TomTom One 130S

Experts like the TomTom One 130S because it announces street names (e.g. "Turn left on Elm Street in 100 feet" rather than just "Turn left in 100 feet,") unlike some other budget and older GPS models. Reviewers say that really does make it easier to follow a GPS unit's directions. Reviews also praise the One 130S's EasyPort mount, which detaches easily from the windshield and folds flat so you can carry both GPS and mount comfortably in your pocket. However, critics point out that beyond that, the One 130S offers few extras. Experts particularly wish the One 130S included IQ Routes, TomTom's newest feature -- available on more expensive models, such as the TomTom Go 740 Live (*Est. $340) -- which draws on previous TomTom users' experiences to choose the fastest routes. Some reviews recommend stepping up to the widescreen TomTom One XL 330S (*Est. $180) or opting for the more full-featured Garmin nuvi 265T (*Est. $180). Experts often find Garmin units easier to use than TomTom GPS devices, and several user reviews of the One 130S say it is indeed difficult for people who are not tech-savvy.

Two GPS enthusiast sites, GPSLodge.com and GPSReview.net, have conducted thorough tests of the TomTom One 130S, but they do not rank it against other models. PC World's review is not as detailed, but it does include a numeric score, making it easy to compare the One 130S with other units tested there. About.com also assigns the One 130S a numeric score, but its testing does not appear to have been as extensive as other reviews'. Although they are not professionally written, user reviews at Amazon.com provide more up-to-date information than expert reviews can.