A FEW MORE POINTS FOR THE TOMTOM ONE 3RD EDITION USA

There are some really good reviews of the Tomtom One 3rd Edition USA version here on Epinions so I'll try not to repeat what is already written. Here are a couple things I like about the One 3rd Ed. I also agree with some of the gripes - but can offer a few ways to help with those too.

First - One of the things I like about the One is the "Points of Interests" feature. It will identify many locations by category ie restaurants, theatres, ice rinks for hockey, stores, etc. The thing that makes this feature so handy is the One gives you the address AND phone number of your chosen destination. So when you find the restaurant on the One, you also can call ahead for reservations or to find out how busy they are. You can locate a shop and call for their hours of operation. The One is like having an electronic Yellow Pages in your car (or on your desk - I keep mine inside when I'm not driving). Its not only great for finding your way to the place you're going - its great for finding a place to go when you don't know what's around. This is great when we take the kid to a game at some unfamiliar sport plex. If we want to eat before heading home - we use the One to find out what the options are in the directions of our return trip. Great for travel soccer moms, hockey dads, and baseball families.

Second - The other day I went to Chicago for diner. I know my way home, but hit return home anyway. Getting on the expressway we hit a huge traffic jam. I got off at the next exit and could see, using the One, where my next option to re-enter the highway would be. It also showed me which side street would get me there without any new input. Nice.

Third - I know where the closest Target, Walgreens, and Home Depot are from my house. But when I'm not home I can use the One to locate the closest store from where I am - even when you know there's one this way and one that way, you don't always know which is actually closer to your current location. Now you can know.

Fourth - True the One doesn't have some places already loaded. But when you enter a place in it - the One remembers it.

Five - My One came with no case. Target sells a Denali camera case for $5 that fits it perfectly and is still slim enough for my jacket pocket. I also found an $8 mounting bracket at Target that nicely mounts my One on my dash with a small self-stick receiver for the bracket clip. If you want to charge your One at home - there's a wall adapter that you just plug the One's car charger into. They're available for $10 or less at most stores with an automotive section.

Six - The One has a power saver mode for those who need a little more battery life. It shuts off the screen while you're between directions.

Seven - Ever have someone give you directions without an address? "Its on Maple Street, like the middle of the block. I'll be out front" In response to your question of where you're picking up your 13 year old who calls from her cell phone. Even if you don't want to stop and load Maple street in your One, it will display each street name a block before you get there. No more straining your eyes to see that street sign in the dark.

Finally - I downloaded a classy sounding British woman to give directions FREE from the Tomtom website. You just have to adjust to the highway being called a "motorway".

I agree the One has been a bit ambiguous with some of my final destinations. Usually I'm close enough to see - but you do need the visual check. I found the One to be easier to interpret after using it to navigate to places I knew. Once you learn its few quirks - its pretty accurate. Some of the features I discussed above are probably available on many GPS units. But the One has nice web support and update features. Plus - I bought my One 3rd Edition for $125 and received a $20 gift card at the time of purchase for Gander Mountain. Net price - $105.