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More…Go down the roster of top-of-the-line GPS features, and the TomTom Go 720 has them all covered: text-to-speech pronunciation of street names; the ability to play audio files from an SD Card through your car's stereo; and clear, colorful 3D maps displayed on a big screen. About the only thing missing is the high-end price--the Go 720 retails for $500. That's less than the cost of comparable devices, such as the $675 Garmin Nuvi 680.
Tomtom TomTom Go 720
Pros
Big, clear display is easy to read
Lets you customize and share maps
Cons
Spoken directions are sometimes late
Lacks a pedestrian mode
Bottom Line
High-end GPS features without the high price.
TomTom Go 720
TomTom Go 720 Review, by Dennis O'Reilly September 25, 2007
The TomTom Go 720 is ready to navigate right out of the box, as the diminutive unit has maps for all 50 states and Canada built in. The Go 720 isn't much taller or wider than its 4.3-inch screen: It measures about 4.5 by 1.0 by 3.25 inches (width by depth by height), and it weighs just under a half pound. You can choose to navigate to a specific address, zip code, or intersection; to a business or another point of interest (TomTom says that the included database offers millions of entries); or to a recent destination or one that you've designated as a favorite. You also can select your destination simply by tapping a spot on the map.
In my tests the Go 720 delivered accurate directions and suggested sensible routes. If you don't like a suggested route, you can use the device's nifty 'Find alternative' option, which lets you see another route; unfortunately, though, you can't see estimated travel times for the alternatives, or any other ways to assess them. One complaint about the Go 720: Sometimes the device issued the spoken driving directions late, especially in areas with many street intersections (a fault that the Garmin Nuvi 680 and many other GPS units share, regrettably). On more than one occasion I heard the instruction to turn when I was already entering the intersection. The on-screen directions appear much earlier, however.
While the Go 720's built-in speaker is loud enough for you to hear driving directions over road noise, the instructions are much easier to hear when they stream through your car stereo via the device's FM transmitter. You can navigate while listening to audio files on an iPod (connected via an optional $30 cord) or an SD Card--the audio pauses automatically to broadcast your driving directions. Other nice touches: You can set the device to warn you when you're driving over the speed limit (or faster than a speed you set yourself), or when you're driving near schools or places of worship. You can also choose to be reminded to take breaks at set intervals.
GPS aficionados will find plenty of extras to keep them occupied as well. Start with the free TomTom Home software, which lets you customize your maps and share them with other TomTom users, as well as download maps that others create. For example, if you encounter a street that's marked on the map as a through road but actually dead-ends, you can update your map, send the update to TomTom's site, have the company verify the change, and then make your amended map available to other users.
You can also download new voices, including those of celebrities, though most of them cost extra. You'll also have to pay more to get real-time traffic and five-day weather information. You can access the traffic service from your cell phone for about $50 a year or from the company's $100 RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver, which includes a one-year subscription to traffic information.
If you can do without the traffic information, the Go 720 offers all the features you'd expect in a GPS, and then some. The high-quality maps, clear interface, customization options, and other extras make the device a joy to use. If you're looking for top-of-the-line features at a relatively affordable price, the TomTom Go 720 is well worth considering.
Dennis O'Reilly
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User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Tomtom TomTom Go 720
2 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 2 reviews
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Reviewed by: Anderso
Duration of ownership: 1 Week
Strengths: Easty to read, large screen. Seemingly function-rich.
Weaknesses: Maps were woefully inaccurate. I could not locate my own home within 1.5 miles. Given the rural location of this spot I tried a test to find the Post Office in a nearby town. It was in error there by approximately 200 ft. An error of 200 ft. for a mapping program is not satisfactory. I returned the unit, purchased a Magellan which seems to know exactly where my home is and is accurate in the extreme. Also found it somewhat easier to setup and use. As a follow up, the user help from Tom Tom was woefully inadequate and basically repeated the instructions describing how to submit an error report....not much helt
Overall: As they say in Texas, "All hat and no cattle." This is a unit that looks great, seems great and with such inaccurate mapping as to render it of very questionable value.
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Reviewed by: GeekyTech
Duration of ownership: 1 Week
Strengths: Text to Speech. Storage Space. Bluetooth connection, easy to setup, map share
Weaknesses: havent found any yet.
Overall: Just started using this a little over a week a go, and it's been great so far. I previously used a TomTom ONE, but I wanted to go for an upgrade. The screen is wider which is great for people with bad eyesight (like me!) and I love the text to speech, although it gets a little funny with street names sometimes. I'd recommend it to anyone who asked. Very easy to use.
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: FEdward
Strengths: Good Maps, User Interface, Beacoup Features, Mount Good, MapShare, Quite Customizable
Weaknesses: Battery Level Hidden, Mac Home application is still a work-in-progress.
Overall: I join the pro-GO 720 reviews, and find the unit to be very good at what it does. Was affordable and the mount is very good despite other's experiences. Also find support to be very good and my experience with them as been a positive in all respects. The MapShare ability is great and so far very accurate. Easily paired with my Motorola V3 and have found it altogether a joy. Does much more than just get me from here to there, and I heartily recommend this product. Hasn't steered me wrong even once.
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Reviewed by: jimmathis
Strengths: Bright large displayEasy programmingExcellent directionsExcellent update engineNew s/w feature includes faster startup acquisition
Weaknesses: Computer Software interface is Windows functional, not Windows application. e.g. Capital letter shift key has to be moused, not shift on keyboard.Different order of address entry.Bluetooth below
Overall: I have used this unit on the west coast and the east coast. It acquired it's (new) location much faster than prior GPS's I have used. Normal startup in same location was very fast. The address sequence is different (State, City, Street, House number). You can change the display from street ##### to ##### street, but the entry order stays the same. I am already adjusting my internal process to get use to it. I have found several areas of the map that is wrong (turn down one way street, streets were moved 10 years ago, etc). It has a method of reporting these errors, I need to not be in a hurry next time and try out the error report. Users can upload corrections to TomTom for us to download. Bottom line - Excellent unit. Bluetooth capability - Very small selection of phones. My phone is not included e.g. only 2 LG phones are supported.
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Reviewed by:
Strengths: Accurate, Up-to-date maps, FM transmitter, acquires signal quickly
Weaknesses: mount, doesn't show remaining battery life on front screen
Overall: I've used this device for some time and never had a problem with it. It is always accurate and gets me where I need to go. I found the maps to be up to date and there are tons of POIs which I use frequently. This device acquires a satellite signal quicker than any other GPS I've used. The most unique feature has to be the FM transmitter which allows you to play the audio directions from the device through your car speakers. Very cool! I would definitely recommend this device to a friend.
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Reviewed by:
Strengths: Reliable, easy to use, accurate maps and bluetooth
Weaknesses: None.
Overall: This is a great GPS. It has helped and saved me many times - when I get lost or need to avoid a traffic situation. I use it when commuting to work and for travel. The maps are accurate the unit is easy to use. I highly recommend it.
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Reviewed by: aarthiiyer
Strengths: Sleek,lightweight,big screen,fast routing
Weaknesses: None so far.
Overall: One of the best full featured 4.3" Car GPS for the money. Tons of cool features.With mapshare,help me feature,text to speech and quick re-routes.I have had tomtom 700,garmin 660,tomtom 3rd edition...but tomtom 720 is the best so far.will recommend to everyone.
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