Feature loaded TomTom 730
Best Portable GPS System?

Is the TomTom 730 the best portable GPS system? Probably not, but it does come with a lot of very useful features. Equipped with maps of the US and Canada, the TomTom 730's 4.3" wide screen display is easy to read. Some comments of poor visibility in sunlight when viewed with sunglasses, have been reported. The maps can be viewed in 2D or 3D and carry TomTom's 30 day update guarantee.

The maps also may be updated using "Map Share". You will have to download TomTom Home software to be able to use this feature. A number of owners have reported a problem downloading this software and have also reported a number of "bugs" in the software.

Once logged on, you will be asked if you wish to join "Map Share". If you do (recommended) you may download map corrections from other users and upload any corrections that you have made. You can also update "IQ Routing". "Text to Speech" is included, allowing the unit to announce the name of the street you should turn on, in addition to the direction and when to turn. "Turn left on Oak Street in 500 ft."

Routes may be created in a number of ways. You can use "Voice Activation" to enter the State, City, Street and number and a route will be calculated for you. You may also choose one of the millions of Points of Interest or a previous destination. Routes may be customized by excluding freeways, tolls, etc. "IQ Routing " will calculate the route based on historical traffic data collected over millions of miles traveled. This feature will calculate the best route based on estimated time to travel to the destination. You may also use "Itinerary Planning" to create multiple stops along your route. Unfortunately, the TomTom 730 will not sort the stops to create the most efficient route.

You can add Points of Interest of your own and you can create category proximity warnings. When set up, you can be warned of upcoming school zones, churches, etc. You can also be alerted to upcoming gas stations along your route. This could be a useful feature if you are one of those drivers that doesn't start looking for gas until the fuel light comes on. Touch the "Help Me" icon and the Go 730 will give your current location and the nearest police and fire stations, closest hospital and more. "Lane Assist" will get you in the correct lane for upcoming turns.

The TomTom 730 is compatible with both TomTom traffic and RDS TMC Traffic. A receiver is necessary for TMC Traffic which will include a one year subscription to the service. Check Total Traffic Network coverage to make sure your driving area is covered. TomTom Traffic requires that youse a cell phone that is compatible with the on board bluetooth technology. Check Tomtom Bluetooth Phone Compatibility to make sure your phone will work with the TomTom 730. You may also have to upgrade your cell phone service to include data transmission (GPRS, UMTS or CDMA) if you have not already done so. To learn more about TomTom Plus traffic and other available fee based services click TomTom Plus Services..

A FM transmitter is included allowing you to transmit the sound from your TomTom Go 730 to your car FM radio. You can also play your favorite music with the TomTom MP3 player. The Go 730 is iPod compatible, however the patch cable is not included.

Although TomTom provides the ability to make numerous customizations, they may have overdone this feature and made the unit a little too complex for some. I'm not sure if we will ever be able to label a particular GPS as the "best portable GPS system". There are just too many variables. The TomTom 730 is a very feature rich unit however, some features do not function as well as we would like.

Amazon:

By Daniel Taveras "Honestandtrusted", February 15, 2009

I've had the product for about two months now. One disappointment is the battery life! I read it is 5 hrs? I would say 1hr to 1hr 1/2 and that is it! I brought it because I thought the battery would last a long time. Major let down! Pretty easy to use but does have a lot of menu's. I like the menus although you could get lost at times. It doesn't have a "BACK" button when go through most which I don't like. It actually has frozen on me twice.

All in all, I enjoy using this device. The blue tooth feature is fantastic. It connects automactically to my cell (after 1st time setup) and when a call comes in just touch the screen and speak to the caller! No more cell phone while driving tickets! You can even load mp3 music on this thing and have it come out of your cars radio!! Amazing! Clear quality! I wouldn't pay $400 for this baby! Max would be around $240. Hope this helps people!!

By PK, February 1, 2009

At first I really liked the unit. I quickly discovered, however, that TomTom had disabled the FM transmitter. I also discovered that many cell phones are not supported (Bluetooth). Only 5 Verizon phones are supported, so several useful functions are not available. Exceptionally disappointing!!

By Robert Rodriguez "Robtotravel", January 18, 2009

Like many on here I spent month's reading reviews from Amazon and many other consumer sites before selecting the TomTom 730 as my new GPS. I was replacing a 4 year Garmin Nuvi GPS that stop working. I was so confused on which GPS would fit my needs and received the most positive reviews. As with any GPS there will always be good and bad reviews. The TomTom 730 had all the features I wanted at a price I was willing to pay. Also the TomTom 730 came with the new reality view of the road signs ahead and shows you what the landscape or road ahead looks like and how many lanes and which lane you should be in.

I like the feature of traffic updates because the unit warned me of a traffic jam 7 miles ahead and offered an alternative route to get around the traffic jam. This unit does it all. I love the free updates using the map share software. If you're undecided on which GPS unit to purchase, I would say pick TomTom as it's simple to use, easy to program and it is more accurate than the Garmin I had for 4 years. And it syncs up with the satellites within 10 seconds of turning on thanks to the new quick link up software included in the GPS unit..This is the current winner of the GPS battle and beats out most other companies.

WalMart:

By GirlNextDoorToYou, 03/09/2009

I bought this for my husband and he loves it. He travels all over the place due to his work it hasn't gave him wrong directions yet. great product.

By an anonymous customer, 01/13/2009

I recently moved and was without a computer for approx 1 week (ie. no mapquest). TOMTOM has kept me SANE - I would have NEVER found my way around. The "search for POI" is the best feature!Battery life isn't great, but keep charger on hand and you are safe. If TOMTOM stops talking, then battery is low. The layout could be a little better, but to be honest I haven't thoroughly read instructions - there may be a way to reconfigure the layout of options.

By HitechEval, 12/25/2008

The TomTom GO7xx is all you could ever want in an upper end GPS. TFT Display with 4.3” Touch Screen, optional realtime Traffic & Weather, spoken directions with Real Street Names, both US & Canada Maps, 400MHz processor for faster satellite acquisition and location display, 2Gb Flash Memory for handling a virtual unlimited number of pre-canned and personal POI’s. A really great unit. It should be… it cost a fortune.

Now it’s a little over a year later, it’s Dec 2008. Even with a full charge (ie: more than 4 hours on either the USB cradle charger or the 12vdc car adaptor charger) the battery now lasts for LESS THAN 4 MINUTES outside the car before the unit ‘dies’.

Here’s what TomTom doesn’t tell you. I called TomTom Tech Support. I asked them about replacing the battery. I was told by Peter that the battery is NOT SERVICIBLE… it’s soldered into the unit. It’s not designed to be replaced. Ok, how much to send it in to TomTom and get the battery replaced? His response… ‘if the unit is less than a year old, the unit will be serviced under the 1 Year Warranty. If the unit is over a year old, they won’t service it… EVEN FOR A FEE!’. I asked him to repeat it since I didn’t believe my ears. Same thing. So now I’m stuck with a GPS unit that won’t work outside the car which is one of the reasons ‘why’ I bought the TomTom. I’ll never buy another TomTom.

TomTom 730 Owner Ratings

Amazon:

41 Reviews
5 star = (14)
4 star = (14)
3 star = (7)
2 star = (4)
1 star = (2)

Test Freaks: 86 reviews: 7.8 out of a possible 10

WalMart:

17 Reviews
5 star = (13)
4 star = (2)
3 star = (1)
2 star = (1)
1 star = (0)

TomTom 730 Specifications

Introduced: April 2008
Unit dimensions: 4.65"W x 3.27"H x 0.94"D
Display size: 4.3" diag
Display resolution: 480 x 272 pixels
Display type: widescreen 16:9 format LCD, WQVGA
Weight: 7.75 ounces/0.49 lbs.
Battery: rechargeable lithium-polymer
Battery life: up to 5 hours
High sensitivity receiver: yes

What's in the Box:
TomTom 730 device
Preloaded maps for US and Canada
12-24V cigarette lighter adapter
Windshield mount
Desk docking station
TomTom HOME software and manual CD
Documentation

Note: The state of Minnesota prohibits the installation of portable GPS units on the windshield of your vehicle.

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