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"Nice device, but the new features are not worth. Get TomTom 920 instead and save money" on by TheKostya
Pros: Excellent price to value GPS device, tones of features, customizable.
Cons: Lane's feature never worked, IQ rotes feature doesn't make sence. Some minor routing issues.
Summary: I bought this device based on the number of features included and the price that made more sense than comparable Garmin models that cost more and still missed some of the features that TomTom 930 has. Despite my high satisfaction with this model, I highly urge to consider twice this model because of the IQ rotes and Advances Lanes features (these are the only features that TomTom 930 model has and 920 model doesn't). Lanes have never shown up in Toronto and Montreal downtowns and major roads and highways, and with IQ rotes disabled I got excellent rote calculations anyway. To test routing abilities I tested rotes that I already know very well.
Considering that rotes are calculated very well with no IQ feature, why would I ever turn it on? I actually wouldn’t, because when I called TomTom customer service they explained that calculation for IQ rotes is based on customers' feedback (though it was advertised as it was done based on historical traffic info). Customer services also said that the lane feature is new and they are still adding maps for them. So both features seem to be in progress and currently it doesn't make much sense to have them.
Here is a quick list of pros and cons:
PROS:
1. Very rich functionality and it is very customizable. I've seen some complains about menus and usability in other TomTom reviews. The high number of customization features allows you to change a lot in how you see maps, use this device in general and some customizations of menus as well. So I don't see any problems here.
2. Music and FM transmission quality works nice, and I heard complains about the quality of these features in Garmin models.
3. In general Routing worked very well, I tested it with IQ rotes feature disabled. See cons section for some minor issues.
4. Voice directions are very useful and timely.
5. You get European maps included, which I didn't see in other GPS models.
6. You get big (4 GB) memory compared to other models, but keep in mind that it is mostly filled with maps. If you live in North America you can try to temporarily remove European (and vice versa). American maps are about 2 GB and European ones are about 1.5 GB
CONS:
1. The IQ rotes and advanced lanes features don't make sense.
2. Some small local roads are missing on the map (for example those on plazas and in townhouse complexes), even though those roads have been there for many years.
3. For some reason on several occasions the device would miss to route by making left turns, on the roads that I know for 4+ years. Not a big pain though, because it happened only on smaller streets and the way around wasn't too long.
4. Voice recognition feature isn't working fine, though it might be because of my accent
5. It takes about 3-4 taps to get from directions view to the music player. I didn't find a workaround/customization for this yet...
SUMMARY:
I see too many good things to be disappointed in some small, in my view, concerns. I'm not going to exchange this model for 920 because of the time it will take to find a good deal (regular price is higher than the deal I've got the 930 model for), and time it takes to return this one and to buy the new one. But for those who are just about to get a new TomTom 930 device - 920 is the way to go, unless you want to bet on the future of the updates that TomTom will do for IQ rotes and the advanced lane features.Updated
I bought this device based on the number of features included and the price that made more sense than comparable Garmin models that cost more and still missed some of the features that TomTom 930 has. Despite my high satisfaction with this model, I highly urge to consider twice buying it because of the questionable IQ routes and Advances Lanes features (these are the only features previous model 920 model doesn't have compared to 930). No lanes ever shown up on display in Toronto and Montreal downtowns and major roads and highways, and with IQ routes disabled I got excellent route calculations anyway. To test routing abilities I tested routes that I already know very well.
Considering that routes are calculated very well with no IQ feature, why would I ever turn it on? I actually wouldn’t, because when I called TomTom customer service they explained that calculation for IQ routes is based on customers' feedback (though it was advertised as it was done based on historical traffic info). The customer service personal also said that the lane feature is new and they are still adding maps for them. So both features seem to be in progress and currently it doesn't make much sense to have them at this point of time.
Here is a quick list of pros and cons:
PROS:
1. Very rich functionality and it is very customizable. I've seen some complains about menus and usability in other TomTom reviews. The high number of customization features allows you to change a lot in how you see maps, use this device in general and some customizations of menus as well. So I don't see any problems here.
2. Music and FM transmission quality works nice, and I heard complains about the quality of these features in Garmin models.
3. In general Routing worked very well, I tested it with IQ routes feature disabled. See cons section for some minor issues.
4. Voice directions are very useful and timely.
5. You get European maps included, which I didn't see in other GPS models.
6. You get big (4GB) memory compared to other models, but keep in mind that it is mostly filled with maps. If you live in North America you can try to temporarily remove European (and vice versa). American maps are about 2 GB and European ones are about 1.5 GB
CONS:
1. The IQ routes and advanced lanes features don't make sense.
2. Some small local roads are missing on the map (for example those on plazas and in townhouse complexes), even though those roads have been there for many years.
3. For some reason on several occasions the device would miss logical left turns, and instead would ask you circle a bit. Not a big pain though, because it happened only on smaller streets and the way around wasn't too long.
4. Voice recognition feature didn’t work well for me, however it might be because of my accent
5. It takes about 3-4 taps to get from directions view to the music player. I didn't find a workaround/customization for this yet...
SUMMARY:
I see too many good things to be disappointed in some small, in my view, concerns. For those who are just about to get a new TomTom 930 device – I think 920 is the better alternative, unless you want to bet on the future of the updates that TomTom will do for IQ routes and the advanced lane features.Updated
Nice device, some features are promises yet to be met -
"All inclusive and a great upgrade from my GO 910." on by FiveIV
Pros: Hands free calling worked better than most bluetooth headsets. Screen is easy to view on full brightness EVEN with sun glare. Voice instructions can be heard CLEARLY at full volume with all 4 windows down at 65+ mph. Lane guidance great feature.
Cons: Should have included a protective case in the box for the actual GPS unit instead of having to buy it seperate as an accessory.
Summary: The unit I have is the GO 930 T (same unit but the T comes with the traffic receiver) so these comments are relevant to both models. This is TomTom's high end unit, so with anything high end, expect to find more features and options on the device which may take away the "simplicity" that less technical people look for. Don't be fooled by that at all... this unit IS simple to use. I live in Atlanta and the advanced lane guidance feature has worked flawlessly for me. It even gave me the static lane exit map in areas I didn't even think it would have a static image for. The ability to use customizable car symbols to represent your actual vehicle is a graphical plus. The hands free calling worked so well, that people I called didn't even know I was on a hands free device. The sleek black finish and widescreen design makes it look like it belongs in the vehicle and not some ugly device that detracts from your car's interior. I bought this unit as a replacement for my TomTom Go 910 and I am glad I did. If you notice, I haven't commented at all on the actual navigation part of the unit... no need to.. works exactly as it should and like most other GPS units out there it does that part exceptionally well. I bought this unit for the traffic and for the lane guidance as THAT is a huge plus to GPS navigation. For those of you who have the 930T or are interested in it... the traffic info updates roughly every 15 mins with the included traffic receiver and it routed me around the traffic with no problems. If you have a compatible Bluetooth phone and data plan from your service provider, then you won't need the 930T, simply pair the 930 with your phone and get your traffic through the TomTom plus services every 3 mins. Great unit... get it!!!
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"Plenty of bugs, stutters" on by jwhou
Pros: IQroutes information are collected from TomTom users and hence cover streets other than the ones with traffic sensors. The remote is far easier than trying to hit a spot on the screen while the car is moving about.
Cons: Buggy, reboots often, user interface is inconsistent. There's no way to select the quick menu from the remote control. No breadcrumb feature. Doesn't announce reaching waypoints other than end destination.
Summary: Although the product is usable and quite useful, it still has a long way to go. To activate speech to text, one triggers an "easter egg", the procedure is to select the state or country before entering the city name when navigating to an address. Until this is done, the speech to text icons are grayed out.
Unless you frequently run chkdsk or repair disk on the TomTom when connected to your PC, the unit will reboot often.
Prior to version 8.3, the automated re-routes would not observe your selection of avoid HOV lanes thereby routing you to the HOV lanes when you least expect it. To TomTom's credit, they fixed this in application version 8.3 however now once you've answered whether or not to avoid toll roads, it won't ask you again even if you re-route manually thereby making it impossible to compare a route with toll roads versus a route without before deciding whether or not the tolls are worth the price (ie.: saving 1 minute hardly justifies paying tolls but saving 10 minutes might).
Prior to version 8.3, the text to speech worked fine but starting with 8.3, th TomTom 930 stutters.
Prior to version 8.3, the instructions would play over the FM transmitter on your car stereos. With 8.3 the FM transmitter option is no longer available for the instructions although it's still available for music. Ideally instructions could be played over both the transmitter and the internal speaker simultaneously.
With version 8.3, the FM transmitter is off at power up and is only on while playing music. If no music is playing for a while, the transmitter shuts off, presumably to save power. The net effect is that you get static until you start the jukebox and you get static shortly after answering the handsfree as the music is paused while you're on the handsfree (when the handsfree works).
The handsfree tends to cause the TomTom to reboot.
The TomTom will read incoming text messages, prior to version 8.3, this worked maybe two out of three times but with 8.3, it seems to work 1 out of 3 times.
Prior to 8.3, the TomTOm would route around stalled traffic seamlessly, presumably using the IQ routes information but with the 8.3 upgrade, it now consistently routes me directly into stalled traffic instead of the short cut.
My TT930 suddenly stopped receiving GPS signals halfway during a trip and had to be RMA'd.
You definitely need a backup GPS if you select this one.
I'm a little disappointed by CNet reviews, they don't appear to have done more than a cursory inspection of the device. I would expect a review to be based on some usage with an emphasis on the problems encountered. The reboots, easter egg interface and inconsistent observation of routing preferences with respect to HOV's prior to version 8.3 and with respect to toll roads after version 8.3 showed up very early during my ownership of this device (with the exception of the post version 8.3 issues) and I would expect some mention of them in a thorough review. -
"Worthless in direct sunlight" on by moe3754
Pros: There really are none
Cons: I purchased this and as soon as the sun hit the screen it was all but gone,the sun washed out the screen and you could not see the maps,also the maps were outdated.I took it back the same day I purchased it and purchased a Nuv.
Summary: The idea behind everything the 930 has is good but the company cannot do a good enough job to get it done,everything the 930 says it can do but does not,the Nuvi 880 does and much more.Do not waste your money and time on TOMTOM buy the nuvi 880 you will not be sorry.
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"Great navigation but beware the high end features." on by bukosky
Pros: Easy to read screen and good working touchpad. Very quick satellite acquisition. Able to do some modification to roads, speed limits and POI's and submit them for others to share. Good windshield mount.
Cons: Beware limited telephone bluetooth compatibility! Check if it works with your phone and service before buying. Weak FM signal for playing music. Map modification very difficult on GPS and clunky with computer. May need extra cost traffic antenna.
Summary: I thought that I did my homework when I bought the 930 but was surprised to find that it did not work with my Motorola Q and Sprint data service. Oddly, with some fiddling I did get the traffic and weather to work for two weeks then it suddenly stopped. I also got it to download my phone directory and make ONE phone call. Also disappointed that the FM signal to both my cars is noisy much of the time. One has and antenna in the back and one in front. Both react the same.
One the navigation side, it works well and has easy to use input, clear screen and quickly recalculates off-route. When the traffic function worked with my phone, it compared well to my other Garmin which does fully utilize my Moto Q and Sprint. Shame on TomTom here. Another feature that sold me was the advance guidance. I travel Chicago and Milwaukee much but have yet to see it used. It does show the direction of the next turn which is an improvement over what I had been using however.
Another strange quirk is when I update on my computer for new map data and POI's, I will lose one of my icons in the quick menu and also have to reselect the computer voice.
Summary; I also bought a TomTom XL330 for my wife. I find that overall, it equals the GO930 in necessary navigation for $300 less. The 930's extra cost features need more work to make them worth the money.
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