No more U-turns

This Tomtom was a gift from a friend knowing I love to road trip, but inevitably see more of the countryside than planned due to being lost regularly! Having recently moved I was forced into trusting my new "gizmo" and have to say have learned a TON about this new city that impresses my native-to-the-area friends.

THE GOOD NEWS: The touch screen is easy to use, even the most obscure streets are identified and the directive voice gives plenty of notice prior to lane changes and turns. There are also little gas station icons on the street level map view (vs the aerial view).

During high travel times or construction surprises, the unit is quick to give an alternate route and though it doesn't state the street names, the names are written at the bottom of the unit for reference.

I like that it is slim and light-weight. I have packed it in my camelback for quick reference while biking, help located the nearest road while hiking a new place or to find my hotel after walking a new city...very helpful!

THE BAD NEWS: It says the battery life is 2 hours, but I have yet to see that happen personally and it is yet another thing to plug into a dc port. I bought a retractable charger that way I can alternate what I plug in and when since I only had two dc ports (and lots of "gizmos") near the dash.

It also repeatedly reminds you to turn even if you are unable to move when it expects you to turn (if I get caught in the wake of an accident, I do have to turn the unit off until I am able to comply with its last instruction in order to not be irritated by the reminders).