Go 720 replacement

[momcat1]

After this last go around with TT support, where they conveniently squirmed out of fixing the problem again, I am now researching a replacement GPS unit. So do you any of you have strong recommendations for another product? I currently have a Go 720, and I'd like to get something with similar functionality. Bluetooth handsfree is required, so is 4.3 or larger screen. Traffic updates for a reasonable price required.

I don't need an iPod connection, I can take or leave the MP3 player. I do need Bluetooth pairing with a current GSM phone, carrier is ATT, currently using a Nokia E71. I'm not inerested in anything that will require subscriptions to any ATT service, and software GPS on my phone is not on my list either. I cannot look at the phone screen while driving.

And I'd really rather not have to wipe and reinstall the device every month either. That just doesn't make any sense. So what products should I include in my search? I've already been to several review site, but they don't put enough comparable details that I need to see in one place. I'm not up for another 8 month search.

Thanks guys!

This is not a cross post, I meant to put it here.

 

[dhn]

But it is essentially a duplicate post. I closed the other thread.

 

[CynicX]

Thats a tricky list of requirements for the competition. Garmin for example, they can do it by you are talking about there 700 or 800 series which have a 4.3" screen, bluetooth, lifetime FM traffic blah blah.

The problem is they range from 500-700 dollars. Since it seems like you've had so many problems with your Tomtom though I'd suggest you go there.

You wouldnt have to worry about the road speeds being 2 mph off or lighting up red. You wouldnt have to worry about mapshare corrections not working right. You wouldnt have to worry about your map subscription policy giving you a false message. You wouldnt have to worry about it not connecting to the computer (no reason to connect it). Luckily for you, those things arent offered with the competition...

 

[Malouff]

momcat1,

What problem are you having with your 720 this time?
I looked at your history and noticed before it would not connect to the computer but that you said you got it corrected.

Is your 720 still under warranty?
If it is then you may need to call and try working up the chain of support staff.

I also agree with CynicX that you may want to check out Garmin
(only if your TomTom is out of warranty).

 

[momcat1]

Sorry, didn't know you had posted, never got the email to let me know. Since March, and I think since 8.301, there has been a long series of problems. Every other day or so, it's something else. The phone that had been attached just fine for data and handsfree, stopped working, first the handsfree then the data. I lost the gas prices module and every time I tried to reload it got messages stating there were gas stations on the list that were not on the map. When I check the hard drive, I discovered that all of the files needed for gas prices were gone. Then the voice stopped working. The file was still there and recognized by Home as valid, but the was no sound. Then the traffic got turned off when the Go was sitting shut off. No one had touched it. Then I lost my phone book. Then it started doing various combinations of these things, with the occasional USB not recognized problem again. It is incapable of restoring from my backup. Each time I create one and try it says it's corrputed. Every other day I have been doing numerous pin resets, resets to default and total wipes and reinstalls. TT knows about it, I've been logging all of the on the questions page. Their suggestions to fix the problems are like bandaids, never addressing what I believe to be the larger problem. If it was a PC I would say the hard drive is hosed. Every time I boot the Go it's a crap shoot as to what will or won't work this time, or what files have mysteriously disappeared, again.

My TT warranty has expired but I have an extended through Square Trade. I probably should call them, but it would be nice if TT would get to the point that they state there is a hardware problem. Not once have they even mentioned that I should send it to them for service. The details of the extended look a little shady if they can attribute the problems to software.

For what it's worth I now have 8.35 with maps 8.30.2284.

 

[Malouff]

momcat1,

Sorry to hear you are out of your warranty period.

Sounds like there is a problem with the internal flash drive (if you are using internal)
Have you tried running off of a SD memory card?

When I called support for my 730 that needed to be warrantied (it stopped acquiring satellites) I told TomTom over the phone I tried a soft & hard reset, running the clear flash tool, etc., and they said since I tried everything that they would just create a RMA and eMail me the address to send it in to.

The did not give me any problems for creating a RMA.
I however did learn almost all devices warrantied will be replaced by a refurb unless it was 30 days from purchase supposedly.

I would try calling TomTom over the phone and see if they can do anything for you. If not then I would stop buying their Traffic, Gas, etc., and Map Subscription. Why pay for something that you can't use.

 

[momcat1]

I have tried running from the memory card, and it seems like the Go gets more confused by doing that. I do have copies of most of the program items on the memory card, but even though Windows Explorer sees these just fine, the Go never does. I don't have the main app on there any more from my troubleshooting. At one point it appeared that the problems may have been because of that.

As a matter of fact the gas subscription expires next week, and I'm definitely not renewing that one. I have found that for the areas I need, the pricing is never current, and usually 3-4 weeks behind real time, even though I do receive the updates frequently. I can do better than that on my own with Gas Buddy. I know it's not TT's fault when the prices change more than once a day, which happens fairly often, but even when the prices don't move for a couple of days, the updates don't include many of the recent changes. I'm always seeing a couple of stations with 3 and 4 month old prices.

The other subscriptions I continue to carry for the time being, in the hopes that this can be resolved.

The problem with calling them is finding a time when I can do that. I've got to do it from my office, and the past several months everyone is always concerned about losing their job if you give management even a tiny excuse.

 

[momcat1]

Well, I did it! I contacted Square Trade today, who has my extended warranty for my Go720, and explained the problems I've been having. I also told them that if need be, I would also call TomTom today to see what could be done. The rep at Square Trade told me not to even bother. They are sending me shipping material to send the Go to them, and they will either repair or replace it, depending on what is found. They will contact TT if necessary.

It turns out that my TT warranty is still technically in effect, though only for two more days on labor and another year on parts.

So I'm curious to see how all of this goes. I have purchased several Square Trade warranties, but this is the first time I've actually had to use one. They seemed real professional and efficient on the phone.

 

[momcat1]

I know it's been a while, but in case any of you are interested, I'll give you what I hope to be the final chapter to my saga.

Two days after I contacted Square Trade for warranty service, and also the day after the original TT warranty expired, TT support finally sent me an email stating perhaps I should arrange to return my Go for warranty repair. Yeah, timing is everything! It took Square Trade a little over a week to get shipping materials sent to me. They insisted that they send the materials, and for me not to box it up myself. Considering I have a full shipping dept who could have done at least as well, that's kind of retarded, but I'm sure they wanted to make sure no more damage was done than had already happened. OK, so sent my Go to them. It took another week to get to the repair house. I requested on the sheet that they contact me with any questions, but no one ever did. 3 days after receiving it, they pronounced it fixed. I only had to wait another whole week to receive it.

Well it appears that the problems are gone. I have had it for 3 days now, and I have not seen any evidence of the prior problems yet. All I can say is I have almost a year left on the Square Trade warranty. If it whacks out again, I'll probably call them and see if they want to help me. The price of the warranty was worth it.

This was certainly not a fast process but the result appears to be good.

 

[Malouff]

momcat1,

So was a referbished Go 720 sent to you then?
I don't think they would repair and send back the original from what TomTom support was telling me.

 

[momcat1]

No, they repaired my unit. They did not replace it.