Sleek new TomTom Via GPS navigators now in stores

TomTom has announced that the new mid-range Via navigators shown at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January are now available in stores. The Via series has a sleek, thin look reminiscent of an Apple iPhone, as well as more recent models from Garmin and the flagship TomTom Go 2405TM and Go 2505TM. (See our GPS buying advice and ratings.)

The Via 1405 and 1435 have a 4.3-inch screen, and the 1505 and 1535 showcase a five-inch screen. All include spoken street names, TomTom's IQ Routes feature that uses historical traffic data when calculating the best way from point A to point B, and lane guidance to help motorists choose the proper lane for upcoming junctions on highways.

TomTom's folding EasyPort mount has been improved for this new generation of models. It is now permanently attached to the unit, addressing one of the concerns our testers had with previous models so equipped. While convenient, we have found earlier units with EasyPort had a tendency to pop out of it when a user tried to adjust its position.

Other than screen size, the only cosmetic difference between the models is the color. The Via 1405 and 1505 have a black finish, while the higher-end 1435 and 1535 have a brushed aluminum look.

The model variants offer different internal memory and expansion opportunities, with some providing an SD slot. Further, buyers can choose models with Bluetooth, lifetime traffic and map updates, and what TomTom says is upgraded and more-intuitive voice recognition that allows users to enter an address by speaking it in normal language, rather than separately asking for a state, city, number, and street. The hands-free calling and voice recognition is standard on models whose number ends with "35."

Prices start at $169 for the Via 1405. Traffic reporting adds $10 to any of the Via models, lifetime map updates another $20, or the two can be bundled for $30.

We'll begin testing as soon as we can get units into our labs.

—Jim Travers