TomTom GO 720 review
28/08/07 02:20:01 pm by Matt - 2422 words
Categories: Reviews, Electronics, Games/Gadgets/Gizmos, GPS/Sat Nav |
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Can TomTom improve their already well respect range of ‘Go’ products?
The x20 range is the latest Portable Navigation Device from the market leaders TomTom. Thanks to the guys at Clove Technology, we’ve managed to get our hands on a Go 720 to review.
The 720 was launched in Europe alongside its little brother – the 520. A 920 is noticeable by its absence currently, but there are a few pointers to suggest an announcement won’t be too far away.
These new x20 devices come pre-installed with the latest firmware, and navCore7 software. The x10 range, and indeed the PDA/Smartphone software currently runs navCore6 – which lacks some of the newer features found here.
The first improvement we see with navCore7, is an improved GUI. It’s really only a different skin – but for what its worth – it is an improvement.
As you may have seen from Matt’s unboxing video, the TomTom branding is omnipresent as usual, and the box is packed full of pretty much all the main peripherals. A car charger (rather obviously), and a natty desktop docking station found on the newer model – I assume because they are now so slim they won’t stand up!
The spec sheet for the 720 is really quite impressive; a 4.3in widescreen TFT ‘matt finish’ screen using a 480x272 resolution, and backed up by a 400MHz CPU and 64meg of RAM. The TomTom 720 comes with 2gb of onboard memory, but the vast majority of this is taken up by the supplied maps and addons. Bluetooth, and, a first for TomTom, a built in FM transmitter. The battery life is stated as 5 hours, and it weights just 220g.
Environment:
This device has been used for the past 2 weeks on every journey, as a direct replacement for TomTom Navigator 6 running on my personal iPaq PDA (A rx3715 from a few years ago). Consider this a comparison review between these methods of satnav, and my experiences with other brands.
Highlights:
Form Factor: At 118 x 83 x 24mm, TomTom have managed to shave a fair bit off the older 710 model, and I can’t really see them being able to go much smaller, since a decent size screen is mandatory on a satnav device! It's still not exactly easy to carry about with you though – especially if your a male without your manbag! Luckily this problem goes away if your partner is with you.
FM Transmitter: Finally! This feature is a real winner in my opinion. It works well, its easy to turn on and off – and unlike those cheap things you buy off ebay, there is no sign of crackle or interference. It just works, and works well. You are able to select whether music and navigation announcements are made over the FM transmitter, or either or. Music is stopped during announcements, and resumes automatically when it’s finished telling you what to do!
Speech Recognition: To be honest I was expecting this to be appalling. Having been around the IT industry for the past 10 years or so, I know that by default, all voice/speech recognition products are 1) appallingly bad; or 2) none-functional. Surprisingly I’ve not managed to get the 720 to get anything wrong! Once again, rather like the FM transmitter, it just works. It seems like a simple thing to say, but it amazes me how TomTom have managed to get it to recognise my voice, in a clapped out 10 year old car! By selecting the navigate via speech option, you are told to say the city you need to get to (as per usual TomTom define any city, town or village as a city!). A list of possible matches is displayed, to which you say the number.
Text-to-Speech: The TomTom 720 has also applied some massive improvements to the core of the satnav system Road name are now spoken by the new “computer voice”. This feature was also seen on the Go 910, but the 720 massively improves on even that. Its got a few bugs, a few oddities, some street names just don’t quite work, but the majority of the time, its very clear, and does help out over the standard “Turn left” style commands.
Package: As I’ve already said – the whole package is pretty impressive. A carry case or sleeve would have been nice, but the inclusion of a dock is welcomed, and I can’t really fault the content much at all really.
Screen: The screen seems to be covered in some sort of matt finish cover. This might sound nasty but in practise it works well at keeping the screen visible in strong sunlight. Although its perhaps not as clear in normal lighting because of this, on the whole, the cover does improve things.
Low Lights:
Battery Life: Still not ideal in my eyes. The advertising spiel says 5 hours, and it is a bit less than that I reckon. I would normally always use this plugged into a car charger – but clearly the fact its got a battery suggests that not everyone works this way. I guess the screen size limits what can be done about the battery life. Hopefully 5 hours is enough for the majority though
Sound quality: This was the biggest problem I had with the TomTom. I’ve used quite a few of these PNDs, and PDA software navigation system from TomTom, and the early PNDs such as the Go 300 had excellent loud and clear speakers. Much better than my iPaq’s speaker. These new systems, presumably because of the smaller size suffer from very poor quality speakers. They aren’t particularly loud either. While I’m sure it will be bearable to most – its extremely disappointing after the quality of the earlier models.
No Bluetooth Network Connection support: Since we like our Windows Mobile 6 devices here at TracyAndMatt, It very, very disappointing to find that these new models STILL don’t support Bluetooth PAN. It has the usual Dial Up Networking profile, and will work with most normal phones. However WM6 supports a new Bluetooth profile – The Bluetooth PAN connection. Effective this allows ‘Internet sharing’ within WM6 to act as your internet router – no messing about with dial up – connect to the PDA and you’re connected. Unfortunately even the brand new x20 range doesn’t support this, and what’s worse, because WM6 no longer includes the old DUN profile, you cannot use it for Internet Sharing with the TomTom
Speed: Oddly the system isn’t as quick as refreshing as my iPaq – even with all POIs turned off. I’ve noticed this before, and I not 100% why this is the case. However, its perfectly usable, the GPS fix is found ultra quickly, thanks to the software downloads available via TomTom Home.
The unknown!
Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get the MapShare technology to work at any point. Everything seemed to go ok, my own fixes appeared to be uploaded OK, but nothing even changed on the map itself. I tried many different options to get it going but nothing seemed to give me much success. I do have the device for a couple more days, so I’ll update this should I make any progress!
Review
OK, so I admit I’m a bit of a SatNav obsessive (according to Matt!) and I am a big big fan of TomTom stuff. I prefer it to iGo and CoPilot. I’ve never used a Garmin device, but I think in terms of ease-of-use – nothing comes close to TomTom.
I’ve tried to use the device as a ‘noob’ but to be honest its a bit difficult since I’ve used these products in various forms for years. Even so, I’ve tried to remain impartial.
However, the first thing to say is that this is a damn good satnav. The new features are well thought out and genuinely improve an already good range of products. TomTom appear to have listened to the community as well. The system allows a much greater level of control over the look and feel of the built in OS. You can (finally) change the position icon (formally the blue arrow), to a logo or images of your choice, or one of the built in ready made pictures. I went for an orange F1 car.
Equally useful is the ability to move the status bar from the bottom of the screen to the right hand side. I wasn’t sure if I’d like thus, having been used to the standard look of TomTom, but its a great idea – certainly on widescreen models like this. It seems to use the screen space better, and still allow a large driving view.
There are many other minor improvements, that I’ve seen people moan about in previous editions of navCore. You can turn on an audible alert when travelling x% over the speed limit. You can now turn off the speed limit monitoring completely – something missing from earlier versions. A built in light sensor allows you to choose to automatically dim the screen when it gets dark. All minor updates, but it shows an attention to detail that was perhaps lacking in the early TomTom releases.
The current version of the software (7.0) is, being honest, a bit crash happy. It doesn’t seem to want to open some of the photos I’ve uploaded to it, and just jams itself until I’m forced to press the reset button. The menu also has a tendency to hang either permanently, or for a few seconds at a time. Unusually though when on a route, and the device is left to its own.. erm.. devices, its perfectly stable.
The suction cup and mount is somewhat different to the old Go models. There is no built in charger, or any port replication. Many people believe this to be down to the problems TomTom faced with the old active mounts. The suction cup is, as ever, very strong, and ‘parking’ the device takes a bit of getting used to, but very intuitive once the learning curve is complete! I can see the mount being a pain in the **** for people having to plug the charger, an external GPS aerial, and a FM Traffic receiver in every time they set off!
There are improvements to the way TomTom handle SD cards. In older models, the SD card ‘replaced’ the onboard memory – so a complete copy of the software and maps had to be loaded onto the SD Card. This is no longer the case, and the TomTom combines any folders called the same on both memory areas. This allows you to use all the space on your memory card. As ever though, images have to be in /images, mp3s have to be in /mp3s etc etc. Otherwise they just aren’t seen in the Jukebox or picture viewing software.
Operation
The overall operation of the device is exactly like any other TomTom. I think the buzzwords are evolution not revolution. If you can handle your current TomTom device, you’ll be fine with this. There are minor improvements, for example the user-configurable quick launch menu, and depending on how old your device is, you’ll be surprised to find Postcode navigation now hidden in the ‘address’ area. Routes can, as ever, be calculated by the quickest route, shortest routes, various different methods for pedestrians and fixed speed vehicles. Routing seems good, if not perfect – and the mapshare technology will only improve this.
Disappointing to me was the recent announcement that TomTom are to buy TeleAtlas mapping. Having used one of the few TomTom rider units supplied with NavTeq mapping, I think in comparison, the TeleAtlas stuff is lacking – even in Europe. Routing also seemed much better using the Navteq maps. However, I fear this is something that we’re gonna have to manage with. It’ll be teleatlas all the way from now on.
A minor gripe is the car mount. It’s a little too small, and too short. This means that the unit is held firm, and shake-free, but it a long way away from the driver – especially for control with driving. My PDA mount for example sits a lot further away from the windscreen, and closer to me – meaning its much easier to control without stretching.
Stability
Overall stability is pretty good while routing, but as stated earlier, its prone to crashes, especially when modifying settings within the large menu system.
Ease of Use
Its TomTom. Its like the rest, and I don’t believe its that steep a learning curve for people new to satnav. For a new entrant to the world of satnav – you won’t find a much easier starting point than this.
Overall Assessment
TomTom have really raised the bar with the release of the 720. 2gb onboard memory, and a wide variety of major and minor fixes and feature improvements. While I have a few issues with it, I can’t help but heap praise on TomTom who have made possible the biggest improvements to the devices since the original TomTom Go.
It's a great device for both new users, and old pros looking to improve what they already have. The FM transmitter is exceptional – and space saving since it’s all built into the small case. The text to speech, and speech to text systems are the best I’ve ever used. They are highly useful, and I think that’s the main plus point for me – all the new features are genuinely useful to the end user. So silly gimmick here – just solid feature requests being added to an already good base product.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a new satnav right now – this is the best on the market. It’s well supported both officially and unofficially, and the ‘fan’ sites have large communities of experts ready to help out with any problems. The pricing is highly competitive, even against its stablemate the Go 520.
TomTom GO 720 Specification:
Note: Since writing this, I noticed Clove have reduced their price again – just £255 (£299.62 inc VAT)
Review by: Mark
[Post tag(s): smartphone news, Pocket PC news, Tom Tom GO 720, Satnav, navigation, GPS, Tracy & Matt]
Permalink72 comments
You mention BT DUN with WM6, I've found a cab file that re-enables DUN'ing within WM6, if you want details, I'll forward you a linky!
Matt
Also, a couple of times now the microphone in the 720 has stopped 'listening' while I've been inputting a destination. Consequently I'm sitting there like a lemon talking to myself.. this has also happened when using the 'record your own voice' feature, not something I'd really use, but was having a play with it and it just locked the whole unit up, twice.
Overall It's a lovely bit of kit though, looking forward to the TMC unit (when it becomes available) but I seriously think TomTom need to add BT PAN support.
Rodan
ps I have tried various usb slots and resetting TomTom etc
The really frustrating thing is that I have just paid for the traffic service but cannopt download it without this being resolved first.
Any suggestions?
Where do you get this version 2.0.0.370 as I can't find it at TomTom site?
any help?
kevinx@blueyonder.co.uk
I've just scoured the TomTom support pages, turned up some refs to TT home 2 which said it was only compatible with the new TT GO 520/720 but didn't offer any download links. I'm pretty sure it came up from the support pages though.. though I might be mistaken and it popped up from clicking check within TT Home.. might be worthwhile dropping them a line and asking where it can be found. It's definatly out there though.
I bought the TomTom 720 and it's BRILLIANT, but alas, only in the car. TomTom HOME is a dreadful piece of software, it's VERY unstable and if you install ANYTHING after installing the TomTom on the USB it simply ceases to load the HOME software and in spite of being connected the software says it isn't,
The map update sounds like a nice idea, but don't buy it for this. You can update maps as many times as you like, but the changes never show up.
Mapping in the UK and traffic cameras is 99%. Mapping and Cameras in Belgium is hopelessly out of date and although the roads seem OK, traffic circles appear where there isn't one and cameras which have been in place for MONTHS simply don't exist.
It's a great device, but until they get HOME to work properly and they get the map update feature working, use the iPAQ version!
I am very pleased with this new model released by Tomtom and as with other Tomtom products, it seems to work very well and I am looking forward to using. However, I have a couple of queries you may be able to answer.
1: Is it possible to increase the memory (for music etc..) by buying an SD card. I think you can get up to 6Gb and this would dramatically increase the amount of tunes on my system and save me from having to get an Ipod for my car. If so, does it have to be a certain type of SD card?
2: My last Tomtom sat Nav had a great cradle for the car which automatically charged/powered the device when I connected it in the car. The 720 does not. Is it possble to get a base to conect the device to the power supply and all other devices without having to plug them in each time you use it in the car??
Apart from that, its a great system.
Cheers,
James
Completely useless for me though. This is my first and I hope last experience with TomTom sat navs.
I've bought 720 2 days ago - I wish I hadn't sold my reliable ViaMichelin X950-T.
So far the device is completely useless for me and the reason is pretty simple:
1. Attached my new device to the PC
3. Downloaded the latest HOME 2.0 software
3. It by default runs latest updates - I have got them all.
4. Created backup with 2.0
Device is completely dead - on start it shows yellow screen with red cross.
In the shop changed the device for new one - the same scenario repeated again ?!
TomTom adviced me not to download their latest application next time (the device is currently in the shop for restoring original software).
Is it not supposed this to be the best TomTom device in the market - in the sense that you expect at least to work ?!!!!!?
Will sell it on ebay and NEVER, EVER WILL BUY TOMOTOM AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My next device will be 980 from ViaMichelin.
And by the way even if it was working it had only Western Europe maps, so if you travel in whole Europe forget about it - I asked TomTom to buy complete Europe maps and they answered me to wait till they produce them - currently you can not buy them because the new fancy MapShare maps are not ready yet - it is pathetic for the supposed leader of the GPS market ???
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Not impressed.
(I can now very smuggly state that the first lesson of applying updates is to backup what you've already got...!)
If you want to pick one up at a shop I'd suggest you go to Curry's, and ask them to match the Halfords offer (they did for me!).
Forget eBay...some of those sellers are having a laff with their BIN prices!
I bought a TT720 a couple of months ago. Have been using it with my PC running XP home and it worked fine until I uploaded a software update for the 720. Now it will not talk to the PC at all although the unit is recognised. There seems to be a problem with a file called xulrunner and the C++ runtime environment. It does however work ok with my laptop which is running XP media edition. anyone any ideas??
Cant restore from latest backup.... worked fine before though
I let my 720 "upgrade" today, and it shows the hard drive icon and a cross.
No amount of pressing reset or restoring the backup will fix it.
Should I try taking it back to Comet? I've had it since September, might I get a refund?
resolve it by rolling back to v1.6 of TT Home
(on installation CD) and reinstalling upgrade from there.
no problem with tom tom home on my computer
windowes xp home to put in security code
still waiting for it to ask for my code as it switches on
and and works as normal where is my security.
apart from that i can only download from tt home
and not from a disk as my tt 700 i could put extras as
voices lo bridges ect.
apart from that i am well pleasd with my tt720.
How can I rebuild my house and those of my neighbours lowerdown the street?
Apart from that - great
Just upgraded my 710 with FM base to the 720 so I could get new map technology. Wish I had read this site first. Updated a few streets and uploaded them low and behold what a waste of time not showing on 710. Is anyone else having problems with hands free my 710 was not great but because it had a separate mike and the sound could be put through your car stereo I could just about put up with it now the sound is awful people complain of a buzzing in the background and I have to put volume full up to hear them the sound will not play through the car speakers. Also used www.makayama.com software to play videos on 710 this is not supported on the 720 has anyone tried it I used mobile TV centre on the 710. Is there anyway the posts on this site could be sent to TomTom as it would appear the people here have more insight into TomTom products than there own people in support have!
One last one in change preferences 6 of 8 there is a blanked out icon named car preferences any idea what its for? I contacted TomTom support was in a queue for 30 mins support did not know and said they would e-mail an answer what a surprise the answer was nothing to do with the question.
i can now transfer files from disk like all super markets
fast foods new maps E.C.T.
had it a cuple of weeks now well pleased.
a big step up from my Tom Tom 700
voice directions great
would recomend the Tom Tom 720T to enyone.
mine and so far very impressed though it doesn't seem to understand my voice too well. Also agree with the comment about the 'help' feature. Ridiculously far away numbers given. Why is that?
Please let me know as now have a yellow screen with pic of tomtom on it and a large red X
Not very happy Xmas present
answers to caravansolutions@aol.com please
Nigel
What about this new 50% discount off maps which only applies if you live in other EU countries!! Folk in the UK only get £30 off £69.95 for European maps!!!! All I got from tomtom was waffle for 10 days of communication over this issue!!!!
i have the tomtom 720 traffic satnav with the fully compatible siemens sl75 phone. however when i try and download all my contacts from the phone it does not do it, the satnav tries to and the phone says remote synchronisation happening but does not, how do i set up thr phone for remote syn to satnav
ta
update.Screen displays:Windows-No disk,Exception Processing
message(with some data),a large red cross.can someone help
email- fid_mah@hotmail.co.uk
Service Desk support is variable: first line support are usually helpful and friendly. In one case I really got the impression that my rep was really keen to explore the problem with logical yet creative response. On another occasion a CS rep wrote doen my carefully explained failure of Automatic Speech Recognition as a "Text to Speech" problem. The worst example though was when they passed the ASR problem to second level support who pondered the problem very carefully for three days before coming up with the stunning response "Maybe you're speaking into the device too loudly." That was a real laugh out loud rolling on floor moment!
http://www.tomtom.com/support/index.php?Language=1&query=red+cross&FID=1898
Also, from delivery, my unit won't accept speech input, and despite several (complex) instructions from the TomTom helpdesk, still has a greyed out "dialogue" icon.
Oh to have bought the Garmin 760T.....
thanks
Any input would be greatly received.
Many thanks
reset, rebooted all sorts done,
only seems to have between 25mb - 27mb free ram out of the 64mb supplied, so not sure if it is a ram problem going on??
thanks rob
I actually have a question about the Tom Tom GO720. Does anybody know how to change the languages, as I accidentally pressed a different language when I turned it on for the first time on the Home Dock.?
The unit does not charge when using the in-car lead (and the green charging light does not illuminate). However, it does charge normally when used with the home charger/docking unit.
The problem seems to be that the connection between the plug on the car lead and the unit itself only works intermittently. I've found that if you press the connecting plug up into the base of the unit, you can 'remake' the connection and the recharge light comes on again, but only for about 30 seconds. Eventually the low battery warning appears on the screen and the unit completely shuts down shortly afterwards - most annoying, as it's usually when you are far from home and really need the directions!
It seems that when charging via the docking unit, the weight of the unit itself keeps the connection between the plug and socket tight (and working) but when the satnav is screen-mounted there is no corresponding pressure so the connection is poor/intermittent.
I'm wondering whether this is a known fault with the GO720, or whether it's just my unit. It's been back to TomTom for repair a couple of times now but it comes back with the same problem. Any ideas please?
I have a tt720 and just recently bought an iphone. Since I downloaded itunes to support my iphone, it seems it has disabled or done something to my tomtom. My operating system is windows vista. When I put my tt in the docking station, plug it in the usb, an error message comes up saing, does not recognize device, then with futher investigation, it says, "no drivers are found for this device." I have enabled device, un-installed it, un-installed tt, then reinstalled it. I have tried everything that I could think of to get this driver working. I think itunes hijacked it personally!
If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.
Thank you, Ellen
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