TomTom Go 720 GPS for vehicles

TomTom GO 720 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator rating: asin: B000SATCUQ binding: Electronics list price: $449.95 USD amazon price: $399.95 USD

I have let the desire for a vehicle GPS fester in me for several years. At least once a day, I find myself making a U turn because I missed a turn.

Now that Christmas is over, I had a few extra dollars to spend on a GPS. I never buy gadgets on a whim. I enjoy researching both product and price before I buy.

I was able to use my gift cards, Christmas money and a bit of price matching to get a TomTom Go 720 for under $300.

My research lead me to TomTom for its bang-for-the buck value and user ratings found on Amazon and other shopping sites. I intended to get one a couple models down but I figured with all to the price wrangling, I could afford the next model up.

All I wanted was a device that would let me input and save addresses and then lead me to those addresses. I ended up with so much more. I haven't spent much time with the 720 yet, but I could tell in the first couple of miles that I will likely never leave the house without it.

I set it up in my car before I left the Best Buy parking lot. It took 5-10 minute to set up and everything made sense. It reminded me of the setup you get with an iPod. I simply answered questions about the language I prefer, where I live and whether I wanted a male or female voice. I typed in my home address and asked it to take me home. I was barely out of the parkinglot before it started giving me audible instructions.

Intentionally, I missed several turns and it automatically began giving me alternate route instructions. It was so great!

I got home without a hitch, then I discovered how wonderful the GO 720 really is.

In addition to 3D navigation, the GO 720 features an MP3 player, support for SD memory cards, an built-in FM transmitter, iPod sync, Bluetooth for speaker phone and address sync, and the ability to correct and modify maps.

This means that with this little device in my car, I can answer my cell phone hands free, listen to music from my iPod or SD memory card through my stereo and update maps if the information is incorrect. I can also use it as a standard GPS for geocaching. This little device does far more than I expected and I am very pleased with it.