TomTom VIA 1405

Buying a GPS device shouldn't be a much of a problem these days because there are enough manufacturers that cover the major price points for new users and people on tight budgets to get some basic navigation. Other users can opt for GPS devices with advanced or more convenient features. With manufacturers continuing to improve every year, many of their devices today are accurate and perform well but there is always some room for even more improvements. In fact, TomTom thought it would be a great idea to go as far as introducing a new series. TomTom names the series the VIA series and the TomTom VIA 1405 is one of the budget members of the series.

TomTom VIA 1405 GPS Navigator

Design

The TomTom VIA devices offer new designs but the TomTom VIA 1405 gets the black classic treatment. It has the same 4.3-inch touchscreen with a thinner profile. The most notable change is the EasyPort mount that is now integrated right into the device. You can fold it to make it easy to carry around with you and then easily deploy the device on any dashboard.

Interface

TomTom made some refreshments to its interface to really give new VIA 1405 owners that feeling that they have an updated device to toy around with. Route planning is a bit easier now and the menus are more convenient to go through. It actually resembles the interface of Garmin devices where there are two large icons that you will use quite often in checking the map or planning a route.

Navigation Features

The list of navigation features resemble the features found in the XL but remember that this device is designed for the entry-level crowd and it already has features that TomTom owners will recognize like graphic lane guidance, IQ Routes, and Map Share technologies. In fact, all of these features are present in every VIA device so cutting your budgets down will not mean lots of sacrifices.

The Advanced Lane Guidance feature continues to save drivers some frustrations over missed exits on highways. With this feature active, it is practically impossible to miss a turn on the highway as long as you notice the screen because it uses a 3-D view with clear indicators that tell you which lane you should be in. This makes all those multi-lane junctions and complex intersections easier to navigate through.

IQ Routes technology powers the VIA device when you need to plan your routes. It makes sure that you have the fastest possible route so you can reach your destinations sooner. It also works smart by putting the day and time into consideration so you won't encounter specific issues along the way such as rush hour traffic or pedestrian traffic. The text-to-speech features can say the street names out loud so you know exactly when to turn and which direction you need to head without looking at the map.

The new VIA series were introduced early 2011 making these devices very up-to-date in terms of maps and points of interests. There are over 7 million of these points covering all the categories you would expect including restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and many others as long as you are using the device in the US, Canada or Mexico areas. All of the map data in the device totals more than a million miles of roads. You can also turn on the Help Me! menu in case of an emergency so you can see any hospitals, fire stations, and police stations nearby. This lacks lifetime map updates but it is much better to go for these refreshed devices rather than the older TomTom GO, XL, or ONE models. You can still get free map updates by using the Map Share On-Demand which provides some downloadable updates.

This model is also available as VIA 1405TM with Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates

 Conclusion

With an adequate set of features, the TomTom VIA 1405 performs rather well for something that is priced under $170. The refined interface will make new and older users happy as well as the Garmin fans. The integrated EasyPort Mount and flip-screen technology is very innovative and low profile so you can put in your pocket. If you have some extra to spare and you are really contented with the features offered by the 1405, you should go for the T, M, or TM variations so you can enjoy the lifetime maps and/or traffic features.

List Price: $169.95

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