TomTom ONE

*Est. $135
Email
TomTom ONE

Pros
  • Value is unmatched. Reviewers love the aesthetics and compactness of the TomTom ONE. In fact, easy portability is the main reason reviewers prefer the TomTom ONE to its larger sibling, the TomTom ONE XL (*est. $320). The TomTom ONE uses the SiRFstar III chipset and GPS reception is great. According to reviews, voice quality is clean and sufficiently loud, the user interface is elegant, and the customization options are very good. The TomTom ONE is capable of multi-destination routing, another plus.
Cons
  • Reviewers say the TomTom ONE's major weaknesses are its use of Tele Atlas mapping data and the absence of a text-to-speech feature. The points-of-interest database also draws much criticism: Some reviewers say it's not up-to-date; others assert it's just inaccurate. Battery life is well below average. The unit can be slow to respond. The windshield mount receives mixed reviews.

The TomTom ONE was first released a few years ago and has since been revised a couple of times without a name change. (To take advantage of the minor upgrades, try to get a recently manufactured unit.) The TomTom ONE is top-rated by eight reviewers, but not by GPS Magazine, which convincingly demonstrates that the NAVTEQ maps used by other brands are better than the TeleAtlas maps used by TomTom. The TeleAtlas software has since been revised, and some reviews indicate it has become more competitive. In a more recent test, however, GPS Magazine found that Garmin and Magellan GPS units provided more accurate routing than a newer TomTom unit did. Most reviewers think the TomTom ONE is an extraordinary value. It's devoid of fluffy features, but lacks one key feature: text-to-speech functionality, a feature found in the better reviewed Garmin nüvi 350 (*est. $300).

GPS Magazine.com handily has the best review of the TomTom ONE: Their unparalleled testing reveals a key flaw overlooked in lesser reviews. GPS Lodge and GPS Review.net also have good reviews, and there are numerous other less thorough reviews. We found a healthy number of owner-written review for the TomTom ONE at Amazon.com.

Where To Buy
 
 
TomTom ONE 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator

 (754 reviews)
Buy new: $249.99   33 Used from $37.00

 
 
 
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
eBayeBay rated 3.89 (1219 reviews)1,219 store reviewsIn Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply.$139.99
CompuVestCompuVest rated 3.85 (541 reviews)541 store reviewsIn Stock. $53.89
AmazonAmazon rated 3.43 (1786 reviews)1,786 store reviewsIn Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25.00$98.95
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. GPSMagazine.com

Every feature and capability of the TomTom ONE is tested and evaluated in this review, which includes copious comparisons and extensive illustrations. Reviewer Fletch calls this auto GPS “almost perfect” for the customer who is interested in navigation without extra functions -- except that it uses Tele Atlas mapping data. In North America, that fault is so significant that he does not recommend this GPS unit.

Review: TomTom ONE In-Depth Review, Fletch, Sept. 16, 2006

2. GPSLodge.com

GPS Lodge provides an amply illustrated, comprehensive review of the TomTom ONE. The review professionally evaluates performance, usage, and features, but no other models are compared. In a February 26, 2007 follow-up article, “TomTom: Compare the TomTom ONE vs. GO 510 vs. GO 910,” Scott Martin explains the differences between the three TomTom products, but offers no additional buying guidance. Martin does not rate products, but he identifies the best units in various categories in periodic buying guides.

Review: Review: TomTom ONE Review by GPS Lodge, Scott Martin, Oct. 3, 2006

3. GPSReview.net

GPS Review.net provides a detailed and comparative performance-oriented review of the TomTom ONE auto GPS, and more than 150 user comments add to the discussion. Products aren't rated or ranked, although there is some discussion of features that may influence your buying decision. The review lacks photographs or screen shots.

Review: TomTom ONE, Tim Flight, 17-Aug-06

4. YourNAV.com

YourNAV.com is a British enthusiast website dedicated to personal navigation devices. Note that TomTom products fare much better in U.K. reviews than U.S. reviews, because the Tele Atlas maps for Europe are better than the Tele Atlas U.S. maps. This review is organized well, but not easy to read. The review concludes with pros, cons, and ratings, but the thumbs-up rating isn't tremendously revealing.

Review: TomTom ONE: is this the better GO?, Editors of YourNAV.com, Nov. 2 2005

5. PCMag.com

This review compares the TomTom ONE with many other units, but only in terms of relative features. Reviewer Craig Ellison, a regular contributor to PC Magazine, devotes only one sentence to performance, and performance testing is undocumented.

Review: TomTom ONE, Craig Ellison, Aug. 17, 2006

6. Amazon.com

In over 250 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com, the TomTom ONE gets generally good reviews, though its overall ratings are a bit lower than competing models from Garmin. Ease of use is a highlight in these user reviews.

Review: TomTom ONE Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

Auto GPS Runners Up:

Garmin nuvi 1390T *Est. $165

4 picks including: Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 1200 *Est. $150

3 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 3760T *Est. $265

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSMagazine.com…

Garmin nuvi 1350 *Est. $160

3 picks including: Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 1300 *Est. $155

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Walmart.com…

Garmin nuvi 1300LM *Est. $150

3 picks including: Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 1450LMT *Est. $225

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

Garmin nuLink 1690 *Est. $300

3 picks including: Amazon.com, PC World…

Garmin nuvi 3790LMT *Est. $280

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSLodge.com…

     
   
 
 
 
     
 
image
New Garmin nuvi 1200
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
 
image
Garmin Nuvi 1300 4.3" GPS w/TTS
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 

Back to top