TomTom Via 620 - TomTom At Large
GPS systems have always been known to be
slick, compact and portable. That changed with TomTom’s Via 620 - by far the
largest GPS system ever released. How big is it? Well, at 6 inches, it is
definitely bigger than most GPS units out there. But is the Via 620 ready to
outdo its competition? Read on to find out how well this GPS fares.
TomTom
At Large
1. Flexible mount
The overall chassis design is very
well-built as there are no creaks and everything about it just looks sturdy.
Brushed metal is used as the GPS’ bezel, something different from the plastic
chassis the Via 620 is using. What makes this GPS stands out is the built-in
windshield mount. It is tucked nicely behind without taking a lot of space and
comes equipped with a strong suction cup to ensure the Via 620 doesn’t dislodge
while being used in the car.
2. Easy customization
The review unit we got is the South East
Asia version that comes preloaded with maps from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
Brunei, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Macau. If there the need to load other maps in
the GPS, there is a microSD card slot for extra maps. Additionally, it has the
ability to change car symbol and set a few shortcuts on the left side of the
map.
3. Largest display yet
Behold the key point of this device: with a
6 inches display to view the map, it is hard to ignore the Via 620. According
to TomTom, the GPS also has an 800 x 480 resolution display. On the large
display, the text looks sharper and visuals are larger, making it easier to see
the finer details of the maps. The display is very bright and with its matte
screen, using the Via 620 under direct sunlight is not a problem at all.
Despite it being larger than most GPS, it doesn’t block the driver’s view. It
is just there to let the driver know that he doesn’t need to turn away to look
for the GPS.
4. Easy navigation
Thankfully, the performance for the Via 620
is great. It can even detect a lot of the random back roads that are keyed into
it. The GPS manages to find satellites instantly while road calculations are
fast too if a wrong turn is made. However, when keying in a location, the
driver has to be very specific with the location because the GPS request the
exact address.
TomTom Via 620
·
Price: RM799
·
Dimensions (L X W X H): 165 x 105 x 24 mm
·
Weight: 236 g
·
Display: 6-inch
resistive touchscreen, 800 x 480 pixels
·
Memory: Internal
and MicroSD card BATTERY Up to 2 hours autonomous operation
V: 9/10
F: 8/10
P: 8/10
D: 9/10
U: 8/10
Verdict:
Being a big GPS, the Via 620 has a lot to offer.
Total Score:
8.4/10
TDK TH-EC200 - The Familiar Acronym
It’s not often that we get premium quality
earphones to play around with. It’s less often that they come with instructions
in Japanese. TDK has a reputation of providing quality audio, which they
honestly do deserve.
TDK
TH-EC200
1. Bring The Bling
You can tell that these are a pair of
premium quality earphones by the fact that they come with a gold plated jack,
for that extra bit of connectivity. It’s very common I know but even minor
tweaks like that help. The earbuds are of similar high quality plastic and
somehow feel expensive in your hands. They're very comfortable too, which is a
good thing because TDK didn't pack the usual extra sets of varying sizes for
the silicon sleeves. Another nice inclusion was a spool to wind your cable
around so as to avoid it getting tangled. Overall, you won't be disappointed
with the build and form of the chassis.
2. Adequate Performer
In terms of sound quality, the EC200 is
more or less about what you expect from an expensive pair of earphones. Sounds
are crisp and clear with no interference. Since they're in-ear designs you
don't have to worry so much about noise isolation, if people can hear the music
you’re playing through the earbuds, then it is a clear sign that the volume is
up too loud. While it has good mid-range levels, lower frequencies don't
exactly have all that much of a punch, especially the bass which is a bit flat.
TDK TH-EC200
·
Response Range:
20-20,000Hz
·
Resistance: 20
ohm
V: 8/10
F: 7/10
P: 8/10
D: 8/10
U: 9/10
Verdict: Not
a bad birthday present, bass needs work.
Total Score:
8.0/10
