TomTom Via 110

The new TomTom Via range has the not insignificant task of filling a gap in the sat nav specialist's mid-range. Six models are slated to provide a wider choice and cover a wider pricing range. The TomTom Via 110 introduces the range and already offers an impressive number of features previously absent in this segment.

Hardware: minimalist essentials

The TomTom Via 110 comes with a USB cable (micro-USB on the PND) for synching with your computer. The bundle also includes a small cigarette-lighter adaptor and a suction mount for fixing the device to the windscreen, but that's it! This is pretty minimalist but sufficient for many users and allows TomTom to keep prices down. Apart from the purchase notice, all the instructions for use are well handled by the device assistant.

The 4.3-inch matte display offers decent legibility, even in full sunlight and the 480 x 272 pixel resolution is plenty here.

It is a shame however that there's no microSD card reader. The 2 GB internal memory isn't big enough to store the biggest maps or several maps at the same time. We therefore advise you to get something from higher up the range if the map of the UK isn't going to be enough for you.
The suction mount is built-on which means you won't have to walk around with two separate pieces. You can actually use the mount on the dashboard as well as the windscreen if you fix a special plate to it. Your sat nav is then upside down but turns the display round automatically - thanks to the gyro sensor. Hidden at the back of the suction mount, the speaker produces good quality clear sound. The volume can be set to adjust itself to the speed of the vehicle and the noise of the motor.



Features: a touch of the high-end about it

In spite of pricing that places it on the cusp between the entry and mid-range, the TomTom Via 110 is a pretty smart machine. The front is in brushed black aluminium and the chrome edging surrounding the screen gives it a nice rather high-end feel! It's almost a shame that TomTom hasn't used the same design for its other sat navs. As usual with TomTom products, the finish is exemplary. There are no visible screws, high quality matte plastic has been used at the back and the adjustable parts are impeccable.

The device takes ten seconds to get going and it finds a satellite fix pretty quickly. Responsiveness is also generally pretty good and it's a pleasure to make your way through the menus with fluidity. The menus are as well designed as ever. The icons are clear and TomTom has made an effort to simplify the new interface which is the same across the whole range.
The predictive address feature works very well and often you'll find you don't need to enter all the characters.

Another new feature with the TomTom Via is the voice recognition. The system works ok as long as your pronunciation is irreproachable. In practice we found that we often had to repeat ourselves several times, especially with place names. The vocal commands are however very practical for accessing certain features rapidly and without having to do anything more with your hands than press on the vocal command start-up button, which is on the left side of the display.

The TomTom Via 110 doesn't have a brightness sensor. It does however automatically switch between day and night mode at certain times of the day.

Navigation: only lacking connected features

TomTom is pursuing the strategy it began on release of the first One models. This means that low-end devices are now being allocated features that were only available for the high-end until recently. Here we find lane-change guidance, text-to-speech to read out street names as well as IQ Routes technology for accurately planned routes calculated on the latest road speed data. Map Share is still included and means you can benefit from data changes shared by other TomTom users. You can of course make your own changes: new roundabouts or roads that aren't indicated and so on.

The biggest changes with the Via range are however on the inside. The Via 110 comes with the same 500 MHz processor as used on the TomTom GO LIVE 1000, the manufacturer's top end product. Calculating and recalculating your route is therfore particularly rapid, something you wouldn't necessarily expect on a sat nav at this price.

There has however been a clear step backwards when it comes to customization. Indeed the feature simply isn't recognised in your computer file search, which means your only option is the MyTomTom software, which makes it impossible to add customized points of interest. Let's hope that this limitation will soon be lifted along with the fact that you can't update maps within the first 90 days of use of the sat nav.

Eco Routes is available, very much in the spirit of its time. It suggests routes that have been calculated to maximise fuel economy. This can sometimes make your journey longer as the device may choose a route where traffic is more fluid (no traffic lights, slowdowns and so on).

The voice instructions are still as clear and pleasant to the ear as ever. Each instruction is repeated several times too, so you really can't go wrong. TomTom sat navs are known for being rather talkative, something we don't mind as at least you're sure you know where you're going.

Extra Features: TomTom speed camera and emergency services

As the first model in the range, the TomTom Via 110 is fairly limited. There is however an emergency assistance feature with numbers and positioning for doctors, garages, the police and fire brigade.

Positioning of fixed and mobile speed cameras are indicated. In practice, the service doesn't compare to what is offered by Coyote but will set you back £20 a year all the same.