TomTom GO 930T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Receiver by TomTom
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Digital camera reviews of TomTom GO 930T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Receiver
Digital camera Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my 8th GPS in the past several years, and in my opinion, the best I had. I was looking for a GPS that was user friendly, that I could update the maps easily using my computer, that would advice me of traffic delays when in route, and propose alternatives that would be faster. I was also looking for mp3 and audible books player functionality. Then, I wanted to keep my options open, and use Bluetooth streaming of audio and a line out jack, just in case. I also wanted the possibility of using an SD card for Audiobooks, music and additional maps. It has other options, but my goal was achieved last Monday:
I was driving on my usual route from my house to the office, a 45 minutes drive, listening to an Audiobook playing in the Tomtom, streamed via Bluetooth to my radio (the brand is Dual, I invested in an Alpine, but for the boat), and the GPS was telling me which way to go (which I knew, so I had the voice silenced). Now, all the sudden, the TomTom beeps and says there is traffic on the way, displaying how long the delay will be in minutes. I kept driving and listening to the book. Then it beeps again, this time showing a 5 minutes delay, but stating I am still driving on the fastest route. 10 minutes later, it beeps one more time, saying the delay is now 25 minutes, and it offers me a faster route, asking if I want to take it. I said yes, and before I get to the congested area, I am directed off the highway and taken to my office via an alternative route. I lost maybe three minutes over my usual driving time. Half an hour after I got to the office, one of my co-workers who drives the same route I do was complaining he had been sitting in traffic for 35 minutes. I reminded him he might want to get TomTom like mine...
Now, I live in South Beach and my office is in Fort Lauderdale, so there is good traffic coverage. What I am not crazy about is the fact that the antenna is separate from the USB cable. I must have mixed up reviews before buying it with another model, because I thought the antenna was built into the USB charger cable. Not big deal for me. The audio player is very basic, but it does the job. Overall, I think it was for me at least, a great buy.
Digital camera Review: Excellent GPS with annoying flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my second TomTom--also have the GO510. Very much like my 930T--the traffice feature here in DC is very useful. There is also a shortcut feature on the menu that brings up the functions you use most often on a single screen. However, there is still no "DONE" soft key on every screen so at time if you want to go back to navigating you may have to push the "BACK" softkey numerous times. Hugely annoying flaw that takes multiple unnecessary key strokes. The other incredibly annoying feature is that you can no longer navigate directly to a Zip Code, you must first enter the state where the Zip code is then enter the Zip code you want to navigate to. Not sure how they screwed that function up, but on my 510 you punch in the zip code without having to have the state in first. Finally, when it asks you for a zip code, it makes the numbers very small and difficult to touch but when you are inputting a house number, the number screen converts to large text numbers and entering each number is easy. Seems our Brit friends at TomTom could figure out every Zip Code in the US is numbers only and every one of them is unique to the Nation, not to a state. I'd likely buy this model again but not without doing more looking around to see if some other model didn't have a better, US-centric, interface.Digital camera Review: Excellent for the Professional who needs directions
Summary: 5 Stars
I have purchased many TomTom Gps devices and I love the simplicity of the device. This upgrade form the 920T is fantastic. Not only does it show you exactly what lane you need to be in but the 3D effects are great as well. I recommend this device to anyone who has a vast knowledge of GPS's and someone who is always on the road alot (delivery drivers, etc). I can't wait until TomTom comes out with the upgrade to this model in the future.Digital camera Review: Excellent!
Summary: 5 Stars
I used a friends unit for a day and this is great. It works just as well as my Garmin 765t.Digital camera Review: Fantastic and Fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using a TomTom GO 930T for several months now in the USA. My previous experience with a TomTom GPS was in a rental car touring Italy during the month of August 2008. I was so impressed I bought my own. I would never tour rural Italy without one.
I have found the GO 930 T to be very accurate for both routing and traffic information. The Estimated Time of Arrival is helpful and accurate, too. If you get lost or have to change routes due to traffic, accidents or road closures, the 930T recalculates your route in a minute or two.
I have the additional antenna but find that the built in antenna works just as well. The Bluetooth feature for your phone is great; you can use it as a jukebox or photo album with a SD card. The built-in speaker is ok or you can send your directions or MP3 tunes through your car sound system.
The software included is great for loading your TomTom with frequent destinations as well as planning your trip before you leave home using your computer. My daughter has downloaded all her high school friends addresses so that we never get lost looking for their houses. (Believe me you don't want to get lost while driving your teenage daughter to an all important party!) This is much easier than doing it in the car. The battery recharges rapidly using the computer's USB port and the charging cradle. The device and maps are updated this way, too. The software is very easy to use.
You should not leave an GPS in the car while parked due to the potential of theft and damage from sun and heat. A carrying case makes it easier to take it with you.
The battery life does not appear to be as reported in the specs especially if you are using the Bluetooth option for your cellphone. The charging plug is always needed.
My 11 year own son loves the voices that you can download (his favorite at the moment is Homer Simpson) - that makes this unit fun! These famous voices do not read the street signs however. If you have the time, you can even record your own voice to read the directions which takes a while but is worth it the first time you surprise an unsuspecting friend.
Though I have fortunately never had to use it yet, the HELP feature is great. It includes a First Aid Guide and navigation plus phone numbers to the nearest facility needed: Hospital, Police, etc. The emergency route can be calculated for the vehicle or on foot.
All-in-all, I highly recommend this TomTom GO 930T GPS. Guys, you will never be told by your co-driver to stop and ask for directions. That may be reason enough to buy a GPS.
In October TomTom is releasing a new series (XXL) with a 5 inch screen so you might want to wait if you are thinking of a Holiday gift for your favorite driver.
PS: There is a TomTom for motorcycles which can be used in cars, too. It is significantly more expensive because of the waterproofing, mounting system, etc.