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TomTom GO 750 LIVE

Caractéristiques
Dimensions / Weight127 x 85 x 23 mm / 224 g
Antenna typeBroadcom Global Locate BCM4750 / Built-in
Screen size / tactile4.3 inches / Yes
Autonomy3 h
Maps / Countries included / Europe (45)
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Software
Memory2 GB
Traffic infoOui (Coyote) / Yes
Multi-destination routingYes
MP3 player / PhotosYes / Yes
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Fabien Pionneau
Test date: January 7, 2010
Ever more LIVE services

With the arrival of real time LIVE services, TomTom satnavs have been enriched with many new features and paid services. Very useful for those on the road a lot, they're about to become even more so with the innovations of the new range (GO 750 and 950 LIVE).

European leader on the speed camera localisation market (fixed and mobile), Coyote have signed a partnership with TomTom. The new satnavs now benefit from a speed camera database that is constantly updated and enriched by the numerous Coyote users. You can now indicate the presence of a speed camera with your TomTom so that everyone else gets hold of the information too.

At a time when the price of fuel is continually going up, the fuel prices feature will tell you where to go for the cheapest fuel on your journey.

The other services (HD Traffic and so on) are all still available and the price of LIVE services stays at £7.99 per month (12 months: £50.99).


The previous TomTom GPS, the GO 740 LIVE had already placed the bar very high. It's no great surprise then to see that TomTom have only added a few extra features to its GO 750 LIVE. In fact, the products are identical. All that changes is the addition of several LIVE services that strengthen the real-time offer. Rather than paraphrasing the TomTom GO 740 LIVE test, we're going to concentrate on the main points and innovations of the new model.

Hardware: all the features but we've seen smaller

If there's an area on which TomTom is behind the competition, it's the size of its satnavs. This model is up to 23 mm thick, while other brands go as low as 14 mm. This will only be a problem if you want to slip the device into your pocket, with the thickest part in the middle (the sides are slimmer) contributing to the product's excellent handling. This GPS is very nice to use and the finish is faultless.

The large 4.3 inch matte screen offers sufficient brightness and gives great visibility, even in full sunlight. The speaker (at the back) is more than powerful enough.

The latest European maps (45 countries) are included in the 2 GB internal memory. A Micro-SD memory card slot allows you to add photos and use maps of other countries if necessary.

The suction dock is still just as effective. The cigarette lighter can be used to charge the device so you can leave it in your vehicle if you want to. With very good quality plastic and finish, it won't look out of place in a high-end interior.

Bluetooth connectivity means you can connect your mobile phone for handsfree calls.
Voice recognition also allows you to keep your hands on the wheel when operating the device and giving addresses. In practice, the system is still a bit capricious and you often have to repeat yourself several times. Use your hands to enter data wherever possible (excellent).

Unfortunately there's no FM transmitter on the new TomTom range. You have to use the audio out, available as an option, and link it up to the radio. The mp3 player feature has also gone (with iPod navigation), which is a real shame. This means you have to add it manually. While the FM transmitter wasn't great quality, it did have the advantage of limiting the number of wires in the car.

Hardware: a clear effective interface

It starts up rapidly (less than 8 seconds) and there are no slowdowns when navigating through the menus. Clear, easy-to-read icons allow you to work your way around them without even needing to look at the manual, as usual with TomTom.

The navigation interface hasn't changed. It has already proved itself and remains just as clear, without any superfluous details. A new icon signals speed cameras.

Route guidance: a nice voice and detailed, precise indications repeated several times

Reception is still just as good and route instructions very thorough. Route guidance hasn't changed from the previous generation. It uses the very good IQ Routes technology for calculation of the fastest journeys according to the time of day. Road incidents and other traffic information is also updated in real time thanks to the "HD Traffic" LIVE service and facilitates avoidance of traffic jams. You'll find more detail on this feature in the TOMTOM GO 740 LIVE test.

You should be aware that recalculation of your journey can sometimes be quite long (several seconds) depending on the complexity of the road system. A little more oomph would have been appreciated.

Journey changes to avoid incidents: 45 km more, 12 minutes gained (in the present case to be avoided because of snow and black ice on small roads = risk of accidents)

The partnership with Coyote, the European leader in localisation of fixed and mobile speed cameras, enriches the LIVE services on the TomTom. Updates are now immediate and you can also localise mobile speed cameras. Users can indicate where a camera is simply by pressing on the icon on the navigation screen. The only problem is that there's no option to indicate which way the camera is facing.
In practice, the system works very well, in spite of a few false alerts.

Other features: EcoRoutes and fuel prices

If you don't like to overpay for your fuel, you'll be pleased to learn that TomTom have improved their fuel price comparison system, included in LIVE services. It'll help you find the cheapest fuel station in the surrounding area or directly on your route. No need to give yourself a headache looking for the best place to fill up!

Green thinking is (thankfully) currently very much in favour. The new "Eco Routes" feature calculates the journey that will economise most fuel. It avoids situations where you often have to accelerate (junctions, town centres and so on).
Pluses

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Very developed route features

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Coyote speed cameras (fixed and mobile)

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Numerous LIVE services

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Top-end finish and build

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Easy to use

Minuses

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Voice recognition could be improved

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Sometimes bizarre results from Google search engine

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Lowish battery life (recharge via cigarette ligher almost obligatory)

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Subscription a little expensive after the 3 month trial period

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No longer mp3 player feature with FM

Ever more real-time services for the new TomTom GO 750 LIVE. These include Coyote speed cameras of course and the still excellent HD Traffic. The old version (740 LIVE) had already brought a lot to the world of GPS'. This "new" satnav picks up the torch and takes over as the current no.1, in spite of lacking one or two features.

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