Smart System: The Tomtom 340s Automotive Gps Navigator

The TomTom 340S is an entry-level GPS navigator that is a successor to the popular TomTom One. It brings a wider screen for easy viewing, and some other advanced features more often found in more expensive GPS units. Most reviewers agree that this TomTom is a high quality car GPS navigator that should satisfy all your basic travel needs.

One advanced feature is TomTom IQ Routes. Drawing on data supplied by actual GPS users in real traffic situations, IQ Routes calculates average travel times and uses these to make route recommendations. This is a great help in choosing the best route to take, as opposed to relying on distance and posted speed limits alone.

You also get spoken street names and turn-by-turn directions using text-to-speech technology--a formerly high-end feature that is now becoming available in more mid-range and entry-level GPS units. As with other TomTom GPS devices with text-to-speech, you can choose among various voice options including some generic foreign accent voices and a few well-known celebrities.

This navigator incorporates TomTom Map Share technology, by which street names and maps, driving information and points of interest are constantly being updated (and errors corrected) by actual TomTom GPS users. The preloaded software includes over 7 million points of interest.

A final advanced feature is the unit's Advanced Lane Guidance system. This helps avoid dangerous last-minute maneuvers to stay on the intended route. The wide GPS navigator screen shows realistic images of the road ahead, with clear lane diagrams and flashing arrows indicating where the car should be positioned with regard to upcoming freeway exits or turns. There is even a fuel price tool which will let you find the lowest gas price among nearby service stations.

Reviewers agree the TomTom 340S is a high quality product and a terrific bargain. The deals can be even better if you shop for a factory refurbished unit. But even new units are now priced down close to $100 on some retail sites, making tis a terrific value in automotive GPS.