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Sony NVU44 3 5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text to Speech Silver

The Sony nav-u portable satellite navigation system is more than basic digital maps; it is the system that gets you where you need to go quickly and efficiently with intuitive features that help you along your journey. The latest Sony navigation system brings Photo Viewer to an already packed and helpful unit.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars cant find streets
unit will not find some streets by street names it decides that I need to know the county road number. It also will just not find some roads that have been around for over 20 years. Sony tells me that if I buy their $50 map update it “might” fix the problem. I wasted enough money buying the unit. It does no good to have a gps that is lost half the time. I’m going back to Magellan.

4 Stars Not Bad At All, I Like It Better Than Magellan
This is my fifth GPS. Three of my previous ones (a TomTom One, a TomTom One XL and a Magellan Maestro) were stolen and the third was a Magellan Maestro that I thought was dead but repaired. Nonetheless, I bought this one because I didn’t want to spend another $200 on yet another GPS.

My favorite of my previous GPS’ were the TomToms because of their user friendliness and their routing intelligence. The Magellans were just plain stupid and their user interfaces were klunky.

This Sony has a very nice user interface but doesn’t quite reach TomTom level but it is good. Address entry and marking locations on this GPS is pretty good. I wish there was a GPS that would just put the current state as a default before you type but I haven’t found one yet that does that. The order of entering the address is not what I’m used to. I think this unit does number, street, city, state. I like the reverse (state, city, street, number). But the entry feels less klunky than the Magellan.

At first, I was disappointed at how garbagey the graphics looks but I quickly got over it when I noticed that the response time this unit beats any other GPS unit I’ve had. The route recalculation speed on it is phenomenal as well. Also, the simplified graphics seem easier to follow. The voice navigation is much less annoying than others I’ve used as well.

All in all, it’s a pretty good device considering it’s sub-150. I’m going to keep using it for another week and if I still like it, my Magellan is going on eBay!

Update: I felt compelled to add this since it is pretty important to me. The unit is great but the PC software for this unit STINKS! In the TomTom, you can edit an address book with real addresses but with this software you have to enter actual coordinates. What geek knows actual coordinates of addresses off the top of his/her head? This type of nerditry is what makes Apple number 1 in consumer devices. They really got lazy on the software on which would otherwise have been a 5 star unit. The Magellan software wasn’t any better so I guess that gives me some comfort?

4 Stars Not bad for the price
I just purchased this gps system for about 79.00 at SEARS. I had some running around to do today and I just pluged in all destinations and the little device was really accurate. I am a first time gps buyer so I can’t say what I am suppose to get and what I am not suppose to get.

You can clearly hear turn by turn directions.

Im satisfied for now

**Cons*** None yet

3 Stars Good while it lasted
I enjoyed this GPS while it lasted. After 3 months of not-so-heavy use, it no longer picked up the satellites. I returned it to Sony and since they no longer have any left in stock (getting out of the GPS business?), they refunded my entire amount. Also, the battery would not hold a charge after several uses which I didn’t care about too much since I had it mounted on the windshield and plugged in.

Overall, I liked the interface and it was very easy to learn how to use. The routing algorithm was a bit weird where it would take me off a major interstate too early, causing a longer trip. I did update the unit to the latest firmware and played with some settings but it didn’t help. Some addresses where hard to find as I had to type in alternate forms of the street address. However, as long as my defective unit isn’t a sign of common problems, I would recommend it as a cheap entry level GPS.

2 Stars Unfortunately it broke
The GPS was working well for a couple of weeks and I was happy enough. Then when I returned from a trip to VA, it stopped working. Now the battery will not charge and the touch screen does not work. So it is dead in the water. I contacted Tech Support and they told me to return it for repair, so I am hoping to return it to Amazon for refund.

Too bad !!!

Buy/More Info

Sony NVU44 3 5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text to Speech Red

Sony nav-u NV-U44 3.5″ Touchscreen Portable GPS Navigation System w/North American Maps, Text to Speech & Dual View(Red)

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Not Bad At All, I Like It Better Than Magellan
This is my fifth GPS. Three of my previous ones (a TomTom One, a TomTom One XL and a Magellan Maestro) were stolen and the third was a Magellan Maestro that I thought was dead but repaired. Nonetheless, I bought this one because I didn’t want to spend another $200 on yet another GPS.

My favorite of my previous GPS’ were the TomToms because of their user friendliness and their routing intelligence. The Magellans were just plain stupid and their user interfaces were klunky.

This Sony has a very nice user interface but doesn’t quite reach TomTom level but it is good. Address entry and marking locations on this GPS is pretty good. I wish there was a GPS that would just put the current state as a default before you type but I haven’t found one yet that does that. The order of entering the address is not what I’m used to. I think this unit does number, street, city, state. I like the reverse (state, city, street, number). But the entry feels less klunky than the Magellan.

At first, I was disappointed at how garbagey the graphics looks but I quickly got over it when I noticed that the response time this unit beats any other GPS unit I’ve had. The route recalculation speed on it is phenomenal as well. Also, the simplified graphics seem easier to follow. The voice navigation is much less annoying than others I’ve used as well.

All in all, it’s a pretty good device considering it’s sub-150. I’m going to keep using it for another week and if I still like it, my Magellan is going on eBay!

Update: I felt compelled to add this since it is pretty important to me. The unit is great but the PC software for this unit STINKS! In the TomTom, you can edit an address book with real addresses but with this software you have to enter actual coordinates. What geek knows actual coordinates of addresses off the top of his/her head? This type of nerditry is what makes Apple number 1 in consumer devices. They really got lazy on the software on which would otherwise have been a 5 star unit. The Magellan software wasn’t any better so I guess that gives me some comfort?

4 Stars Not bad for the price
I just purchased this gps system for about 79.00 at SEARS. I had some running around to do today and I just pluged in all destinations and the little device was really accurate. I am a first time gps buyer so I can’t say what I am suppose to get and what I am not suppose to get.

You can clearly hear turn by turn directions.

Im satisfied for now

**Cons*** None yet

2 Stars cant find streets
unit will not find some streets by street names it decides that I need to know the county road number. It also will just not find some roads that have been around for over 20 years. Sony tells me that if I buy their $50 map update it “might” fix the problem. I wasted enough money buying the unit. It does no good to have a gps that is lost half the time. I’m going back to Magellan.

2 Stars Unfortunately it broke
The GPS was working well for a couple of weeks and I was happy enough. Then when I returned from a trip to VA, it stopped working. Now the battery will not charge and the touch screen does not work. So it is dead in the water. I contacted Tech Support and they told me to return it for repair, so I am hoping to return it to Amazon for refund.

Too bad !!!

3 Stars Good while it lasted
I enjoyed this GPS while it lasted. After 3 months of not-so-heavy use, it no longer picked up the satellites. I returned it to Sony and since they no longer have any left in stock (getting out of the GPS business?), they refunded my entire amount. Also, the battery would not hold a charge after several uses which I didn’t care about too much since I had it mounted on the windshield and plugged in.

Overall, I liked the interface and it was very easy to learn how to use. The routing algorithm was a bit weird where it would take me off a major interstate too early, causing a longer trip. I did update the unit to the latest firmware and played with some settings but it didn’t help. Some addresses where hard to find as I had to type in alternate forms of the street address. However, as long as my defective unit isn’t a sign of common problems, I would recommend it as a cheap entry level GPS.

Buy/More Info

TomTom GO 740 4 3 Inch Live Connected GPS Navigator

Lost? With Tomtom Go-740 Live, it’s easier to find your way. It uses GPS and detailed maps, with text-to-speech instructions, to make you feel like a native where ever you are and whenever you travel. The GO 740 Live makes driving even safer with hands free calling. And with the Help Me!” menu, there are added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers. The TomTom GO 740 Live is the ultimate car navigator. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just enter the address on the TouchScreen or use voice address entry and start driving anywhere in the US and Canada. TomTom guides you door-to-door with turn-by-turn spoken instructions, including street names. With a one year access to “Live Services”, know what’s up ahead with local traffic! Text to Speech Voice Address Input – Enter destination details verbally Help Me! Emergency Menu – easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals Handsfree calling via Bluetooth Branded POI icons – easily find your favorite gas station, restaurant, hotel and more Unit Dimensions – 4.6x 3.3 x 0.9; Weighs 7.8 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars TomTom Go 740 Live – Great GPS
I have the Garmin Nuvi 760, Magellan Maestro 4350 and the TomTom Go 720. I loved the TT 720 until I was no longer able to connect to TT Services through my Blackberry 8800 (T-Mobile). The Traffic on the 720 was the best and most accurate. Since I was no longer able to connect to TT Services with the 720, I decided to purchase the Go 740. The Google search is great. However, the Traffic is not as good as it was on the 720 (I assume that because it’s a new product, the traffic will improve with time as more people purchase the Go 740). The Magellan Maestro 4350 has better Advanced Lane Guidance and nice maps, but the TT 740 has much better routing and more accurate traffic. The Garmin performed the worst. The 740 is also the best GPS that allows you to customize the settings. I did purchase the quarterly map updates. When I installed the latest map update, I was unable to connect to the TT Server. But I learned all I needed to do was Reset the Factory Settings in the Preferences Menu and all is fine. Best GPS for routing and Google Search (and I’m optimistic that Traffic will improve with time).

2 Stars TomTom Go 740 Barely Connected GPS
Previously owned GPS’: Garmin (nearly all series), Mio 520, TomTom XL, DASH Express, TeleNav ShotGun.

Current GPS: Garmin 880 with lifetime MSN services, Garmin 760

Pros:

- More flexibility and customization than Garmin and DASH.

- Good strong volume (better than any GPS so far)

- Finally, a powered cradle from TomTom!

- Lane Assist is OK

- Google Search produced good results that were up-to-date

- Good routing engine

- Like the Gas prices on Route feature. Garmin 880 doesn’t do this.

Cons:

- Were’s the “Send to Car” Function???

- The display (like all TomToms) is dim with poor contrast (side by side with Garmin in the sun and the Garmin units blow it away)

- Getting results from Google seemed much slower than I remember from the DASH/Yahoo combination

- Traffic not as good as Garmin MSN. On a couple of occasions in construction zones with stop and go traffic, the TomTom did not issue a traffic delay and the Garmin did. The warnings also appeared sooner on the Garmin than the TomTom.

- Gas prices on Garmin were more accurate and the Garmin units tell you how many days old the data is

- Has a bug were the display goes completely dim for a couple of minutes but then returns to normal

- Couple of times it indicated the connected services were not available in areas were I have had good coverage before. Needed to power cycle the unit to get the services to work

- Garmin MSN and DASH have more connected services

- Garmin has a remote you strap onto your steering wheel to activate or cancel the voice recognition. With TomTom you have to look at the display and touch an icon. What’s the point in that? Plus, the TomTom VR is awful and is only correct about 25%. Garmin is at about 75% and has more flexibility.

- I CAN’T believe TomTom STILL DOES NOT tell you what side of the street the destination is. How lame! I was looking for store and the TomTom announced I had arrived at the destination, but there were malls on both sides of the street. Not very helpful.

Verdict: Not enough value yet in the monthly subscription. Also, the operational bugs need to be fixed. Returned for refund.

BTW, the TeleNav ShotGun is garbage – don’t bother.

I’m still waiting for a compelling connected GPS solution. Or, perhaps it will be an Apple iPhone

5 Stars Better than the rest, no problems, but not perfect,
Owned: Tomtom 300 until it was stolen.

Used: Nuvi 255w, and a $3000 Garmin GPSMAP 496 for my job.

[...]

I’ve read lots of reviews and…

#1: The 300 and my new 740 had a live mount (the wire plugs into the mount instead of just the GPS)…I guess a lot of GPS systems in between didn’t. I have to admit the mount did fall off on occasion with my 300, but the thing was hugely fat. This new mount works great.

#2: My 300 came with a carrying case, the 740 did not…okay that sucks.

#3: I’ve never had problems with daylight washing out the picture of my TomTom’s, but everybody seems to for some stupid reason. There are several color schemes that may have contrast for map viewing.

How Tomtom is far better than Garmin:

#1: There are options, settings, and toggles galore…people complain that there are so many, but I think I’ve spent 3 minutes getting exactly how my screen to look/GPS to act, plus it’s fun.

#2: Tomtom shows your customizable driving information live on your map screen while Garmin makes you touch it to show it on another screen.

#3: Tomtom has a GREAT user network with tons of user-made content that you can download and try out on your GPS. Like I just downloaded a special Taco Bell add-on.

#4: NO Robo-voice! Tomtom lets you download TONS of voices to use, from a snooty British jerk to a crazy redneck.

#5: The speaker quality my TomToms were good. Even my old 300 was superior to the $3000 496. I hated the tinny/distorted robo-voice Nuvi.

Overall the 740 has as great fit and finish, quick to load, no problems, I would recommend buying.

Anyways if you want to buy a first GPS go for TOMTOM you will love it. I think some some Tomtom reviews are written by Garmin fanboys.

3 Stars Only average
This is my first “car” GPS unit. I also have a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx (a handheld trail model) that I have loaded with 3 different map sets: Inland Lakes, Topo, and City Navigator 2008 (the map I can compare against my TomTom).

Obviously, a large touchscreen, ability to input via the on-screen keyboard, and the verbal directions that the unit provides are a major improvement over my Garmin, which has a tiny screen, cumbersome input via a scroll/wheel function, and which only beeps when a turn is approaching. However, the Garmin is superior in a LOT of ways!

Points of Interest: My Garmin has far more pre-loaded POIs, and they have better categorization. Want to find a nearby restaurant? Both can provide that info. But the TomTom won’t let you limit the search to Pizza places or Mexican restaurants – the Garmin will. And in general, with the TomTom I’ve had to use the LIVE (internet-connected) services to find about 2/3 of the specific POIs I’ve been looking for, and those services are only free for the first 3 months. So I’ll either be paying $10/month for LIVE, or carry a phone book in the car so I can look up addresses to the businesses I’m trying to find.

Another MAJOR deficiency is the accuracy with which it plots the street address of my destinations. About half the time, the address is several hundred feet off. May not sound like much, but I’ve had it tell me to turn left at an intersection when the destination was immediately to my right. What makes this especially annoying is that I’ve found no easy way to pull up the actual address of the POI once it’s plugged into the routing function. So I can’t wait until I’m close and then check the street number to see if I’m going to overrun the destination. And as reviewers of other TomTom products have noted, it won’t tell you which side of the street your destination is on. Garmin will.

Traffic services: Haven’t been able to give this functionality a good test, but it only seems so-so. Traffic info is limited to major freeways & interstates, and LOOKS rather robust, but I’ve hit a few snarls that I really should have been warned about.

Voice glitches: The computer voice does a decent job, but for some reason when it reads I-405, it says “Interstate Four WEST Five”. When I reported this to TomTom support (on their website), I got back a semi-canned message that said I should try uninstalling the voices & then re-loading them. Sounds fine, but I can’t find any instructions on how to uninstall a voice, either in my manual or on their website.

While I’m generally happy with this (I’m new to the Seattle area and needed to upgrade from the handheld Garmin in order to find my way around), I wish I’d saved myself about 50% and bought a Garmin 265W or similar. The extra bells & whistles advertised here may add a little value, but they’re overshadowed by an inferior POI database and what feels like shoddy programming. Is any GPS going to be perfect? Probably not. But I expected a lot better for the price of this unit.

2 Stars Screen is NOT as bright as my older TomTom 930!
I’ve owned TomTom’s for years and in fact…my first GPS unit was a TomTom that I purchased for $1000.00! Yes…prices have come way down since then.

I’ve tried a few other’s such as Magellan, Navigon and of course what appears to be the US tech media favorite…Garmin.

None of the competitors even come close to TomTom’s top rate interface and the amount of information TomTom allows you to display on the navigation screen.

This, for me, is one of the most important features for a GPS…to be able to glance at the screen while driving and being able to clearly interpret what you are seeing on the screen.

All the other GPS units are way behind TomTom when it comes to GUI interface clarity.

That said…I currently own a TomTom 930 but decided to give the new TomTom 740 a test drive because of all the new, exciting features like the live services and Google local searches.

What a huge disappointment it was!

First of all…when will one of these GPS manufacturers create a TRULY hands-free voice recognition GPS Unit!?

I mean…come on!

I have an iPhone with the Google search application loaded on it and it has the ability for you to simply speak, in your own chosen words, what you are searching for and accurately interpret what you said and automatically come back with the search results.

Why the heck can’t TomTom and all these other GPS manufacturers figure out how to do the same thing for one of their GPS units!?

I mean…no where else would it be more helpful than a GPS unit, while driving, to be able to speak into it and tell it what you are looking for rather than having to try and type it in while driving or being forced to pull over to type it in.

As far as I’m concerned…the new voice recognition features of the TomTom 740 are useless if I’m restricted to a set of exact commands I have to try and memorize.

And…what’s with having to try and touch the small ‘microphone’ icon on the screen in order to activate the voice recognition feature on the TomTom 740…? Seriously! Would it have been too much trouble for TomTom to have the voice recognition ‘listening’ in the background and ‘wake up’ on a certain command like ‘TomTom’ and then have TomTom repsond…”Please tell me what you are looking for?” or something like that…?

No…instead, while driving, you have to reach out and try to hit the little microphone icon on the screen to activate the voice recognition feature. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed the microphone icon while driving because all it takes is the slightest bump in the road right before you try to hit the icon for you to miss it and have the screen pull up something else instead of what you were trying to hit.

Sure…I have a TomTom remote that works with the TomTom 740 (it’s the same one that works with my TomTom 930) but of course TomTom didn’t think to program the TomTom 740 to respond to one of the remote controls buttons to activate the voice recognition. That to would have been too convenient!

And lastly…the real deal breaker for me was the fact that the latest TomTom 740’s screen is noticeably dimmer than my older TomTom 930!

I recently drove from Portland, ME to my home in Massachusetts and mounted both the TomTom 740 and my older TomTom 930 side by side on the windshield.

Wow…what a night and day difference in screen brightness!

My older TomTom 930 was MUCH brighter which makes a HUGE difference on a sunny day when you are forced to wear sunglasses.

At times I could barely see the TomTom 740 screen (again…with sunglasses on) but could easily see my TomTom 930’s screen.

What the heck was TomTom thinking by releasing the TomTom 740 with a screen much dimmer than the previous line of TomTom’s!?

It was as if my TomTom 740 was in ‘night mode’ compared to my TomTom 930!

And yes…I was using the same exact daytime map colors (America) and had the screen brightness turned up all the way on both for the screen brightness comparison test.

So…obviously I took the TomTom 740 back to the store.

Until TomTom creates a truly hands-free 100% FULL voice recognition (being able to say whatever you want in your own words and have the TomTom accurately interpret it) GPS unit with a screen as bright as my older TomTom 930…I’ll be hanging on to my TomTom 930 for a bit longer.

Drew

Boston, Ma.

Buy/More Info

TomTom GO 730 4 3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

TomTom GO 730’s award-winning software means ground-breaking new technology for the ultimate driving experience. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just enter the address on the touchscreen or use voice address entry and start driving anywhere in the United States and Canada. TomTom guides you door-to-door with turn-by-turn spoken instructions, including street names.

Ground-breaking new technology for the ultimate driving experience. Click to enlarge.

Includes windshield mount.

IQ Routes Technology gives you the fastest route every time by using actual average speeds of travel to calculate your trip rather than posted speed limits. Advanced Lane Guidance uses photorealistic images to bring even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits so you can be more confident on the road.

TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device.

And with the “Help Me!” menu, added safety features enable you to easily access local emergency providers. The GO 730 makes driving even safer with Bluetooth hands-free calling.

The TomTom GO 730 is the ultimate car navigator.

*Compatible mobile phone required.

GO 730 Features

• Maps of United States and Canada with TomTom Map Share
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
• Spoken Street Names
• IQ Routes Technology
• Advanced Lane Guidance
• Voice Address Input
• FM Transmitter
• iPod Ready

All TomToms Feature

Plug & Go–Works right out of the box.

Preloaded Points of Interest–Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more on your route.

30-Day Latest Map Guarantee–Up to date, off the shelf.

TomTom Map Share–Modify your own map and benefit from others’ verified changes with TomTom Map Share.

Help Me! Emergency Menu–Easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals.

TomTom HOME–Always up to date.

Traffic Ready–Optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays.

Fuel Price Service (optional)–Know more, pay less.

Why TomTom?

TomTom believes that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. TomTom develops smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

Easy to Use

• Award-winning navigation software
• Plug & go

Best Maps

• 30-Day Latest Map Guarantee
• Modify your own map and benefit from others’ verified changes with TomTom Map Share

Best Routing

• QuickGPSfix
• Traffic ready

Leader in Safety

• Help Me! emergency resources menu
• Safety preferences menu

About TomTom

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high-quality products and services.

TomTom is a leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further its commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so that the company can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.

TomTom has its own mapping company!

Did you know that every year, roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world’s most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage–more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.

What’s in the Box

GO 730 device, Windshield mount, desk dock, car charger, software/manual CD, documentation

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Things to know about TomTom map update service plan
I bought this unit about a year ago.

This equipment is okay but their service sucks.

The handsfree calling is almost useless.. I tried to use it

but the party I called says they cannot hear me well.. so I stopped

using it and bought a separate hands free device.

I think other users covered the hardware very well..

but I want to WARN other users about their 1 year map update service.

TomTom just rolled out new map update subscription service (1 year for $39.99). but when you sign up, it asks that you need to update to the latest map before the service can be applied.

This map “update” cost me $25.48 – supposely this is the price discounted at 75%. (Note that there is no other way but to download it..)

Then TomTom charged me $50.95 for map update service. (instead of $39.99)

So my total was $76.43 (you can almost buy a cheap GPS with this).

Then I spent 1 hour and 30 min. installing this “latest” map..

After the update (supposely, this map was released on May 19, 2009),

I entered my friend’s house (built 2 years ago), it says “not found”

then I took it to a major highway in Houston (completed 6 months ago), but it was still wrong..

Basically, I paid for $76.43 and don’t even know exactly what I paid for..

I called and asked for a refund.. they just refused it saying “downloadables are not refundable”..

I offered to send my GPS to TomTom so they can take out the “new” map.. but they said no.. I talked to three different representative, including a “manager”. Anyway, they said there is no way for them to issue a refund.

After thinking about it for a while, this service is there just to generate more $$$ with worthless POI updates..

They don’t issue real map updates that often.. so my guess is these updates are nothing more than small POI updates..

There is no way to try this service. There is no way to get a refund even if you are not satisfied..

So beaware of their map update service..

Not worth it.

Alex

3 Stars Decent product lacking some features
I bought this TomTom 730 from Amazon last month. Overall it is a good product. Map calculations and routing is faster than my previous GPS: Garmin (780) and Magellan (4250). When I miss an exit it calculates the route very fast. In my opinion TomTom will get a 5 star for it’s route calculation algorithm. My cell phone works well with it’s bluethooth so that’s aplus point too.

Now the problem part. It’s POIs selection criteria is the worst among all good GPS out there. You can search only a restaurant but below it there no category. Magellan is the best in that sense because under restaurants you can search greek food, American food, Asian food etc category. I find it very annoying when I have to search an Italian restaurant and I have no idea how to find it using this GPS. TomTom menu is so confusing that if you have to clear a route you need to go to three screen on gps to do that. One other annoying thing with TomTom is that night mose doesn’t switch automatically you have to do it.

Overall it is a decent device if somebody is looking for a basic GPS features but it definitely lacks in POI category as well as the ease of use. All American GPS have better design in terms of ease of use. After using all the three GPS I like Magellan the most.

4 Stars Nice but has some issues
I borrowed this GPS for a trip and have never used one previously. It is fairly easy to use as I figured it out without instructions. For the most part the unit was pretty solid. There were a few times that it was just wrong. The maps were only a year or two old and I could tell some of the roads had been there longer than that. There was another time when the unit suggested that I travel on a road that should not have been considered a road. There were holes and boulders bigger than my tires all along the road. I had to turn back or I would have destroyed my car. But on the other hand, it did find me shortcuts that locals used and saved me time. I have nothing to compare this GPS to, but I recommend it. Just know that it can be wrong sometimes, in painful ways.

3 Stars TomTom GO 730 GPS
I’ve been using Garmin GPS devices for 10 years (SP500,SP550, LEGEND, SP3 Colormap). TomTom offers a more customizable screen which I find very useful. The user interface is decent but a return to map button would save tedious effort back stepping. I also like the mapping graphics better for the TomTom, but the upcoming street names are small and would benefit from an adjustable font size. The Garmins are a bit easier to read. Routing calculation is very fast and suggested routes have been fine. Downloads to the TomTom are slow. Garmin downloads are much faster. I gave the TomTom a 3 star review because the screen can be very difficult to see on sunny days, though I’ve been using my TomTom for a couple of months and my Garmin is collecting dust on the shelf. So if you’ve got trouble seeing some small fonts and the daylight display washout doesn’t bother you then it’s a decent unit. With hindsight I’d still make the purchase.

1 Star Disappointed with this TomTom
I’ve had a TomTom One for several years and have always been very happy with it. I decided to upgrade to the 730 for its extra features like speech recognition, lane assist, FM transmitter and spoken street names. I used the 730 for two weeks and decided to return it today, for the following reasons:

1. The speech recognition worked once and then stopped working. It wouldn’t recognize any input anymore; I think the microphone broke.

2. The battery life is extremely poor. It needs to be constantly plugged into the car charger and a few minutes after taking it out it already complains about low battery. This is also the case with my old TomTom One (not when it was brand new though!), but at least I have some time to plug it in when the battery is red. On this 730 when the battery goes red it shuts down instantly!!!

3. At some time the spoken instructions were inexplicably off. We were driving around Chicago the other day and did not hear any instructions even though the volume was on high. Next time we turned it on the spoken instructions were back.

4. The FM transmitter is a cool concept, but here in Chicago there are too many stations that keep interfering and this makes it hard to hear the instructions. (Plus, if you update the TomTom through your computer the new software will remove this feature)

5. The spoken street names are pretty cool, but sometimes very hard to understand. It speaks much too fast and leaves off syllables. For instance “Michigan Avenue” will sound like “chigan vnue”. Also some other words are worse than I’m used to. On my old TomTom One it would clearly say “Toll Charge”, but on this one it sounds like “Tll Chrg”. It’s very strange.

6. Maybe worst of all, the screen is VERY poor. I had a very hard time seeing the picture if the sun was shining. The screen is a lot less bright than my old TomTom One. With my old TomTom the person in the passenger seat can also read the screen, but on the 730 this is impossible; the screen cannot be seen at an angle.

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TomTom GO 930T 4 3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Receiver

TomTom’s software means ground-breaking new technology for the ultimate driving experience. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just enter the address on the touchscreen or use voice address entry and start driving anywhere in the United States, Canada, or Europe. TomTom guides you door-to-door with turn-by-turn spoken instructions, including street names.

Ground-breaking new technology for the ultimate driving experience. Click to enlarge.

Sleek and portable form factor. Click to enlarge.

IQ Routes Technology gives you the fastest route every time by using actual average speeds of travel to calculate your trip rather than posted speed limits. You’ll always travel the smartest route. Advanced Lane Guidance uses photorealistic images to bring even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits so you can be more confident on the road. Enhanced Positioning Technology gives you uninterrupted navigation, even in tunnels or highly built-up areas.

TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device.

The GO 930 T receives up-to-date traffic information at regular intervals. Automatically adds the update into your routing, calculates your new trip time, and suggests alternate routes.

And with the “Help Me!” menu, added safety features enable you to easily access local emergency providers. The GO 930 makes driving even safer with Bluetooth hands-free calling.

The TomTom GO 930 is the ultimate car navigator.

GO 930 T Features

• Maps of United States, Canada, and Europe with TomTom Map Share
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
• Spoken Street Names
• IQ Routes Technology
• Advanced Lane Guidance
• Enhanced Positioning Technology
• Voice Address Input
• FM Transmitter
• iPod Ready
• Includes RDS-TMC traffic receiver and one year subscription to TomTom Traffic*

*Subscription valid for United States and Canada only

All TomToms Feature

Plug & Go–Works right out of the box.

Preloaded Points of Interest–Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more on your route.

30-Day Latest Map Guarantee–Up to date, off the shelf.

TomTom Map Share–Modify your own map and benefit from others’ verified changes with TomTom Map Share.

Help Me! Emergency Menu–Easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals.

TomTom HOME–Always up to date.

Traffic Ready–Optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays.

Fuel Price Service (optional)–Know more, pay less.

Why TomTom?

TomTom believes that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. TomTom develops smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

Easy to Use

• Award-winning navigation software
• Plug & go

Best Maps

• 30-Day Latest Map Guarantee
• Modify your own map and benefit from others’ verified changes with TomTom Map Share

Best Routing

• QuickGPSfix
• Traffic ready

Leader in Safety

• Help Me! emergency resources menu
• Safety preferences menu

About TomTom

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high-quality products and services.

TomTom is a leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further its commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so that the company can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.

TomTom has its own mapping company!

Did you know that every year, roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world’s most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage–more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.

What’s in the Box

GO 930 T device, Windshield mount, desk dock, car charger, Bluetooth remote control, software/manual CD, documentation, RDS-TMC receiver

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars I used this product for 2 weeks, then decided to return to Amazon. Tomtom has 1 year of traffic updates for free,
I used this product for 2 weeks, then decided to return to Amazon. Tomtom has 1 year of traffic updates for free, later they charge 59.95 per year. Map updates are also good for 1 year. I ended up purchasing navigon 7100. traffic updates are free for life. and does not have extra hardware for fm traffic. Works as good as tomtom for 3rd of the price.

1 Star Major Flop Tom Tom 930T
Tom tom had abandoned previous year useful, friendly application and large hard drive. Very disappointed with my 930T, inaccurate and cant even find

the major discount warehouse in Southern California. With proper address still led us opposite way.

More appointment of buying online return policy.Be beware of hefty restocking and mailing charges. Stick with well known major discount warehouses.

5 Stars TomTom Go 930T doesn’t disappoint… at all
I ordered the TT 930T and recieved it in 2 days as promised. Everything worked out of the box as advertised. The unit has performed very well in CFL and the many functions are fantastic. Although the FM transmitter is not a great option in CFL due to large number of radio stations, the AUX cable option is perfect. Routing has been accurate and flexible and traffic for rush hour Intestate 4 travel is a must. Easy to plan trips with waypoints and get the route you might expect or choose yourself. Updating App and Maps went flawlessly as well as daily updates and QuickFix updates. Aquires satelites well and re-routes very quickly. Added an 8 Gb SDHC card and is recognized well. As many have said, it is best to add mp3’s and files through a card reader as this unit has some quirks with the 8 Gb and higher SDHC cards. With a card adpter/reader all issues are resolved. The screen is bright and easily readable but does have a little glare in direct sunlight that lowers redability somewhat; but no show-stopper. Overall I am very happy with my choice of the TT Go 930T and I would highly recommend it to others interested in a feature rich and well made GPS unit. I researched many brands and models for a couple weeks before pulling the trigger on the TT Go 930T with no buyer’s remorse. Happy and accurate travels!

3 Stars ONLY ONE THING….REALLY
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS GPS IS ITS ABLITY TO RE-ROUTE QICKLY. FAR FASTER THAN A GARMAN. YOU NEED AN AFTER MARKET POD FOR THE WINDOW SUPPORT OR YOUR TOM TOM BECOMES A BASKET BALL ON THE DASH. HALF OF THE BELLS AND WISSLES DONT WORK WELL AND FOR ME THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY. THE PERFECT GPS IS BETWEEN GRAMAN AND TOM TOM. OF THE TWO TOM TOM FOR THE ABOVE REASON IS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM FOR GETTING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

5 Stars Excellent GPS!!!
The TomTom GO 930 is an excellent GPS! I read through all of the reviews here on Amazon, and was a little apprehensive about buying it. However, I have not found any of the negatives of the other review to be true for the one I have received (perhaps they just got lemons). Anyways, here is my experience and thoughts thus far:

-Voice recognition – the complaint I have read is that it does not understand or incorrectly understands street names, cities, etc. when you use the voice recog. feature. However, I have found that it has understood 100% both my voice and my wife’s voice – it is an awesome feature!

-Contrast not bright enough – some complain that the full sun light makes the screen unreadable and the screen is simply not bright enough. The TomTom 930 is configured by default to only be 85% brightness. I found that when I turned it up to 100% that I could see the screen fine in direct sunlight (however, I also have slightly tinted windows in the front of my truck).

-Up-to-date maps – I admit that the TomTom maps do not have the newest housing development streets (developments built within the last 4 months or so). I have not found this be a huge problem, but some using it full-time to locate should places may find this annoying.

All in all, I love the 930 and would recommend it to all. I suppose, just watch out for lemons.

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