TomTom ONE 130

#3

in Inexpensive GPS Systems

Score: 8.4/10 , Based on analysis of reviews and performance evaluations.

The TomTom ONE 130's standout qualities include useful features, a highly portable design, and one of the more agreeable price tags for the segment.

List Price: $200
  • Overall
Key Features
  • 3.5-inch screen
  • Text-to-speech
  • Help Me! Safety feature
  • MapShare
  • 6.7 pounds
Pros
  • Easy to mount
  • Good safety features
  • More portable thanks to slimmer design, lower weight
  • Includes text-to-speech, a rarity in the class

 

Cons
  • Low speaking volume
  • Hard-to-type on on-screen features
  • Low battery life

TomTom ONE 130 Overall - 8.375 (Very Good)

The ONE 130 owes its popularity to simple functions, simple features and a simple price.  Most GPS reviewers appreciate the model's navigation capabilities and easy to read screen, and praise TomTom for increasing the ONE 130's portability by slimming it down and offering a twisting EasyPort mount that makes the nav easier to store.

But the ONE 130 also has some glaring flaws. Several find the 130S model's voice-guided directions are hard to hear, and the car adaptor will be a necessary for longer trips, as the 130 only has an estimated two-hour battery life. Lastly, larger fingers might find the TomTom ONE's onscreen keyboard difficult to master.

With a price range from approximately $150 to $250, the TomTom ONE 130 is a more basic portable navigation, and you'll have to upgrade to the 130S for text-to speech functionality -- but also note the price could jump to as much as $300. The TomTom ONE series also includes the XL, with similar features but a 4.3-inch screen. 

What the Experts Say: 

  • "The ONE is a beautiful device that's small enough to keep with you at all times. The interface is nice looking and easy to use. The voice prompts sound like a human being and not a computer. ... With so much going for it, I couldn't help being frustrated with the Tele Atlas maps." - GPSMagazine
  • "It does not feature a whole lot of bells and whistles but it does offer a very easy-to-use menu and operation." - GPS Nav Reviews
  • "The TomTom ONE 130/130S are the refreshed face of the TomTom ONE line that continues to bring big player GPS features and quality to the market at entry level prices." -- GPSLodge
  • "The TomTom ONE 130S is a reasonably priced entry-level GPS with a solid set of feature and ease of use. Unfortunately, the system's barely audible voice directions ruin the experience." -- CNET

 

TomTom ONE 130 Performance - 7.25 (Good)

CNET reports, "While driving around the city on everyday errands, the system did an accurate job of tracking our location and didn't lag behind, unlike some other GPS we've tested." Several others point out the TomTom ONE 130's vibrant colors and easy-to-read screen, but report the hard-to-hear voice directions detract from its overall performance. 

TomTom ONE 130 Ease of Use - 8.0 (Very Good)

Tech writers predict that most people will find the ONE 130 or 130S simple to operate. "TomTom has spent some time engineering a fantastic user interface and it shows," GPSMagazine writes. "Like the rest of the ONE, the styling is fresh and well designed. I found the system intuitive to use and simple enough that reading a manual was unnecessary." However, CNET does note that typing on the onscreen keyboard is difficult due to the smaller screen size. 

TomTom ONE 130 Design - 9.125 (Excellent)

Unlike the previous model, the refreshed TomTom ONE 130's EasyPort windshield mount folds into the back of the device for added portability. Reviewers appreciate the added portability that the EasyPort and the GPS' streamlined dimensions offers. GPSLodge says the 130 and 130S "are definitely a nice modernization of the TomTom ONE design. Thin and more modern looks, the units melt away the extra frame around the screen, shrinking the overall unit size and offering the look of the screen floating in space." 

TomTom ONE 130 Features - 9.5 (Excellent)

The TomTom ONE 130's features are well functioning, but basic. GPSMagazine reports the ONE "is designed for people who want a GPS solely for navigation purposes, and are not looking for an integrated music or video player, don't want a photo viewer, Bluetooth hands-free speakerphone, blah blah ... The ONE is all about navigation." The TomTom ONE 130S ups the ante by including voice-guided directions with text-to-speech. The Help Me! Feature gives users access to information and tools in case of an emergency. MapShare allows you to make real-time adjustments to your maps (for example if there's a road closure) and to share them with other TomTom users.

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