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: Great GPS Unit. Advanced Features. Easy Use.
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I am not a GPS expert. I have used AT&T Navigator on my Blackberry, other than that, Im a GPS novice.
This unit was incredibly easy to use. Loaded CD into my computer and plugged in GPS. It automatically updates and walks you through everything quickly and easily.
Actually using this GPS couldnt be any simpler. While I read the short manual, and took the tutorial, my wife didnt. On our 1st drive with it, she figured out how to input a destination and get it going within a minute or two. She also changed the voice, activated the voice commands (very handy), and adjusted the color scheme, all without reading the manual or taking the tutorial.
If every product worked this well, and was this easy to use, the entire electronics industry would be turned around. This product is a benchmark for its competitors, as well as the rest of the industry to work towards.
As for the GoLIVE portion. It seems useful, but after the initial 90 free trial, I think I will probably have everything I need loaded on the unit so I doubt I will spend the money to extend the service. I will pay the small annual fee for updated maps instead.
Highlights
-easy to use
-easy to follow
-nice display, easy to see & adjust
-excellent volume control
-windshield mount works well
-compact and sleek
-Long battery life so it doesnt always need to be plugged in.
Cons
-No case for storage when not in use (dont leave on windshield or it will get stolen)
Digital camera Review: Great GPS but NO AUTO POWER ON
Summary: 2 Stars
The GPS is really great with the addition of the LIVE services. They are very quick with Gas/Traffic and weather in my area (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). The Google search is pretty quick in my opinion as well. The mount is the best I've seen on any portable GPS. My one and only gripe is that the unit DOES NOT Automatically power on when you connect it to the cradle or the mount. We have 2 cars, in one is an older (but still very useful) Garmin Street Pilot 580 with MSN Direct (lifetime). My gripe with that device was always the MSN's gas prices were never accurate and the signal rarely was available. The Garmin, however would do all the things you'd think to make it ergonomic (like auto power on and one button to clear out of menus). The Tomtom is clearly more sophisticated in the navigation and connection properties but the every day ergonomics (like auto power on and single button chores) are seriously missing.
I wish I could make my own GPS and take the simplicity of the Garmin interface mixed with the sophistication of the Tomtom routing and services. If Tomtom would ever make a simpler interface I think they would control the market based on their routing, customization (and now the internet connection). Also it's worth mentioning that the bluetooth remote control does work with the 740 and it will control the voice activation (with the center button held down for 5 seconds).
***Edit***
I've had the device for several months now and I can honestly say this is a terribly unstable device. When it works, it works OK. It restarts itself very often. It doesn't get a satellite fix often for minutes. It often doesn't work with blue tooth. If I had it all to do over again I would certainly choose another device and another brand. When my subscription runs out (which was very expensive) I will replace this device.
Digital camera Review: Great GPS but Software needs an Update
Summary: 3 Stars
My primary use for this device was to load personal POIs to the device and track them. This is a great GPS but after spending a good bit of time on the phone with the Tom Tom help desk, learned that the PC software to connect the GPS and load POIs would not work and was told by the help desk Windows 7 was not supported. I tried as well on a Vista PC and had the same issue. I suspect it was an issue with 64 bit operating systems but don't know for certain.
I returned the device but would repurchase if the software is updated to work on newer computers.
Digital camera Review: Great GPS for the Money
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great GPS for the money, has enough features to get you to where your going!!!Digital camera Review: Great GPS, but XL340S may be a better deal!
Summary: 5 Stars
We ordered this GPS because it offered everything we wanted, we loved the TomTom interface, and Amazon had the best price we could find anywhere.
Pros:
- Great features, especially lane guidance, spoken street names, customizable POI's
- Bluetooth compatibility
- Easily interfaces with your computer through included TomTom Home software
- Can plan a route using Google maps and send directly to the GPS
- Live services are awesome to find new POI's through Google (first 3 months free!)
Cons:
- BT doesn't list our cell phone type, so check to make sure it is one of the "tested: ones listed by Tom Tom
- The Live services are $10 a month, so probably not worth it if you have a smart phone or another data plan, but the traffic updates are nice to have in metropolitan areas.
- The windshield mount is not very compact for traveling, it doesn't fold nicely like the XL340
Overall I would recommend this if you want everything in one GPS (if you've got a compatible phone). Otherwise, I'd go with the XL340S, it's cheaper, and even though there's no BT, it gives most of the same features as the GO740 Live, and you can always add the traffic antenna later.