Canon XL2

Advantages: Easy to use for beginner, built in 16:9 field of view
Disadvantages: Heavy in prolonged use (3.545Kg), quite short battery life

...Canon suggests that the XL2 provides "unprecedented flexibility" for the digital camcorder user. So, how good is the XL2? Straight out of the box the camera seems impressive. The build quality is good and each camera component feels strong and well built. The supplied user manual leads you through the step-by-step assembly of the camera although some of the stages are not explained very clearly. However, the connection of each of the camera's components to the main body is very logical and could be undertaken without using the manual. Once assembled the camera does feel quite heavy with the centre of gravity leaning slightly towards the front of the camera. Initially this is not a problem but with prolonged hand-held use the camera can start to feel a little too heavy. The camera provides 3 1/3" progressive CCD sensors...

kollerto 20.04.2005 · Read review
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Review of Canon XL2 camcorder - Mini DV

TomTom really have the market sussed

Advantages: Great customisation features, big clear screen, easy to use
Disadvantages: Battery life, no wall charger included

...believe you can attach headphones to it so not to attract attention to yourself with the spoken instructions! This versions of the TomTom includes the latest maps of the UK & Ireland. You can get some TomTom's which have maps of Europe in them, but as I'm not planning on road trip around Europe anytime soon I went for the UK & Ireland version. Another big factor on choosing this one was the fact that the Europe edition was £80 more expensive at the time & after checking just now I noticed they haven't changed in price as I presumed they would have done either. The TomTom Go 520 has a 4.3" touch screen, this is bigger than a lot of the competition brands of sat nav & one more reason I went for the TomTom. The touch screen is very easy to use & extremely responsive. You don't need one of those special pens like I've seen with other sat...

Great_reviewer07 17.01.2009 · Read review
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Review of TomTom GO 520

TomTom To the Rescue

Advantages: Easy to use, better than an A-Z
Disadvantages: Bit expensive, battery is not great

..., the TomTom also informs you if you are approaching a speed camera. This is normally clearly shown on the TomTom by a camera picture on the top left hand corner of the screen which also shows what the actual limit is followed by a sound. This is very handy at times when you may be going faster than you should. These cameras can also be updated but for this the TomTom must be connected to a mobile phone. The 520 also has a "Jukebox" feature on it. This means that the 520 can also become a music player. This is done by connecting the computer up to a PC at home and then transferring files onto it by simply dragging and dropping files onto the TomTom. There isn't much free memory on the TomTom itself but you can by a memory card which will increase the memory to up to 2GB which is a fair whack. The way it plays in the car is that it broadcasts...

mynameisrui 28.07.2008 (29.07.2008) · Read review
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Review of TomTom GO 520

Bonn - Dudley - TomTom - Ole' . . .

Advantages: Simple
Disadvantages: Has to be bought.

...The map of Western Europe comes as a DVD which you download to your Tomtom, this is done using the free programme called Tomtom home. You then are able to use your Tomtom one, Tomtom Rider, or any of the Tomtom Go series in Europe. The map in this review is version 6.5, this is the latest version out, and is pretty much up to date. Contents - In the box you will find, the latest version 6.5 software on DVD, containing very detailed instructions, voice prompt files and Tomtom home, also in the box are the warranty leaflet, (the warranty is for one year) a simple installation poster, and the product code card (you will need to go online to activate this, see www.ttcode.com) Type of format - as stated the DVD is put into your PC, which in turn is downloaded to the Tomtom.There are some nice & easy to see graphics...

smudgeybabes 17.09.2007 (13.11.2008) · Read review
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Review of TomTom Map of Western Europe Maps

TOMTOM one great while it worked

Advantages: quick and easy to set up ,fast GPS pick up
Disadvantages: breaks way too easily

...On buying my Tomtom one i was very excited and also a little disapointed with the size of the box, i purchased a TomTom one v4 europe with traffic updates. The set up was very simple no CD to mess about with and put in my "Man Draw" never to be seen again all the software for your pc is on the unit itself just plug the usb lead in and away you go. The new easy mount part is truly rubbish you click the unit into it and unless you get this right it will pop out, now bearing in ming you will be doing this on a windscreen of a car and if you have a car like mine a Ford Galaxy the windscreen is a mile away and proved fiddley to mount correctly also the USB leas from the charger just doesnt want to go in the hole so you have to take it off again and plug it in then try and snap the unit back into its mount fine on a nice cool day but not...

pete01x 03.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of TomTom ONE Europe

TomTom GO 520

Advantages: Easy to use, large screen
Disadvantages: Traffic alerts, recognition of speed limits

...The TomTom Go 520 has a good size screen and is very easy to use. Its packed with features and my favourite is the bluetooth connection to your mobile, even allowing the extraction of numbers contained within your phone book (its handy to note you can duplicate your phone book onto the TomTom, meaning a back up of your phone contacts). When making a call the sound quality is pretty good. The navigation is easy to use and I have had no problem with GPS signal (unlike my previous sat nav). It identifies safety cameras and also alerts you if you are breaking the speed limit, however this feature is also the only drawback I have found. Occasionally it will get the speed limit you are in wrong (the other day I was on a dual carriage and it instead the speed limit was 30m.p.h.). It comes with an RDS reciever for traffic alerts, although...

line0 04.12.2007 · Read review
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Review of TomTom GO 520

Tomtom - just in case! . . .

Advantages: Protects.
Disadvantages: None.

...of this idea however, is the fact that it would be a visual target for muggers, I suppose you can't win them all. The RRP is a whopping £19.99, although it is good quality, I suspect it is not actually worth this, and you can buy cheaper on the t'internet. . You have several other cheaper alternatives, you could go for a non brand name, or you could support your local charity shop and buy an old camera case - I am perfectly serious, you would have more choice of styles and colours, and you girls could co-ordinate your outfit with a choice of "designer" named camera cases. OR you could buy one from Tomtom, using vouchers. These are given away free with Tomtoms, and can be used to purchase any accessory, including cases. You will find that most vouchers are thrown away, or appear on ebay for 99p, most not even getting a single bid, so...

smudgeybabes 26.05.2008 (27.02.2009) · Read review
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Review of TomTom Carry case ONE Case GPS

TomTom 910 The Market Leader

Advantages: New Features. MP3 Player,Audio Books,Traffic Alert system and more
Disadvantages: None

...going around the world, this should take about 2 hours. As I mentioned earlier charging is done via the home dock. The new series has the new SiRF Star III-chipset, what does this do, well you notice the difference if the signal strength drops as it normally does when indoors, you will find that it still manages to get a GPS fix. On initial start up, you will be greeted with the start up screen, followed by selecting the language, if you are outside it should take just under a minute for it to find out where it is, provided you have selected the correct map. Other options are selecting the type of keyboard, inputting your home address, this makes sure you can always find your way home. Also what type of voice, more on that later. So What's new, Quite a bit really, and certainly enough to keep TomTom ahead of the game. Music...

holdfast 05.06.2006 (07.08.2007) · Read review
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Review of TomTom GO 910

TomTom Western Europe, let Jane take the strain.

Advantages: Stress free travelling, comprehensive, clear instructions, cheap
Disadvantages: Some very minor glitches in confusing bends with turns

...I recently reviewed the TomTom one, which we bought with the Western Europe maps, and I have been waiting to put Jane (our name, after the voice) through her paces in rural France. As with all TomTom maps, easy to see, easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to update. Absolutely fantastic, I have no idea how we ever coped without her/it. From getting off the ferry, the map/navigation was spot on, good clear instructions, in plenty of time, and the first time I have ever got through Paris without a hitch. To give you an idea of how good, we bought a local map of where we were going on the Limousin/Perigord borders, that did not have the town we were staying in (I call it a town loosely) as it was so small, no problem for TomTom, straight there, which was welcome after 7 hours of driving. We spent two weeks in the area...

paulhanton 19.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of TomTom Map of Western Europe Maps

V1 (Tomtom, not Doodlebug) LATEST! . .

Advantages: No setting up, plug & play.
Disadvantages: None.

...review ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- As a regular user of the TomTom, I do recommend these. I do realise there are a large number of reports on them, but here are my opinions on the version one, I will let someone else write about the version 2. I would like to say to anyone considering buying one of these, you can still buy the version one (old stock) if you can find one, this model can now be bought for less than £150 - an absolute bargain. the main difference is the size, the newer one being slimmer and therefore lighter. The next difference is the software, although all you do is download the latest version maps & upload onto your Tomtom, all this is free. The TomTom is an absolute doddle to set up and operate, and much has been written on the subject. My view is that...

smudgeybabes 13.01.2007 (25.03.2007) · Read review
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Review of TomTom ONE Great Britain