TomTom START launched

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:33 am Post subject: TomTom START launched

TomTom officially unveiled their latest entry level satnav, the TomTom START this morning.

Not the best kept secret with mention of a START model appearing in on-line reseller catalogues some days ago and oddly the UK launch party isn't until this evening but we can at least now discuss it.

The ethos of the START is simplicity. With only a single button and a simplified menu layout the device is supremely easy to use and TomTom have added the option to personalise the device with a range of six brightly coloured 'StartSkins'.

The START has a 3.5" screen, integrated EasyPort mount, Map Share, IQ Routes and a Latest Map Guarantee. The new menu offers two on-screen buttons, 'Plan Route and 'Browse Map'

We've had a unit for some months now and whilst it is very simple I have to wonder if this is a step too far. The START omits 7-digit PostCode, presumably to keep costs down but this is a feature we consider vital to a UK device. For one based on simplicity, the omission of 7-digit PostCode functionality is we feel shortsighted.

Time will tell if there is a market for a device as basic as this, priced at €129 for a regional map and €149 for a European map with StartSkins available at €14.95 per colour.

More information at www.tomtom.com.
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Darren Griffin

MaFt · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

the simplified menu looks similar to what garmin did with the 2xx and 2x5 ranges. great for your granny!

however, lack of 7-digit postcode is a bad mistake! is that from the final product or from the testing versions you had?

MaFt

falkirk81 · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:19 am Post subject:

No 7 digit postcode is a bad bad idea! Not so much an issue if you know the street name and number, but what about remote farms with large postcode areas and no street names/ numbers? Surprised

henryg · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 78

TomTom have lost the plot! This on top of the ludicrously high combined price of their iPhone app & amplifier/holder,

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

Our test version lacked 7-digit postcode support and I can confirm that this is also true of the retail version.

Having 7-digit post code lookup makes address finding much easier and given the nature of this device it's omission is all the more foolish.
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Darren Griffin

Pocketgps · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

No 7-digit post code look-up is a major omission and mistake by TomTom.

MrT · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

It seems not too different a Go520 with the show fewer menu options selected, less features and not too different in the price you can buy them for.
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Drivelux

bedbug · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: TomTom START launched

mikealder · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Its also the first device that I have seen from TomTom in a very long while that cannot display POI locations on the map while in Nav mode, neither is there an option to "Warn when near POI" so setting up the PGPSW Speed Camera database won't be possible unless you want to navigate to a specific camera. Combine this with no Traffic receiver, No PostCode its not going to be a huge seller in the UK - Mike

dhn · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

{deleted}
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David

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject:

dhn · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

{deleted}
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David

bedbug · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

Uh.... have you stopped taking your tablets again?

Nice summary DHN, it's a dog pure and simple and short of secreting them in packets of Cheerio's I can't see how they'll get rid of them!
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Darren Griffin

mikealder · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

What happens if you add the zip folder and the two postcode files needed for UK support, we have seen items/ icons appear in the past once files are added. No idea whether this would work but it's worth a try.

Is tonights launch still named "the future for navigation" if so it doesn't bode well for any future devices, at this rate we will be seeing a top of the range device devoid of basics if this approach is made applicable to other models, iPhone app from TomTom is basic, so I wonder what they are really up to at the moment it's far from progress. A PND sold for Navigation within the UK without postcode support is laughable - Mike

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