I wanted to post a review of my experience with my new TomTom GO 720. After spending a great deal of time researching the many options available for my first GPS, I finally decided on the GO 720. I looked at Garmin, Magellen, and TomTom.
I was concerned after reading posts from many different forums about the quality of maps on the TomTom, the probability that my phone would not work, the possibility that it might not select the best routes, difficulty loading songs, the weak FM transmitter volume, the distorted speaker sound at high volumes, poor HOME software, poor tech support, trouble getting updates, etc., etc.
I ordered my GO 720 from Dell (they are currently offering the GO 720 for $399.99 with free shipping). It arrived in two business days - great job Dell. I checked the box hoping for the one which had 7.01 as part of the model/serial number (this version supposedly has fewer problems), and sure enough it was there.
I followed the excellent instructions located in a different thread about starting up the 720 and setting the preferences before doing a backup. I installed the HOME software on my Windows XP computer without incident. Put the 720 in the cradle and attached the cradle to the computer. As soon as I powered on the 720, the HOME software started. I waited while HOME downloaded updates, but before I installed the updates I did a backup. As soon as the backup was finished, I allowed the HOME software to install the updates. Everything went smoothly. Tested the 720 to see if all the settings were the same and everything was functioning - YES!
Connected the 720 back to the computer and loaded some pictures and songs. Simple process via the HOME software (although the process could have been documented better), everything worked perfectly. Viewed the pictures and listened to the uploaded mp3's on the internal speaker. Everything worked perfectly, and no major distortion at full volume (both speech and music).
Things were going so well that I decided to pair my phone with the 720 (planning on it not working - I use a CDMA wireless carrier, not one of the major four, and a Motorola KRZR phone - not listed as a supported phone for all carriers). Fired up the 720, set my phone to be "discoverable" and told the 720 to find my phone - It did! The 720 transfered my phone book, paired successfully, and set up the data connection. I figured this was to good to be true, knowing that I would get the dreaded, "other party only hears static/hum/squeal problem". Tried a call to my wife, worked perfectly. Tried calling my cell phone from my home phone, up popped the caller information from my phone book on the 720, pressed answer and everything worked flawlessly. Then I paired my wife's Motorola RAZR. Success, worked just as well as the KRZR. A neat bonus that you can pair up to 5 different bluetooth devices to the 720.
I put the 720 in the car and tested the FM transmitter, and while I did have to turn up the volume on the car stereo, it is really no different from my iPod. Range of the FM transmitter was similar or slightly better than the FM transmitter I have for my iPod.
I checked routes from my home to relatives in-state and out-of-state. The routes the 720 choose were exactly the same routes I would have chosen or Google maps would have selected for me. I drove around town last night trying to see if I could find a few streets which might missing from the TeleAtlas maps (streets built within the last two years), but every place I tried was shown. Checked some of the local POI's, and besides listing a restaurant with a different name (name changed 6 months ago), the TomTom was spot on!
So far (knock on wood), I am EXTREMELY pleased with my GO 720. The huge list of features and the reasonable price were what made my final decision over a Garmin 660. I will continue to relay my experiences as I have more chances to "road test" my 720. I hope my experience helps to temper some of the concerns posted in other threads/forums.
I was concerned after reading posts from many different forums about the quality of maps on the TomTom, the probability that my phone would not work, the possibility that it might not select the best routes, difficulty loading songs, the weak FM transmitter volume, the distorted speaker sound at high volumes, poor HOME software, poor tech support, trouble getting updates, etc., etc.
I ordered my GO 720 from Dell (they are currently offering the GO 720 for $399.99 with free shipping). It arrived in two business days - great job Dell. I checked the box hoping for the one which had 7.01 as part of the model/serial number (this version supposedly has fewer problems), and sure enough it was there.
I followed the excellent instructions located in a different thread about starting up the 720 and setting the preferences before doing a backup. I installed the HOME software on my Windows XP computer without incident. Put the 720 in the cradle and attached the cradle to the computer. As soon as I powered on the 720, the HOME software started. I waited while HOME downloaded updates, but before I installed the updates I did a backup. As soon as the backup was finished, I allowed the HOME software to install the updates. Everything went smoothly. Tested the 720 to see if all the settings were the same and everything was functioning - YES!
Connected the 720 back to the computer and loaded some pictures and songs. Simple process via the HOME software (although the process could have been documented better), everything worked perfectly. Viewed the pictures and listened to the uploaded mp3's on the internal speaker. Everything worked perfectly, and no major distortion at full volume (both speech and music).
Things were going so well that I decided to pair my phone with the 720 (planning on it not working - I use a CDMA wireless carrier, not one of the major four, and a Motorola KRZR phone - not listed as a supported phone for all carriers). Fired up the 720, set my phone to be "discoverable" and told the 720 to find my phone - It did! The 720 transfered my phone book, paired successfully, and set up the data connection. I figured this was to good to be true, knowing that I would get the dreaded, "other party only hears static/hum/squeal problem". Tried a call to my wife, worked perfectly. Tried calling my cell phone from my home phone, up popped the caller information from my phone book on the 720, pressed answer and everything worked flawlessly. Then I paired my wife's Motorola RAZR. Success, worked just as well as the KRZR. A neat bonus that you can pair up to 5 different bluetooth devices to the 720.
I put the 720 in the car and tested the FM transmitter, and while I did have to turn up the volume on the car stereo, it is really no different from my iPod. Range of the FM transmitter was similar or slightly better than the FM transmitter I have for my iPod.
I checked routes from my home to relatives in-state and out-of-state. The routes the 720 choose were exactly the same routes I would have chosen or Google maps would have selected for me. I drove around town last night trying to see if I could find a few streets which might missing from the TeleAtlas maps (streets built within the last two years), but every place I tried was shown. Checked some of the local POI's, and besides listing a restaurant with a different name (name changed 6 months ago), the TomTom was spot on!
So far (knock on wood), I am EXTREMELY pleased with my GO 720. The huge list of features and the reasonable price were what made my final decision over a Garmin 660. I will continue to relay my experiences as I have more chances to "road test" my 720. I hope my experience helps to temper some of the concerns posted in other threads/forums.
