Home > Consumer Reviews > TomTom GO 500 - GPS Navigation System with Bluetooth Handsfree

This exceptional product is easy to transfer from car to car, and with very good mapping and 3D display. Easy to use. I bought the US maps (which just slot in to replace the UK map card) as I travel there frequently, and pop it into my hire car and follow the instructions to obscure destinations like office parks and hotels I don't know. Last trip my flights from Maine were cancelled at the last minute, and I had to drive 6 hours to get to Newark airport - and my tomtom friend took me there without hesitation through multiple freeways and turnpikes. I even booked a room using the phone numbers displayed for hotels. Back home, just replace the map card and it will take me to any UK address. At the same time, it's a handsfree for my bluetooth mobile. Fantastic, and worth every penny (or cent).

I dont normally write reviews but having read one on here entitled 'Disapointed' I felt I needed to set the record straight.

This is a fantastic product. I have had no problem with addresses - and I do a lot of travelling around the country with work. The ability to find locations by address or postcode lookup is simple to use. The directions are clear, the turn by turn voice commands are also loud and well spoken, and the night colours mode is also an exellent idea, and make the screen colours less harsh in evening travelling.

The major benefit of this model over the 300 is the bluetooth compatibility - setting up my phone to sync with the unit was suprisingly simple, it imported my phone book in moments and has allowed for excellent hands free calling.

I really cant recommend this product enough!

A brilliant product that really takes the hassle out of route-finding to fresh or linfrequently used destinations, however, living and travelling in rural locations can be a hassle when driving with wide vehicles and trailers. My suggested improvement would be a setting on Tomtom to keep to more major roads as an option for finding an easy route. This apart, it would have scored 5 stars. I just love it, and so will people who are nervous about travelling to new or little known destinations. I showed mine to my brother and had difficulty getting it back off him. Say no more...!

Got a TTG500 after much looking around, and trying out 10+ systems.

Sure TTG has some issues (quirks is a better description), but so have all the others. I drive artics and there is nothing worse than carrying 50+ map books for towns and city centres - and nobody appreciates 65 foot of artic parked up on a busy street with a perplexed driver at the wheel. Dead easy to use. Maps are as good as anyone elses. Put me in the delivery yard of a cider press in herefordshire just on the postcode - 1st time out of the box, boy was I impressed!

Great that you can create your own POI's and share them with others. When I going going somewhere new, I can normally find someone else who's been there, and get the POI coordinates of the drop off of them - then, hey presto, straight on the loading bay.

Audio instructions take a little getting used to (3 or 4 trips before you get the 'feel' of the way they are structured and how TomTom want you to understand them.)

Itineries are fantastic!

Would be good if you could alter maps yourself for permanently closed streets, new one-way systems etc.

If you drive trucks always make sure you select the 'Limited Speed' option always seems to select a valid route for trucks that way, but hey if it tries to send you up a country lane, drive on and it works out the new route.....if all else fails, browse the map and treat it like a map book!

All in all I would recommend TTG to anyone.

I've been using my TomTom Go for almost a year. From day 1 it has proved invaluable - it takes the stress out of driving to unknown destinations. Being portable I can also lend it to my children when they need it.

I've also bought TomTom Go maps for the USA so I can drive with confidence when over there on business or holiday.

It's a great design, the maps are crystal clear and the audio instructions concise. I'm also impressed that TomTom provide free access to software updates that allow the GO to be updated with new developments (such as the new post code navigation and the automatic volume increase as the car accelerates).

On occassion I have had to navigate to destinations not identified on the map - even this is catered for as you can browse the area, identify where you want to go and mark it as the destination. Of course now if you have the full post code you don't even have to do that - just enter the code and it'll take you there.

I've used other sat navs (built in to cars) but this to my mind is the best, most flexible - and certainly the most useful - of the lot.

Would've given 5 stars if it didn't occassionally 'spin' when driving through London - possibly due to the high buildings obscuring the signal.