TomTom GO Plus - 3.5 in. Car GPS Receiver
- Form Factor: Fixed
- Map capabilities: Download maps
- Receiver Type: 12 Channels
- Screen Size: 3.5 in.
- GPS Type: Automobile
- Input Method: Touch Screen
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OK, so I admit it. I get lost getting out of my garage!
Pros
No real set up required, easy to use, good voice quality, nice 3D display!
Cons
Screen difficult to see in direct sunlight. Route picked is sometimes long way around!
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This is one of the simplest units to use, with only minimal set up. No computer hook up is needed, and it is pre-loaded and ready to go!
Well that's what my wife always says about my ability to follow directions, driving someplace new! Actually, I hate reading maps and could never figure out the correct route from any map!
I really believe the GPS receiver was made just for me. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a series of satellites, launched by the U.S. Government for the purpose of our troops being able to navigate around different areas. Over a period of time, this technology has worked its way into the hands of consumers. For a long time, the U.S. used what they called a non-military offset, which meant that if consumers were using the GPS system, the accuracy was not as good as the military, for security and tactical advantage. When the government dropped this offset, it opened the flood gates to allow consumers to purchase GPS units that were very accurate!
So, where are we now with GPS units? Well, they have gotten smaller, and work on their own internal battery or a cigarette lighter adapter. The majority have clear color screens, showing updated map data as you travel in your vehicle. So what does a GPS unit really do?
A GPS unit will help you navigate as you drive. This unit made by TomTom, (sounds like an American Indian drum company), will give you directions. Let's take a brief look at what this unit does and how to use it. If you are considering purchasing it, you should know the good and bad points of the device.
First off, after you take the unit out of the box, you have to plug in the included A.C. adapter, and charge the internal battery. After that, you use the TomTom! The unit comes with internal maps & data already loaded on a memory card. CD ROMS are included for adding some additional information, but for the most part, it is ready to go out of the box.
There is a color touch screen that is not only used for reading maps, but for set up of parameters to suit your individual tastes. For instance, the unit has a built in speaker, and can give you guided directions. It might say, "make next right in 600 yards"! You can choose a man's voice or a woman's.
Here is a simplified list, of what you do to set up the unit:
1-Plug in adapter and charge internal battery
2-Press the color screen, and hit the preferences button and set up:
A-Voice preference
B-Map colors (there is a choice of colors your maps can be. It depends on which colors you find easiest to read.
C-Set time, date
D-Set up night time map colors. This allows you to change the colors on the map, for easier reading at night. The colors are not so bright as to blind you at night or be too glaring. A nice feature.
E-Map view-Most people select the 3-D view, which shows your position as a blue triangle, and shows the roads and highways as if you are looking at it from above. I find it is very easy to view this way. You can have a regular map as well, as if you are reading it on a paper map. FYI, the 3-D map view is the one shown on the unit, at the top of this review!
F-Setting home-This simply means typing in your address, usually your home, that you travel to and from most often. This way, you set up your destination by pressing the DESTINATION button, and press FROM HOME, and that's it. The unit plans your trip for you and gives you both map and voice directions to guide you.
G-Map references-This allows you to have the map as cluttered or uncluttered as you like. You can show POI, (points of interest), individual addresses or other information. I prefer the map to label main roads and streets, and leave the screen very uncluttered!
H-Trip route-This allows you to choose how you want to travel to your destination. You may choose shortest route, scenic route, or fastest route.
There are a few more settings, but I do not want to get anyone confused, as this is a basic overview of what it is like to set up and use this unit. To get more information, you can go to their web site at:
http://tomtom.com
Once the parameters are set for the TomTom, you type in your destination, and that's it. It will access about 8 satellites to determine your actual position. Once you have the signal, which can take about 2 minutes, it shows you where you are as a blue triangle, displays the highway or street you are on, and displays the speed of your vehicle as well as current time! I found it was good to glance at the screen every once in a while, when it is safe to do so, and listen to the voice/spoken directions. Make the next right in 500 yards, stay to the left, exit at next right! You can actually listen to the directions and have it guide you to your destination. If you stray from their directions, once it gets your position, it will draw a new map and tell you how to get to your destination from the new position!
The only negative thing about the voice directions, is that sometimes it does not make clear which exit to take. It may say take exit on right, but there may be 2 exits on the right. You may have to look at the map first to see the name of the exit they want you to take.
I must admit that the whole concept is still amazing to me. Showing where you are on a map, and how you are moving down a highway and your speed, is fantastic to me. The best part is there is no fee or anything to pay for other than the purchase of the unit itself!
There are many brands of navigation/GPS systems, and all have their own pluses and minuses. I found the TomTom to be very easy to use. As far as the accuracy of the map data, once in a while it is off, and does not show certain exits, but all in all, it seems adequate for me.
Finally, what is the difference between these units and the car navigation systems that cost $2,000-$3,000 ? First of all, you can not move the unit from car to car. Also, the built in systems have screens right in the dashboards, and are larger displays than the portables. Many of the in-car systems have DVD's that drive the system and all map data is on them. Most have the same voice guided directions as well. The one big difference, is that the in-car systems may have what is called DEAD RECKONING! This means that if the unit loses the satellite signal, the internal computer figures out where you are by the current speed of the vehicle, and figures in how many miles you have traversed! That means the in-car system is actually hooked up to the cars speedometer, etc. Since it involves some special hookups, you don't find these on the portable units. There is one manufactured by a company called Garmin, but it is sold through dealers only, since as I said, it needs complicated hook ups to the vehicle.
My final thought is the TomTom is easy to work, involves very simple set up, uses a clear loud voice with a good size built in speaker, and a clear bright color screen.( In bright direct sun, everything washes out on all screens!)
If you too get lost once out of your garage, travel a great deal, or do not like not knowing your way around, this unit is for you! I feel it is worth the $600 cost.
I really believe the GPS receiver was made just for me. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a series of satellites, launched by the U.S. Government for the purpose of our troops being able to navigate around different areas. Over a period of time, this technology has worked its way into the hands of consumers. For a long time, the U.S. used what they called a non-military offset, which meant that if consumers were using the GPS system, the accuracy was not as good as the military, for security and tactical advantage. When the government dropped this offset, it opened the flood gates to allow consumers to purchase GPS units that were very accurate!
So, where are we now with GPS units? Well, they have gotten smaller, and work on their own internal battery or a cigarette lighter adapter. The majority have clear color screens, showing updated map data as you travel in your vehicle. So what does a GPS unit really do?
A GPS unit will help you navigate as you drive. This unit made by TomTom, (sounds like an American Indian drum company), will give you directions. Let's take a brief look at what this unit does and how to use it. If you are considering purchasing it, you should know the good and bad points of the device.
First off, after you take the unit out of the box, you have to plug in the included A.C. adapter, and charge the internal battery. After that, you use the TomTom! The unit comes with internal maps & data already loaded on a memory card. CD ROMS are included for adding some additional information, but for the most part, it is ready to go out of the box.
There is a color touch screen that is not only used for reading maps, but for set up of parameters to suit your individual tastes. For instance, the unit has a built in speaker, and can give you guided directions. It might say, "make next right in 600 yards"! You can choose a man's voice or a woman's.
Here is a simplified list, of what you do to set up the unit:
1-Plug in adapter and charge internal battery
2-Press the color screen, and hit the preferences button and set up:
A-Voice preference
B-Map colors (there is a choice of colors your maps can be. It depends on which colors you find easiest to read.
C-Set time, date
D-Set up night time map colors. This allows you to change the colors on the map, for easier reading at night. The colors are not so bright as to blind you at night or be too glaring. A nice feature.
E-Map view-Most people select the 3-D view, which shows your position as a blue triangle, and shows the roads and highways as if you are looking at it from above. I find it is very easy to view this way. You can have a regular map as well, as if you are reading it on a paper map. FYI, the 3-D map view is the one shown on the unit, at the top of this review!
F-Setting home-This simply means typing in your address, usually your home, that you travel to and from most often. This way, you set up your destination by pressing the DESTINATION button, and press FROM HOME, and that's it. The unit plans your trip for you and gives you both map and voice directions to guide you.
G-Map references-This allows you to have the map as cluttered or uncluttered as you like. You can show POI, (points of interest), individual addresses or other information. I prefer the map to label main roads and streets, and leave the screen very uncluttered!
H-Trip route-This allows you to choose how you want to travel to your destination. You may choose shortest route, scenic route, or fastest route.
There are a few more settings, but I do not want to get anyone confused, as this is a basic overview of what it is like to set up and use this unit. To get more information, you can go to their web site at:
http://tomtom.com
Once the parameters are set for the TomTom, you type in your destination, and that's it. It will access about 8 satellites to determine your actual position. Once you have the signal, which can take about 2 minutes, it shows you where you are as a blue triangle, displays the highway or street you are on, and displays the speed of your vehicle as well as current time! I found it was good to glance at the screen every once in a while, when it is safe to do so, and listen to the voice/spoken directions. Make the next right in 500 yards, stay to the left, exit at next right! You can actually listen to the directions and have it guide you to your destination. If you stray from their directions, once it gets your position, it will draw a new map and tell you how to get to your destination from the new position!
The only negative thing about the voice directions, is that sometimes it does not make clear which exit to take. It may say take exit on right, but there may be 2 exits on the right. You may have to look at the map first to see the name of the exit they want you to take.
I must admit that the whole concept is still amazing to me. Showing where you are on a map, and how you are moving down a highway and your speed, is fantastic to me. The best part is there is no fee or anything to pay for other than the purchase of the unit itself!
There are many brands of navigation/GPS systems, and all have their own pluses and minuses. I found the TomTom to be very easy to use. As far as the accuracy of the map data, once in a while it is off, and does not show certain exits, but all in all, it seems adequate for me.
Finally, what is the difference between these units and the car navigation systems that cost $2,000-$3,000 ? First of all, you can not move the unit from car to car. Also, the built in systems have screens right in the dashboards, and are larger displays than the portables. Many of the in-car systems have DVD's that drive the system and all map data is on them. Most have the same voice guided directions as well. The one big difference, is that the in-car systems may have what is called DEAD RECKONING! This means that if the unit loses the satellite signal, the internal computer figures out where you are by the current speed of the vehicle, and figures in how many miles you have traversed! That means the in-car system is actually hooked up to the cars speedometer, etc. Since it involves some special hookups, you don't find these on the portable units. There is one manufactured by a company called Garmin, but it is sold through dealers only, since as I said, it needs complicated hook ups to the vehicle.
My final thought is the TomTom is easy to work, involves very simple set up, uses a clear loud voice with a good size built in speaker, and a clear bright color screen.( In bright direct sun, everything washes out on all screens!)
If you too get lost once out of your garage, travel a great deal, or do not like not knowing your way around, this unit is for you! I feel it is worth the $600 cost.
