Sat NAv

The TomTom 520 will do all of this and can be upgraded (For free, officially through TomTom) to have the same features as the 530... This means that it has IQ routes as well as Lane Assist. A good time to buy too, as TomTom have just released a new a map which you would be able to download for free using the "Latest Map Guarantee" (LMG). You will definitely be able to pick this up for sub £150 and it does everything you require. If you require European maps then you can go for the 720 which is essentially the same but with Europe instead of just UK & Ireland.

Also check for the T models (520T, 720T, etc) as they are the same but come with the traffic FM TMC module... Sometimes this can be picked up for the same price or cheaper, though some debate whether it is actually any good (I quite like this module, though). The traffic module aside (Worth £50 rrp) the actual unit is exactly the same (Eg, 520T is the 520 with the traffic module).

Cheers.
 
RastaManBob said:
Also check for the T models (520T, 720T, etc) as they are the same but come with the traffic FM TMC module... Sometimes this can be picked up for the same price or cheaper, though some debate whether it is actually any good (I quite like this module, though). The traffic module aside (Worth £50 rrp) the actual unit is exactly the same (Eg, 520T is the 520 with the traffic module).

Cheers.
Click to expand...


I have a 520T and it does work its bypassed me through some bad roadworks. it saved me a good 1 to 2 hours in delays on a recent trip.
 
As previously, it works very well for me too but (As much as it may appear otherwise!!) I try and be objective when giving recommendations and I *have* read a fair number of complaints about the TomTom traffic module. I can only put it down to regional variances in signal quality or something (Which is not ideal in something designed to go travelling with ;) )... But it's been good for me, so far! :)
 
I bought a Navi-Go SY885 last summer and replaced the TurboDog software with TomTom v7. I even added celebrity voices. :)

Works a treat, for a lot less than £150.
 
stockhausen said:
I bought a Navi-Go SY885 last summer and replaced the TurboDog software with TomTom v7. I even added celebrity voices. :)

Works a treat, for a lot less than £150.
Click to expand...



That is always a nice solution for somebody that might want a basic satnav but the requirements given (See below) suggest that this may not be the best option in this case...

EgonSpengler said:
  1. Bluetooth
  2. FM Transmitter
  3. Street Name Speak
  4. MP3 Player
  5. Widescreen
Click to expand...
 
I've done some searching around and the TomTom Go730 seems to have everything I want and can be got for a smidgen over £200. I'll have a look at the other suggestions but the TomToms seem better priced than the Garmin's.

Edit: oh and I forgot to mention I need European Maps, which by the looks of seems to be the only difference between the 530 and 730 :)
Edit2: and if anyone knows where I can find a better price on that unit let me know !!
 
Last edited:
Just bear in mind that by the time you've connected the TomTom to the Home software and run an update, black bezel aside, a 720 will be identical to a 730. There are no hardware differences between them.

The 720's are usually significantly cheaper.
 
stockhausen said:
I bought a Navi-Go SY885 last summer and replaced the TurboDog software with TomTom v7. I even added celebrity voices. :)

Works a treat, for a lot less than £150.
Click to expand...

Same. Im about to put V7 on it now actually, Im on V6 at the moment.

I only use it to get to obscure places for work, so I only wanted something cheap and cheerful :cool:
 
blueboy2001 said:
Just bear in mind that by the time you've connected the TomTom to the Home software and run an update, black bezel aside, a 720 will be identical to a 730. There are no hardware differences between them.

The 720's are usually significantly cheaper.
Click to expand...

Identical...? In every way to the 730? And it comes with European maps?
 
Yes. 720 and 730 are exactly the same apart from the colour of the bezel. The 720 will come with older software which is updated automatically using the TomTom software. Using LMG you will also get the latest map (Which has just been released).

The 720 can be found quite cheap; I'd expect around £150 now... As said before make sure to check prices for 720 and 720T as occasionally (I don't understand how/why) the T can be even cheaper.

A great model. I've got the 520T which is effectively the exact same but not Euro maps.
 
RastaManBob said:
Yes. 720 and 730 are exactly the same apart from the colour of the bezel. The 720 will come with older software which is updated automatically using the TomTom software. Using LMG you will also get the latest map (Which has just been released).

The 720 can be found quite cheap; I'd expect around £150 now... As said before make sure to check prices for 720 and 720T as occasionally (I don't understand how/why) the T can be even cheaper.

A great model. I've got the 520T which is effectively the exact same but not Euro maps.
Click to expand...

I managed to find the 720 for £140 delivered and the 720t for about £160 (can't find the 't' model cheaper). Thats a sving of about 60/70 quid over the 730. The black bezel may look nice but its not worth that much :)

Thanks a lot for your help, you've saved me a bundle :)
 
Does anyone know if there are any differences between the TomTom One/Classic and XL other than the screen size?
 
Last edited:
EgonSpengler said:
I managed to find the 720 for £140 delivered and the 720t for about £160 (can't find the 't' model cheaper). Thats a sving of about 60/70 quid over the 730. The black bezel may look nice but its not worth that much :)

Thanks a lot for your help, you've saved me a bundle :)
Click to expand...

Great news :) One word of warning (Not much of a biggie but just something to remember!)... Update the firmware on the TomTom (Done pretty much automatically using the TomTom software) BEFORE using the Latest Map Guarantee. If you don't do this you may be offered an older map first.

Basically, update firmware to the v8 series (Not sure on the exact latest revision but one was released in the past few days) and then update to the v8 maps using your LMG (Again, has been updated recently).

Everything should be pretty automatic but if you accept the new map before updating the software you'll "waste" your voucher on an old map and then have to pay for a new one.

One final thing: TomTom have recently started a new scheme allowing you to get quarterly map updates for around £6.99 (Purchased in a year bundle) if I remember correctly. To be eligible for this you must have the latest map. The price you are charged for the map depends on how out of date your present one is. Considering that you'll have the latest map through the LMG you are able to join the quarterly update at the £6.99 that is effectively a very good price if you were considering regular updates anyway. You will be eligible for this right up until they release a new map (As once this happens your map wont be the "latest" and you'll have to pay to upgrade to this prior to joining the map update scheme)... This means you've got quite a while to consider this, as the latest map (That you'll be offered for free) is so new :)

Scottland said:
Does anyone know if there are any differences between the TomTom One/Classic and XL other than the screen size?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't know anything about those models - I only know about the x20's/x30's/x40's after researching before buying my satnav... I know a few have posted in this thread about the models you've mentioned so hopefully they'll check back soon :)

Cheers.
 
Scottland said:
Does anyone know if there are any differences between the TomTom One/Classic and XL other than the screen size?
Click to expand...

If you're talking about the older models, as far as I know the XL has an SD card slot (mine does) whereas the later versions of the One did not. Whether or not that applies to the new models, I don't know.
 
RastaManBob said:
Great news :) One word of warning (Not much of a biggie but just something to remember!)... Update the firmware on the TomTom (Done pretty much automatically using the TomTom software) BEFORE using the Latest Map Guarantee. If you don't do this you may be offered an older map first.

Basically, update firmware to the v8 series (Not sure on the exact latest revision but one was released in the past few days) and then update to the v8 maps using your LMG (Again, has been updated recently).

Everything should be pretty automatic but if you accept the new map before updating the software you'll "waste" your voucher on an old map and then have to pay for a new one.

One final thing: TomTom have recently started a new scheme allowing you to get quarterly map updates for around £6.99 (Purchased in a year bundle) if I remember correctly. To be eligible for this you must have the latest map. The price you are charged for the map depends on how out of date your present one is. Considering that you'll have the latest map through the LMG you are able to join the quarterly update at the £6.99 that is effectively a very good price if you were considering regular updates anyway. You will be eligible for this right up until they release a new map (As once this happens your map wont be the "latest" and you'll have to pay to upgrade to this prior to joining the map update scheme)... This means you've got quite a while to consider this, as the latest map (That you'll be offered for free) is so new :)
Click to expand...

How often do they release Euro updates and how much do these usually cost?
 
I believe they release a new map pack each quarter, though usually it is hard to tell the difference between them.

I'm not sure on map prices but a quick look on the TomTom site seems to be showing up :

Map of Western Europe v8.15
Detailed map seamlessly covering Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, the Vatican City, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and the Canary Islands.
Download 1674.4 MB
GBP 69.95
Click to expand...

Cannot confirm that this price is what you'd typically pay, though, as I've never paid for a full price map (I got my TomTom a little before they introduced the quarterly scheme).

One thing I need to correct is that I don't believe it will be £6.99 per quarter... I paid somewhere around that but I was subscribing for UK maps only. I believe the charge will be slightly higher for European (I forgot that those where what you were after) and if I remember correctly these cost approximately £10 - £12 per quarter. In anycase TomTom HOME will give you a personalised quote when you go on the Update Map screen.

Cheers.
 
After a quick search I couldn't find the 720t for £160ish unless it was a refurb - so went for the 920t at £185 instead, which seems a pretty good saving over the 930t if functionally it's the same after a software update.
 
Thats a very good price for the 920t. Can anyone confirm that the 920t does not lose any of the features of the 720t?

I particulalry want bluetooth to link to my Mobile and an FM transmitter. I am guessing with it being the next model up it will have all the 720 has and more.
 
The 920t gains over and above the 720t. It has the remote in the box and the us maps as well as europe. It also have a speed/gyro sensor to maintain approx position whilst in tunnels etc.
 
As far as I am aware the above is correct, however unless you want the remote or US maps then it is not worth going for the 920 about the 720, unless it happens to be cheaper. Certainly do not buy for the position detection in the absense of GPS signal. It is notoriously bad and some prefer to actually have a model that doesn't have this feature than one that has it and does not work (Usually very poor at calculating position). This feature can not be turned off as far as I am aware... However, as said - If it is cheaper than a 720 then I'd go for it as I don't think you'll be in many positions where this kit will kick in anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom