TomTom GO 920T

Before I begin my review, I'd like to list the spec's on this unit for those of you who aren't familiar with them.

SPECIFICATIONS
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Interface Features
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Bluetooth Data Connection Yes
Bluetooth Handsfree Calling Yes
Dimmable LCD Yes
Keypad Interface No
LCD Resolution 480x272
LCD Screen Size 4.3 Inches
Stylus No
Touchscreen Interface Yes
Vent Mount No
Windshield Mount Yes

GPS Features
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AC Adapter No
Address Book Yes
Audible Directions Yes
DC Car Adapter Yes
Distance Log No
Downloadable Maps Yes
Downloadable Voices Yes
External Antenna No
Firmware Upgradable Yes
GPS Chipset SirFSTAR III
Integrated Antenna Yes
Manual Yes
Points of Interest Yes
Programmable Waypoints Yes
Route Memory Yes
Software Tom Tom Home
Text-To-Speech Yes
USB Cable Yes

Media Features
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Audio Playback Yes
CF Card Compatible No
Integrated Storage Memory 4GB
iPod/Media Player Compatible No
Media Card Input Yes
Memory Stick Compatible No
Satellite Radio Compatible No
SD Card Compatible Yes
Supported Audio Formats MP3
Supported Video Formats Can be used as document
viewer
Video Playback No
xD Compatible No

Product Features
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Product Depth 2.4cm
Product Height 8.3cm
Product Width 11.8cm
Clock Yes
Product Warranty 1 Year
Product Weight 219g
Remote Control Yes

Before I tell you what I love about this unit, I would like to go on the record as saying : This is my first GPS unit. The reason I wanted to share that with you is because I'm a firm believer that when consumers buy the same type of product but perhaps from a different manufacturer, they have a better vantage point as they have something to compare it to. Because this is my first GPS I can't compare it to any other GPS (that I've personally used). Ok, 'nuff said on this topic; on with my review!

I think what I loved most about this unit is what I refer to as the "out of box experience". If you're new to GPS units as I was, rest assure this model is easy to figure out. You'll be up and running in minutes (provided you charged the unit first, which by the way takes on average of anywhere from 1-2 hours!) You don't have to spend a lot of time reading manuals and/or trying to piece things together with those quick-install posters (although, they do provide adequate documentation). Included in the box is :

1) Windsheild Mount
2) Desk Dock (A USB Cradle for charging the battery and for communicating between the GPS unit and the TomTom HOME software [see below for more info. on the software])
3) Bluetooth Remote Control
4) RDS TMC Traffic Receiver
5) Car Charger
6) TomTom HOME software CD
7) Hard copy documentation


THE SCREEN ...
...is very nice @ 4.3 inches and trust me that comes in handy when you're driving. The last thing you want to do is be squinting at the GPS unit when you're driving. It's a tap/touch screen so it's fairly easy to use.

THE MAIN MENU...
...will display numerous options such as :

- Navigate To
- Find Alternative (helps calculate alternative route)
- Help Me! (An awesome safety feature that will help you find out where you are, where the nearest emergency point of is [Emergency Point of Interests include : Nearest Car Repair Services, Nearest Hospital, Nearest Fire Station, Nearest Police Station, Nearest Pharmacy & Nearest Dentist] and it even includes a First Aid Guide]
- Mobile Phone
- Change Preferences
- Prepare Route
- Browse Map
- Map Corrections
- Add Favorite
- Music and Media
- TomTom Traffic
- TomTom PLUS Services
- Clear Route
- View Route
- Itinerary Planning

Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of all the available menus (There ARE sub-menu's as well). I've only listed what you'll see from the MAIN menu. I just wanted to give you an idea of what you can expect. All the available options are nicely proportioned on the screen (they're not bunched together to fit all on one page). In fact, you'll see a nice little blue arrow at the bottom right hand corner of your screen to indicate that by tapping on the blue arrow there are more options. Inputting your destination is done quite easily. You have a couple of options. You can either speak the address aloud OR you can manually enter it in by tapping the screen. Personally I have found that when I say the address aloud it does tend to get a little picky on how it perceives what I'm saying (and I don't have an accent or anything like that; Born and raised in Ontario, Canada...although....to many outside of Canada I guess I do have an accent. Ok now I'm just rambling!). That's why I prefer to use the tap screen. But if you're really inclined to utilize the voice entry method for destination input, here's some advice :

1) Make sure you have as little background noise as possible (shut that radio off and tell the occupants to pipe down!)
2) Speak slowly and clearly.
3) BE PATIENT.

After you've inputted your address via the voice entry method, it will give you a list of possible choices and you can proceed via your voice by saying which option it is. So for example, if you say "123 Fake Street" it will display :

1) 123 Fake Avenue
2) 123 Fake Crescent
3) 123 Fake Street (and you'd say "3") to select the correct option.

Another great feature of this unit; suppose you're driving towards your destination and one of the roads the unit included in it's directions to you is closed for whatever reason (traffic accident, lights are out, etc.) and you are forced to take a detour or redirect your travel...no problem! The GPS tracks exactly where you are and within a few (maybe 5-6 seconds) it's already recalculated another route for you! And it will continue to recalculate your route if you're forced to take several detours. VERY HANDY!

You do have the option of selecting the voice you'll be hearing as you're being guided to your destination. You can even purchase celebrity voices from the tomtom.com website. One thing I didn't learn about until after I bought the unit was that there are basically two ways you can be directed to your destination:

1) The voice can tell you more generalized directions where he/she is only telling you to make a turn XX amount of miles away

2) The voice can tell you more specific directions where he/she will tell you to make a turn on STREET NAME in XX amount of miles away.

What I didn't know about this feature was that if you want option #2, it only works with the computer generated voice (which in my opinion sounds awful). The other voices you can select from sound MUCH better (more realistic), but if you like to have the specific street names read out loud to you...then you have to go with the computer generated voice and that sounds kinda crappy (just my opinion though). I'm not sure if you can hear the street names if you opt to purchase the celebrity voices because quite frankly...I doubt I'll ever purchase them. But should you be inclined to purchase these celebrity voices, at the time of this review they cost 4.99 pounds.

So what links your GPS unit to these wonderful celebrity voices? Enter the "TomTom Home" software included with the kit. Actually the TomTom HOME software does a lot more than just allow you to download celebrity voices. It allows you to download map updates, backup & restore the contents of your GPS (I.E: if you purchased downloaded celebrity voices), update your device, an online manual, etc.) It's very easy to use; nothing too fancy or complicated.

But getting back to the GPS itself, I would like to talk about a couple of features which I think are really great! This unit comes with both RDS-TMC and Enhanced Positioning Technology.

RDS-TMC = Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel.

In other words, it's "the only international standard for the delivery of traffic information to on-board satellite navigation systems." What it does is if you're traveling along your route and there's a traffic jam ahead, it'll suggest another route so you're not stuck in traffic beating your head against the steering wheel in frustration.

Enhanced Positioning "is for a more continuous navigation experience, even in circumstances where there may not be a direct line-of-sight connection to a satellite (for example, when driving in a city with tall buildings, underpasses or bridges." Because if you lose your line-of sight connection with the satellite, you'd have your directions suspended. This is just another great feature.

With all the great features I've listed thus far, the GO 920T goes even further; in my opinion, perhaps a bit too far. I'm referring to the fact that it can play MP3's. While this may sound good I'm not planning on using it anytime soon. I just don't see the point in having an MP3 player on a GPS unit when the only time I'd be listening to it is in my car, and when I'm in my car I'd be using the GPS for directions. I'm not sure if it would play both the MP3 and say the directions to where you're headed because I haven't tried the MP3 player function as of yet. But even if it did, I'm sure the sound of your MP3 would probably interfere with the sound quality of your directions and let's face it; the primary use of this unit is for DIRECTIONS. But for those who fancy an MP3 player, know that it takes an SD CARD. The SD CARD is actually used for your MP3's and for any additional maps you may wish to purchase. The maps that come with the system, if I haven't mentioned it already, are for Canada, the US & Europe.

The GO 920T also has a useful feature for bluetooth phone connectivity. So you can actually use your phone through your GPS unit if you need to place a hands-free call. I haven't used this feature though.

Another feature which the GO 920T has but I haven't utilized it as of yet is the Remote Control. To be perfectly honest I think this was an unnecessary component to this unit. I'm sure there are hundreds (if not thousands) who will swear it's an awesome feature, but....not for me. To me, it's just another gadget that might end up getting lost. It's fairly small, can fit in the palm of your hand & while I'm sure it's handy I just don't want the added burden of having to carry a remote control along with the GPS unit because I certainly wouldn't want to leave it in my car (it would probably just end up falling on the floor or find it's way under my seat). Oh well...to each his own.

Now I know that for the most part, my review sounds like a love affair with the GO 920T however there is one thing that kinda got under my skin with this unit. I'm referring to the poor speaker quality. Suppose you are listening to music (via your car's audio system (I.E: CD player/radio); and NOT the GPS's ability to play MP3's) and your GPS starts to speak to you (I.E: Make a left turn 1/2 mile ahead). Guess what? The background sound of your music somehow interferes with the GPS's sound quality even though the two are independent of each other. I did NOT hook up my GPS unit to my sound system via cabling/wiring (which I believe you can actually do so that you'll hear your GPS via your car's audio system). Whenever I listen to music, after a certain volume is reached I've noticed that the GO 920T's speaker produces choppy and/or distorted sound quality.

On a final note I'd like to express my frustration with TomTom's customer service. Or perhaps I should write LOUSY customer service. Included with my kit was a leaflet that stated I'd be entitled to 1 year worth of free maps. I attempted to take advantage of this promotion, and they responded that they'd require me to send them proof of payment. I sent that proof of payment over a week ago and haven't heard back from them. Just this morning I sent them another e-mail as a follow-up.

While I love my TomTom GO 920T, the slow/inefficient customer service almost offsets the merits of this great GPS unit. Perhaps I'm being too harsh with them. I do confess that I've worked in the customer service industry for approximately 8 years now so perhaps I expect the same level of service I'm required to provide to my customers. I WILL keep you all posted though on whether or not they deliver on their end of the agreement.

*Deep Sigh* C'est la vie.