Autoblog Gadget Review: TomTom Go 300
2,000 mile road trip, a new unfamiliar city and a burning desire for new gadgets compelled me to buy the just-released TomTom Go 300 (right), their second-generation portable car navigation device for the low low price of 26-weeks of hard-labor for Uncle Autoblog (or $620) – far less than all the integrated vehicle nav systems. Is this a bargain? Or should I have shelled out the extra cash?
This is actually my second attempt at TomToms Go series. Unlike
Walt, Ive always liked GPS systems. But the pathetic
red-on-black I can only show you one arrow at a time nav offered in my 2002 Audi was never a serious contender, so
when I saw the first TomTom Go in 2003, I was giddy as a school girl. When I bought it, I was glad Frys had a return
policy.
Everything about the first TomTom Go exceeded my expectations, except for the pesky little thing called map accuracy.
Two out of the first three locations I entered into the system resulted in wildly inaccurate mapping. I almost cried in
disappointment like a school girl who finds her favorite doll with no hair. So, back to the store it went.
Now, Im all grown up. So, about a year later, I set myself up for another disappointment. But this time, so far, so
good: 16 entries. One mistaken location. In fact, the road didnt even exist, according to the Go 300. But its a small
road outside Bismarck, North Dakota, so Ill let it slide. I will post an update on the map accuracy after logging a
few thousand miles. Lets take a look at some other factors.
The miniature TV-looking Go 300, and the soon to be released Go 700, feature pre-loaded maps of
the entire US, allowing for, literally, out of the box operation. It also comes with a suction-cup mount for the
window, USB cable for map updates, a DC and an AC charger, a carrying case and a soft cloth for wiping the screen. The
fit and finish of the device was Honda-like. Good, solid, but material quality was not exactly a Lexus. The Go 300 has
no external buttons besides the power and the release buttons for the suction cup mount. This makes the device small
a pro and a con depending on whom you ask. Either way, it has to be kept it within a comfortable arms reach since it
is entirely touch screen operated.
Once its internal battery was charged and a few set up questions have been answered, the GPS was off and running. It
acquired enough satellites within a minute, which is a far cry from the 10 minute lag I experienced from the first
version thats plenty of time for me to get lost. The screen is bright, and TomTom offers several viewing modes
including a high-contrast night version and 3D view. In direct evening sunlight, I could see my Blackberry screen
clearly, but the TomTom was washed out.
For convertible owners, I would suggest mounting it very close to the driver (since the wind
drowns out the voice) and near a pillar for additional shade. (Mounting arm shown at right)
Sporting a well-matched CPU, routing to a new destination took just a few seconds and this can be tested by merely
turning onto a wrong road during a trip. The GPS device will then find another route based on your new location. You
can chose from fastest, shortest or simplest routing, with the ability to avoid a certain point, like your exs house,
or toll roads. It even offers you a choice of thousands points of interests such as restaurants based on proximity to
your current location.
Audio prompts (available in English with Brit, Yankee and Oz flavors) were loud and clear with
minimal distortion from the built-in mono speaker in the back of the system. The volume automatically varies based on
vehicle speeds, so you dont get a deafening turn left when you are moving out of the drive way.
I did experience one system crash, which prompted the device to reboot itself. Even more unfortunately, it lost the
current route, and prompted me to drive to the previous saved destination something that would have made me very
angry had I not noticed it and blindly followed the system. I wasnt able to duplicate this problem, but I will be on
the lookout for this in the long-term review.
One significant new feature I have yet to test is the Bluetooth integration, which according to
TomTom, allows you to download real-time traffic data via your cell phone. It requires a monthly subscription fee, so
Ill save that review for my next raise. To go one step beyond, the more expensive Go 700 offers the ability to view
the caller ID and answer your cell phone using the GPS screen by leveraging the Bluetooth integration geek chic and
possibly life-saving.
In summary, TomToms Go 300 is a keeper and a bargain. The small form factor and intuitive menus offer good all-around
performance and the price puts this ahead of other touch screen GPS devices such as the Garmin StreetPilot c-series. In
fact, it deserves serious consideration against a dealer-installed GPS system, especially if you consider the change
you could pocket.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh Wardell 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I've had TomTom for just over a year now and I love it. At the time the Go was not out and was debuting for $800, I put together a pocketpc-based system for about $400, software and hardware included. That certainly beats the $1700 I would have paid to get nav with the car.
TomTom beats most others not only on cost, but on ease of use thanks to it's wonderful 3D mode. It's much easier to make sense of while driving. Of course a touch of a button will toggle it back to 2D, which may be more useful if while stopped you want to look further out around you to find a landmark. 3D is slowly getting adopted by other nav makers and stock systems, but tomtom was the first and still may be your only choice.
The Go is a great idea putting everything you need in one small package and now the price is right, too. I hope it continues to work out for you this time.
Here's my page detailing my tomtom system:
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/nav.html
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JHenley 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Waited for a GO for the longest time, have had it for 6 or 7 months now and I love it. Nice battery life for the times that I forget a cord. SO easy to pack and take along on trips when I'll be renting a car. With a little piece of extra software - can't think of it at the moment - Mac OS X compatible.
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Jeffrey 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Hope you enjoy the drive out to The Evergreen State, Ben, and welcome! I've driven from Pennsylvania to Seattle on the northern route you appear to be taking. Hope you have/had time to let Rushmore break the monotony of the Dakotas.
p.s. Nice PowerBook! :)
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Finishing.Law.School 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
The cnet.com reviews of these are positive and thorough. I would not mind getting one myself...
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Rob 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
My only issue with these (VS factor build) is that they look like the next the reason someone might have for smashing my window and making off into the night with my $700 of consumer electronics.
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Joel A 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Wonderful review. Will Autoblog be considering reviews for all vehicle-related products in the future?
By the by, what was the screen size of the TomTom?
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Ben Huh 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Thx Joel,
The TomTom Go has a 3.5" screen:
http://www.tomtom.com/products/section.php?ID=76&Section=90&Language=4
I hope to do more of these, but I probably need companies to start sending me stuff instead of me buying them with my own money. (Hint, Hint)
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Jeff Gilleran 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Slick unit.
If I had the cash Id be all over it.
:)
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Kip 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Had the same issue with the Audi Navi. This defitnely looks like a worthwhile solution. I want one now.
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RJM 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
FYI:
today TomTom (a Dutch-company based in Amsterdam) has been listed in the euronext stock exchange
http://www.euronext.com/trader/summarizedmarket/0,5372,1732_6834,00.html?selectedMep=2&idInstrument=105988&isinCode=NL0000387058
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George 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
It's nice to see a recent review of one of the GPS systems I've been looking at purchasing. I went ahead and preordered the TomTom Go 700 yesterday based on what it can do on paper, compared to the Roadmate 700 and Garmin c330. Reading your review, I feel more confident in my decision.
How does the "tip" system work? Has it been helpful? Have you used the Itineraries option yet?
How many English voices can you choose from?
Thanks,
Geo
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Natrino 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
#2 - The Mac OS X software is called TamTam.
http://www.equinux.com/us/products/moresw/tamtam.html
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Russ 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
TomTom also has a bunch of downloadable voices at their website including a Valley Girl ("you have like reached your destination"). That's my favorite.
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Andrew 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
The Tom Tom Go 300 is awesome. I bought it on a Wednesday, downloaded a software update and used it Memorial Day weekend from Thursday to Monday. I planned an itinerary from Southern California to Reno, NV with multiple stops along the way.
The maps were dead-on accurate, I was able to program a couple of alternate routes when I wanted and ease of use of great.
The only negative was the screen glare from direct/ambient sunlight.
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Rick Harman 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I have definiately heard of the tomtom GPS package but it wasn't readily available when I picked up my Garmin Streetpilot 2610 which can now be had for $600 if you watch the sales. I paid $750 at Amazon over a year ago. The 2610 comes with maps and points of interest for the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The included 128 MB compact flash card only holds a small portion of the maps. You need a 2.2 GB card to hold all the maps. The 2620 actually has all the maps built into it but the cost goes up about $200 (last time I looked). My wife and myself have used it extensively for the past year+ and love the device. It is highly accurate, the directions are clear, the display is a good size and finely detailed, and the unit quickly locks on to the GPS and quickly generates directions. As far as trips go, we have traveled on a few 400+ mile trips and the 2610 has been right on. I haven't needed to pull out a map in quite some time. My sister-in-law, who is a real estate agent, picked up the 2610 upon my recommendation, and swears by it. It has worked so well for her that many agents in the office have pursued picking it up. This blog isn't meant to belittle the tomtom GPS (since I haven't used it) but to at least indicate that there are other GPS units out there that perform quite well.
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Franklin 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
The application has a great feel but it is flaky and does not always work right. However, no piece of electronics works right all of the time, so I can deal with that.
The only real PROBLEM I have is the map data that TomTom uses (supplied by TeleAtlas) is horrible in most of the country (not all). Many of the road pieces have incorrect information (even for 10-15 year old roads), and too often the unit will tell me it knows where an address is but takes me somewhere 20-30 miles away from the actual address, and I have to stop and ask someone local for directions.
Portable systems will never match the in-vehicle system because of memory constraints and the reliance on only one location sensor (GPS), where the signal can be lost on cloudy days or around trees/building, but it is good to see that the portable systems are improving.
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Andy 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Anybody know if there suitable for truck drivers??
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Hai 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I currently own Garmin 2610 and I agree with Rick Harman that it performs well. Before reading the review and posts here, I was tempted to sell my 2610 to buy the TomTom Go 300 because I was sick of the 2610's quirkly data entry method. For example, I want to limit my search to "Everett, WA", for that, I have to select "limit search to a city" and not "... to a city and state". Some of the addresses, which has been there for 20 years, on major road, could not be found.
On the positive side, the 2610 is accurate most of the time, so I guess I will keep it for a while.
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Richard Ross 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I'm looking into getting a auto nav unit within the next few days and have narrowed it down to the Garmin c330 and the TomTom 300. Reviews on both units have been very positive but I'm leaning toward the TomTom. The only thing I'm concerned with is it's TeleAtlas map database. I'm mostly interested with the US Eastern states. Anyone have any opinions? It's funny that TomTom's web site points to the 2005 Telematics Awards http://www.telematicsdetroit.com/awards/ as best navigation unit, but the best map database was awarded to NavTeq
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