A great introduction to in-car navigation...

Like every other manly-man, I've prided myself on not needing directions. We all inherently know where we're going and how to get there, right? :) However, my wife does not (no, really, and she would be the first to admit it!).

We both have the Blackberry 8830, which has a GPS function and built-in mapping software. However, a PDA map is not the safest or a user-friendly option when driving (the screen is small, it's hard to navigate through menus and there is no voice prompting.) So, I've been on the lookout for a mobile GPS unit for some time.

The TOMTOM One XL went on sale last weekend at a local retailer. It was cheap enough that I figured it would be worthwhile checking out.

The One XL comes with pre-loaded Canada, US and Guam maps. (Note that the box instructions refers to an SD card, but none is included because the North American model comes pre-loaded with the maps on its on-board memory.) It also has a USB cord for linking/charging from your PC, a 12V car charger USB cord, the window mounting bracket and a plastic disc with adhesive on one side (in case you want to mount the unit on something other than your windshield.)

Getting started with the unit is very easy. The on-screen prompts walk the user through setting up all the preferences. Note that you do have to be outside (or near a large window) for the set up in order for the unit to acquire a GPS signal.

Using the One Xl is also very easy (important for my wife). Plotting a trip is as simple as typing in the address. A helpful feature is that the unit walks you through the input of each data set. Typing is simplified because the unit will prompt you with city/street names depending on what you've already told it. (e.g., if you state that you are going to "Toronto", when you begin to type in the street name it will list all the street names in Toronto that match what you're typing. you won't have to type in the full name and typos are avoided.)

The "Help" feature on the One XL is fantastic. Tapping the Help button can direct you to the nearest gas station, hospital or police station. This is a handy thing to have.

I am also impressed with the numerous waypoints. Tourist attractions, shopping centres, and even major retail chains are listed in the unit.

The route planning function is pretty effective, but not necessarily efficient. It will get you there, but you may be taking the scenic route. I have tried to see whether specifying a time constraint would improve the directions.

I was particularly impressed by the unit's mapping capabilities when I travelled the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto yesterday. The Gardiner is a raised freeway that travels for a distance OVER another road (Lakeshore). (i.e., a bridge highway over another road.) At first the unit was confused; it thought that I was on Lakeshore and directed me to take turns that did not exist on the Gardiner. However, after a while, it figured it out that I was on the Gardiner (I don't know how; by speed?) Pretty cool.

The One XL does not have text-to-speech functionality, meaning that it will not call out street names. This is no big deal for me. I understand that the upgraded version, the One XL-S does have text-to-speech.

The windshield mounting unit is surprisingly strong. It is a simple suction cup, but it holds very well. As indicated above, the kit comes with a plastic disk that you can stick on to another flat surface of your car if you don't want to use the windshield.

As with other portable GPS units, the One XL relies on a power cord to your lighter socket. I hate the dangling cord, but until I figure out how to hard wire the unit to my car, I'll have to live with it. One positive note is that the cord is simply a straight wire, which I prefer to the coil.