Get there without frustration (TomTom Go 730 Europe)

Member Name: davomrmac

Product:	TomTom Go 730 Europe
Date:	14/11/08 (376 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, quick, reliable, great features

Disadvantages: Needs to be under £200

SatNav systems can be picked up very cheaply nowadays, sometimes under £50. My first was a TomTom, many years ago, with a little screen, but it worked like a charm. Then I got tempted by a Garmin Nuvi 250W because of the £100 price tag (at the time on offer) and the nice large widescreen. It was very good, but never a TomTom.

Then I picked up this TomTom Go 730 Europe. I paid £229 from Littlewoods Direct. There is a traffic version, but this was £50 more and I had seen the simple add-on for £20, so there was a saving to be made. I decided to see how good the 730 Europe was first and then buy the traffic cable later if needed.

So, this device, it is gorgeous, in a black finish, with a nice large screen. The colours on the display are awesome and they have made some great improvements. Before I tell you what has improved, for those not in the know... the TomTom 730 allows you to search for an address by postcode. Just type the full code in and it searches and has never failed to find the addresses I have needed. You can add your search to a favourites menu or simple go there straight away. It is very quick at planning routes and if there are toll charges it warns you. As you are driving you get turn-by-turn visual and voice instructions. Plus you get nice detailed display with countdowns to your next turn, and estimated arrival time.

The first improvement is visually. When driving you get more detailed view of difficult lane decisions. It's display changes and if for example you are on a motorway, it'll show you which lane you should be getting into, this is very cool. Second improvement, is that you can tune your car radio into a frequency that matches what you have set on the TomTom. You can then direct the voice from the TomTom through your car speakers, cool. Third improvement is computer connection (yes you could do it before). The software is now very nicely set out and is very very easy to update maps, speed camera details and even add new voices to the device. Homer Simpson or the Queen anyone?

The final big improvement is the mount. Before you had a sucker to the windscreen and a large base to snap your TomTom into, the snapping into the base was awkward and sometimes pulled the attachment off your windscreen. Now it is still a sucker, but you get a nice slide on protrusion that slips into the back of the device. Very easy and neat. The connection to the power socket of your car is a standard 12-volt connection one end and mini-USB at the TomTom end.

My biggest like about the 730 apart from its accuracy is the bluetooth connection. I connected my mobile phone, transferred the phone contact book and job done. Now all my calls are controllable via the TomTom 730. I can make and receive calls hands-free and even read text messages on the screen (when stationary, ahem)! This is a great device and worth every penny.

Summary: This is a great device and worth every penny