TomTom GO 720 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
by TomTom
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of TomTom GO 720 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Review: drive slowly and take a map, just in case.
Summary: 1 Stars
At first, I loved the Tomtom 720. But, the problems began. First, there were times it would simply not turn on (I had power, the little green LED was lit, etc.) The only way I finally got it to power on was by resetting it, and then it had deleted the waypoints/favorites I had programmed for that particular trip (which was actually dangerous, since it was in the desert near Moab, Utah, and we then had to backtrack, rather than continue. Destroyed our plans =o( This problem with not being able to turn it on has happened several times since, as well.
On subsequent trips, I have noticed that the Tomtom 720 is off by about 200 yards. For this price, I would expect a much more accurate GPS system. It has told me to turn on streets/exits/onramps I have already passed, or has told me that an exit/onramp in on one side, but when I arrive, it's on the other.
These are just some of the problems I have had. A quick list of some of the others...
bluetooth connection with telephone: I can hear the other person, but they cannot hear me, no matter how loud I have the volume set, or if I am 2 inches from the mic, etc. Junk.
FM transmitter: fades in and out, and I have tried it on several cars.
Favorites: Sometimes you set a favorite to your current location, but later, when you'd like to return, the 720 can't find a route. It has taken me to different locations using the same favorite/address, as well. Frustrating.
Technical Support/Customer service: Good luck! Tomtom customer service simply ignores you, doesn't respond, etc. I guess they know their product has some serious issues, and have no idea how to fix them, and don't have the guts to communicate with anyone foolish enough to purchase their product.
Voices: I bought a celebrity voice (Dennis Hopper) to guide me, but he seems to be stuck in a rut. In the beginning, there would be occasional funny comments. Now, whenever I make a left turn, he says he is losing it. Every damn left turn. Annoying.
Settings: Sometimes, after the power problem I noted earlier, the settings are changed. Example: Text to speech of road names gets turned off, and I cannot turn it back on.
Finding streets/addresses/POIs/cities: Sometimes it cannot find well known streets, addresses, POIs (even though the POI came directly from their site) and even cities. I have it not find Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX at times...not exactly podunk towns.
Overall, I am beyond frustrated with this product and Tomtom in general. Very disappointed that Tomtom couldn't care less about supporting this product, after spending $350. Let the buyer beware.
Customer Review: Room for improvement, but gets me where I'm going.
Summary: 3 Stars
I received a refurb 720 for Christmas, exactly what I had asked for. I'm running software version 8.300.
I don't have a lot of experience with the unit, so feel it wouldn't be fair to write a complete review at this time. However, I felt it important to note that while the unit can play MP3s over the FM transmitter, the spoken directions do NOT get sent over the transmitter. This is in contrast to the documentation on the CD, but confirmed on TOMTOM.COM:
"For TomTom GO x20/x30
* You can use the built-in FM Transmitter. This allows you to transmit music* from your TomTom GO to your car stereo. Your car stereo receives the sound as an FM radio signal, just like it does from a radio station. You cannot listen to another radio station at the same time.
* You can use the audio cable which is available as an accessory. Your car stereo needs to have a 3.5mm audio-in connector. Your GO can then play spoken instructions and music over the car radio. Phone calls are played using the speaker in your GO.
*Voice instructions cannot be transmitted via FM Transmitter"
Random notes:
- TomTom tech support has indicated that the ability to transmit instructions via the FM Transmitter should return in a future update.
- at times, spoken directions are very choppy with the latest firmware, 8.3. This is usually with longer instructions.
- I recently gave my 720 a workout in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area for four days. It got me where I was going, every time. Very pleased with that.
- It doesn't take you on the same routes the locals would take (based on my experience in my hometown), but it did get me where I was going.
- Plenty of advance notice of upcoming turns, freeway exits, etc.
- speed limits are reasonably accurate. The "hey, you're speeding" beep is not annoying. Just enough to let you know, and maybe an occasional reminder.
- the interface could use a little improvement. The menu screens can only be navigated in one direction, there is no "previous page" button. This is a minor annoyance, but worth noting.
- FM Transmitter is functional for the built-in MP3 player, but there is static. I have tried it on my Passat wagon (rear antenna) and rental Escape (front antenna). Neither were ideal, but not so annoying that I quit using it.
- programming for Sprint cellular is not built-in. I'm working on programming it manually.
- recalculates routes very quickly.
I'd give it a 3.5 if that were possible.
Customer Review: A helpful tool, but needs improvement
Summary: 3 Stars
The bad:
- The TomTom Go 720 will not recognize my bluetooth enabled Blackberry.
- When taking a detour for planned route, the GPS will automatically guide you back to the route you took a detour from.
- Battery life is about 1.5 hours when not in power saving mode.
- Points of Interested data base needs to be updated, not all POI's are listed, i.e. ATM's, Gas stations, restaurants.
- Complex navigation menu, takes too many steps to find what is important.
- Not as slim as you think, it will not fit in pockets without printing.
- Short, flimsy, suction cup mount makes it difficult for average hight users to touch the Tom Tom.
- Hiss when using the FM output.
- Slow response time when calling customer service.
- No case included. Even a cheap silicone cover would be nice.
- Voice guidance feature does not pronounce names correctly. I'm sure most systems currently perform this way.
The good:
- High quality construction. Heavy weight non-clip plastics and metal accents.
- Descent screen resolution
- Multi funtional: plays MP3, views pictures, video, and documents (I havn't tested this yet, but its nice to know it's there).
- Map share, allows user to download free map updates from the TomTom users community.
- Fast satillite aquisition, when in open area, even while moving.
- User customizable menu
- Big screen
- This has taken me where I want to go, in and out of unfamiliar territory, even making unplanned trips to the gas staion while I'm traveling.
- Map of North America (Canada, US, Mexico?), I know US and Canada is included for sure, and thats helpful to me since I drive to both places.
- SIRF III chipset, 400 mhz processor,2 gb of on board memory, 64 mb of RAM, and an open slot for a high capacity SD card is a powerfull combination.
Notes:
I was conscidering buying a Garmin Nuvi 255w. But since the technical specifications is less than the TomTom Go720, I decided to purchase this GPS unit. It is a better value for me, since I found a good deal on a recertified unit that is priced bellow the market value for a new Garmin Nuvi 255w. If size where a major issue, I would go for any Garmin Nuvi, since it's slimmer.
I suggest finding an alternative mounting location, and avoiding mounting this unit on the windshield because it cuts your field of vision by at least 10%. I drive a compact sedan, and relative to the size of the unit, thats how I estimate that number.
I need to contact tech support to resolve my bluetooth issue, I will post and update ASAP.
Customer Review: My Favourite GPS with one problem I didn't wish for
Summary: 4 Stars
PSA: If you think that paying $80 for maps every year is unfair, don't buy a GPS. No matter what GPS you buy, you have to buy maps every year for around the same price.
I throughly used about 7 other GPS devices before I decided on buying this. The GO 720 is
very easy to use and will sometimes leave you deeply impressed by the smart features it has.
It looks great with its sleek screen and the elegant form.
It shows you water bodies as indents on the sides, has a day and night mode for the maps.
The lighting of the LCD changes with light exposure.
Smarter features include
-Bluetooth connectivity to your phone, so that you make calls through the GPS.
-When finding POI(Point of Interest), you can call the place directly with a touch of a
button since the number shows up with a CALL button next to it
-You can record voices of yourself or a friend and have this voice be the navigation voice.
(I had my friend record his commands in our local language)
-Pair to your FM radio so that you can hear the command on your car speakers
-MP3s can be played
-SD card slot
-BEST Feature : Text to Speech. Having the GPS read out the names of streets for you is the
best thing ever. You dont have to look at the device..just focus on the road.
However, when I was in downtown one time...the device went nuts. It couldn't locate itself
and the graphic just kept showing my car floating on the roads. I was getting voice commands
during this but I didnt know if they were right because it had lost its signal. It may have
been due to the tall buildings...but I wasn't happy when it happened.
This has happened only ONCE.I use it everyday and it is everything I expected it to be. The
main thing to look for in a GPS is its Navigation Ability and this Go720 is killer at it. It
calculates in microseconds and takes you the right way to your destination. You can choose
the way you want to go too (eg:choose to eliminate a freeway). It may miss some roadblocks.
This can be annoying. But, you can just keep going..and it will reroute you. YOu can even
record the roadblock easily with 2 clicks, so that it doesn't make the mistake again.
The TOMTOM is superb compared to a Garmin because of its user friendly and less annoying
nature. This Go 720 though has everything you need and more. You'll love it.
Customer Review: Tomtom 720
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this product since our PX had a roadshow sale w/ a $100 discount. Needless to say I bought the item, with a slight hesitation, since it was a good steal. I normally research a product and make comparisons before I purchase it.
I gave it a 3-star because when i took it our for a test run, after inputting my home address, it gave me the wrong location for my house. Granted it was only a block away from me. I went to work and other places I normally go to but when I ask for a direction, instead of taking the most direct route, it gave me a route that took me away from the interstate through city streets. I don't understand why it would do such thing even with the settings on "fastest route" enabled.
The battery life on this gadget doesn't last for 5 hours neither even with battery save on. Roughly 2-3 hours tops. The car charger is basically worthless since the unit doesn't use the external power and would continually run on internal battery. If you try to charge it with the unit off, it would take at least 8 hours for it to charge up in you car and that I quote from customer service. Needless to say, if you're going on a cross country trip, like I plan to do in the next few months, plan accordingly and choose what sites you want to visit. And, oh yeah, bring a Rand McNally map, too. It may come very handy.
Lately, I've had trouble with the software and I can't do any backups nor operate my device through my pc. What's up with that? It didn't even cycle through when I turned it on and it was stuck on the start up screen. It got pretty frustrating after resetting it for 5 times.
This may be a learning system since it's finally choosing the route I normally take going out the gate, otherwise, it'll take me on a right, left, right, left instead of taking the most direct and effecient route.
For Tomtom traffic, I don't understand why the subscription charge is in pounds or euro currency. It'll give your traffic updates for European countries but the Europe map is not even loaded into my system. No U.S. traffic subscription? I thought I bought a decent GPS model?
As far as operation and ease of use, I gave it a 5-star. Unfortunately, I don't have other systems so I can't make a very good comparison with a different product. In the meantime, it takes me I need to go with a few extra unnecessary turns.
If I you decide to purchase a GPS, ensure that you conduct a good research. It's an investment that you wouldn't want to regret.
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