720 still a good deal?

[gnetsurpher]

I'm new to gps systems in general and after some researching, I'm trying to settle in on a GO 720 or a XL 330s.

The 720 seems to be a great unit, but has been obviously replaced by the newer models, 730 and 740 correct?

So if that's the case, is a new 720 (available at amazon for $150), still a good purchase? Will the map it comes with be pretty recent map or do I download a new one? Do the newer models offer anything major that the 720 lacks? In order to get traffic updates, you have to pay a monhtly charge, correct?

Thanks in advance for any info anyone can provide,

Tom

 

[mikealder]

I still rate the 720 as one of the best nav units TomTom have produced to date, the newer x30 devices are the same hardware with a few colour scheme changes to the menu pages etc, the x40 range is a different beast all together as its fitted with a sim card and GPRS modem for Live services which attract a monthly charge, next is the recently x50 range which look identical to the x40 but we will have to wait and see what (if any) differences they ship with.

All new TomTom devices are supplied with something called Latest Map Guarantee (LMG) which gives you 28 days in which to download the latest map for free, in practice the order you should approach this is as follows (applies to all models)

1/ Make a full backup of the device using Windows Explorer
2/ Download and install the latest TomTom Home software to your PC
3/ Connect the device to the PC and use Home to update the software on the device
4/ Use Home to download/ install latest map using LMG
5/ Make another Windows Explorer backup
6/ Enjoy using the device.

The Go models (x20, x30, x40, x50) can be used as Handsfree for your mobile phone where as the XL cannot do this, with the Go models you also get an FM Transmitter and mp3 player (only 940 with the x40 range). At the price you are quoting I would go for the 720 as it is still a very capable device. As for traffic it is subscription based in the USA, at the moment there appear to be problems getting it working correctly - Mike