ONE New Edition: stylish renewal

Considering our very positive experiences with the TomTom ONE the past year, we were really looking forward to make the acquaintance of the 'New Edition', the new entry-level model by the Dutch PND manufacturer.

When we first saw the photos of the new unit, we immediately noticed that the design and dimensions of the ONE went through a drastic metamorphosis. The device was given a very nice new and modern look. But is this New Edition 'handier' than its predecessor? And has TomTom succeeded in pushing some (price lowering) hardware changes through without sacrificing the overall quality? Time for a review...

Two versions

Two versions of the ONE New Edition will be available starting this mid-September: the regional version which uses maps of the region of purchase, and the continental version, which will be shipped with the Maps of Western Europe by NAVTEQ. The first version will cost € 299,- (£ 199,-), the latter € 399,- (£ 270,-). Except for the differences in map data, both devices are identical. For the review we were lucky enough to receive the most expensive version.

Package

Since the ONE New Edition is a small device, the package has also been kept rather modest. The newest member of the TomTom family ships in a bright light-green coloured (continental version), or an orange (regional version) box, together with a few extras. Besides (obviously) the ONE itself, we also find the mount with suction cup in the box, a charging chord with a 12 volts car connector on the one side, and a mini-USB connector on the other, and USB cable to connect the ONE to your computer or portable.

Of course there's also the SD card with the software and maps, a small card containing the maps' product code, a CD containing TomTom HOME, users manuals and a 'Quick Start Guide'. A pretty no-nonsense-content in the box, but everything required to be able to use the ONE New Edition is present.

When we remove the ONE from its packaging, we immediately notice the sturdiness of the device. The ONE is once again manufactured very solidly from very decent parts. The dimensions of the unit are perfect for hand-held operation. The casing of the unit is hardly larger than the 3,5 inch screen and thus the ONE lends itself perfectly to be stored inside its users' pockets. The design of the ONE New Edition has more in common with the 'normal' GO model range than with its predecessor.

Buttons and connectors

On the top right, there's the on/off button (1) and the charging indicator LED (2). Looking at the back of the unit, we see the speaker grid (3), the connection mechanism for the car mount (4) and the connector for the optional external GPS antenna (5). On the bottom, there's the SD card slot (6), the reset button (7) and the mini-USB port (8).

We thought as much when we looked at the ONE NE's packaging before, but now we can also confirm this: the battery of the ONE is charged through the USB port. This is possible via the 12 volts connector inside the car (cigarette lighter adapter), but also via a USB port of your computer or laptop. This makes the new ONE the first TomTom unit which won't be charged in-house through a normal power outlet. Apart from the external GPS antenna, there's no room for accessories. Using an external TMC antenna on this unit won't be possible.

The ONE is available with either the maps of the region of purchase, or the Maps of Western Europe. Our review sample came with a 1 GB SD card containing the Maps of Western Europe. This map data is, surprisingly enough, supplied by NAVTEQ. This means that, after the RIDER, the ONE NE Europe is the second TomTom device which makes use of the maps originating from this map supplier. No doubt one of the main reasons for this unexpected choice will be that TomTom doesn't want to pin itself onto just one map supplier.

Use

We quickly turn the ONE on. As usual, we are asked a couple of questions because it's the first time the unit is turned on. This is necessary so the unit can save some necessary settings. The questions are about the preferred language in the menu's, the preferred speed indication (kilometres vs miles), the preferred voice, the time setting (12/24 hrs) and the correct time. We're also asked to enter a home location. After replying to all the questions, we can immediately start to use the unit. Our review sample ships with software version 6.50 of the firmware and version 652/1185 of the Map of Western Europe. The software on the ONE is identical to the software on the other GO models and the RIDER. You can read about the software's capabilities in our software special: TomTom 6 & HOME: innovations galore.

The ONE has Bluetooth facilities, and in the blink of an eye we are connected to our mobile phone. The ONE can't do voice calls like its bigger GO-brothers can, but it can use the GPRS services which effectively makes it usable with PLUS services like Traffic, Safety Cams, Buddies and Weather.

Reception

The ONE New Edition uses a SiRF Star III chipset, just like the 'old' ONE. Because of this, the reception quality is excellent. Even indoors, our unit immediately picks up three satellites, which is enough for a fix. When we walk into our backyard, the number of available satellites quickly increases to nine. Ok, so there's nothing wrong with the outdoor reception, that's a fact. Of course, the reception inside a car is more important, but we have high hopes.

Go!

To be able to use the ONE in the car, it needs to be attached to the windshield first. For this reason, TomTom has developed a new car mount. To be honest, this new mount looks a bit fragile at first glance. On one side it has a suction cup without a mechanical part for attachment to the windshield. One the other side there's a connection mechanism onto which the ONE needs to be slid. This mechanism can be moved in every direction to obtain the position of choice for the unit inside the car.

We connect the ONE's car mount to one of the side-windows of the car. The suction cup attaches every well and doesn't come off anymore. To remove it from the glass again, one needs to pull the little plastic nipple on the edge of the suction sup, which lets air underneath the sucker and effectively releases it from the window. After the attachment of the mount to the side-window, attaching the ONE to the mount is easy as pie. The whole makes a solid impression.

Now, let's go for a drive...

Vibration-free

The first thing we notice, is the stability of the suction cup and the ONE. The ONE is almost completely vibration-free, thanks to the smart construction of the car mount. The quality of the voice is also on par with what we've become accustomed to by TomTom. In short: loud and clear! A volume setting of 70 to 80% is more than enough to be able to understand the given voice commands.

The readability of the screen is excellent. But, as with many navigational systems, we do have a bit of trouble with the reflection of the light onto the screen, which makes the map hard to read. Despite the fact that the ONE New Edition is equipped with a slower CPU than the 'old' ONE, we have no reason to complain about the devices' performance: the (re)calculating of routes is very speedy and there are no hiccups viewable on the screen whilst navigating.

Despite the greatly minimised 'interior' of the new ONE (the three internal circuit boards of the 'old' ONE have now be reduced to one!), nothing of the expected quality seems to have been sacrificed. The GPS reception quality is downright perfect. We also have no negative points when it comes to the core-business of the device: navigating.

What we aren't so happy with is the lack of any possibility of attaching an external TMC antenna to the ONE New Edition in the future, which we believe is a true shame. Because even though TomTom has its own Traffic system via GPRS, Traffic Message Channel is still very much wanted in PND land.

Changes

Also the few small changes compared with the former ONE, like the decrease in CPU speed from 380 Mhz to 266 Mhz and the removal of the headphones connector are minuses in our book. Even though we have to admit that we haven't noticed the new ONE being 'slower' than the old one. We're also not sure if the transfer from Tele Atlas to NAVTEQ (in case of the Western-European map) is a good thing, but we're prepared to give TomTom the benefit of the doubt here. Tests in practice of future owners will enlighten us on that point in the forthcoming months, no doubt.

One final note worth mentioning is the charging of the ONE New Edition via the USB port. This doesn't have to be a problem per se, but do keep something in mind when charging the unit via a USB port on your computer or notebook: it is possible that a switched on ONE will consume more power than the USB port of your computer will be able to provide, effectively depleting the ONE's battery instead of charging it. As opposed to the cigarette lighter adapter in your car, the USB port of a computer only provides very little milli-amperes. It would be a good idea to turn the ONE off when you're charging it via your computer, or even better: purchase the additional home-charger which TomTom offers as an accessory for € 24,- (£16,-).

With the renewed ONE, TomTom has succeeded in producing the unit at a lower cost, without sacrificing any quality. The ONE New Edition is an excellent entry-level model, sold at a very sharp price. The device excels at its primary function: guiding the driver from A to B. Important elements for this are: the big and clear screen, loud and clear vocal commands and ease of use. Add the beautiful design, the manufacturing quality and the quality of the GPS reception to that and you've got a clear winner.

Things we didn't like were the limited charging possibilities and battery capacity (only 2 hrs on average), and also the lack of a home-charger. Besides that, the lack of an upgrade possibility with an external TMC antenna was also not a good idea in our opinion.

But, after a few moments of thought, we have to put these 'shortcomings' into perspective. Because considering this little performer can already be bought at a starting price of € 299,- (£ 199,-) for the regional edition or € 399,- (£ 270,-) for the continental edition, we realise that with these new units, TomTom has really pulled an ace out of their sleeve.