TomTom app for iPhone and iPod touch
" Get the TomTom navigation app and enjoy smart and easy-to-use turn-by-turn navigation on your iPhone or iPod touch.”
What we thought:
Not new to the iPhone, but the latest software includes a number of new features that were on previous TomTom dedicated personal navigation devices. The two key features are Google Local Search and HD Traffic which we tried on GO 540 and Go 950. For just £60 you get an app that’s more than just a sat-nav on your iphone. It's easy to operate, has all features you’d expect - so what’s not to like?
TomTom is making great claims for the ‘Local search’ and it’s certainly a clever feature. It works by allowing you to search Google within the app and then have the searched address automatically set as a navigation point. Search near me, search in a city, search near home or search near a destination are all the criteria and although it was generally slow to get results, chances are that Google knew where I needed to get to which certainly got us out of a scrape or too.
Like the Google Search we’ve had the chance to experience HD Traffic on other TomTom units before, and have been impressed. This service which is available on subscription is basically designed to help you avoid traffic jams. Available in daily, weekly, monthly and yearly packages, it can be bought via the app which could be very useful if you’ve got to be somewhere and a traffic queue is holding you up!
Once you’re in HD traffic mode, the iPhone’s screen looks much like other TomTom devices with this useful feature. There’s a ruler on the right-hand side of the screen which shows possible trouble on your journey and gives you the option to avoid them. I’ve used it a lot and as far as I’m concerned it works well. So well, that I can’t imagine a sat-nav without this feature now.
Other useful features include music playback that will fade in and out when instructions are given, meaning you can actually hear what’s going on. There’s also a pinch to zoom feature that lets you zoom out to see the surrounding map, but it’s a bit fiddly and not that much help in use.
The best news for iPhone users who already have the TomTom app is that this latest version is a free update, so all you’ve got to do is decide whether you want to sign up to HD Traffic. However, if you’ve yet to add any form of sat-nav to your iPhone , then the latest version of the iPhone app has many of the cool features that are standard on TomTom’s high end personal navigation devices.
Reviewed by Martyn August 2010.
Tom Tom GO 950 LIVE
"The Tom Tom GO 950 LIVE allows for optimal driving performance and control through integration of multiple core navigation features ."
What we thought:
Is the TomTom GO 950 LIVE the Daddy of all Sat-navs? Well it certainly moves the game on with features such as the LIVE snapshot and Google search, but perhaps isn’t the major step change that the GO 540 was that we tried last year. For £300 you get a solid well-built unit that’s more than just a sat-nav. Its large touch screen is attractive, it's easy to operate and the 4.3" colour screen is clear.
TomTom is making great claims for the ‘optimised user interface’ and the cleverest feature has to be the LIVE snapshot screen. Basically, when you set a route it downloads live traffic information, tells you the cheapest petrol and the distance from the current location and finally speed camera location information. HD Traffic is also fitted and updates every three minutes and is currently the best technology currently available for avoiding jams.
The unit itself maybe too big for most pockets, but will easily fit suitcases and handbags and comes with a handy case - useful as it's sure to be attractive to thieves. Another practical feature of the GO 950 is the mapping for 45 European countries. We took it on a trip to Geneva and although it was initially slow to recognise it was in Europe and sometimes slow to re-route, we found the information given by the LIVE services and Google search added another dimension to our trip.
The GO 950 is fairly easy to navigate; and even programming involved routes didn't take long - but like the GO 540 we tried previously, we found the menu system overcomplicated. It’s too easy to get lost and forget where a feature is, you’ll spend more time than you’d imagined trawling the many menu pages or just end up re-loading the route. The back-lit screen was very bright and easy to read, it was also helpful that the screen adjusted to light conditions.
The maps and arrows are still finished in bright colours, making it easy to see where you are even when just glancing at the screen. Downsides? Well, access to the LIVE services is only free for one month. After that there’s a monthly £7.99 charge and whilst there’s no doubt these services are useful and effective, occasional users may find the subscription price hard to justify.
Reviewed by Martyn May 2010.
Motormouse
"Motormouse is a superbly crafted classic sports car with exquisite detail. It features a slim design for superior comfort and a high quality paint finish with chromed alloy wheels."
What we thought:
The Motormouse is the perfect gift for car fans and Porsche fanatics. Shaped like the classic Porsche 911, this Bluetooth mouse is surprisingly comfortable. The fiddly rear window lifts to reveal a section for the AAA batteries along with a tiny USB receiver, connecting this to the computer activates the mouse, without any need to pair the device, and unplugging this turns it off again.
Overall, the Motormouse is very simple to set up and easy to use. Another thing we liked was the attention to detail of the mouse and the quality of the packaging. Details such as the rubber tyres, alloy wheels and flashing lights are well picked out. If you’re looking for a present for a car fan the Motormouse is well worth a look.
Reviewed by Martyn December 2009.
Tom Tom GO 540 LIVE
"The Tom Tom GO 540 LIVE features plug & play functionality built in. This means all features and services work straight out of the box, without the need to activate or plug in additional cables."
What we thought:
Could this be the future of portable Sat-navs? The Tom Tom GO 540 certainly moves the game on with its LIVE technology. Designed to be more of a personal information device than just a sat-nav, its landscape design is attractive, the plastic finish feels high quality, it's easy to operate and the 4.3" colour screen is clear. The most important of LIVE features is perhaps confusingly calling HD Traffic. The unit gets traffic updates over its mobile connection as well as via an RDS-TMC receiver. HD Traffic updates every three minutes and includes many more roads. The extra information is derived (anonymously) from mobile phone signals as they move along roads, for a much greater sample. So the LIVE system can be much more proactive. All the maps are easily updateable too; just plug the unit into a computer.
The unit itself is easily portable, it might not fit easily into pockets but it comes with a handy case - useful as it's sure to be attractive to thieves. Another useful LIVE feature is Tom Tom Safety Alerts; these are real time reports on static and mobile safety camera locations. The unit itself is fairly easy to navigate; programming a simple didn't take long - but the biggest downside of the GO 540 LIVE is its overcomplicated menu system. It’s too easy to forget where a feature is and spend too long trawling through many menu pages. The back-lit screen was very bright and easy to read, it was also helpful that the screen adjusted to light conditions. The maps and arrows are also finished in bright colours, making it easy to determine where you are at just a glance of the screen.
When in navigation mode it gave you clear information regarding timing of the next instruction and it even prepares you motorway junctions and exits by showing a separate screen with easy visual instructions as to which lane you should be in. I thought this was a particularly helpful driving aid. Downsides? Well, you only get the LIVE services free for three months. After that there’s a monthly £7.99 charge, which means that to get most of the GO 540 LIVE's features you will be spending close to £100 a year.
Reviewed by Martyn October 2009.
Rally Giants: Mini Cooper
"Describes the birth, developement, and rallying career of the BMC Mini-Cooper/Mini Cooper in the 1960s, providing a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport."
What we thought:
Another book in the excellent series by motoring historian Graham Robson has 120-odd pages of well-written and researched text. This book is of the moment as it's the Mini's 50th Birthday year and many will be interested to learn of the Mini's illustrious rally winning past. There are over 100 pictures of which 81 are colour. There also a number of informative sidebar stories, giving more information around the subject matter that are interesting.
Reviewed by Martyn July 2009.
MINI: The definitive history
"The fruit of 20 years of research, this is the book on the Mini, produced to celebrate 50 years of the innovative small car and true British motoring icon. Acknowledged Mini expert Jon Pressnell has produced an authoritative, comprehensive and lavishly illustrated history, full of never-before-seen testimony from those involved with the car throughout its 41 years in production. A large format and lively design complete the package, making this the definitive history of the definitive small car."
What we thought:
As a Mini fan, I found there was much to learn from this book and pictures I'd not seen before. The design is fresh, and it seems excellent value for money considering there are 280 pages and 350 illustrations.
To sum up, of the books released to celebrate the 50th Birthday of the Mini this is most informative and best presented. A must buy for any Mini fan.
Reviewed by Martyn July 2009.
MINI: The true and secret history of the making of a Motor-Car
"In May 1959, the first Mini was produced on an assembly line at Cowley, near Oxford. It would take a team of supremely talented designers, draftsmen, engineers and production-line workers to build a car that was unique in appearance and construction. They would clash frequently over an uncomfortable and unsafe prototype, and the public had to be convinced to buy a car that let in two inches of water when it rained. But somehow the Mini became an icon."What we thought:
It's nice to learn something new about your favourite car, and I found Simon Garfield's new book which is told by those who made it a really interesting narrative.
To sum up, there's not much about the MINI itself, buy other MINI books for that. What you do get, is a fascinating idea of the development, politics and marketing that went into producing current and Classic Minis. A must for anyone with an interest in the Motor Industry.
Reviewed by Martyn June 2009.
Maximum Mini - The essential book of cars based on the original Mini
"This book focuses solely on the cars derived from the classic Mini. Small GTs, sports cars, roadsters and fun cars: Mini derivatives that changed the specialist motoring market completely in the early sixties, and new designs kept it busy for nearly four decades. From the well known Mini Marcos and Unipower GT that raced at Le Mans, to the very obscure but as exciting Coldwell GT or Sarcon Scarab, almost 60 cars are thoroughly researched, described and photographed in this book."What we thought:
Jeroen Booij's book is the first to focus solely on the cars derived from the classic Mini. Everything from small GTs to fun cars is covered in this fascinating book, all models are well-researched and written plus there are over 500 colour pictures.
To sum up, If you're a Classic Mini fan, you need to own this book. Order your copy now!
Reviewed by Martyn June 2009.
Mini -The Essential Buyer' Guide
"This compact and practical book offers a step-by-step guide to help any prospective buyer avoid expensive mistakes and end up with the best Mini possible for their money. Using over 100 clear colour photographs and easy to follow, jargon-free text, the car's notorious rot spots, common bodges and mechanical defects are examined in detail, along with auction advice, relative values and the realities of living with this 20th century icon. A few pounds spent on this book could save you thousands!"What we thought:
Has the Mini's 50th birthday made inspired you to own one of Issigonis's finest? Well, you are going to need this handy pocket-sized book. Part of the popular Veloce series, author Mark Paxton clearly knows plenty about the Classic Mini. The content is informative, yet easy to read and there's plenty of colour pictures. Overall, this book seems great value for money.
To sum up, i'd advise anyone seriously considering buying a Mini to get hold of a copy of this book first.
Reviewed by Martyn June 2009.
Ford Escort RS1800 - Rally Giant
"The Ford Escort MK2 was a worthy successor to the original Mk I and became Ford's most successful-ever rally car. This book provides a compact and authoritative history of where, how and why it became so important to the sport. Full details of all 'works' Escort Mk 2s to go rallying, with driver and personality profiles, and detailed car evolution."What we thought:
The next book in the series by Robson has 120-odd pages of well-written and researched text. There are also a large number of period colour and black and white pictures. There also a number of sidebar digressions around the subject matter that are informative.
To sum up, like the Audi Quattro book of the same series, if you're a fan of this car you really should buy this book. There's all the information you'll ever need on the Ford team, the cars and driver's that's easy to follow and is well written.
Reviewed by Martyn July 2008.
British Touring Car Racing in Camera
"The British Touring Car Championship is 50 this year. As a celebration, Haynes has released this book by prolific motoring historian Graham Robson. More than a superb collection of photographs, this book gives detailed analysis of the development of this 'tin-top' sport.What we thought:
Graham Robson has the right credentials to write this book, after all he watched his first race back in 1955! Latest in the 'in Camera' series, this book is meticulously researched and has the added attraction of interesting black and white and colour prints.
Sadly, it seems that Robson has relied too much on early PR shots. As such many of the images are closely cropped, meaning the finished images sometimes lack atmosphere. Personally, I'd have preferred more photos of the 70s, 80s and 90s. This is not to say that there are none from this era, but I do feel there's more information and images from latter years of the BTCC.
To sum up, if you're a BTCC fan this is a must-have. There's loads of information that's easy to digest, the images are evocative and of good quality. I just wish there was more of the old cars and less of the new.
Reviewed by Martyn June 2008.
Land Rover 60 years of Adventure
"The original Land Rover was unveiled in 1948 and 60 years on the utilitarian Defender is instantly recognisable as its descendant. This book tells the full story of all Land Rover models through a wealth of colour images, many previously unpublished, with spectacular photography of Land Rovers in action around the world, from Iceland to Australia and all points in between, including adventures and expeditions such as the Camel Trophy and G4 Challenge. There is also a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Land Rover's Solihull production line."What we thought:
Author Nick Dimbleby is a professional photographer who has undertaken considerable work for Land Rover over the past seven years, but as a Land Rover enthusiast has been photographing the vehicles for 20 years. As such, there are loads of colour images in this book, many of which I hadn't seen before.
Overall this book is a great insight into the Land Rover brand and the models they have produced over the last 60 years, but also the company under its various owners.
Reviewed by Martyn June 2008.
Automoblox toy cars
"Award-winning Automoblox combines classic car and truck toys with a groundbreaking mix-and-match wooden block construction system. Automoblox encourages early age inventive skills and inspires creative confidence in parents and children."What we thought:
Produced by Patrick Callelo, a renowned industrial designer, the model cars are a simple construction system that allows kids to design their own cars. The Automoblox play system, took five years to perfect, and the removable connectors mean that the wooden body parts and wheels can be exchanged using a shape and colour system unique to each of the six different models.
The quality of the German beachwood body is excellent, which is reflected in the £22.99 price. The interchangable parts are well made, the detailing excellent and the bright, modern colour schemes will appeal to the target buyer.
Each car has its own individual 17-digit VIN number, like the real thing and a minature "owner's manual" is included. There's also the opportunity to join an owners club, which should hold childrens interest.
Reviewed by Martyn May 2008.
MODNWLD T-Shirts
"Welcome to the launch of MODNWLD clothing - where cotton is the canvas and cars & kitsch are the creative ingredients. You are looking at the first collection of T-shirts available from MODNWLD, and we promise this array of garmentry will swell over the coming weeks. We've got new unseen designs scrawled all over the garage and toilet walls, so stay tuned to see MODNWLD."What we thought:
MODNWLD is the brainchild of Fifth Gear TV presenter Jonny Smith and his mate Mike, who've come together in their love of cars to produce threads for petrol heads. The result is a special collection paying homage to the art of steering from the rear - drifting.
The quality of the T-shirts is top notch, and all the designs are fashionable rather than nerdy. We particularly liked the special detailing, including the MODNWLD logo in the front right hand corner and each T-shirt gets a unique statement on the back of the neck.
Our favourites include the 'drift technique', 'car pervert' and the 'Drift Wars' designs. MODNWLD are new to the market, and are offering something genuinely different. Yet at £20 for all designs. If you're looking for some car-inspired clothing or for a quality present for a car-obsessive, these T-shirts are well worth a look.
Reviewed by Martyn May 2008.
New Mini Performance Manual
"Since its launch in 2001, the New Mini has been a spectacular sales success in all its major markets, carving out its own identity in a marketplace full of increasingly bland small hatchbacks. It is a car that still turns heads, and has inspired a burgeoning aftermarket tuning and accessory industry, leading to the availability of a wide range of both official and aftermarket tuning packages. Written in down-to-earth language, this extensively illustrated manual is a practical enthusiast's guide to realistic Mini tuning, providing advice on how to make the best of the options available."What we thought:
Author Tim Mundy is well-known and respected in Mini circles, and this book is well researched, with loads of relevant colour pictures of all new MINI models. New MINIs have been on sale since 2001, with many early cars out of warranty and have second or third owners. What the book does well is explain all the performance and styling options from mild to wild and make it easy to understand.
Unfortunately you do feel that Mundy did much of the research for this book before the John Cooper Works brand was bought by BMW/MINI, and I question the relevance of a whole chapter on fitting a Works kit to a Cooper S. And if you think you've seen some of the other pictures before, you'd be right as they were in Mundy's other book You & Your New MINI.
Overall, it's a useful book with loads of information which could help make your new MINI faster. If you own or are considering buying a MINI, I think its well worth a look.
Reviewed by Martyn March 2008.
the little book of smart by Paul Jackson
"In the little book of smart, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, and on to today - with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It's a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout."What we thought:
Well researched, with plenty of colour pictures of various Smart models. There's nothing little about the amount of information that Smart Fan, Paul Jackson has squeezed into this book. Unlike other books on the Smart brand, this focuses on both the successes and failures of the brand and there's also a section on the new Smart fortwo which was only launched in the UK last year.
Disappointments are few, but I do wonder whether Jackson has relied too heavily on the Smart UK press office? At least 90% of the pictures I had seen before and some of the text reads like it has been lifted straight from a release. And if you think you've seen some of the other pictures by Paul Guinness before, you'd be right as they were in his book The Smart Story.
Overall, it's a little book with big amount information. If you own or are considering buying a Smart, I think its well worth a look, especially at the £7.99 price.
Reviewed by Martyn February 2008
Autoglym Aqua Wax
"Aqua Wax is specially formulated to impart a brilliant smear-free finish on ALL exterior surfaces, even when the vehicle is wet. The immediate benefit is that there is no need to dry the car between washing and polishing. Aqua Wax is suitable for all paint types including metallics, as well as rubber, plastic and glass."What we thought:
After the perfect shine but don't have the time for it to dry completely before applying the polish? Then Autoglym's new Aqua Wax is just what you need. I must admit I was sceptical before I tried this product; spraying liquid car wax onto a wet car has to be a recipe for disaster. But, after washing the test car with a good quality shampoo and lightly drying with a chamois I liberally spayed on the Aqua Wax I and can report excellent results. Using the micro fibre cloth supplied, I simply buffed the paintwork to a high-quality shine. The test car looked excellent and the results were achieved in half the time it normally takes. Downsides? Well, it's not a cheap product (expect to pay around £12) and I didn't achieve a totally smear-free finish but overall I was very impressed - it even smells nice too.
Reviewed by Martyn January 2008
Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner
"Safely dissolves brake dust from chrome, polished aluminium and anodised wheels. A special blend of biodegradable surfactants, solvents, and alkalis provides a balanced acid-free formulation which rapidly dissolves brake dust, corrosion and traffic film from the most intricate and elaborate wheel designs."What we thought:
Another new product from Autoglym is the Custom Wheel Cleaner. Some alloy wheel finishes can be damaged by using acid-based alloy wheel cleaner, but this product is acid-free so the lacquer shouldn't be damaged. To use effectively, I sprayed the foam directly on to each wheel and left it for a minute. Then using an alloy wheel brush, I agitated the ground-in brake dust. The wheels we were cleaning to test this product hadn't been cleaned for some time and unfortunately I was unable to remove all the black brake deposits off the lacquer. However, overall I'd recommend this product as the finish is as good as other similar products on the market and the price is similar to harsher rivals.
Reviewed by Martyn January 2008
Autoglym Aqua-Dry Synthetic leather
"Autoglym Aqua-Dry is a synthetic leather with a unique structure which actually outperforms natural chamois leathers. It is super absorbent, easier to wring out, faster to use, longer lasting and less expensive. Regularly washing your vehicle with Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner, followed by a quick wipe with an Aqua-Dry, preserves the smooth glossy finish imparted by Autoglym Super Resin Polish.It also gives you the bonus of sparkling windows."
What we thought:
Until I tried an Aqua-Dry Synthetic leather I thought real leather chamois was "King". How wrong I was! Not only does the Aqua-Dry chamois provide a streak-free finish to washed paintwork, but because it's a synthetic product, it doesn't rot like the real thing. The Autoglym Aqua-Dry Synthetic leather certainly makes drying a wet car less of chore, provides better results and is longer lasting. I'm a convert!
Reviewed by Martyn January 2008
HP iPAQ RX5935
HP claim that with the iPAQ RX5935 "you can travel with style and get more done on the move..."The HP iPAQ RX5935 is designed with pocket PC fans and driver's in mind. Basically a pocket PC with a built-in GPS receiver, its landscape design is attractive, the polished silver finish feels high quality, it's easy to operate and the 3.5" colour screen is clear. Boasting the best GPS navigation software available, the iPAQ RX5935 is pre-installed with TomTom Navigator 6 maps, software and an Integrated SiRFstarIII GPS receiver. Particularly useful is the integrated SiRF Star III module, which is fast, accurate and establishes your position in a short while. All the maps are easily updateable too; just plug the unit into a computer.
What we thought:
The iPAQ RX5935 looks great.
