TomTom GO 300 review

Since the release of the Editors' Choice-winning TomTom GO, we've looked forward to the company's next-generation in-car GPS device. The TomTom GO 300 ($699.95) is one of two new products in the GO line (the other being the TomTom GO 700), and while the unit is physically identical to the original Tom Tom GO, it has a few new features, too. For instance, it now provides Bluetooth support for connecting to your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or PDA and accessing real-time traffic and weather information via TomTom's Plus service. However, some of the new additions are less welcome, such as the antiglare coating, which actually makes the screen darker and harder to read in the sun. That said, the TomTom GO 300 still provides a simple plug-and-play GPS solution with accurate route guidance. The TomTom GO 300 has the same black case as its predecessor, with a silver bezel surrounding the 3.5-inch screen. If this color scheme doesn't suit you or your car's interior, you can buy a package of three interchangeable bezels (blue, gold, and black) for $20. The GO 300 keeps the compact dimensions of its predecessor (4.5 by 3.6 by 2.3 inches, 11 ounces), so it's easily transportable between cars. Plus, you get a sturdy suction-cup mounting arm that provides a wide range of adjustability.

TomTom pioneered the simple, user-friendly interface that many competing products, such as the Garmin StreetPilot c330, have adopted, and the GO 300 carries on the tradition. On the front you'll find a power button, a quick-release button for removing the unit from its mounting cradle, and an SD-card slot; a USB 2.0 port and a power jack are around back. Like the original, the GO 300 contains a single speaker with better-than-average tone response. Other than that, you enter all commands and requests via the responsive 3.5-inch touch screen. Speaking of which, TomTom added an antiglare coating to the 320x240 resolution, 4,096-color display, which makes the screen a bit too dark. Although it's easy to read under normal lighting conditions, ironically, it's difficult to read in direct sunlight.

The TomTom GO 300 comes with everything you'll need to start navigating, including a cigarette-lighter adapter, an AC adapter, a USB cable, mounting hardware, a quick-start guide, and an installation CD with an online user guide. You even get a cloth to keep the touch screen clean. Our only complaint is that the GO 300 does not accept an optional remote control, although the more expensive TomTom GO 700 comes with one.

The TomTom GO 300 provides the usual array of vehicle-navigation features, including a 12-channel GPS receiver and integrated antenna, voice-guided driving directions, a huge points-of-interest (POI) database, an address book, and detailed maps of the entire United States, which come preloaded on a 1GB SD card; you can also upload Canadian maps from the included CD. TomTom sells additional maps for Western Europe for $170.