Java nice update. I've actually heard that the TomTom deal is back on and good through the 21st. So those of you that missed out might want to recheck it.
I however decided to cheap out and headed over the staples where I picked up a Mio C220 for $159 + tax. Saved me about $70 over the TomTom which is good news for me because I'm on a pretty tight budget.
As far as the specs are concerned the TT1 and the C220 are practically identical. They both use new Teleatlas maps with 3.5 mil poi. The Mio is lighter and has 4.5 hours of battery life as compared to 2 hours on the TomTom. The user interface is where the TomTom shines. I played with one at BestBuy and aside from the Nuvi it was best I've seen. Nice navigation layout. Only thing I wasn't crazy about was the small keypad for data input. My fat fingers had problems with hitting the wrong keys.
The Mio on the other hand has a layout that takes a little more practice to get used to. The first 30 minutes I played with it I was a little frustrated because I wanted it to be more user friendly. But after 3 days of playing with it I have to say I like the interface and the control it offers. I do not think there is anything the TT1 can do that the Mio can't do with the exception of receiving Bluetooth signals (which wasn't of importance to me.). Mio systems are quite hackable and so far I've hacked mine to allow the playing of MP3's and video. I've also downloaded new skins that are totally customizable. From what I've been reading you can actually load the TomTom operating system onto a Mio device.
As far as route planning and navigation is concerned I can't speak for the TomTom but I can give major props to Mio. Route planning is great as it allows you to plan ahead and make an itinerary that includes multiple stops. Suprisingly this is something that many budget GPS units can not do (A Nuvi weakness). I have a route that I travel weekly and I know it by heart. Every time I've planned that route using google earth, maps.google, maps.yahoo, mapquest, and the Garmin Nuvi it wanted to send me on some rediculous dirt road that would be a terrible option to take. I tried it on my mio and it's the first device that did not send me on that dirt road So I'm happy as far as navigation is concerned.
I don't want to be made out as a Mio fanboy as I've only had the unit for 3 days. And I really like the TomTom. But I can't complain about saying $70. I can get a lot of stuff with $70