Overview
Welcoming the Youngest Sibling of the TomTom family, the TomTom GO 530. With it being the youngest sibling of the family and cheapest, it's not as feature packed as its older brothers. This unit comes in both a traffic or non-traffic version. What is it then that sets this out as the youngest one of the family I hear you ask….well read on to find out.
Review
The TomTom 530 is this family's budget buy, and unless you’re wishing to use this overseas then it’s a rather good little package, the reason this TomTom cannot be used overseas is that it comes with UK maps only. Otherwise this TomTom offers the user allot of rather good features for a budget model.
As with its older sibling TomTom 930 it does not come with the Enhanced Positioning Technology, which means that the signal may be lost during tunnel journeys or when in highly built areas in the country. This can be an annoying occurrence on many TomTom’s but what it being a major problem on many TomTom’s its to be expected and many people are now so used to it happening that when it does they hardly ever notice.
With their being both a traffic and non-traffic version, with the traffic version being £50 ($100) more than the non-traffic version, this means that the traffic version comes with a receiver which allows the TomTom to receive data from not only the usual traffic generated data but as well as mobile generated data so that the TomTom can decide far more accurately where to re-direct you through traffic if available or it will increase the time shown to you that it will take to get you to your destination than its non-traffic version.
This feature however only comes free for 6 months, after that a payment of around £9 ($18) will be required each month to keep this service up and running.
Otherwise its a rather nice TomTom, and with many of the features from the 930/730 available on this such as IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance plus with the price difference this will be the choice for many TomTom users out there.
Its only downside is as I said earlier that it only comes with UK maps but who needs a TomTom when you’re on your holidays? If you’re on a budget and want a smart looking SatNav with plenty of features then this TomTom is defiantly worth a look.
The Gaj-It verdict
Design: 9/10
Usability: 9/10
Features: 7/10
Value: 8/10
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Key Features from manufacturer:
- TomTom Map Shareâ„¢ technology enabling users to make corrections to their own maps instantly and benefit from improvements made by other users completely free of change
- Latest map guarantee so users always have free access to the latest map at time of purchase
- Plug & play traffic through new TomTom High Definition Traffic Receiver***, so drivers can receive real-time, high definition traffic information on motorways and secondary roads or TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver for detailed traffic information
- Large 4.3 inch touch screen with new generation icons and an updated user interface to navigate drivers to their destination even easier
- Voice address input drive to millions of cities and street names by simply announcing the address of your destination
- Clear voice instructions and text-to-speech to enable street names, places, traffic alerts and SMS messages to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions
- Enhanced hands-free calling with high quality sound system via Bluetooth® to allow drivers to keep their eyes firmly on the road whilst making phone calls in the car
- Extensive safety features including 'Help Me' menu to give drivers direct access to emergency services and roadside assistance
- Built-in FM Transmitter to play music and navigation instructions seamlessly over the car stereo
- New smart & fun extras to personalise users' devices, including recording your own driving instructions, view documents, exchange positions via SMS and Bluetoothâ„¢ wireless technology and select a favourite car icon on the screen
- Free TomTom HOME software and content from the TomTom community to keep your TomTom device up to date at all times
- Pre-installed safety camera database providing drivers with timely information on safety cameras on drivers' routes
- Full range of accessories to match the design and finish of the updated GO range
Map Coverage
With the TomTom GO 530 being the youngest sibling it is pre-installed with maps that offers coverage of the United Kingdom only.
Full Tech Spec
- 4.3" widescreen 16:9 format LCD (WQVGA: 480*272 pixels)
- CPU 400 MHz
- TomTom GO 530: 1 GB
- SD card socket
- High sensitivity GPS receiver
- Bluetooth
- Battery lithium-polymer (up to 5 hours operation)
- Dimensions: 118 mm x 83 mm x 24 mm
- Weight: 220 grams
This review is based on journalistic research.