Should TomTom be Your Next GPS Navigation System?
Just a decade or so ago, we were still relying on printouts of Google maps to get us to a new destination, but now GPS navigation systems are the standard. They’re often built into new cars or conveniently mounted on the dashboard, and help us get everywhere from a client meeting to that new restaurant.
The popularity of using a global positioning system (GPS) has exploded over the past 15 years or so and is only expected to continue rising.
In 2018, the global car GPS navigation system market was valued at $770 million and projected to reach $1.45 billion USD by the end of 2025 (grow at a CAGR of 8.2% during 2019-2025).
Such lucrative market resulted in multiple GPS navigation brands to choose from, and one of the top GPS brands that we’ll be focusing on in this review is TomTom Go.
TomTom GPS Review
Some of the features that have made TomTom GPS systems so popular are lifetime TomTom maps, advanced lane guidance, and visual features like 3D buildings and pinch to zoom screens.
The TomTom navigation systems are well-known worldwide and have coverage in multiple countries and territories, including:
- TomTom Australia
- TomTom Canada
- TomTom Europe
- TomTom UK
- TomTom USA
When it comes to satellite navigation systems, there are some key things people look for, like price, accuracy, ease of use, coverage, and reliability. How does TomTom GPS navigation stack up?
Is the TomTom Go a good value? How do you choose between all the different TomTom GPS models? What are people saying in TomTom GPS reviews?
We’ve done an unbiased review of TomTom’s navigation systems to bring you everything you need to know, including features and differences between the models and where they are used. We’ll also go over reviews for the TomTom app, and TomTom GPS prices.
Let’s get to the bottom of this: What is TomTom?
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AdvisoryHQ News TomTom GPS Reviews | What is TomTom?
TomTom navigation systems are made by TomTom International BV. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company describes itself as the leading independent location technology specialist
The company is actually more than just GPS systems, it is also designing & manufacturing other consumer gadgets, traffic information, and autonomous driving technology.
Here are some of the company’s core businesses:
- GPS navigation systems
- License maps
- Live traffic systems
- Navigation & location software
When it comes to consumer products, the TomTom GO GPS system is their marquee product. Although TomTom has been behind Garmin in GPS market share over the last few years, the company has been steadily gaining traction on its competitor and reducing that gap.
Now, let’s get into the various TomTom GPS navigation models.
What’s the difference between TomTom Go 520 and TomTom Go 50? Which model is sold in Australia only? Read on for details on models, features, and the TomTom GPS prices.
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Which TomTom GPS Navigation Model is Right for You?
It can get a little confusing to sort through all the different model numbers of the TomTom navigation units. There’s TomTom Go 500, TomTom Go 5100, TomTom Go 60, just to name a few.
TomTom GPS Navigation
It helps to know that certain models are country-specific. For example, the TomTom Go 510 is a model sold to TomTom Europe or TomTom UK customers. TomTom Go 720 and TomTom Go 730 are only for Australia.
Apart from having different GPS navigation system models for different markets, since the company has been around for a while, it also has quite a long list of obsolete products.
The list of TomTom outdated navigation systems could come in handy if you decide to buy it secondhand. You don’t want to end up with a product that is no longer supported.
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TomTom Pricing & Features
We’ve outlined TomTom GPS prices by country and model to help you sort through them all a bit more easily.
TomTom GPS Models USA
TomTom navigation model numbers generally start with a number 5 or 6. Number 5 denotes a 5-inch screen and the 6 is a 6-inch screen. So, a TomTom Go 520 and 620 will typically have the same features, just different screen sizes.
Note: The TomTom GPS prices are from the manufacturer website, you may be able to find lower ones at other retailers.
TomTom Go Comfort – $179.99
- TomTom Road Trips
- Updates via Wi-Fi®
- Lifetime* Maps
- Lifetime* TomTom Traffic
- Smartphone Messages
- 3 Months Safety Camera trial
TomTom Go Supreme – $199.99
- Updates via Wi-Fi® – World maps and software
- TomTom Traffic and Safety Camera Alerts
- Last Mile Navigation and Find My Car
- IFTTT Integration – syncing agendas, connecting to smart home devices, interacting with virtual assistants and sending notifications
- Trip Planning with TomTom MyDrive and Road Trips
- Share ETA, Location, and Notifications*
TomTom Go 52 – $179.99
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- MyDrive Cloud App
- Siri & Google Now™ Compatible
- Hands-Free Calling
- Smartphone Messages
TomGom Go 520/620 – $269.99
- 5” Screen
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (World)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- MyDrive Cloud App
- Siri & Google Now™ Compatible
- Hands-Free Calling
- Smartphone Messages
- Active Magnetic Mount
TomTom Go 620 – $249.99
- Same features as the TomTomGo 520, but on a 6” screen size.
TomTom VIA 1525M/1625M – $159.99
- Easy, reliable navigation
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Advanced Lane Guidance
Coming soon:
TomTom Go 50 S / TomTom Go 60 S
- Pricing for the 60 S is listed at $179.99
- The TomTom Go 50 S, with a smaller screen, should be slightly less
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Buildings & Landmarks in 3D
No longer available:
TomTom Go 500 – No longer available at TomTom.com, but can be found on Amazon for $128.71
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Fully Interactive Screen (pinch, zoom, swipe)
- Buildings & Landmarks in 3D
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TomTom GPS Models Review | TomTom Canada
TomTom Canada offers some of the same GPS navigation models as TomTom USA. So, we won’t repeat the features listing here since they’re the same as the US models, we’ll give you the pricing in Canadian dollars (CAD).
TomTom VIA 1425M /1525M/1625M – $149.99 CAD
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Advanced Lane Guidance
TomTom VIA 1525TM/1625TM – $179.99 CAD
- Easy, reliable navigation
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Advanced Lane Guidance
TomTom Go Comfort – $299.99 CAD
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (US, Canada, Mexico)
TomGom Go 520/620 – $269.99 CAD
- 5” Screen
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (World)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- MyDrive Cloud App
- Siri & Google Now™ Compatible
- Hands-Free Calling
- Smartphone Messages
- Active Magnetic Mount
TomTom Review of Models & Features | TomTom UK
For TomTom UK, you’ll notice a couple of other models that have names instead of numbers.
TomTom Go Basic – £149.99
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- TomTom Road Trips & MyDrive
- Lifetime Maps Europe
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic
- Smartphone Messages
- 3 Months Speed Camera Trial
TomTom Go Essential – £179.99 to £219.95
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- TomTom Road Trips & MyDrive
- Lifetime Maps Europe
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic
- Hands-Free calling
- 6 Months Speed Cameras
TomTom Go 5200 /6200 – £299.99 to £339.99
- Lifetime Speed Cameras
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- TomTom Road Trips & MyDrive
- Lifetime Maps (World)
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic
- Smartphone messages
- Hands-Free calling
- Speak & Go
- Capacitive Touchscreen
- Siri & Google Now™ Compatible
- Active Magnetic Mount
- TomTom Services via Built-in SIM
A discontinued model in the UK is the TomTom Go 5100. However, if you’re looking for maps and accessories, even though TomTom no longer sells TomTom Go 5100 online, they do sell maps, a charger, a mount, and cases for it.
TomTom GPS Models & Features Review | TomTom Europe
It’s a little more difficult to find pricing for TomTom Europe units, like the TomTom Go 510, as the company does not list them on their site. One upcoming model, however, does have a listed price, the TomTom Basic.
TomTom Go 51 – Price not listed
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (World)
- Lifetime Speed Cameras
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
TomTom Go 510 and TomTom Go 610 – Prices not listed
- Lifetime TomTom Maps (World)
- Lifetime Speed Cameras
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Magnetic Click & Go Mount
- Fully Interactive Screen (pinch, zoom, swipe)
TomTom Go Basic – EUR 179.99 (pre-order)
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- TomTom Road Trips & MyDrive
- Lifetime TomTom Maps Europe
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic
- Smartphone Messages
- 3 Months Speed Camera Trial
TomTom Review of Models | TomTom Australia
If you’re an Australian driver, then you may be looking for Aussie-specific models TomTom Go 720 and TomTom Go 730. These are both models that are discontinued and no longer sold on the company’s website.
However, if you have one or are buying a used one, you can still find maps and accessories for the TomTom Go 720 and TomTom Go 730. Here’s a listing of those available:
- Maps of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South East Asia
- Beanbag Mount
- High-Speed Dual-Charger
- Protective Case
- Travel Case
Here are the TomTom Go models that have replaced TomTom Go 720 & 730.
TomTom Go 520 $299 (currently 30% off – $209.30) / TomTom Go 620 – $349 (currently 30% off – $244.30 AUD)
- World Maps
- Speed Cameras
- TomTom Traffic via Smartphone
- Hands-Free Calling
- MyDrive Cloud App
- Updates via Wi-Fi
- Smartphone Messages
- Siri & Google Now™ Compatible
- Active Magnetic Mount
Apart from the above mentioned TomTom GPS navigation systems, the following TomTom models are currently available to Australian drivers.
TomTom Start 52/62 – $169 AUD
- 5” or 6” screen size
- TomTom Maps (Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia)
- Speed Cameras
- Roadtrips
- MyDrive Cloud App
TomTom Via 52
- 5” or 6” screen size
- TomTom Maps (Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia)
- Speed Cameras
- Roadtrips
- MyDrive Cloud App
- Last Mile Navigation & Find My Car
- TomTom Traffic
- Hands-free calling
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Unbiased TomTom GPS Reviews from Customers Around the World
Hopefully, we’ve helped to clarify which TomTom navigation models are available, no longer available, and which countries they’re used in. Now it’s time to go through TomTom Go reviews by customers.
We’ll start with the TomTom navigation systems themselves, and then take a look at reviews for the TomTom app.
We’ve researched multiple review sites from around the web to bring you both the positive, and negative TomTom GPS review highlights. We’ve also got an overview of their star ratings and how they rank.
How Does TomTom GPS Rank?
- Best Buy (194 TomTom GPS reviews) – 4.1 out of 5
- ConsumerAffairs (123 TomTom GPS reviews) – 1.2 out of 5
- com.au (13 TomTom GPS reviews) – 2.1 out of 5
- Reevoo (134 TomTom GPS reviews) – 8.7 out of 10
TomTom Navigation System Reviews – Positive
- In a review for the TomTom Go 52, the reviewer said it was the best model ever. They praised the traffic information and said it was very reliable and incredibly easy to update.
- A TomTom UK buyer said they were very pleased with the TomTom Go 6200. They said the recalculations when you make a wrong turn are very fast and you’re given a revised route in seconds.
- Great Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to use it to make calls and voice texts while driving were subjects of a 5-star review for TomTom Go 52. They said the Wi-Fi updates were great and it was an excellent value for the money.
- Another happy reviewer said they felt they weren’t alone while driving. The travel alerts and lane closure notifications were very helpful, and they said TomTom GSP was rich with features.
Reviews of TomTom Navigation System – Negative
- One unhappy reviewer of TomTom said they purchased a TomTom Go 60 a few years ago. After not using it for a while, they found it would no longer connect to the internet through their phone, so the “lifetime” updated maps weren’t really updated for older models.
- A buyer of a TomTom Australia unit wasn’t pleased about the voice to text commands not working. Their TomTom Go was supposed to understand iPhone voice commands, which is important for hands-free driving, but it did not work as advertised.
- In a negative TomTom GPS review at Best Buy for the TomTom GO 52, the reviewer said they purchased it after their 6-year old unit stopped working. They made several attempts to register the unit online and were unable to, which meant their GPS wouldn’t function.
- A TomTom USA buyer felt their “free lifetime map” advertised feature was a scam because when they tried to update the TomTom navigation maps, they were told the model was no longer supported and couldn’t be updated.
TomTom App Review
TomTom Go Mobile is an app by TomTom that you can download on your iPhone or Android device. While you can use it for up to 50 free miles per month, there is a subscription fee if you want to use it past that.
The company doesn’t list the TomTom app price on the app’s product page, but they say you can purchase a monthly or annual subscription. Other online references put the app’s subscription price at about $45 per year.
TomTom app features include:
- Offline navigation you can rely on (mobile data rates apply)
- Traffic updates
- Buildings & Landmarks in 3D
- Safety camera alerts
TomTom Go Mobile App Ratings from Users are:
- Google Play: 4.1 out of 5 stars
- iTunes: 3.1 out of 5 stars
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AdvisoryHQ’s TomTom Go GPS Review Conclusion
TomTom Go has quite a few features that make driving easier. Many reviewers praise the traffic alerts as one of the most helpful and accurate and the ability to be updated by Wi-Fi.
One issue many users of TomTom navigation units have is when their model is no longer supported. Because the company advertises “lifetime” TomTom maps, they feel cheated since they’re not getting them for their lifetime and they get cut off from updates unexpectedly.
Many users, even those giving negative TomTom GPS reviews, say the nav system is very easy to use. Some users mention it having to work a little to get the Bluetooth connection with their phone to work, but once it does, it’s very handy.
TomTom might not currently be at the top of the GPS navigation market, but they are working hard on their software R&D to make it the best out there and help elevate their brand in the eyes of consumers around the world.
Image sources:
- https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/drive/car/
- https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/drive/car/products/go-620/
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