QUICK LOOK

• 11cm capacitive touchscreen
• Magnetic mount to windscreen docking station
• 2-hour battery life
• Bluetooth hands free calling
• 220 grams
• 4GB internal flash memory

If playing a “spot the car without a GPS” game is anything to go by, you’ll notice that a GPS has become a necessary accessory for most drivers as they make their way from Point A to Point B. I like to think of myself as a lady with fun taste, but I have yet to find a GPS with pink diamante design to go with this quirky taste… However the TomTom GO LIVE 1000 makes up for it’s plain design by impressing the spark plugs off of Bullet (my car) and me with its amazingness.

The magnetic mounting mechanism is a world first and it makes docking and undocking your unit much easier. And with the power plug being secured beneath the mounting mechanism, there is no need to remove/unplug each time you take your TomTom out of the car for safe-keeping. The suction windscreen mechanism is life-changing and a far cry from the lick-and-stick mechanism on my older TomTom. I did find however that you can’t just place it on the windscreen and twist to suction as it fell off regularly which left me having a mini road rage tantrum at myself. You will need to place it on the windscreen, push it against the windscreen to create some suction, and then twist to secure.

The capacitive touchscreen is a lot more intuitive than other TomTom products. Firstly you only need to touch the screen gently for it to respond to your command. On my older version the screen required a lot of pressure in order to register the command. And secondly it is now capable of zooming in and out of maps with just a pinch of your fingertips – placing your fingers on the screen and moving them closer together in a pinch gesture which is similar to the zoom in/out feature of an iPhone. You can also use your fingertips to scroll through menus instead of pushing the down arrow.

With the help of IQ Routes technology, the LIVE Traffic functionality advises how long a trip will take by considering traffic, traffic lights that are out of order, accidents, etc. And as the LIVE functionality is updated every two minutes, if you do get stuck in traffic your TomTom will advise if there is a quicker route and how much time it would save you. Nifty!

I must admit that I had a lot of fun with the Hands Free Calling function. It did take one or two attempts to get my iPhone connected to the TomTom via Bluetooth but once it was setup, it was so easy. To connect your phone with your TomTom, navigate to the Main Menu, click on the Settings option, click the right arrow button until you see the Connections option (it has an icon of a phone and a TomTom). You will then need to click the Phones option. Ensure your Bluetooth is turned on on your phone so you can follow the setup steps. Once everything is setup, you can now use the Hands Free Calling function. It is important to note that you must have your TomTom volume at its loudest as any lower can cause difficulty in hearing the person you’ve called.

The Voice Command functionality on the other hand was a disappointment. Although the TomTom is equipped with advanced speech recognition technology, when I tested the route planning with voice commands, it took many attempts before TomTom and I were on the same page of the mapbook. I found that it is far quicker to plan your route manually before you start your journey, and far less frustrating, especially if you are already in a rush.

As much as I had wanted to test the Eco Route functionality, it was difficult to prove or review as I already take the highway where possible to avoid the stop-and-start of town driving. And where possible I take a route which allows me to stop at fewer traffic lights. I think this function would be very useful to a sales person who is required to drive between clients and needs to make the most of their tank of petrol and their time.

The Local Search through Google is included in the LIVE services and this is particularly awesome if you need to search for an Italian restaurant or a flower shop near to where you are located. You just need to type in a search word, find a matching location, select the option and let your TomTom take you there.

It must be said that I love this TomTom. It is easy to use, easy to customise and easy on the eye. And if you’re a single gal-about-town, I’d suggest you programme your TomTom before leaving your parking spot so that you can keep your eyes on the road. And not having to fiddle with your TomTom means you’ll also be able to spot that sexy guy driving that gorgeous convertible and give him the take-me-out-to-dinner eyes! And until TomTom has the kind of technology to allow you to send him your number through the satellites, plan your route and drive safe, and remember to keep those lips lip-glossed.

Turn Ons

• Change your car icon to suit your personality
• Customising your home screen with commands you most regularly use
• USB port on the cigarette lighter insert
• The time automatically syncs to satellites meaning you’ll never need to reset  it again
• Auto change between Day and Night view

Turn Offs

• LIVE services interfered with my radio
• No “back” button on some menus resulting in having to cancel and start again

Price: +-R3,199.00 (includes one year of LIVE services free)