Review of Tom Tom GPS

Design
There is not a great deal to say about the Go 730's design that has not been said when we reviewed the Go 720. The only apparent changes are on the 4.3-inch screen's frame, which is now black.

Almost all of the Tom Tom interfaces are alike much like the exteriors.. This consistency is nice because TomTom's map screen and menu design are uncomplicated to use. At the bottom of the map screen, instructions are carried in a blue bar. The main menu can be brought up by tapping the map, while clicking on the next turn instruction brings up a volume slider and a route summary that is accessed by tapping the stats box.

Features
Last year you had to load the text-to-speech feature but now it comes pre-installed.

Bluetooth was at first reluctant to pair with our Palm Centro, but worked flawlessly after successfully getting it in bed with an Apple iPhone. Calls came in loud and clear through the built-in speaker. This is despite the presence of a much improved FM transmitter.

Combined with the capability to playback MP3s, this makes the Go 730 a pretty handy device even if you know your directions. Using a faint button on the map screen, you can easily access a songs list. There's about 600MB of space on the TomTom GPS System for music storage — more if you're willing to delete some voices via the TomTom Home PC software. Music and instructions can also be output via Bluetooth or the line-out cable if your car stereo is appropriately equipped.

The Tom Tom Go 730 has Map Share and this feature allows users to correct errors present on the Whereis maps. These corrections can then be shared, once verified by TomTom, with other users via the Home PC software.

Performance
The Go 730 is the first TomTom device tested with the company's IQ Routes feature. It seems to do a better job at routing than other GPS navigators.

One great advantage is lane guidance, which is now available thanks to the supplied Whereis R15.1 maps. While the Mio Moov and Navman S-Series Platinum models have lane guidance for some main roads, major intersections and highway on- and off-ramps, the Go 730 has this feature for all but the most minor of streets. The lane info is typically displayed in the next turn instruction box, with full screen representations taking their place on some highway and motorway entrances and exits.

It takes about 6.5 seconds for the TomTom to start itself up — something it has to do every time you step into the car as there's no sleep mode. In the CBD, it will sometimes get confused about its position, as well as occasionally lose sight of the GPS satellites, but this is all par for the course with consumer-grade GPS devices. Traffic services aren't included with the Go 730, although the Go 730 Traffic is available for an extra AU$100.

Conclusion
The only thing holding the Go 730 back from greatness is the windshield mount that stands to be improved but it still works good now.