TomTom One 3rd Edition Review

What the reviewers like:

• Ultra-budget price
• Traffic-compatible
• Celebrity voices
• Supports dozens of languages

What the reviewers don't like:

• Not as easy to use as a Garmin
• Doesn't route as well as Garmin and Magellan
• Unable to speak street names

TomTom One 3rd Edition review highlights

Consumer Reports does the best comparison testing of the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition auto GPS, ranking it against 41 other GPS units. Consumer NZ in New Zealand conducts similar comparison testing, but it rates fewer units, and not all of them are available in the United States. Reviews at GPSReview.net, GPSLodge.com, About.com and Kiplinger's Personal Finance describe the ONE 3rd Edition's features, but they don't test the unit. We found a healthy number of owner-written reviews for the ONE 3rd Edition at Amazon.com.

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is one of the least expensive auto GPS units you can buy. Like Garmin's entry-level nüvi 200 (*est. $160) and nüvi 250 (*est. $180), the ONE 3rd Edition cuts costs by omitting many common features - Bluetooth hands-free calling, a wide screen and the ability to speak street names. Unlike the nüvi 200 and 250, the ONE 3rd Edition is compatible with traffic receivers (although a receiver isn't included), and reviewers recommend it more often. However, although some testers say the ONE 3rd Edition does a fine job navigating, others find that TomTom GPS units - which use TeleAtlas mapping data - never navigate as efficiently as units from Magellan or Garmin, which use NAVTEQ data. Experts also say the Garmin nüvis are easier to use. They're most likely to recommend the more expensive, but more full-featured, Garmin nüvi 350 (*est. $230) for shoppers on a budget. The ONE 3rd Edition does offer some TomTom-specific benefits - it supports dozens of languages, for example, and you can download celebrity voices (like Gary Busey or Mr. T) for the spoken directions.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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TomTom ONE 3rd Edition
Editors of Consumer Reports
Apr. 2008

Consumer Reports tests the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition and ranks it against 41 other auto GPS models. Results of the unbiased testing are summarized in a detailed ratings chart. Consumer Reports also writes an individual report on each model, alongside user reviews and ratings. However, you must be a subscriber to read the reports.

2. Consumer.org.nz
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TomTom ONE 3rd Edition
Hamish Wilson
Apr. 7, 2008

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is tested and rated against other navigators - including the Garmin nüvi 250 - at Consumer NZ, New Zealand's version of Consumers Union, the publishers of Consumer Reports. The review includes a ratings chart, with numeric scores and full profiles of each unit.

3. GPSReview.net
TomTom ONE 3rd Edition
Tim Flight and contributors to GPSReview.net
Aug. 30, 2007

Reviewer Tim Flight doesn't road test the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition, but he does a good job explaining how it differs from TomTom ONE's previous incarnations. More than 200 user comments and questions add to the discussion.

4. GPSLodge.com
GPS Holiday Gift Guide
Scott Martin
Nov. 11, 2007

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is one of the best entry-level budget navigators you can buy, according to this buying guide by GPSLodge.com's Scott Martin. Although there is no link to a full review, Martin briefly lists the ONE 3rd Edition's most important features, adding that the ONE 3rd Edition improves upon the already good ONE 2nd Edition by adding Help Me! And MapShare.

5. About.com
Top Picks: Lowest-cost In-car GPS with Traffic Tracking
Fred Zahradnik

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is one of five budget models that makes this list by About.com GPS guide Fred Zahradnik. The list provides price estimates, a screen shot and a one-paragraph description of the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition's traffic capabilities, but there is no link to a full road test of this unit.

6. Kiplinger Personal Finance
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The Best GPS for $300 or Less
Bob Frick
June 2008

The TomTom ONE is one of the least expensive basic navigators recommended by Kiplinger Personal Finance senior editor Bob Frick in this roundup. Frick 'hasn't tested all the models himself, but he does ask specialist sites - GPSLodge.com, GPSMagazine.com and GPSInformation.net - for advice on whether more expensive models' extra features' are worth the extra cost.

7. Amazon.com
TomTom ONE 3rd Edition Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

In more than 500 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com, the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition earns an average four of five stars. The latest reviews are almost all positive, but short battery life is one recurring complaint.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

TomTom One 3rd Edition Review