TomTom EASE 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Red)

Reviews

1. Extremely convenient

   by Peachbulb

   What I love about this GPS: It is so small and convenient! Many GPS’s are small, but when you add the car mount, they’re no longer so convenient. The TomTom Ease has a suction built right into the back, so everything can fit into a small purse. No more fumbling for the car mount, spending time to disconnect it and store the car mount away. With the TomTom Ease, you just unattach it from the window and pop it into your purse.

   I was amazed at how well the suction cup really sticks. It’s supposed to swivel, but the mechanism for that is stubborn, so I wasn’t able to swivel while driving. The suction cup folds down, so the entire GPS, including mounting, is smaller than my wallet–and my wallet isn’t big.

   There are, however, some drawbacks. First, the menus are difficult to navigate, and even changing the volume requires you to go through a few menu steps, not good when you’re driving.

   In fact, I recommend turning off the volume entirely. Several times, the voice didn’t match the directions. The voice would say “bear right” when it actually meant “go straight”. These were two-lane road that stayed two lanes, no lane-splitting, ramps, etc. When the volume was off, I had no trouble navigating, but when it was on, it was confusing.

   Full disclosure: I received a test model to review but was not compensated in any way for the review. It’s possible that the voice problem has been corrected since the test model.

2. Works Great

   by Branden

   I travel for both business and personal reasons frequently, so I store this in my glove compartment. It has never failed me yet, allowing me to save office locations, track where I am, find nearby restaurants and gas stations, and save the location of where I currently am in case I need to return there later (such as for car rental).

   The TomTom EASE is small, light, looks cool, and easily attaches to wherever I need it. They make fancier versions, but this one is the right price for me, with all the features I wanted.

3. tom tom ease

   by K. Smith

   I’m not technologically gifted. This was easy to set up and use. I like the lane notice when turning (i.e. turn right then stay left…). It’s been quite accurate and we’ve been off the beaten path.

4. Great product, great support

   by Cindave

   This little unit does exactly what it’s supposed to do. The display, while smallish by today’s standards, is bright and well defined. Really, bigger would just be a distraction. The voice commands are plenty loud enough and quite distinct. The directions have been spot on in my admittedly limited usage so far. The satellite acquisition has been fast enough so as not to be a distraction. Also, I like that the unit doesn’t fluster easily. I decided to program my destination but ignore the directions and use the back roads I knew about. The Ease handled it all, constantly updating it’s directions until we eventually agreed

   It looks as though the customer service glitches have been worked out as I did have a problem trying to update my map, losing it entirely in the process. It did take several attempts to restore, but the customer service reps were friendly and quite helpful each time. Be aware, there is still no menu choice for the Ease, just keep pressing buttons until you get a human. That’s what I usually do anyways

5. No User Guide Available

   by Janet Nicolai

   Although it appears to work fine, there is no user guide available for this model. I contacted TomTom directly and they confirmed that there is nothing available to advise users how the thing works. Very disappointing.

6. Love It!

   by Apple Pie

   This is my first experience with a GPS unit – neither my, nor my husband’s, cars have GPS installed, and we never really cared. But I was excited to get this GPS unit and see what the fuss is all about! I installed the software on my computer, updated the unit, charged it up and entered in some addresses.

   We went on vacation the other day and we used this unit to get to our resort 500 miles away from home. It gave clear and concise directions, the voice on the unit was not annoying, and we actually decided to take a different exit, and the unit recalculated our route.

   For the price, it seems like a great GPS. I really enjoyed having it for our trip and look forward to using it again on another upcoming trip. The suction to our front window worked perfectly – no slipping, falling, and no residue. 5 stars for this GPS!

7. My first GPS, good except you can’t plan ahead

   by Tara G.

   This is my first GPS, and I thought I would go with a small/compact, lower end model. Once I got over my shock that I can’t see ahead of time where the GPS wants to take me, I’ve been happy with my purchase.

   **What I like**:

   1) Small and compact, and I expect I’ll keep it in my purse with me
   
   2) Just a quick glance at the map and I can tell how long until I need to turn, and what direction
   
   3) Clear and concise directions, “turn left, followed by a right turn in one-quarter mile”
   
   4) The look, I like the red with white color
   
   5) The built in mounting device which easily attaches to and detaches from the windshield
   
   6) Map share feature – users being able to submit corrections to TomTom and the option of being able to edit my own map
   
   7) POI’s – I like being able to see restaurants and other point of interest locations nearby
   
   Picks up satellite signal pretty quickly if my spouse isn’t already driving when I turn it on
   
   9) Clear voice and a good volume level, even my 2 year old can hear and understand the turn right and turn left commands from the backseat. “Mommy, she said turn left.”

   **My Complaints**:

   1) I can’t see the route that it has planned for me. I can see at tiny map with my start and end point, and a line between, but I can’t tell if that has me going on the freeway, what exit it wants me to take, etc. Ideally I would like to see turn by turn directions in text, but since that isn’t shown, I expected to be able to zoom in on the map with route information and pan the map to see where it has me going. I just don’t like following directions blindly! I’m a plan ahead kind of person, and this seems like a BASIC feature. It sounds like seeing the text directions was removed on the EASE, which is bad bad design!

   2) If I could see where the EASE wanted to take me, I would probably want the option to change the route. There is a “Calculate alternative” button, but that’s just a blind change too. I can’t see the route, so I can’t tell if it just avoided freeways, or really what changed about it, all I can tell is the time it says it will take me to get there. I thought, oh, I can probably use the “Avoid roadblock”, but that just gives me an option to mark a roadblock at certain intervals ahead of me, not choose where the roadblock actual is. What if I know they are doing construction on a certain road and want to avoid it much sooner than when I’m 3 miles ahead of it. That’s great for if I’m driving and see something I want to avoid, but again, doesn’t let me plan ahead at all.

   3) Addresses can’t have dashes in the street numbers. Are you serious!?! I searched the web on this one because I couldn’t believe it. It’s a TomTom issue, not an EASE issue, and I confirmed that it is an issue by contacting customer support, response: “TomTom systems do not have the capability to accept address that contain a dash or a dot”. In my hometown – Hawaii, certain cities have dashes in all the addresses! So I try putting in the number without the dash, and it can’t find it. I have no choice but to map the address on my computer, and find the closest cross street and enter that. Or optionally I can enter the street number before the dash, which puts the destination somewhere on that street.

   4) I can’t see how much battery life I have, or signal strength unless I go to the route overview screen

   5) The car charger is a tight fit in my car

8. it is OK

   by yg

   This does work right out of the box but it doesn’t have some features that I feel are basic. You can’t choose whether to take expressway or local roads. It doesn’t have the abiliity to view your route as text so you can see your route. It is simple to use but sometimes you don’t want to take the expressway since it is crowded that time of day. It should have a way of either seeing what route is going to take you on or to at least choose whether to take an expressway or not. I reccommend the ONE 130s instead.

9. Luv my TomTom Ease

   by Elizabeth Cruz

   I’ve been a TomTom customer for 5 years and I won’t buy any other GPS on the market. I trust TomTom. And I luv the RED!!!
   
   The only thing is… this product just came out recently and as far as I know, there aren’t any updates for it yet. The GPS is easy to work and the suction cup is built right in. Great price too! Would recommend.
   
   Liz

10. Great Nav

    by Ms_Ladi

    Not much to say about navigation systems. I like the small petite size–fits in my glove box and works when I need it to.

11. Good GPS, but Poor Customer Support

    by Weatherman

    This is my third TomTom GPS. The previous two are TomTom Go’s (you can see the reviews here at Amazon). Among all them it is the easiest to use. If you are like me and like the “gizzmo” stuff then this one is NOT for you. However this GPS is one for someone who wants the basic to and from.

    Just the bare bone buttons and sound. That’s what you get here.

    First off if you have other GPS through TOMTOM you need to make an individual account for each. That is where you put in your email, you’ll have to use a different email address for each tomtom and password. No problem though as there are many free email providers out there.

    Right out of the box my GPS worked. It does not come with an AC charger (home wall type) so you’ll either have to get that or just charge it in your automobile. Or you can charge it with the USB cable via your computer.

    Keep in mind you have 30 days from the date you turn the GPS on to get a free map update of the USA. That is roads and all that may of changed since TomTom loaded your GPS at the shop. And TomTom will know when it’s turned on as there is an internal clock. Which leads me to customer support for TomTom.

    Customer support is not the greatest. However most of the problems can be avoided. But I’ve had customer support hangup on me, not put me through to supervisors asking “why, you’ll only get told the same” plus some of them are not very polite. But luckily I’ve only needed them a few times.

    But as I said most problems can be avoided (this I learned through customer support).
    
    1) ALWAYS click on “disconnect GPS” before removing it from the plug or cradle.

    That seems to of been a major issue.

    And with all TomTom GPS, you have to manually adjust the time (if you go move the clocks in the fall/spring).

    As I said, this GPS is great for someone who wants EASE, or just the bare bones of a GPS. I’ve found it to be accurate.

12. Bad service – never received product – cancelled order

    by Merrill W. Shullaw

    This item was given a ship date of Feb 11, but that was the last I heard of it.
    
    I waited a long time for an order that never came.
    
    I didn’t know how to determine the exact seller so
    
    I could not give them feedback.
    
    Eventually, |I cancelled the order

13. Great

    by 3DSailor

    I bought this item for my girlfriend. It is easy to use and is extremely acurate> She loves it…

14. REVIEW OF TOM TOM EASE 3.5 inch GPS Navigator

    by John M. Innis Jr.

    THIS GPS IS VERY EASY TO SET UP AND USE. THE ATTACHED MOUNTING BRACKET MAKES IT EASY TO ATTACH TO YOUR DASH OR WINDSHIELD.

15. Not worth the cost savings

    by PS

    I had a Garmin Nuvi that was run over by my car So decided to get the cool TomTom (with features like POI correction, celebrity voices etc.). Used it for 50 days, and ended up returning it. Here is why:
    
    1. It doesnt show step-by-step text directions, which is VITAL for my needs. Nuvi did this with one click. Before I head out, I like to know at a high level which freeway/major roads am I going to take. There is no way to do this in Tomtom Ease (Interestingly enough, my brother has an old TomTom which can do this, but it takes 2-3 clicks. Why would they get rid of that functionality??)
    
    2. It has a confusing user interface. I dont think it is as intutive as Nuvi. That’s a subjective call, I understand, but still bothersome.
    
    3. Even though it has standard micro-usb charging port, it doesnt work with standard micro-usb chargers. Why the heck would that be? Now I have to have two chargers for my two cars that are in addition to the two chargers for my blackberry. Why would you go for a standard if it doesnt work in a consistent way?
    
    4. Battery life is not that great.
    
    5. Found the whole user interface bit cluttered and not easy to interpret in a glance (while driving). That is subjective, again- but my experience with Nuvi was much better.

16. Worst customer support EVER

    by D. DeCoster

    Can’t get anyone on the phone, they will not give out an email adress (all outgoing emails have “no-reply” on them). When you use their “automated” complaint center, the morons on the other end sit on a response for a week, ignore what you wrote, then assume “this is resolved”. I will NEVER buy another TomTom product again!!

17. EASE is EASY!

    by E. Ashton Poole

    First time purchase of a portable GPS. Really like it and easy to use. User interface straightforward. Verbal instructions clear and latest database is very complete. Only frustration I have with it is that when unplugged / on battery the battery remaining indicator does not show on the screen, thus you don’t know how much time you have left. Overall, terrific price / value equation!

18. EASE-y

    by Michael P. Daugherty

    Tom Tom’s EASE is the PERFECT gift for your newly gone-to-college child. Mine LOVED it and was thrilled with the ease of use, its “cool red” look, and its portability and ease of attachment. When a 19 year old girl who isn’t particular technical, but has trouble getting LOST, says its GREAT, what other review do you really need?

19. Easy, yes, but too few features

    by Laurie Carpenter

    Yes, yes, it’s called the EASE, and it is easy, but I agree with a previous reviewer who stated that they simplified it TOO much – removed too many features. I haven’t had any problems with maps or satellites as others have, but I wouldn’t buy this again. I would spend a little more money to get something with a few more options.

20. a LOT of bang for your buck!

    by Richard C. Drew

    I have a couple of different GPS units – an off-road/hiking model, and a higher-end Garmin for my auto – cost more than twice what this Tom Tom sells for. My expectations for the Ease were not that high – I figured it would be a basic, no-frills unit. In part, it is. It does not have BlueTooth (My Garmin does, but I have never used it) and has a smaller screen and no SD card support. The smaller real-estate means that the informational displays need to be smaller, and less of the surrounding area displays. I expected this to be a headache, but it really was not.

    I opened the box in my car, popped out the GPS, suctioned it to the windshield (using a unique twist lock, not the typical lever type), and turned it on. After entering some basic information (home, time, etc.) it was ready to go. It locked on to the satellites really fast – far quicker than my Garmin. I drove around for an hour, hitting my usual stops. The maps are incredibly accurate – the unit defaults to 3D, but switching between 3D and 2D is one touch away. I kept it in 3D.

    One point I really, REALLY liked was the accurate street names. For example, I live near 95th Street. Everyone calls it 95th St. My Garmin calls it “Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway” – nobody I know calls it that – or even knew it was named that. The Tom Tom calls it 95th St. The Tom Tom also displays the correct street names – AND – the alternate numbers, with the appropriate symbol. So 95th Street displays all three “official” names/numbers. Imagine how much LESS confusing this is driving in an area you are not familiar with. I can’t count the times I’ve been on a highway and wondered “is this 90/94/41/53″ because the display on my Garmin shows one thing, and the signs another. Why? The highway has two designations (sometimes three or four!), and what the GPS shows may not match what the road-side signs display.

    I’m taking the Tom Tom with me to Wisconsin this weekend to see how it compares side by side (literally) with my Garmin.

    In the box: the GPS, manual, car charger and USB cable. Thanks for the right angle connectors – Keeps the unit’s profile / clutter down. Also has a dash board pad – adhesive one side, smooth plastic on the other. This way the GPS can be suctioned to the dash.

    After the initial use (did I mention it was fully charged in the box?) I hooked it up to my computer (Windows 7.) The software installed automatically from the GPS. After installation, it went to the Tom Tom website and checked for updates (the basemap was current) and offered additional installs/downloads. Mostly FREE installs. A “safety Camera” database (like I said – FREE!), new voice (Dave), and map share application. Map Share is a user updated database – if users find mistakes in the maps, they can submit them to Tom Tom – these corrections can then be used in your device (you can turn this feature on or off) – but I think it’s a really cool feature.

    You can also purchase optional featured downloads from this screen – When I visited it was a Homer Simpson voice pack and fuel price addon. After installing stuff from the web, you’ll see the Tom Tom home screen for your device. Here you can download more maps (for a price). One thing I did not like was that there was a newer map available – but I had to purchase it. With my Garmin the first update was free. But overall the Tom Tom updates are less expensive. $50 for a year with Tom Tom vs $90 with Garmin.

    You can also download other voices from the home screen – there are two categories: Computer and Recorded. Recorded include Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Dr. Felix (A German shrink), John Cleese, Mr. T., Snoop Dog, and others supplied by Tom Tom users. Some are free, many are not. All the computer voices are free.

    Also available for download are POI sets (points of interest) – Most are free and look like they are supplied by outside parties. For example, 7-11 locations, AAA offices, Ace Hardware locations. Mostly useless stuff.

    What else can one download? Color schemes (all free), car symbols, plus start up and shut down images (you can customize the image displayed when the unit turns on and off.)

    There are also help sections, including creating your own content: voices, symbols, images, POI’s and more. A huge cool factor! Try doing that with a Garmin.

    I read the other reviews on the Ease and can honestly say I had none of the issues others complain about. Online registration was seamless and error free. There were automatic updates / add-ins downloaded with the click on one button. Voices – I found them all to be easy to understand, the spoken more-so than than the computer.

    For the price, this is one great GPS.