TomTom VIA 1505TM

Finding a GPS unit for your car won't be very hard these days because manufacturers like TomTom have you covered in all fronts. You can get an adequate amount of features in a GPS device for under $200 these days but pushing a little bit of extra always helps. But your options will vary significantly. You can aim high for more technologies and snappier GPS performance or you can go for longer lasting devices that come with free updates but basic functionality. Adding a few dollars to the price tag may also get you a unit with a larger display. The TomTom VIA 1505TM is not only a functional and affordable 5-inch GPS device with some lifetime features but it is also part of the new VIA series that adds some nifty extras to an already good design.

TomTom VIA 1505TM GPS Navigator

Design

At first glance, the TomTom VIA continues the classical design that made its other 5-inch XXL products successful. This new VIA device is a bit slimmer and the EasyPort Mount is integrated to the back of the device. Now you won't need to install an accessory whenever you need to mount to different windshields.

Interface

The 5-inch display really helps on the usability side with the icons looking bigger for easier touching. TomTom even made some interface improvements to further help new users get into GPS devices. Common tasks like planning routes and viewing your surroundings are immediately accessible from the home screen.

Navigation Features

The size of the VIA 1505TM is larger than the 1405TM but the navigation features are the same for the most part. But when you compare it to the XXL devices, you will find out that the VIA 1505TM is very capable of handling the needs of the average driver but does not want to spend excessively on a GPS unit.

The features start off with the IQ Routes technology that is implemented in virtually every modern TomTom device today. It is responsible for coming up with the best possible routes for that time of the day. It uses traffic data to form a route where you are unlikely to meet heavy traffic so any routes generated should be hassle free. It also features lifetime traffic updates where you will never need a paid subscription in order to get real-time traffic data. All GPS devices these days must have text-to-speech capabilities so it is no surprise that the TomTom has them as well.

The Advanced Lane Guidance feature is becoming a common feature as well and it is now featured in all TomTom VIA devices including the 1505TM. This feature shows how nice the graphics is with its 3D view, colorful visuals, and readable signs. The most important thing is that it shows the lane that you need to be on when you go to a highway or a complicated intersection or multi-lane junction. As long as you are on the indicated lane, you will never miss your turn and you'll avoid inconvenient recalculations.

The maps are far more updated than any of the previous TomTom devices so expect to see a lot if you live in the US, Canada, or Mexico. You will find millions of points of interests in these locations in all the general categories that you will expect in a GPS device. You will even have access to the nearest police stations, fire stations, hospitals, and other emergency areas if you use the Help Me! menu. The best thing is that the maps stay updated and you won't have to pay a thing thanks to the free lifetime map updates that are exclusive to TomTom devices with the TM or M suffix.

The large size and full lifetime features bump up this entry-level GPS device to a $230 price tag. There are alternative GPS options for this price and you may get more features but if you think about the long term, the TomTom VIA 1505TM is an excellent value. The thin design really helps with the portability especially since you won't need to worry about a separate mounting kit. The interface improvements is enough to rival competitors so new users can jump right in and enjoy planning routes quickly and easily.

List Price: $229.95

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