About me:Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely
Member since:20.07.2004
Reviews:24
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Review rated by 8 Ciao members on average: helpful
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I have had my TomTom GO 300Sat Nav for exactly twelve months now and I wonder how I ever managed without it.
I bought my unit on Ebay and paid around £300 for it, since then the prices have come down a lot and a similar specification unit will now cost around £200
The main features of the GO 300 model are...
A choice of routes: Quickest, shortest or avoiding toll roads Itinerary Planning: Plan your trip by defining multiple waypoints and destinations Built-in Bluetooth™ Connection: For use with your Bluetooth™-enabled device Integrated GPS antenna Multi-lingual: Speaks more than 30 languages in over 50 voices User Interface: Now including 18 languages Millions of points of interest to explore Compass Mode: Displays a compass on screen for even more orientation while driving Car Speed Linked Volume: Volume of voice instructions will increase/decrease depending on speed of car Anti-Glare Screen: Always an optimal view, even in direct
sunlight Improved on/off button: Prevents the device from turning off by accident View Route: Review and test the calculated route before you actually start driving. Ready out of the box: Just plug in, switch on & GO Simple: Touch-screen operation Clear, accurate: turn-by-turn voice instructions Compact, portable design: Easy to take from car to car. Crystal-clear 3D graphics Dynamic Status Bar: Improve readability by customizing the status bar. Tip Feature: Discover everything GO has to offer through useful onscreen tips. Extensive Guided Tour: Pick up the features even quicker and get the most out of your TomTom GO. USB 2.0: For faster data transfers
Technical Information
200 Mhz ARM920T processor 32 MB RAM SD Card for map storage 320 x 240 x 4096 colors 3.5" TFT screen Internal Li-Ion battery 12 channel 'All-in-View' integrated GPS receiver Internal antenna and support for (not in package) active external antenna
The unit is very compact being 11.4 cm x 5.8 cm x 9.1 cm in size and weighing just 300g, and sits just above my dashboard on a multi-jointed arm which is fixed to the windscreen by means of a suction plate. It is very quick and easy to fit and readily adjusts to a position where it can be viewed without being distracting to the driver. A lead connects the base of the swivel support to the charger which plugs into any cigar lighter or similar 12v socket.
The display is well lit (LCD - 320 x 240 - colour) and informative (estimated arrival time, distance remaining, journey time remaining, current time, and the maps displayed and verbal instructions are clear.
The GO 300 came with a good instruction manual on CD, PC cable, car power adapter, mounting bracket, carrying case, a memory card containing maps of the UK, and installation and set up instructions.
To use the unit for the first time was simply a matter of installing the memory card in the front slot on the unit, fixing the suction plate and swivel arm to the windscreen, clipping the unit onto the swivel arm and connecting the charger to the unit. Plug into the cigar lighter socket and away we go, easy peasy.
The unit has a built-in aerial (there is also support for an active external aerial) and 12-channel receiver . As soon as it is switched on, the display quickly comes on and the unit begins to access available satellite signals. The unit will utilise the signals of up to seven satellites and the number actually found is shown in a bar-type display on the screen. Once the unit has locked on and processed the positioning data (very quick) the map in the display changes to show your current location.
The screen is a touch screen which makes navigation through the various menus very easy (the volume level is also changed by touching the bottom of the screen - this brings up a slider control and a mute button)
Each touch of the screen brings up the next page of the menu and the following menu options are available...
Navigate to Find Alternative TOMTOM Traffic (you have to pay extra for this) Add Favourites Change Preferences Advanced Planning Browse Map Clear Route View Route Itinery Planning TOMTOM Weather (you have to pay extra for this) Download Extras Connect to your Phone Guided Tour (VERY useful) Configure GPS
I found it very easy to use the 'Change Preferences' option to put in my home address details - with this set you can use the option 'Navigate to...Home Location' from wherever you are to get home. I also found it very easy to input my Mobile Phone number using the 'Connect to your Phone' option - this allows the GO 300 to connect to the TOMTOM server using your mobile phone via Bluetooth to download latest program updates and traffic information (if this option has been paid for) It was then very easy to input my first destination using the 'Navigate to...) option and follow the clear vocal instructions (you can choose the voice - male or female under 'Change Preferences'
I could not be without my TOMTOM GO 300 now, I wonder how I ever managed without it. The most useful features I use on a regualr basis are 'Navigate to... Postcode' (for business journeys) and 'Navigate to...Recent Destination'
I can totally recommend this product to potential buyers
It's a good review, I like that you list the features. However, if shopping online I can find out all that stuff by myself, so as below, I would have liked to know how about your own personal experience of the features; which were your favourites, which you didn't like, which you found easy/annoying to use.
15.02.2009 17:16
It's a good review, I like that you list the features. However, if shopping online I can find out all that stuff by myself, so as below, I would have liked to know how about your own personal experience of the features; which were your favourites, which you didn't like, which you found easy/annoying to use.
06.01.2007 23:43
We have a TomTom and it has proved very useful A bit more personal findings would be better than all the lists. Jo x