TomTom VIA 1505T 5-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

I am partial to portable navigators, even though I use Google Maps on my mobile device most of the time. The reason for being partial to stand-alone navigation includes-1. Multi-tasking on mobile devices(music, navigation and other misc. data) increases the heat buildup and reduces charging efficiency ( GPS navigators are built for a specific purpose and they serve them well)2. GPS antennas on mobile devices tend to be compromised due to packaging within a limited form factor. (Dedicated antennas)3. Usage in Canada is limited(data roaming on mobile devices with US data plans are prohibitive while in Canada)4. Map downloads(in case you want to use the device without data plan) is highly limited.Given these requirements, I always use a portable navigator and since my commute or travel involves interstates and some state/provincial highways which have not changed, I decided to just get the traffic receiver. Traffic receiver works great and IQ maps are good features for this product. Given refurbished and new units of TomTom are cheaper than Garmin, I believe it is a better value. The map databases(Telenav in TomTom and Navteq in Garmin) are comparable in terms of routes. Telenav being Dutch used to lag behind Navteq in terms of map accuracies and that's not an issue anymore.Also the mount is awesome and this is a great reason to buy TomTom. The device and charger are only one you need to carry as opposed to the holder as well(in case of Garmin or even mobile device)Overall, great value when you buy it as a refurb from Warehouse Deals and fact that you reduce the usage stress on your mobile device.

I just got my Tomtom VIA 1505TM yesterday, and having just got off the phone with the (easy to reach & very friendly & helpful) customer service here is what I wish I'd known before I bough this: it's still in Beta and isn't supported by a lot of Tomtom's infrastructure yet. For example, as of today (April 5th 2011) you aren't going to find it on most of the drop down menus on Tomtom's website or as an option on the phone menu when you call customer service. More seriously, it can't connect to Tomtom Home which is the software that allows you to do the fun things Tomtom offer like downloading voices or other doodads to your device. I was really looking forward to customizing my GPS with various voices and I'm sad I can't do that. I am assured that over the course of this year Tomtom will send updates to the VIA GPSes that will eventually allow them to join the party but for now there is very little support for this product. I think it's kind of weird to release a beta that has less functionality than the models it supersedes without clearly warning potential purchasers so I'm writing this review today. I also can't buy a carry case sized just to fit my VIA - which is a different shape to previous models because it attaches to my car using a different system. I'm told its a better system but since this is my first GPS I wouldn't know.Hopefully by the end of the year (as I said, I'm writing this on April 5th 2011) this review will be obsolete but right now, if you purchase this GPS today, you will not be getting a fully supported device. I'm not happy at having been lured into Beta testing Tomtom's new product line, this is my first GPS and I paid $200 for it, I wanted a great experience right out of the box. As it is I'm just feeling a bit sad about the whole thing, and even the charming customer service hasn't made that go away.The thing is, this is a really nice piece of engineering. It is super easy to set up and use. It works in a fundamentally different way to previous Tomtoms, and you can use it while it is plugged into your computer. A friend of mine has an earlier Tomtom and I know she gets frustrated at not being able to access her Tomtom while it is attached to her computer so that is a definite plus. I'm not complaining about the device itself, it is very cool. I'm told that this model is the future of Tomtom, and that in time it will do everything the other models do and more, but the fact is that it doesn't do that now, today, April 5th 2011.So. Early adopters and devoted beta testers rejoice! This is definitely the Tomtom for you. Buy one and enjoy yourselves. But those of you who, like me, just want to get where you are going with a bit of fun along the way, and the least amount of hassle, might want to pick something else.Update, June 17th 2011: After using this device for a few months, I still feel that anyone looking for a drama-free GPS should go and buy something else. The TomTom VIA series is still a rich source of drama - it isn't compatible with TomTom Home, and the MyTomTom software it *is* compatible with is just AWFUL and hugely frustrating. I've owned this thing for months and tonight was the first time I have ever successfully managed to update it, and that has taken me two hours and much nailbiting (At one point it managed to wipe itself clean of all maps & I had to completely reinstall everything. Fun.) On the other hand, it does seem to have finally installed the extra voice I bought for it the day I got it, (before I knew that it didn't at that time support adding extra voices) so it will be interesting to see how that will work out. And the TomTom website does now acknowledge the existence of the VIA models, though it still doesn't offer much for them. Progress is being made by TomTom to bring the VIA series out into the general community of TomTom products but this is very much still a beta device and I do still wish I'd bought a different GPS system.On the other hand it is a nifty little thing, and I do enjoy using it. It has a completely intuitive interface, and it gives excellent directions both spoken and on the screen. It recalculates directions incredibly fast. It sticks on my windscreen very well. The traffic feature is excellent, and has helped me stay out of many traffic jams, though sometimes the traffic feature just won't load, which is a shame. As many other people have pointed out it *does* take quite a few minutes for the device to locate the satellites (I had thought this was just because I live out in the sticks, in the middle of a forest with no cell phone reception even, but if other people are having a problem it must be something to do with the unit.) All in all, I've enjoyed using it, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd bought something that was a fully functioning product and not just a poorly supported beta.

I have waited approximately five years for a clear winner to emerge in the GPS device and service market. My criteria was simple: wait for a product which had consistently good reviews for both hardware (device) and software (navigation instructions). All GPS providers continue to receive consistently mixed reviews; many people thoroughly dislike the devices, services, or both while many give the highest accolades. Now that the price for entry into this market has dropped to about one quarter of what it cost five years ago, I have taken the plunge. Here are my initial findings. Several updates will be provided over the length of one year of usage.The following is for the TomTom VIA 1505TM:1) I updated the firmware first (deselected maps and speed camera), then updated maps and then last of all speed camera locations. Do this prior to using the device. Updating was easy; connect the device to a computer, download My TomTom software, then download the recommended updates. Make sure computer settings are such that the computer will not go into standby or hibernate. The maps download is lengthy. Once the download started, I walked away and let the computer handle it. Again, make sure computer settings are such that the computer will neither standby nor hibernate.2) Lifetime maps and traffic are available until TomTom no longer supports the device. Traffic can be terminated separately. Don't count on having updates until your device is unusable due to a hardware malfunction.3) The GPS unit knows exactly where I am at any given moment and it knows how to get me to my destination. It has always brought me where I programmed it to take me. The estimated time of arrival given on-screen has consistantly been accurate.4) Lane guidance (which lane to be in) on highways with multiple lanes is excellent. Turn notification both on highways and secondary roads is outstanding. Notice of distance to each turn is given and then notice is given to turn immediately before each turn, both of which have been highly accurate. At times I have intentionally changed my course from the directions given and found the GPS service to consistantly quickly re-route me.5) Speaker volume is very good. The screen is clearly visible. Occaisionaly the sun shines directly on the screen reducing clarity. An easy fix for this occaisional occurance is to angle/tilt the screen down towards the dash. Again, this has not happened often and has not caused any navigation problems.Separately, I would like to recommend the TomTom Universal Dashboard Mount. The product works very well and is much more convenient than using a windshield mount. It is available from Amazon.com. Universal Dashboard Mount (Compatible with All GPS Brands)

This is the second Tom Tom device I have owned. The previous one worked very well, but the cost of the annual map updates was a real pain. The savings in map subscriptions will pay for this new GPS devise in less than 3 years. The VIA 1505TM is a very good device. The layout and menus are improved from my previous model while still maintaining the Tom Tom features I liked. Input is very easy and It navigates very well, as is expected of any GPS. The biggest complaint I have about the device is that the windshield suction mount is integrated into the device. This makes it a pain to remove and re-install frequently, which should be done when the vehicle is parked in public. There are mounts available that will circumvent this, but they need to be purchased separately. Also the internal memory is very limited, so a MicroSD card is necessary to accommodate a complete North America map. These are pretty minor concerns for a device that is overall easy to use and accurate. The lifetime map and traffic subscription was the feature that ultimately sold me on this particular model. (Be aware that Canadian Tire sells a TM1505 for a lower price, BUT it does not include the lifetime maps.) I highly recommend this product.

This is our third TomTom and they keep on improving. The European flavour seems a better fit for Canada than the American product. It's fast, the map updates are not too far behind the pace of development in Alberta and easy to use. Bluetooth and spoken street names work well except for the unpronounceable native names. Red light camera warning works as do traffic updates. Good value for the money.

Nice. Everything I expect in a GPS. For people who dont use their cellphones to navigate everywhere, I highly recommend TomTom gps navigators. This is the fourth model I have purchased. Never been disappointed.

Tomtom has not changed the responsiveness of touch screen since at least 5 years as that long I had my previous Tomtom GPS. I can say even that typing address is more horrible than in Tomtom models sold 5 years ago... The only thing I like about that device is the quality of maps and graphics as I do not like the one in Garmin. The device is really thin and easy to attach to windscreen and to detach it. In overall my feelings are mixed about the device in the age of touch screen device which can manage complex gestures. The GPS signal reception is much worse than in iPad 2.

good GPS