TomTom GO 910

The TomTom 910.


Well this mere mortal is here again. Over the years I have owned 3 TomTom devices, the TomTom Classic, TomTom 500 and now the TomTom 910. Family members are benefiting from my cast-offs in a big way. So imagine my delight when visiting my local Halfords on the 3rd of May 2006 to purchase screen wash, I found myself being mysteriously drawn by an unknown force to the GPS display. I could feel my credit card trembling ...
...the Box

TomTom Go 910
A change from the 300/500/700 series, it has a 4 inch screen; this is smaller than the last series but still easy to view. The unit is a slightly different shape; it's a bit pointier at the back. There are some new features on the unit: - A light sensor, I have found this very useful, it measures the light inside the vehicle and adjusts the level, it also turns to night view when it gets dark. The microphone ... more

The TomTom 910.

Well this mere mortal is here again. Over the years I have owned 3 TomTom devices, the TomTom Classic, TomTom 500 and now the TomTom 910. Family members are benefiting from my cast-offs in a big way. So imagine my delight when visiting my local Halfords on the 3rd of May 2006 to purchase screen wash, I found myself being mysteriously drawn by an unknown force to the GPS display. I could feel my credit card trembling in fear, in a euphoric haze I purchased the said device. I left the store trembling in anticipation, achieved warp factor 7 and found myself at home opening the box.

OK so I had an idea, that they were about to introduce a new range with even more features than the last, but I did not realise that they were to appear so soon.

What's in the Box

TomTom Go 910
A change from the 300/500/700 series, it has a 4 inch screen; this is smaller than the last series but still easy to view. The unit is a slightly different shape; it's a bit pointier at the back. There are some new features on the unit: - A light sensor, I have found this very useful, it measures the light inside the vehicle and adjusts the level, it also turns to night view when it gets dark. The microphone is on the front and the speaker is built in under the unit. Unlike the previous models there are no direct connections for power, this is now sited on the mount.
No more inserting memory cards, it has a massive 20 Gb hard drive, more than enough space to hold all of the maps and more. I will cover that later.

The Mount or Windscreen Dock.
This is a complete change from the last series; all the connections are located on sides of the mount, Audio out connector (for MP3 Player), External Microphone Connector, External Antenna Connector, and Power Connector. I have my own views on this mount, I will explain at the end of this review.

Home Dock
This has a Home Charger Connector and a USB connector. So plug it into your home PC, with the new firmware (CD included in the box) you can easily update, plan routes and charge the unit all at the same time.

Car Charger.
Cig lighter to mount, turn on ignition and the unit starts up.

Home Charger.
As mentioned in Home Dock above.

Product Code Card
This has the product codes for the maps that are pre-installed on the unit, as a recent security measure, you can only down load maps, extra voices etc to the unit that is registered with TomTom via the web-site.
External Microphone.
This allows you to locate the mic for better comms when using your phone.
However there are some issues with the External Mic, again I will cover at the end of the review.

Remote Control.
I have found this very useful as I have stuck mine on the offside of the steering wheel, I can reach the controls with my thumb. (Airbag not obstructed) This enables you the control the unit without have to reach forward.

Carry Case.
The same as the last series stops you accidentally switching it on when it's in your pocket.

Audio Cable.
For use with an MP3 Player, yes you can connect an MP3 player to it, I have now tried this out as I don't have an MP3 Player.

Documentation Pack.
The manual looks quite thick, don't worry its only 27 pages long, the rest is in other languages.

Start Up
I know you cannot wait to get going, but it is a good idea to make sure it's fully charged before you start going around the world, this should take about 2 hours. As I mentioned earlier charging is done via the home dock. The new series has the new SiRF Star III-chipset, what does this do, well you notice the difference if the signal strength drops as it normally does when indoors, you will find that it still manages to get a GPS fix.
On initial start up, you will be greeted with the start up screen, followed by selecting the language, if you are outside it should take just under a minute for it to find out where it is, provided you have selected the correct map.
Other options are selecting the type of keyboard, inputting your home address, this makes sure you can always find your way home. Also what type of voice, more on that later.

So What's new,
Quite a bit really, and certainly enough to keep TomTom ahead of the game.

Music,
You can store MP3 files, certainly enough to last even the longest journey.

Audio Books,
A link via the new Firmware to a site called Audiblemanager allows you to purchase the latest books on release, so you can listen whilst you drive. I am half way through "The Da Vinci Code". Work prevents me from sitting down and reading the book.

Photographs.
You can store your fav photo's
Speed Camera Warnings,
I know we have had this facility for some time, either by subscription to TomTom or Free from a non TomTom source. However TomTom have improved the service. You can now report new cameras direct from the unit to TomTom via a GPRS connection with your mobile phone. Also you can receive instant updates via GPRS.

TomTom Traffic.
This has been improved together with Text to Speech voices, you can now receive more detailed instructions by the computer voice such as road names and numbers and much more.
If you have a compatible phone, the voice will even read out your text messages.

TomTom Buddies
I have not tried this one yet, as I don't know anyone yet that is willing to have a go. But in short, you store the TomTom address of your buddies and if they are out and about, with their permission you can see on the map where they are.06/08/07 Update I have tried it and it works great.

Maps
Given that the TT910 has a whopping 20Gb hard-drive, it comes with an impressive stack of maps, the whole of Western Europe at street level and North America, if that was not enough, it has the Canary Islands and wait for it Guam?

Mobile Phone.
I had no real problems connecting my mobile phone via the Bluetooth connection, I have a XDA IIs, I have the basic hands free facility and data down & up load for the Traffic Info but not the Txt Message or Address Book facility, it's worth checking the TomTom web site to find out if your phone is compatible.

Future Additions
There will be an additional Traffic Feature available later this year, it's the RDS/TMC system, this I believe is similar to the RDS info you can receive on your car radio. All I know is that it will require a one off payment of about £60-70 for the antenna and then it's free for life, unlike the current TomTom Traffic. With regards to TomTom Traffic, I use it every day, and on every journey. For example, my job requires me to go to my local airport some 7 miles away, yes I know the way but on 2 occasions I have been re-directed by TomTom Traffic due to accidents on route, in other words it can see round corners, (sort of) .

Problems
The mount, I have had to take the mount back to Halfords for replacement due to the sucker breaking. Other problems with the mount is that the external microphone connector has been found to be faulty on both mounts, this indicates to me that there is a design fault with the mount. I have checked on a user site, and it appears that I am not the only one suffering the same problems. Given that it is still not possible to purchase an additional mount from TomTom I get the impression that this is a problem that they may be working on. I have contacted TomTom regarding this problem, they say that I have to make sure that the Unit is seated correctly.
I have not gone into the basic functions of the TT910 as this has been covered in the past on earlier models. (My Review on the TT500)
I would be more than happy to answer any questions readers may have on the TT910. I am still after 1 month finding new ways to use this fantastic device. I know that TomTom will resolve this issues I have raised and look forward to new updates and developments in the future

Mike

06/08/07
Regarding issues with the Mount, the problems have been resolved, TomTom will supply a new mount to anyone with a deffective mount
Since its introduction onto the market, the mount that had a fault in that it drooped, its now been given a boost, (please note I am trying not to make any reference to a certain tablet on the market to cheep laugh). Additionally there is an separate mount that can be purchased its called a Transmitter Mount, it looks like the original mount with one magical twist, it enables you to listen to MP3 music/Audio Books thro you car radio speakers. And if you approach a speed camera it will interupt the music etc Cost £33.89
This review is an update to my original review

Mike (Holdfast) 

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