It might not be the first turn-by-turn satnav effort to land on Apple’s blower, but the TomTom iPhone app is without doubt the most talked about. The Dutch mappers’ effort had some teething problems at launch, but now it’s up and running just dandy, the question is, is it really worth the price? Read our TomTom iPhone app review now and we’ll tell all.
Let’s tackle the biggest issue with the TomTom iPhone app head on: the price. At £60, you’re going to have to really love TomTom to stump up for it, but it’s the hidden costs that really infuriate.
See, to use the TomTom iPhone app properly, you’re going to need to buy the dedicated TomTom iPhone Car Kit. Essentially a mount, it costs £100. Consider the fact that the newly minted basic TomTom Start costs just £120 and you seriously wonder whether it’s worth loading up your iPhone with this, especially if you’re rocking an 8GB version. You need some space for tunes and fart apps after all.
Read our TomTom Start review now
None of this is to say the the TomTom iPhone app is bad per se. Its mapping is right out of the top draw, confirming Holland’s finest as the very best in the PND business. Likewise, the graphics are great and easy to follow. There are no gimmicks here, just simple routes to get you from A to B. Best of all, if you take the wrong turn at a junction, it’ll reroute faster than Jenson Button roaring down the home straight. It’s impressive and really marks it out from the crowd.
However, you really will need the TomTom iPhone Car Kit to make the most of this. The battery on our iPhone was dead after just 90 minutes without using it. The mount keeps your phone charging, essential for long journeys. Plus you’ll be reliant on passengers to hold it if you don’t buy the add-on.
We’d love to recommend the TomTom iPhone app. It’s great to use. But the real issue here lies with cost. At £160 all in, it’s just far too expensive. We suggest you get a dedicated device, or give the free Google Maps Navigation software a whirl.
