TomTom VIA 1525M review

The TomTom VIA 1525M has all the local information you'll need at an affordable car GPS price.

TomTom VIA 1525M
(Image: © TomTom)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The TomTom VIA 1525M is budget-friendly and frills-free, but knows everything about the points of interest on your trip.

Pros

  • +

    Ten million points of interest

  • +

    Lifetime maps

  • +

    Great price

Cons

  • -

    Touchscreen can seem unresponsive

  • -

    No in built WiFi

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The TomTom VIA 1525M is up there with the best car navigation system for providing information about what's around you while you're on the road. That's because the VIA 1525M comes preloaded with 10 million points of interest already installed, meaning you'll always know where to find the next service station or the nearest restaurant on your route. And if you need somewhere for a good night's sleep, and the best hotel booking site is out of reach, the TomTom VIA 1525M will also provide all the phone numbers that you need to make your reservation ahead of arriving. 

TomTom VIA 1525M Review: Navigation

The TomTom VIA 1525M ships with maps of North America already installed, including 50 US states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and provides free map updates for the life of the device, so you can be confident the route in which you're being directed will be the best around. 

As already mentioned, the TomTom VIA 1525M has ten million points of interest preloaded and ready to share with you anytime you need a break from driving. This makes it the ideal car navigation companion if you're heading somewhere you've never been before, and want to check out the parks, malls, museums or other sites of interest as part of your trip. The contact details of restaurants and hotels are always on hand too, making it easy to check on availability without interrupting your journey. 

TomTom VIA 1525M Review: Features

The GPS system keeps you informed of upcoming turns and will make you aware if a lane change is needed to keep you on track. While driving, you’ll see a split-screen view which shows an overhead view of your route, as well as a more detailed view that shows the lane you should be in, the name and number of the exit you need to take, and the distance until your next turn. The VIA 1525M will also display nearby landmarks on-screen to make it easy to identify the turn.  

The local speed limit is displayed too, along with how fast you're currently travelling, while the Map Share feature will keep you informed of any dynamic updates to travel conditions, such as temporary speed limits and blocked roads. For ultimate efficiency, the built-in IQ Routes feature will calculate the fastest route to your destination based on current traffic speeds rather than a particular road’s average speed limit.

Lifetime map updates are included with the 1525M making the already decent pricing seem even more appealing.

TomTom VIA 1525M

(Image credit: TomTom)

TomTom VIA 1525M Review: Design

The 1525M has a 5-inch resistive touchscreen, with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. This is about average for entry-level GPS systems, but it’s not as high-definition or as responsive as higher-ranking models, like Garmin's DriveSmart 61 LMT-S. Resistive screens are also slightly more difficult to interact with, and generally don’t provide as clear of an image as a capacitive touchscreen, but of course, they help to keep the price of a car navigation system low. 

Should you need to unplug the GPS from its DC charger, its battery lasts up to an hour on its own. If you have questions or concerns about the VIA 1525M, you can contact TomTom’s customer service department either by phone or email. And for extra peace of mind, the GPS ships with a one-year warranty, which is the minimum you'd reasonably expect. 

Should you buy the TomTom VIA 1525M?

The TomTom VIA 1525M is a great car navigation option if you want convenient information about the locality you're currently traveling. You'd normally have to pay a lot more for a GPS that holds ten million points of interest, and their associated phone numbers, but this device offers great value for money all round.  

While the TomTom VIA 1525M has a resistive touchscreen, this is more than made up for by its lifetime maps and the breadth of navigational assistance that it provides.

Suzanne Humphries

Suzanne loves reviewing, playing with and owning all-things tech, especially if it pertains to hardware or video games. When she's not hard at work, you can find her hard at play, travelling, taking photos, gaming, reading, and listening to punk & ska. She currently works as an Associate Editor at Review Geek.