TomTom, supplier of in-car location and navigation products and services recently announced the availability of a slew of new GPS products, just in time for the festive season madness.
TomTom Start – gets the job done
The TomTom Start is good value for money
The TomTom Start 20 (4,3inch screen)and Start 25 (5inch) are the companies entry-level GPS units. Both feature integrated mounts and flip touch screens, advanced lane guidance in 3D and access to one free download of the newest fixed speedcamera locations. You can add your own Points of Interest (POI) and share and update maps via MapShare. We like the spoken instructions in this unit that at this price point is excellent.
The TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition – makes nav a hoot
The shutdown screen, typical Top Gear wit
TomTom have also partnered with Top Gear to release TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition satnav unit featuring branded screens and the voices of Jeremy Clarkson and The Stig. Well, sort of. The Stig mode puts the unit into silent mode. Clarkson as expected has a lot to say quipping that ‘there’s a toll road ahead, so get ready to pay for something you already paid for’. The GO LIVE unit is TomTom’s top-of-the-range product and retails for R2 399.
The TomTom sums the unit up: “The TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition includes one year of TomTom’s LIVE Services at no cost. The flagship service is TomTom HD Traffic, which delivers dynamic routing and accurate traffic information every two minutes. HD Traffic gives drivers detailed incident reports, length of delays and reason for them, accurate travel and arrival times and alternative route proposals.
The LIVE Services bundle also includes the Speed Cameras service, providing mobile and fixed speed camera alerts, while TomTom Places local search helps to pinpoint shops and businesses in the area. QuickGPSfix gets you navigating in seconds and TomTom Weather gives local and five-day forecasts.”
More information on the TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition at www.tomtom.com/topgear
TomTom VIA 120 AFRICA edition – the go-between?
Light navigation for the Dark Continent?
Perhaps most interesting to us is TomTom’s foray into navigation on the rest of the continent with the release of the VIA 120 AFRICA device. This unit comes pre-loaded with maps for 29 African countries. It features advanced lane guidance for difficult junctions, voice controlled navigation and reliable arrival times with TomToms IQ Routes system. Daan Hendricks, TomTom South Africa Country Manager says, “This innovation from TomTom brings Africa closer to the world and makes it possible to navigate from Casablanca to Cape Town”. He also said they’d be adding countries as they reach agreements. I got the impression that the map sets would be useful between around cities, on the beaten track if you like. But that this unit is not going to help much if you’re exploring the bundu. That said, if you have hands-on experience please, let us have your thoughts in the comments section.
Here are some TomTom’s feature definitions:
- TomTom HD Traffic: Get accurate traffic info updated every two minutes – that’s at least seven times more frequently than any other provider. Steer clear of delays, and know exactly when you’re due to arrive. Plus, drive stress-free wherever you go, with detailed coverage across your region.
- TomTom Speed Cameras: Your device receives real-time mobile Speed camera locations, including reports from other users. It also warns you of other alerts, such as fixed safety cameras and average speed checks for the road ahead. It helps you drive safely and relaxed, saving money on speeding fines.
- Drive LIVE across South Africa. In addition to the best, real-time traffic updates, you know where the Speed Cameras are, you can find any locations via Local Search with Google™ and more.
- And it’s all free for a year. For more SA product info visit TomTom SA
