TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)
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TomTom GO 730 REFURB Portable Navigator with Bluetooth. The TomTom GO 730 portable navigator offers you peace of mind when you’re traveling with its powerful, yet easy-to-use features. You can use its 4.3″ widescreen touch display to access detailed maps of the U.S. and Canada, and to explore over 5 million points of interest. The text-to-speech voice prompts announce actual road names at turns, giving you more helpful information when driving through unfamiliar areas. Refurbished.
Features
- 4.3 inch full TFT Color LCD
- Spoken Directions and Street Names
- Pre-loaded maps of USA and Canada from TeleAtlas
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Bluetooth for Hands-Free calling, PLUS services and audio output
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 0 x 0 x 0 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
Touchscreen Paperweight
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I’ll be plain. This isn’t an actual review. No one knows how long it will be before I have a functioning unit on which to comment.
!!!!!!! THIS IS A WARNING !!!!!!!
IF YOU PURCHASE A REFURBISHED UNIT WHOSE INSTALLED MAP IS OUTSIDE OF THE UPDATE WARRANTY, THEN THE MOMENT YOU HOOK IT UP TO YOUR COMPUTER, AND ALLOW IT TO AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE, YOU HAVE JUST CREATED A TOMTOM BRICK.
And apparently, there is no way for the new user to know what their status is, until it is too late. At that point, when you turn your system on, it will tell you that YOU HAVE NO INSTALLED MAPS. It had a map when you took it out of the box and turned it on, but the moment you attempt to update it, your map will cease to function if it is outside of it’s update period.
Let’s be clear. I have no problem with TomTom providing map updates as a service. It is common practice. And, the updates are reasonably priced (especially when compared to OEM in-dash units). However, where TomTom scores a big flaming F for FAILURE is in the full disclosure department. I’ve paid a fair price for the unit; ALL additional costs should be fully disclosed.
I purchased this unit days before my wife was to leave for a trip. I didn’t want her to be wandering around in an unfamiliar city. After we hooked the unit up to the pc and ran TomTom Home, the system asked to be updated. There was no warning that this process could result in loss of access to your maps and render the device useless. And to make matters worse, when we discovered this, there was no explanation as to the cause. We wasted additional time researching and troubleshooting, eventually figuring out that this behavior is to be expected if you have not purchased map updates. Finally, after determining the cause, I spend an additional 39.98 to purchase the update. Only to find out that access to the map already installed on the system is not available immediately, but only after they have process my payment/order. So, now I have a brick instead of a GPS system for want of an activation code. Again, all of this frustration could have been avoided if only full disclosure was made of the additional steps potentially required to make a refurbished unit functional. I realize that not all refurbs will have this problem, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WARNED. I gladly would have paid the 39.98 up front as part of the purchase price to have this done at whatever depot handles the refurb. I was so angry and frustrated, for the first time as an adult user, I considered a search of warez and crack sites. This is no way to introduce customers to your brand.
Refurbished version
Refurbished: I’m a little disappointed, I have purchased many refurb’d items and never had a complaint. I knew the maps would be old, but I didn’t think they would be ~2 years old. USB charging cable was DOA and battery lasts about 30 minutes (I assume its dead). I added an SD-card, Tomplayer, new maps,new navcore and a new USB cable. Maybe I should have returned it, I’m too lazy.
If it was a new version it would be fantastic!
UPDATE: at 2 weeks old the screen just keeps jumping from menu to nav screen, i cleaned under the bezel. this helped for short time. Time to take it back.
refurbished tom tom
I am impressed with the lane guidance but only shows up about 20% of the time, slow to pick up signals, I wish it would display the next turns, but can’t figure out if it does or not, only gives verbal next turn. I have owned a similar grade Garmin and I would have to say my next one will be a garmin. Not enough point of interests for my taste, even older ones that should be in there are not. Often gives strange directions or directions that take you out of your way. There is much room for improvement here.
Feel like a labmouse sometimes but still a great product
I just read the review titled “A superb navigation product, January 27, 2009 By Sean D. Eaton”. I think this is a great review. I have to say, using this product as a courier driving 1200 miles a week in the NE East Central and SE PA area, both “metro” and rural, the Tom Tom has been reliable and fished me out of some tough spots in traffic accidents and super-rural delivery areas. I have only used one other GPS, a Garmin and it was horrible with required (municipal/zip code etc) information while entering destination which as a long distance driver I couldn’t know. TomTom 730 somehow sorted this out and rarely misdirected me (even misdirections requiring me to seek local help, were within less than 3 miles).
I have used two 730 units. The first was a borrowed unit so I never updated the map! Besides needing to use the RESET button after updating software and the occasional misdirection or non-existent road/road-farmtrack confusion and RR levelcrossings where there was none, I bought a second 730 (refurbished, same necessity to RESET when updating). This time I have opted into Mapshare but still haven’t updated the map after the initial 1.5 GB North America May 2010 download. The hardware/crash issue is troubling but the FM media player is awesome. The map update pricing is too expensive so I won’t use it but the unit has been reliable and I recommend it–I cant compare it to others except the Garmin but I’m sure Garmin may make other great systems just not the one I tried. Of course I always keep map-books as a back up! You should see my collection!
Happy
I had the 720 series before and now just bought the 730 series. Basicly it’s the same but had extra things it can do but wasn’t able to use them because I bought a refurinshed product. I have been using Tom Tom for many years now so when mine broke and I had to get another one I looked around but since I was use to this product I bought another one. I am happy…
Great Buy!!
wanted to wait a couple of weeks before writing this review to use the product first. First of all TomTom has changed their policy and they offer the 1 time free map update on all units new and refurbs. I got a refurbed unit for $149 with a $30 rebate from Amazon so it came in at $119! now the unit
Good:
I’m a first time user and I found it extremely easy to use. Once the map update (took a while to download, but again it’s free) was completed it’s a piece of cake. I’ve called TomTom with questions, always got someone on the phone and they’ve answered all of my questions! I travel 75 miles to work, so the route was very accurate and it alerted me of tolls. When I go on a different route, it takes seconds to recalculate. I was in NYC and it took me right to where I wanted to go and didn’t miss a street. Tons of features, FM, SD card, POI are good, lane assistance if perfect! You also get bluetooth, text to speach .. This is an excellent buy at this price and they gave me a 6 month warranty on a refurb. I’m getting one for my wife!!
Bad:
The suction cup kept falling off the windshield. Invested $12 in a gooseneck one which is easier to reach and cemented on my windshield! Would highly recommend!!
Great product but poor battery
The GO 730 is a great product, but the refurbished version comes with an old battery. Mine lasts for less than 30 minutes !!!
I already bought a battery replacement in order to get it fully functional.
Do NOT buy
I bought this device 13 months ago. It no longer works!
The GPS was treated with incredible care, placed in a sturdy, zippered case, software updates each week etc.
The screen just went beserk! And this isn’t the first problem this GPS has had. Within the first month of purchasing it, Tomtom had to replace the dock since it had stopped working as well. Since I’m one month out of warranty the only thing they could offer me was the purchase of another GPS at a discount. . .I had to laugh! Think I see Garmins in my future.
Not Too Happy!
I use a GPS daily to travel to customers’ homes. So unlike someone who might use one for entertainment or vacation, it’s become an invaluable part of my job.
I’m not really knocking TomTom products in general as I bought this as a replacement for a GO-530 (refurbished) that had been dropped, kicked, and abused and lasted for over 3 years, until finally giving up the ghost. I was happy with that one. I thought I’d be safe buying a GO-730 Refurb.
This unit, however, seemed to work fine – until I took it out to the car in 30 degree weather. The battery (which showed to be fully charged) discharged completely within 5 minutes. It worked fine if I quickly hooked up the car charging cable.
EXCEPT – after it had been on for a couple of hours, it went nutty and insisted that I needed to walk to the nearest police station. It would not let me out of that screen, and resetting it multiple times didn’t do any good. The only way to get it back to normal was to reset it – and then not turn it on for a couple of hours.
Another little glitch – TomTom changed it’s policy several months ago and will no longer let you download a new map for a refurb unit, pretty much wiping out what you thought you were saving on the refurb unit.
Luckily, Amazon has a very liberal return policy and I am able to return this unit for a refund. I ended up buying a Garmin (from Amazon) and have been using that daily for a week now, and am very pleased with that product.
TomTom over the rest
I have tried Navigon and Garmin, and I have found the Tom-Tom to be better in all respects. The first thing is it is much easier to update on line than any of the others. It also lets you speak address’s. I just set a Magellan for my neighbor and it took five longer to update firm ware and much harder to install maps. The Tom-Tom also gives me traffic and all of the cameras in AZ.
Awesome GPS
I reccommend this gps…to any one…thats on a budget. I got it for [...], with a $30 Dollar Mail in rebate. So I got it for grand total of $119.00. Connected to my computer and I was able to get updated maps. This item was for $229.00 at [...] “on sale” I could of got two for the price of one. on amazon.com. Well anyway buy it…you wont be regreting it
a bit confusing but over all good
Basically I am a user of Magellan and I like the ease of use of Magellan products. The Magellan I had was like 4 years old so I thought to try Tom Tom.
Its not like that easy as Magellan but the features are much more rewarding. It has lot of setting you can adjust according to your needs. I used it to about 5 times in 4 months and it hanged up once so you need to reset it by pushing the reset button at the bottom.
Dont forget to upgrade the maps as you can upgrade for once first time. Customer service is not as good as others are but still they help. There are different ways to type street names like “N Belt Line Rd” is different from “Belt Line Rd N” and Belt Line North is also different from the others two. You should read first how to type street name otherwise it will take you to a different destination. Some small streets and maps are missing. Battery life is not that long. Do not record your own voice in turn by turn directions as it will get confuse, at lease in my case. Over all its not that bad but it needs some improvements.
Quick Satellite Pick Up
I owned 3 Garmin and 1 Navigon, by far this is the fastest satellite pick up. This is important to me because I travel extensively and when I make a wrong turn, I can’t afford to wait for the next instruction.
Screen is very clear and crisp. It is very responsive without being sensitive to the touch.
Mounting is quick and simple by means of sliding slot.
Speakerphone via blue tooth is painless to connect. It’s a great feature if you have a quiet car otherwise the audio can be underpowered by road noise.
The only 2 concerns:
1. I can’t seem to use the FM station for the speakerphone. The same issue with traffic report via cell phone.
2. One time, I chose Quickest route option to go to an address. Boy, it took me around town (8 miles mostly highway) while in fact it was only 3 miles away (local with lights). I guess it can’t calculate “real-time” because even with lights, it’s faster to go local way.
Other than that, it’s a neat GPS. For $[...] ([...]), it’s a bargain!
Tom Tom Mapping
I have never used a gps before, so it’s new. The area I live in was built in 2000. Our streets are not even on the gps maps. It is on the internet maps, but not the gps maps. That I think is not good. It makes you wonder how many other streets are missing and you don’t know it.
Tom Tom GO 730
I thought was upgrading from my older Tom Tom GPS when I bought this GPS. Rather to up grade the maps in My Tom Tom One I thought a newer one would be better. I was wrong. The maps are much worse than what the Tom Tom One had. Here in Texas most all the rural roads have been converted to numbers instead of names.An Example of this:800 CR 369;654 CR 951 or 7584 FM 6423; 9874 FM 2589. The Tom Tom will not find any road that has CR or an FM in the address in it. CR = County Road; FM = Farm to market. All the other functions work as described. The bottom line what good are all the other functions if it can’t find where you want to go.A good thing you can program the road into the GPS then it will find it the next time.But this should have been done with the mapping software.My Tom Tom one would find some of the rural roads. I don’t know if the other brands have this problem.
very nice
very nice device. looks like brand new and uses like brand new. good features and price. thx!
EXCELLENT GPS unit!
I couldn’t be thrilled. I love the looks of the Magellan4350 screens but for performance this is the unite to get cause you link it up daily for gpsfixs and mapshare. I downloaded better screen colors from the units software. SIMPLICITY! my biggest grip? the POI icons on the unit are soo small.. that it is a struggle to see!
Tom Tom Go 730 Review
Product worked good..received a free map update. Bluetooth compatability is poor. Battery is average. Overall good product for the price spent
Whoas of Factory Refurbs
The first unit I recieved had bad battery. Tom Tom was very good about replacing it. Though I’m still owrking a sticky point out on the second unit. At first, the interface between the PC and the GPS didn’t work. Their tech helpedd me get it so I could run it thru my PC. But I still cannot connect to Google Maps and program my routes thru Google Maps. It just doesn’t see the unit.
Excellent GPS for the money!
One of the features that attracted me to this GPS unit was the fact that I could join it via bluetooth to my cell phone. It’s a great feature that truly enables hands free calling. The maps are on spot and it’s very easy to update. Just simply connect it to your computer and with the help of the TOMTOM Home app that you download from their site, you can update maps, voices, custom screens, etc.
LOVE IT!