TomTom GO 740 Live 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable Live Internet Connected GPS Navigator by TomTom
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Digital camera reviews of TomTom GO 740 Live 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable Live Internet Connected GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: 2nd one
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a multiline factory rep and this is the best item since butter. When I'm in the field, all I have to do refer to my client map on another program and plug the address into TOM. It will get me there in the shortest and most cost saving way possible. If I have a little time on my hands, I can Google companies in that area for prospects.
CAUTION.....THIS IS A HOT THEFT know... this is my 2nd. I had other choices to buy to but this was my choice. Be sure to add your name, address, phone number and put in a password. According to TOMTOM you may not get your device back but it will be useless to the thief. TOMTOM cannot and will not break a code without your registered e-mail and proof of purchase.
Sure no GPS is perfect and everyone is looking for better AND someone is always going to complain. I found what I wanted. I've had little problems with the GPS or its software and none with TOMTOM customer service.
Digital camera Review: 740 Live
Summary: 5 Stars
As of today I have not needed customer support or the warranty coverage, I can not rate them.
If your looking for a GPS, purchase the 740 live, you won't be disappointed.
Digital camera Review: A New TomTom GO
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Yes, I'm a gadget geek. With GPS playing a major part. Past GPS include a Garmen Nuvi 350, Magellian Maiestro 3140, and a TomTom GO 720.
First off, if this is the GPS you're already thinking of, here are some products I'd recommend. If not, read on for my review. Before even using the GPS (for ALL GPS for that matter), I'd recommend purchasing the following:
1) Purchase and apply a screen protector. These can be a real pain to apply. However in the long run they're worth it as they do protect the screen from scratches, drips and splatter, etc. You may take care in tapping your screen, but someone with long nails who touches it may use their nail and put in a scratch. There are many different protectors, however I get one that is set for the model GPS, but even then you may have to cut it...and if you do I'd say use largest scissors you have so you only have to make one if two cuts at the most. Before starting, SET ASIDE TIME.....set a good half hour to and hour. DO NOT rush it as this will be something that in most cases be on your GPS screen for the life of your GPS. Make sure the screen is clean (why I said before you take it into the car) as anything on the screen will show under the protector. And do not touch the sticky part of the protector as finger prints will show, hairs will show, lint, etc. Smooth out with something hard but not sharp or not overly hard. I use a credit card....anything like that will work fine. Smooth out all the air bubbles, run them out the sides.
2) Purchase a HARD case for your GPS. You were crazy enough to spend money on a GPS, so spend the money on a hard case. I purchased a **Tomtom Travel Case for TomTom GO, XL and One GPS Units** This case (had a funky material odor when it arrived but I let it air out and it went away. Anyhow, this case lets me put everything that came in the box (directions included) and that way I always have everything together. If you leave your GPS in the car out in the open it's going to be stolen, a smash and grab takes less then five minutes. If you stuff it in the glove compartment that's good, but eventually you have to take it inside to update to the computer and then you could drop it, put it in a bag and you risk sitting on it, smashing it, etc. A hard case because you protect it. Now some may consider this case large, I don't think so. Plus if you take your GPS for rental cars (many times the cost of renting a car with a GPS equals the cost of purchasing one in the end) you'll need everything (which I'll get to).
Now onto the
First if you have another TomTom you'll have to use a different email address for this TomTom. Load the new software and make a new email for this TomTOm. You cannot use two TomTom on the same email. Then it'll probably update to the newest HOME software as there have been updates since the one that came with the GPS.
Among all my GPS, this GPS screen is the largest. Screen is nice and big. Colors do white out a bit in the direct sun, but you must make sure it's set for Daylight, and angle it. No major problem for me.
-Finding the satellites upon turning on the GPS. For whatever reason I've always found Magellian to be the quickest here. However everything being equal, location, location, location is the key. If you're in the middle of nowhere with open sky it's few seconds for the 740. Buildings, garage, under trees, etc. It takes a few seconds longer. Nothing major but you notice it.
-With all TomTom they're dependent upon the computer to update maps, GPS and locations.
-This TomTom is cool in which it has a LIVE update for traffic, weather and you can google locations. It works off the Verizon cellular system, so naturally that depends upon where you are with that cellular service. This is unlike GPS which works anywhere out in the open. TomTom gives you three months free, then it's Ten dollars a month to keep.
-The traffic (naturally) gives traffic conditions. However I've found there to be a slight delay. Not major but it could use a tuneup.
-Weather I found to be good.
Now a major difference with the TomTom 740 and the 720 is the connections. With the 740 you NEED the backing of the connector that plugs into the bottom of the GPS to either use the GPS in the car (you can lay it on the seat if you gently pull out the round part from the dash mount)......which plugs into the car (DC). OR if you have a AC/DC converter at home to charge the unit. My other GPS all connect directly with the GPS, however with this GPS you need the connector.
-Another difference with this GPS is I do not believe there is a AC charger for it. As of the time I'm writing this review I've been unable to find one. Why TomTom did this I don't know, but there may well be a reason. And yes I know a search provides "universal" AC adapters, however if you look closely they all look like they plug right in and there is no place on the GPS to plug in.
-You can charge the GPS through the computer UPS. Or as I said if you have a AC/DC converter. What I like is the on/off button lets you know when it's fully charged....unit must be off.
-Also there is TomTom voice with this. You can read off a command and it will read off the directions to you. A small card is included to tell you basic ones. However I could not get used to using this, so I can't comment on it in detail.
-One major difference is this 740 has a small opening on the upper Right to differ light and day for screen color. Works much better than others where the GPS to differ.
All in all I like this GPS. I think that all GPS have their pros and cons, and you have to take the good with the bad. Naturally I'd like to see TomTom give us the LIVE for free, but I doubt it'll happen. According to TomTom this GPS came out in the early summer (yes I called them for this and other questions), so it's their most recent GPS. I really like this GPS and I'm hoping to get many years of service out of it.
Digital camera Review: Almost there...very impressed though.,....70% to perfection.
Summary: 4 Stars
Alright, I've been using this GPS for the last few weeks (never understood reviews by people who used something once), throughout the northeast. From Maine to Pennsylvania. I travel as a salesman, so always driving to weird places and the traffic technology interested me. Disclaimer: this is my first GPS unit with traffic.
Amazon initially sent me the wrong charging station, but a quick call to TomTom and they sent me a brand new one 2-day mail. Customer service seemed very helpful and fast. I also want to say that I WILL NOT BE USING the bluetooth, so people that have had a problem with that were irrelevent to me.
I was attracted to this unit for the ability to reroute you based on traffic (a pop up comes up on the screen and asks if you "would like a different route. It will save you xx minutes.") and for the traffic technology that supposedly compiles information on other drivers to find the best route (wondering why it took 10 years for someone to think of this?)
Pros;
1.) Easy interface, quick typing in of addresses (by city or zip code!!!), not like a Garmin where you have to go through endless menus. Large fingers might struggle a little bit.
2.) I think the traffic technology works great. There are times (especially when driving through NYC from Philly or Boston), that this unit has saved me HOURS. It re-routes me, (sometimes on roads I have never even taken before), and allows me to much better plan my day, especially when avoiding 1+ hour delays. I've also gotten some cool shortcuts that I assume are based on the compilation technology of how local drivers drive.
3.) The gas price function is great for people who travel unknown areas. I can search for the cheapest gasoline on my route and this alone will pay for the $10 a month of live services subscription.
4.) The traffic updates frequently and seems fairly accurate. Sometimes phantom traffic delays will occur (where there is none), and the unit might struggle to route you, but overall it seems pretty solid. I've even intentionally driven into traffic delays just to test it and so far seems pretty accurate. If anything, I think it over-estimates your delay. Many times I'll "gain" 10-20min.
5.) The integrated Google search is very cool, easy to use, just click "go here."
6.) The mapping seems good for frequent long term, out of state use. Some of the reviews on here complain about it taking the wrong route, but these people also seem to be using the unit in their home town only. Do you really need a GPS? Obviously you might know better shortcuts than a GPS in a city you've lived in for 20 years.
7.) It can beep if you are speeding, and also has traffic camera updates too (haven't used).
Cons:
1.) I'm really disappointed in the POI on this unit. Maybe I've had bad luck, but it doesn't seem to contain many businesses or restaurants, especiall major chains (like AC Moore, or DSW). I'll have to start using the google search feature more, as I often forget about it.
2.) This unit does reboot about once every other day (with full day use). Hasn't been an issue for me, as it rebooted in 15sec. Not happy about it, but not annoyed either considering it's getting a live internet signal non-stop.
3.) Some streets just seem to be missing. No ability to type in Boylston St (Boston). This is one of the major streets! The gps can find businesses on that street (POI), but can't type it in.
4.) Also, Boston is a little tricky for this unit (big dig) as with most GPS. The "show lane exit" feature is nice, but usually gets in the way.
Overall I think this is a very solid unit for sub-$200. Definitely the future of GPS. I would say that this unit is about 70% of where GPS perfection will lie.
Digital camera Review: Another solid offering from TomTom
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used multiple generations of the TomTom, and I have been a fan for a while. TomTom has always had the best user interface, but the rubber meets the road on directions and map accuracy, and here the new GO 740 Live shows solid improvement.
I drive in the Washington DC area, and occassionally commute up I-95 to New York and Long Island. In other words, it's traffic, traffic everywhere.
I depend on the TomTom GO 740 Live. The traffic updates are frequent, and almost always match what I am seeing in the real world. And IQ Routes are clearly having a positive impact on route selection. IQ Routes is the feature than anonymously gathers actual driving experiences from all TomTom users and then factors that history into its route computation. I suppose it works best in metro areas where there are many users.
Why this matters: Anyone who drives north out of DC knows that 16th Street is much, much better than Georgia Ave. They both appear as normal city streets, and though Georgia appears more direct, it has more untimed lights and more local traffic. Before IQ Routes, TomTom would suggest Georgia, and I would ignore it. Now, TomTom suggests 16th. With IQ Routes, TomTom is gathering the experience that only local drivers have.
After second-guessing TomTom for a few months, and usually being wrong, I now let it automatically route around traffic. Between the traffic reports and the IQ routes, I am getting the right routes and very accurate estimates of arrival times.
My previous TomTom was the 930, which reached its traffic service through a bluetooth connection to my phone. The connection was flaky (I blame Verizon, not TomTom.) and did not work if I was on a call. The new LIVE series has it's own cell circuitry built in. I stopped paying $15/month to Verizon for "broadband access connect", and I will gladly pay $10/month to TomTom for the LIVE services, which include traffic, fuel prices, speed cameras, Google searches, etc.
Final note: In addition to the LIVE services, I subscribe to TomTom's map update service, and I dock the unit to my PC often to download map corrections. I depend on my GPS, so these update services are a positive feature for me, and my review assumes use of all these services.