TomTom VIA 1605TM 6-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps

I have a well used and much loved TomTom Via 1405 that began to show signs of a slow death. The search was on for a similar device with perhaps a larger screen. I never got past the rest of the Via line choosing the TomTom Via 1605TM with a 6" screen. I charged it, plugged into TomTom's website, down-loaded the latest items and headed out to the car. If you have or have had a Via of any model you will certainly be familiar with this unit. Aside from a much bigger and markedly brighter screen with sharper graphics it is identical in many respects to the other units in the Via line. Let me explain: I ran my dying 1405 alongside of the 1605TM. I'm not kidding when I say it sounded like an old stereo record with an echo in the recording! Exact same voice saying the exact same thing at very nearly the exact same moment! Now if all you want is a bigger screen with great directions and lots of flexibility then grab one of these things! It is as flawless as can be used in this way. The alternate routing is fast and easy to use on the fly. It is customizable from top to bottom and has everything you would want to get you from here to there. A really nice unit. Now for the negative: As soon as you switch to the supplied antenna cord used for traffic data, the overall performance drops. A LOT! The comments from others about sluggish refresh rates, slow screen navigating, etc... all true when using this feature. It's especially awful from initial startup until it finds and locks the fm signal and finishes loading the local traffic data. Punch the screen and 7 or 8 seconds go by before it responds. Once the process is done, (in the metro Philadelphia area it takes about 4 minutes), the screen response is better and the refresh rate improves but it's still slow. Unplug the antenna cord, wait two or three minutes for everything to clear and it's back to full and impressive speed. Bottom line: If you don't need to use the live traffic information, this is a fast, LARGE screened, exceptionally good GPS every bit the top of the Via line and it's not too expensive to boot. Am I a bit disappointed over the Live Traffic issue? Well, yeah... a little. Would it keep me from keeping this big screened beauty? Oh heck no! 4 Stars with the live traffic engaged, 5 stars without it.UPDATE: 05/13/2013Downloaded the latest updates from TomTom about 10 days ago. The Live Traffic slow run has been entirely fixed! Boot up and operation are at full speed with the Live Traffic running. About the Live Traffic: It works as advertised and when combined with the option to automatically re-route for a faster route, it is also seamless. Very nice technology! Changed the rating to 5 Stars.

I spent an enormous amount of time reading reviews and researching all the different brands & models. All roads (no pun intended) let to this particular model, which seemed to meet all my requirements. I knew I didn't want a 'tiny screen' (like many other models) that I could barely see while driving. But I didn't want to spend a fortune either. This TomTom definitely is easy to see and automatically 'dims' at night and changes to a darker background. It has a great 2D & 3D screen that you can choose from, plus there is an added 'split screen' when you come to a folk in the road that requires you to be in a certain lane, bright yellow arrows flash as to which direction/lane you need to go. You also have the selection of lots of different voices, which is fun to pick one. Not only does this model come with Free Lifetime Map Updates, but the 'Real Time Traffic Updates' is great! It can detect big traffic delays due to construction back-ups or accidents and re-route you around the mess saving time. It can mount directly to your front windshield with a really secure lockable suction device. We used this for a trip across the country and to Washington D.C., and it was amazing how it can 'analyze' all the roads & highways and put you on the fastest route. It also calculates your arrival time to your destination. I would highly recommend this device. It's a big bang for the buck.

Big screen and all that...Plugged this baby in to download the difficult to find software and guess what...device not recognized.The web site does not list the 1605 in the pull down menu. Tomtom.. You suck!<Update July 5th 2013.> (read this while humming the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies, helps me!)So the community manager suggested a couple of things to make it connect. DOES NOT WORK.Some dude named Frank offered some help, thank you Frank but it's still a no go. Glad you have it sorted out and working though.Tried calling the number provided, on hold for 34 minutes.Maybe you were busy updating maps or having a watergun fight or you went out for pizza..or maybe it's nappy time. You should think about the difficulties customers have simply trying to contact you.Also realize that when you inform callers that it is being recorded for "training purposes" that message tells me, you want the people that you are "training" to be aloof and all around un-helpful like the rest of you. You should have picked up, I'm pleasant and respectful when I'm asking for help. Really!Sent an e-mail, it requires you to list the device you have, guess what can't find the 1605 in the pull down menu..Hmmm this seems like dejavu all over again!Went to 1 star on the rating because you people are too difficult to contact.To anyone reading this: the device is nice, it's big but there are problems with getting questions answered. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU BUY A tomtom!I will be posting the progress here, good or bad. Hopefully good.. I would really like to let everyone know how you resolved this problem and made the world all full of butterflies and daffodils, rainbows and lollipops.So how about getting off your...(well you know), and getting this resolved there tomtom'ers!!!Can ya help a brother out?Update<July 8th 2013>Well someone from tomtom sent me a message with a link to an update page for the trusty "Ol" 1605. As Frank had mentioned it took quite some time for the update process. Seems to be all set at this point.None of the questions I asked in my email to tomtom were addressed though. I will try to make them easier next time..I promise!Wouldn't it be easier just to have the update info for ALL of the gps units on the website..(easy to find. I'm not much on treasure hunts.)Anyway it's working and has been updated so I would maybe reccomend this unit....but tomtom has some very sketchy customer support so you might give that some thought before buying any tomtom..This will be my last!Update<July 17th 2013>As those of you that have been following this on-going diatribe should know I bought this to replace an older tomtom that was no longer supported with updates. After all the problems getting the trusty "Ol" 1605 to connect and updated I find that I was once again let down by this device and support from tomtom. The fact that it wanted me to go around in circles was funny at first.Since this was my first visit to Cali I tried to use this to go from Monterey, Ca. to Carmel Valley Ranch. Short drive actually..(really nice place!)FAIL!With the latest updates installed the trusty "Ol" 1605 wanted me to take a left at the next corner onto Ocean ave. Another left at the next corner. Another left at the next corner. Another left at the next corner..... Actually needed to go right onto Ocean ave. then straight, then left on Delores.This particular device is truly useless. (I can only hope it is just the unit I have and not all..) Couple that with the problems with updates and the wacky customer service I have had enough.Will now look into purchasing a Garmin.Would be nice if it's trouble free, easy to update, connect when I connect, guide me when I ask for guidance and just work as it is supposed to.If it doesn't well am I any worse off?Seriously, sometimes there are problems. Happens with anything you purchase. I get that..but to have so many problems?I'm going to back over this with my truck. Put it out of my misery. I know, deep, deep, deeeeep down that I will feel pretty good about it. Then I think I'll kick back with a cocktail and take a look at those Garmins..Hey! Have an awesome day!Update February 2014,wanted to load the latest maps for a trip this weekend....the software that was such a pain in the A$$ to find in the first place no longer supports this device. Absolute pos!DO NOT BUY THIS IT IS USELESS. Have purchased a different brand. TomTom is the worst, hands down the absolute worst that could ever be. Those that have had little or no problems.. I'm happy for you but me experience tells me TomTom is not for me. Just backed over it with my truck.. I feel so much better.. TomTom suck it!