up some more room, you won't be penalized too much considering the thin profile of the unit.
With the addition of the "S" designator, you get a nice bump with Text to Speech on this unit, something that I continue to advocate for if you can afford it.
TomTom is continuing their Map Upgrade sale to encourage folks to get on the right pathway to enlightenment, or something like that. THe Maps are updated both through TomTom Mapshare changes and organic changes that TeleAtlas adds; millions monthly.
Maps of the US are only $59, Maps of US+Canada, $79.
TomTom made a few management changes yesterday that look like they are trying to position themselves to make another big push on innovation and design work. The big change that stuck out for me was to bring on a former Apple exec, Ken McAlpine to be in charge of product design and usability. His resume includes working on the iPhone, MacMini and a host of other projects are Apple. Very interesting move - can't wait to see where TomTom goes with this influence.
I don't know about you, but I love driving around with a fancy little gizmo GPS on my windshield, and having the ability to get from here to there with no worries. The look in people's eyes when you just ask for the address and leave them to explain the long direction set to others is priceless.
This is the new TomTom spot - remember - Go Confidently.
TomTom is running a discount for those of you who want to update your maps; up to 30% off the update. You can head over to TomTom.com, or use your TomTom HOME application on your PC to update the maps. Not a bad idea if they are over a year old.
For a lot of people mounting a GPS on a windshield is not legal (CA & MN), or just not desirable which leaves them either sticking an adhesive disk on the dashboard, or investigating the idea of an alternative mount like a friction or vent mount. I got in a friction mount and a vent mount with various connectors recently for a review of how they do on my dash and how they hold up. The company is Arkon, and they make a dizzying array of mount styles with some great capabilities.
Friction Mount
This Arkon Weighted Friction Mount has a flat front that allows you to use your stock suction cup mount from makers like Garmin, TomTom and others that have some pretty small, minimalistic mounts. The mount has plenty of heft and sits firmly on the Dash through a normal week of driving. It's a pretty confidence inspiring mount and while it may not stand up on the NASCAR track pulling a few G's it performed well in my normal driving through traffic, around town and on the highway. Just in case you decide to take the fourth turn at Daytona, you'll keep things steady with the little safety loop on the back of the mount that allows you to put it around the adhesive hook (included) that you can fasten to the dash. Its base is about an inch wide, is pretty unobtrusive, and doesn't scream - "Steal the GPS under the Seat" like a regular adhesive disk might. The Hook is a bummer if you wanted a clean dash. To be clear in my time driving I didn't bother with the hook and the mount didn't move at all, even with a Dash Express suction cupped to it.
I was able to use factory mounts on the friction base as well as Arkon mounts made specifically for TomTom and for Garmin. The factory mounts were a bit slimmer and smaller, while the Arkon adapters had some more length to them and added the ability to adjust to different heights and lengths.
PDA/Phone Mount - I was also supplied with a mount for a PDA/Phone; which comes in customized styles. I had the generic, which fit my iPhone well, and when it comes time to navigate with the iPhone 3G, the Arkon mount should help. The mount has configurable bottom "feet" to hold the bottom of the phone so you can slide them back and forth to get plugs into the bottom of the phone. The sidewalls slide in and out and have a soft rubberized interior to cushion your phone. A quick pinch of the sidewalls keeps the mount snug on the phone, while a touch of a button on the side of the mount allows the sidewalls to pop out and release your phone. Simple and fast.
Vent Clip Garmin Nuvi Vent Clip - The Garmin Nuvi Vent Clip is a very discreet option for mounting a GPS; allowing you to pop the GPS on and off while leaving the mount right there on the vent. Small and almost invisible, hardly any thief would guess that there is a GPS prize associated with your car. After enlisting friends to try the mount, on the four cars I fitted the mount to, we were pretty happy with the performance. The little clips that snap into the louvers and attach to the mount swivel to accept louvers that are either vertical or horizontal. I would recommend using both hands to remove the Nuvi from the mount instead of just indiscriminately ripping the thing off that may just pull a louver with it depending on the shape of your ride. Using both hands, made the removal quick and easy. Reception was not affected and having the unit closer to me made for easy programming. I also tried this out on the vent to the left of the steering wheel which makes for another very desirable mounting option for lefties.
The TomTom 930 is the new top of the line TomTom that is starting to gain some steam these days in the stores. TomTom has folded in Historical Average Speeds into the GO 930 to make the unit more accurate in setting travel times, especially when traffic is concerned. While TomTom's map supplier, TeleAtlas is teamed up with Inrix, and has the ability to fold their traffic speed data into the Map offering, TomTom went out and grabbed their own historical average speeds from users like you and me. If you agreed to submit anonymous user data when you sync'd your TomTom to TomTom HOME, you sent up some data that presumably included some road speed data; including traffic hot spots and slow downs. We will see how broad the coverage is and how it affects our usage of the unit.
Other than the TomTom IQ Routes, the unit offers "Lane Guidance" which shows you what lane to be in when the going gets tough on the highways.
The TomTom 930 still encompasses a lot of features that were rolled into the GO 930, including membership to the MapShare community, a Map guarantee for up to date maps for the first 12 months that you own the device, enhanced positioning that helps to track your position through an accelerometer when you enter tunnels, Bluetooth Handsfree and voice address input.
GPS - Safer, More Confident, Less Stressed Drivers
TomTom announced some findings from a study done by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Dutch research institute TNO saying that drivers felt more confident, less stressed and safer when using a GPS. It's no surprise here at the GPS Lodge when you think about all the places you can go and all of the things you can do when you let the GPS get you to where you want to go.
For me, a few prerequisites of feeling safer, more confident and less stressed is:
Get a Good Quality GPS that has an easy interface to learn - this means skip the bargain bin. I also recommend Text to Speech if you are driving around town with the unit - it helps your recognition of which street you need to turn onto.
Drive around your own town using the GPS to navigate to work, the gas station, and home again - you get used to how it works and what to expect. You'll be familiar with it when you hit the road and really need it.
Check on the Route Overview before navigating - almost all units have an overview of the route. Before driving, you'll know in general terms which way you are going so there won't be any surprises.
Know the settings - "Set it and Forget it" Don't decide while you are driving down the highway that you want a different color scheme or a new voice on the GPS. Make sure the settings are how you like them and simply navigate when you need to.
Finally, don't be an idiot - This means no playing with the picture viewer showing off those pictures to your friends while driving down the highway.
New GPS Models Mean Deep GPS Discounts
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