UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the TomTom GO 2505TM.
The TomTom GO 2405TM
The models appear identical, except for screen size – the 2405TM is 4.3”, while the 2505TM has a 5” screen. Both models come equipped with lifetime maps and traffic, as well as Bluetooth and voice command capabilities. It looks like TomTom is giving an initial exclusive to Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and (duh!) TomTom.com, with retail stores not getting these models for six months or so! More pics and the full news release follow…
TomTom Introduces Next Generation Navigation Devices
New GO Series Offers Faster Routing, Enhanced Software and New Look and Feel
Concord, MA, November 1, 2010 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions, announced today the launch of its newest generation of navigation devices in the United States. The new TomTom GO 2405 TM and GO 2505 TM devices will offer consumers a powerful navigation experience with faster routing, an enhanced software platform, and a new look and feel.
“At TomTom, we are continuously working to deliver innovative navigation solutions for our consumers,” said Tom Murray, senior vice president of market development, TomTom. “The GO Series combines new software architecture and enhanced routing to provide our consumers with superior driving intelligence.”
Smarter, Faster Routing
TomTom is committed to providing drivers with a world-class navigation experience and now has created a patented, high-speed algorithm that allows for instant route planning. The GO 2405 TM and GO 2505 TM utilize this innovative technology to conduct continuous routing. By regularly monitoring traffic information, these models will recommend the best current route to drivers.
Intuitive User Experience
The GO 2405 TM and GO 2505 TM are the first TomTom products to include a new, enhanced user interface. With more-intuitive software, users will be routed to any destination within a few taps. Additionally, drivers will experience seamless routing with voice recognition navigation commands.
Complete New Look and Feel
The new devices also feature capacitive touch screen technology and a brighter display. Drivers will be able to navigate through menu screens with just a swipe of the finger and can pinch and zoom for easy map viewing. Furthermore, the device will be secured with a new click and lock magnetic mount that can easily be docked and un-docked with one hand.
Features Overview
The devices offer exciting new features that enhance drivers’ user experience, including:
- Instant and continuous routing
- Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus
- Pinch-to-zoom and swipe from screen-to-screen using gestures
- Bluetooth® hands free calling* to maximize safety
- Voice recognition to operate the device with verbal commands
- A click & lock mount to keep the device securely mounted while driving
- Expanded driving view on 4.3” (GO 2405 TM) or 5” (GO 2505 TM) glass touch screens
In addition to the new features, drivers will continue to benefit from TomTom’s most popular offerings, which include:
- Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates**
- Announces Street Names
- Advanced Lane Guidance
Availability and Pricing
The TomTom GO Series is initially available at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and TomTom.com in the United States. The devices will be available at retail stores in mid-2011. Prices begin at $299.
* Compatible mobile phone required
** You receive non-transferable traffic data and up to four non-transferable map data updates per year until the product’s useful life expires or TomTom no longer receives map or traffic updates from its suppliers, whichever is shorter. Lifetime Maps available for US, CAN and MEX only. Lifetime Traffic available in US and CAN. Details and terms at www.tomtom.com/legal.
About Rich Owings
I noticed that both are limited to 4GB of internal memory with no SD or micro SD card slot for expandable memory. What happends when you update the maps with the lifetime updates that will require more memory? Is the GPS deemed useless once the memory maximizes??
Generally, the process is to remove the older maps and unnecessary files, like voice files for other languages. GPS manufacturers really need to get their act together. Updating maps is just too complex, primarily due to this memory issue.
That’s what happened to me when I purchased an XXL540TM WTE this summer. The two primary reasons I went for that model was to have European maps, as I travel there from time to time, and also to take advantage of the 4gb memory of the WTE vs the 2gb memory of the North American only version thinking I’d have more spare memory. Problem was that the updated maps are bigger than the available memory. I couldn’t update both N.A. and Europe maps even after deleting all the unnecessary voices, etc. So, I have the updated US maps, but the existing European maps that came with the unit. If I want to put updated European maps I have to remove the NA maps, then when I return from my trip I have to remove the European map and reinstall the North American map. The lack of an SD card is a serious flaw in the TomToms, but I do prefer their functionality over the Garmins. Especially in inputting addresses. Garmins can be a PITA if you don’t know how to spell the name of the street exactly.
That being said, I see the new GO 2405/2505 have 4gb for just the NA maps, which is twice as much as other TomToms. Maybe when they come out with a world map version it will have 8gb.