TomTom 720 or Something Else?

[nheather]

I bought my TomTom 720 nine months ago from Dixons Online and recently tried to use the bluetooth hands-free facility for the first time.

I'd previously had lots of success with my TomTom 700 so I was surprised to find that with my 720, the recipient could just hear a high-pitched buzz.

I di some research on the internet and found this to be quite a common problem.

I contacted Dixons who told me that I must go through TomTom. They denied the existence of any such problem but were also quite arrogant and unhelpful.

So I went back to Dixons and pointed out that their terms and conditions stated that they would repair\replace\refund goods within the first 12 months. So they sent me a DHL label for the return to them.

I put in my covering letter that I was concerned that the problem may be a common problem so could they please make sure that they returned one that did what was advertised.

Yesterday, I received 2 emails from Dixons. The first saying that they were sorry that they didn't have any stock of the 720 so they had no choice but to give me a refund. The second was a confirmation that the refund had been processed.

The good news is that I paid £300 9 months ago and the 720 can now be had for £185. So I could get another and have £115 beer tokens left over.

But is this a good idea?

Is there something better?
Was there an updated version of the 720 released?
I've heard there is a 730 coming - would that be a better approach?
Or another make altogether?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[xPositor]

730 just released. They are also releasing in the UK now traffic versions (i.e. 730T).

See http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=468&Category=0&Lid=1

Over the 720 it's got:

IQ Routes Technology
Advanced Lane Guidance

As well as their updated maps.

 

[xPositor]

Useful summary - http://www.tomtom.com/lib/doc/930 White paper_UK.pdf

 

[nheather]

Do you know if the Bluetooth remote that I bought as an extra for my 720 will work with the 730?

Has anyone here used hands-free with the 720 and confirmed that it will work?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[KeithO]

730 just released. They are also releasing in the UK now traffic versions (i.e. 730T).

See http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=468&Category=0&Lid=1

Over the 720 it's got:



As well as their updated maps.

The IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance are just firmware updates (no extra hardware required), and will almost certainly make their way into the other 'lower' models (incl 720) once TT have sold enough x30 models

 

[xPositor]

Do you know if the Bluetooth remote that I bought as an extra for my 720 will work with the 730?

Has anyone here used hands-free with the 720 and confirmed that it will work?

Cheers,

Nigel

I use handsfree with the 720, and it works well. As does the traffic update over mobile-data.

Good point previously about the firmware update - seeing as TomTom offer their Latest Map Guarantee (i.e. you can download the latest maps within 30 days of purchase (I think)), you might be best taking a new knock-down price 720, as it does what you want anyway, and making good user of your newly acquired beer tokens! Consider using some of those tokens on the TMC adaptor though, so you get traffic updates Europe-wide for free, rather than having to subscribe to (and pay for) the mobile-update service.

 

[nheather]

Well it's another 720 or I abandon TomTom in favour of Garmin.

I've just got back from Halfords who let me test my Bluetooth remote with the 730.

All I can say is that TomTom are vindictive little blighters. At first I was hopeful, because I saw the 930 with it's remote and aprt from being black rather than silver it is identical in looks and dimensions - but it doesn't work.

Spent ages trying. I even tried connecting against a 720 just to make sure I was doing it right.

But know, TomTom have obviously deemed that if you trade up from a 720 to a 730 then you must buy new accessories. Not very impressed - but that is after a long line of being unimpressed with TomTom (the company not the product).

So I am seriously considering Garmin but may look at another 720.

Cheers,

Nigel