Mobile Computing News

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While smartphone GPS applications continue to become more ubiquitous, many people still prefer standalone GPS devices, if TomTom’s Q1 2010 profits are anything to go buy. We explore what makes TomTom GPS devices so popular and look at some of the better options available.

Quality build, trusted brand

When adoption of GPS devices first began at scale in the late 90s to the early 00s, build quality, directions accuracy and pricing systems were haphazard at best, and TomTom GPS devices (and competitor Garmin’s devices) emerged as the manufacturer most capable of giving an even, solid experience. Outspending competitors and out innovating them, too, gave TomTom the advantage of having greater resources to improve their devices and launch various services around those devices, and this is most evident in the many innovations in the GPS reader category TomTom made first. Below are three of the best TomTom GPS devices available on the market right now, where these years of innovation are visible first hand.

TomTom Go 750 Live

This TomTom sat nav device has access to the TomTom Live service that gives traffic updates to users in real time, as well as fuel prices, as well as carrying other features like Bluetooth headsets for hands-free navigation. The drawback? The TomTom Live service comes with a monthly price tag attached, and starting at £199, the TomTom Go 750 Live is far from the cheapest on the market. You pay for what you get, of course.

TomTom XL 340S

Photo: TomTom

This 4.3-inch TomTom sat nav device is notably cheaper than the TomTom Go 750 Live, without sacrificing too many features or build quality. The TomTom XL 340 S is moderately priced, starting at £100 if you look around, and features Lifetime map updates and Lifetime traffic updates. A nifty value-added pack-in.

TomTom Go 7000 Truck

Indicative of TomTom’s constant innovation and product tweaking based on their user base, the TomTom Go 7000 Truck is intended for, as its name suggests, truckers and owners of truck fleets. With features designed for single trucks, or integration into whole fleets, the TomTom Go 7000 Truck is not only the best TomTom sat nav device for large-size vehicles, it’s potentially a leader in the whole market sub-category.

Victory in volume and quality

While the future prospects of GPS business is under pressure from GPS technology on smartphones, consumers are clearly not ready to give up on stand-alone GPS devices, and why should they?