TomTom VIA 1605TM

TomTom VIA 1605TM

Still not convinced smartphones are as good as GPS devices? You're not alone. The VIA 1605TM ($229.95 list) features the largest screen TomTom has ever used for a GPS device: 6 inches—and it's sharp. Magellan has been rocking 7-inch panels on its RV-focused RoadMate series for a while now. But most of those devices are much larger and heavier. Apart from the compelling design, the TomTom VIA 1605TM is a solid performer with accurate routing and a newly refined user interface. This, combined with an affordable price, makes it our new Editors' Choice for budget stand-alone GPS devices. Design, POI Search, and NavigationThe VIA 1605TM measures 4.2 by 6.2 by 1.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 9.5 ounces with the mount attached. It's made entirely of matte black plastic, with a faux brushed aluminum texture on the front bezel. TomTom finally bumped the screen resolution higher, to 800 by 480 pixels. That's plenty for a portable navigation device, since you're not reading ebooks or browsing the Web on it. It's still a plastic resistive screen, though. To go capacitive, with its instantaneous finger response, you'll have to step up to the TomTom GO 2535M LIVE ($249.95, 4 stars), although you'll lose screen resolution and size in the bargain.