Review: TomTom Navigator USA Bluetooth GPS

Feb. 27 -- The TomTom Navigator USA Bluetooth GPS is, by far, the best in-car, turn-by-turn navigational system for handheld devices we've seen.

Excellent maps, 3D views, and an intuitive, well-designed interface make this product a pleasure to use.

The package includes the compact Bluetooth GPS receiver, a cradle, power cables and a car mounting kit, as well as the navigation software and maps on CDs. We tested the system on an HP iPAQ Pocket PC h2215 (a Palm version also is available for $349.99 direct).

It's the interface that really makes this product stand out. The screens are focused, omitting any extraneous details; whether a navigation map or application screen, everything is legible — an often overlooked necessity for PDA navigation. And rather than having to use a stylus or small drop-down menu, TomTom provides large on-screen buttons that can easily be selected with a finger.

The most visually impressive feature about the TomTom PDA software is its 3D mapping. Most in-car GPS systems display the current location as a small moving dot on a flat map, but TomTom's software provides a 3D view of the street. A conventional map view lets the driver zoom in or out and provides overviews that range from the entire state down to street level.

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Simple Setup and Use

Unlike other companies that produce handheld GPS products, TomTom treats the PC solely as a conduit for setup, installation and transferring of maps to your Pocket PC. You don't preview or edit maps on the PC before transferring them to the handheld. Instead TomTom provides a collection of more than 180 predetermined state and regional maps (produced by Tele Atlas) on CD ready for download.

These map files range in size from 2MB for the state of Rhode Island to 33MB for New York City and 60MB for California. Regional selections can increase the state map requirements to 160MB. That said, you'll need a 128MB or 256MB MMC or SD card if you plan on taking maps of large states or multiple states with you on your Pocket PC.