TomTom Go 540 or 730?

[dartiss]

Halfords currently have the UK 540 at ?242 and the European 730 at ?220.

On paper the spec for the 730 looks better. However, I don't need European maps. I know the 540 has a better mount. The FM transmitter in the 730 would be nice, but not essential.

I use my SatNav on-and-off, and am unlikely to sign up to the Live services - maybe for a month at a time if I'm going on holiday, for instance.

What do you guys think? From experience, which is likely to be the better choice for the money?

David.

PS. Have Halfords vouchers, so that's why I'm buying from there!

 

[mvl]

It really depends on your priorities.

730 pros:
- saves you ?22
- the FM transmitter which you might use
- has larger maps which didn't seem important to you
- also has a line out which you didn't mention
- has an MP3 player which you didn't mention

540 pros:
- better traffic for your needs: both higher quality HD traffic, and monthly pricing for your occasional use
- better mount
- better interface which you didn't mention - including auto-dimming menus, voice commands

The decision really depends on whether you plan to use the Tomtom for music. If your car radio already has an mp3 player, I'd recommend going with the 540.

 

[dartiss]

Hmmm. I think I'm even more confused now than when I started

Does the 730 not having the dimming screens?

Also, can anybody confirm if, on the 540, if you don't use the Live services, can you still update the QuickGPSfix via TomTom Home? I can do with my current TomTom One.

The one thing that sells the 730 to me is that I can use the much cheaper Plus service, rather than the Live service, which is too expensive for me.

I have to say, the extras on the 540 are selling it to me, EXCEPT I'm worried I might loose services such as QuickGPSfix if I don't use Live.

David.

 

[dhn]

Quickgpsfix is available for both models, the 730 and the 540. You'll have no issues there.

 

[mvl]

The 730 screen will autodim in map view but not in the menus. The 540 will dim in map and menu mode.

Also, in the US the LIVE traffic is better (covers more roads, more accurately) than the PLUS traffic. I assume the same happens in Europe.