Launched today (September 1st) and powered by your SmartPhone this TomTom VIO sat nav is aimed squarely at scooter riders – despite being unusually round.
We’ve had a beta version on test at ScooterLab for a few days and although it’s too early to give a full review yet we can give you our first impressions so here goes…
What’s in the box?
To be fair we didn’t get a box, our unit was shipped directly from TomTom in the Netherlands as a pre-production test device. It came with the following:
- TomTom VIO
- A mirror stem mount
- Handlebar mount
- Allen key for fixing
- USB charge cable
- Two coloured cases
FAQ – so what’s it do mister?
- How much is it?
- Is it waterproof?
- How long does the battery last?
- Can I charge on the move?
- Is it touchscreen?
- What colour is the unit?
- Can I download other maps?
- Can it be seen in bright sunlight?
- Is it easy to remove?
- Will it drain my phone battery?
- Do I pay for map updates?
- Can I hear directions/phone calls?
- £149.99
- Yes
- 5 hours
- Yes via USB
- Yes and glove friendly
- It’s black but different coloured cases can be fitted
- Yes, including Europe
- Yes and you can angle it away from glare
- It takes two seconds to remove
- VIO uses it’s own power once the route is loaded
- No, map updates are released quarterly and are free
- You can use your own intercom/Bluetooth headset to hear directions/take calls
Battery life
The unit itself has an internal battery with a claimed five-hour life (enough for most commuters) so there’s no need to hard wire the VIO to your scooter but you can always plug it into a USB socket on the scooter if you need more charge.
Mounting
If you have mirrors fitted it’s very easy to fit the mount. Just use the clamp to fix it to a mirror stem. I have aftermarket mirrors on my Vespa GTS and the stems are thicker than standard so I used a couple of longer M4 bolts, rather than the short ones supplied. Either way it’s a two-minute job to mount it. There’s also a handlebar mount if you wanted to mount to motorcycle type bars for instance.
The VIO attaches to the mount very easily by simply twisting it 90º to lock into place. The mount swivels to give you some adjustment on the move and it can also be adjusted using the allen key to get it into the perfect place for your scooter/riding position.
Get connected
If you’re on iPhone or Android simply download the free TomTom VIO app, make sure Bluetooth is on, switch on the VIO and follow the on-screen instructions.
Mapping
Unlike most Sat Nav’s, the VIO is powered by your Smartphone so it doesn’t come with any maps installed, you simply download what you need to the app and the VIO uses them from your phone.
Features
- Caller ID – see who’s calling on the VIO screen and use an intercom/headset to take and make calls
- Navigate to contact – want to visit a contact, simply tap the contact and follow the route to them
- GPS enabled – Once your phone is connected VIO will switch from the phone to it’s in-built GPS to save phone battery and give more precise GPS
- Glove-friendly touchscreen
- Waterproof
- 5-hours battery life
- Speed camera warnings
- Choice of maps, UK & Europe
- Avoid hold ups – live travel problems can be avoided
First impressions
Turn the device on and a little VIO scooter logo appears. The 3.4″ touch-screen is crystal clear, stylish to look at and after you get over the initial shock of seeing a round Sat Nav it is actually quite cool. Talking of cool, seeing as it’s aimed at scooter riders there are a number of different coloured ‘snap-on’ silicone covers to fit the VIO so you can match the case to your scooter. You can also match the colour of the map to the colour of your cover, simple but stylish.
We’ve not had much of a chance to test out the mapping but if it’s as good as the usual TomTom devices I use I don’t expect to be disappointed on that score. We’ll bring you a further review once we’ve had a bit more time with it. Up to yet my only moan is that you need to have enough memory on your phone to download the maps, I couldn’t download Europe on mine (but I do store a lot of photos on my phone) so had to make do with the UK for the time being.
How much?
The price isn’t actually too bad compared to most bike specific Sat Navs, the TomTom VIO retails at £149.99 and should be available from today.
Questions.
1. Does it have “limited speed” as one of the route planning options? Tom Tom took this away when they forced an upgrade from western Europe app to their Go app for android onto me.
2. Can you listen to music through your Bluetooth whilst using it? Currently able to play music through my headset and it fades out when posh lady gives me directions.
I can’t see limited speed Marty but hadn’t noticed that on my TomTom Rider either. As for music I’d imagine so but haven’t had chance to connect it to my headset yet, will be doing a ‘proper’ review though once we’ve had it a while. I’ve already had two updates in the last 24 hours so expect various additions and improvements over the beta version.
That looks nice to me 🙂
Thanks for the review Iggy
Looks good – but not on windows phones
Does it support Advanced Lane Guidance?
I assume bluetooth spoken directions come via the phone. EG: If I have my helmet paired to my phone, and my phone paired to the Vio then the spoken directions will go via bluetooth from my phone to my helmet, and play well with any other audio I may be playing via the phone.
No mention of advanced lane guidance in the press bumph I’m afraid and I’ve not been able to use Bluetooth for music yet but will do next week.
Hi. Is the screen readable in amongst the vibration? The wing mirrors are virtually pointless above 40 mph.
That really depends on the scooter and the vibration level, but mounted near to the headset the movement of the mirror stem is much reduced anyway compared to the mirror head.
it will drain the phone battery, phone needs to be on for the Vio to work, useless, you end up with no gps and no phone
I have a 2015 GTS300 and I have charged the Vio and the phone from the USB Output, it’s worked fine although with experience I now separately charge them and keep the Vio fully powered.
Glad your are liking it Iain.