tomtom go 500 - quick review

[papa_flump]

Hi, newby here....

After browsing several stores.. Maplin, Spaples, pc world, dixons, halfords to name a few.. I found the tomtom go range to be very well received but not in stock, almost anywhere!

then came the local comet... they had four 300's in stock and one 500. all above stores & many on-line retailers still have none (especially 500's), even the tomtom website states coming soon, anyone know the full sp?

anyway, I brought the 300 on Saturday (lousy salesman in comet btw)....
'Is your phone bluetooth? yes... 'you can use it as a hands free kit then - but do you have a headset?' yes... 'no real need then - how about a 5 year warranty on the 300 - you will then pay the same as you would for the 500 without it' - 'simply drop it or anything and we'll give you a new one, provided we can't repair it'.

After getting home I soon discovered (afer opening the sealed manual) the bluetooth handsfree feature on the 500 looked far more advantagous than mr comet implied... you can actually send/receive full screen sms text messages via the tomtom. The screen is also far greater than imagined when receiving a call as the persons name and number (if copied from sim to tomtom) along with a jolly big red and green phone symbol for reject/accept the call also fills the screen.

Another small but welcome feature that benifits the 500 over the 300 is not so much the faster processor & major european road maps but the inclusion of a mains charger, something else not really highlighted by the average salesman or that clear from the box in all honesty.

All in all the 300 would have done me fine, exept that my works hht uses the lighter socket (I know I can buy an adaptor) but the thought of charging up at home overnight is a fairly big plus (seperate charger would cost approx £20) to discover that it's not in the box is a bit annoying. Bluetooth, although the 300 has bluetooth and connects to you mobile if compatible (plus service) the hands free option is to me far more than simply making & receiving calls... I receive many sms texts through work & to see them on a larger screen is a big bonus. coupled with some more maps (i'll have a go a getting lost in europe next year) and a faster processor.... the £100 extra now became worthwile.

So first thing yesterday I marched off to comet to haglle over these small but niggling points. To my amazement the manager briefly opend the box and said 'have you switched the unit on?' yes... 'No problem it will have to be re-sold as opened thats all'.

Within a couple of minutes the 500 was mine, all mine & i'm not dissapointed. the hands free is great... As with the 300 I found the navigation and menus quite fiddly at first & after downloading the speed camera locations... slightly frustrated that a gatso is allegedly located within 20 yards of my house (I live in a cul-de-sac) so I get the warning beeps/bongs/sirens every time I turn the unit on.

So far i'm very impressed with the 500 & tomtom in general, just a shame the real differences & benifits between the models are not slightly clearer on the box.

[busterboy]

Its nice to read your findings mate, A very good review of what you have found and answered a lot of my questions I was about to ask.

I have a TTG 700 coming on Wednesday this week, Maplins along with another retailer has both the 300/500/700 in stock as from yesterday.