Should I buy another 630?

[fred9]

I bought a 630 b/c it could take micro sd card. I put a downloaded map of Ireland on it and the 630 worked fine for me in IRE.
The only negative's I have are:
-hard/impossible to read the screen in sunlight
-I can't seem to log onto TT Home lately.

I don't get spoken street names even in NY City but maybe that's operator error/ignorance?

I can buy another one (for my daughter's car) for $132 from Amazon. There are so many choices and I'm happy with this one but open to any other thoughts.
Thank you

 

[canderson]

There's no reason to believe that the firmware for the 630 will ever move beyond 8.351. Like similar models (720/730/920/930), their development appears to be over. No fixes and no enhancements.

All of the "current" models that can handle an SD card are also "Live" versions. I picked up the only one offered in the U.S. (the 740) to replace my old 720. Note that the 740 is also available as a TM model - lifetime maps and traffic.

Current typical pricing

630 = $125, still available in a number of places
740Live = $240
740LiveTM = $270

 

[canderson]

I don't get spoken street names even in NY City but maybe that's operator error/ignorance?

What voice have you selected? Is Susan available?

 

[fred9]

Thank you for the info. I'll consider both 740's.

 

[canderson]

Thank you for the info. I'll consider both 740's.

After arguing with myself for a while, that's where I wound up. And for the $30 difference, the TM model beats the $99 TomTom charges for the same subscription after the fact. If you're one of those that keeps the maps updated, it's worth it to get the sub in the price of the unit right now.

The Live services are something you'll have time to decide about after the fact. The 740 comes with a 90 day free trial period. If you don't see the benefit of a $120/year subscription, the 740 also comes with the RDS-TMC traffic receiver, and there's no subscription required for that. It's good for however long - just like the map updates.

 

[fred9]

740tm for $228 at Amazon

Yes, I know this is not good news for those that just bought a 740 but $228 is now the price at Amazon for the 740 TM. I just bought one.

 

[fred9]

Base for 740 get in the way??

I did not get the 740yet (for $228 b/c it was shipped USPS and USPS won't deliver to a UPS store and now the low price is gone.)

Now I'm realize that the 740 requires a base to charge it in the car. And I don't think the base will fit into the bean bag case that I also use as a mount. It is described in the link below.
Can anyone confirm that I won't be able to use the 740 with this mount/case?
Thanks,


Amazon.com: Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case: Electronics

 

[canderson]

There are quite a few TomTom models now where you can't just do a simple USB "flying lead" and that require a dock. The 740 is one of them. However, it bends nicely to 90 degrees, and may be fine in your bean bag. There are also a couple of alternate mounts. Here's what it looks like sitting flat on my desk in the position where the GPS would mount..

 

[fred9]

Thanks. I need to go look at one at Bestbuy or wherever I can see one.

 

[canderson]

Good plan. Make SURE that whatever they show you is on the mount that comes the unit. Will probably have to open one. Given the quick disconnect feature on this mount (touch of a button and the unit pops right off), I can't imagine that the display unit will be in a normal mount if they don't want them wandering away.

 

[fred9]

Of course now I can't locate a store in CT that stocks the 740. I'm now partial to the 740 b/c of the sd slot and the fact that its software is still being updated.
I'm sure I can move to the flat bean bag mount if need be.

 

[canderson]

I can tell you that the windshield mount for the 740 is a vast improvement over some previous designs from TT. Don't know if it would cause you to give up the bean bag, but what a difference. It also includes a quick disconnect. You touch a little horizontal bar at the bottom of the mount, and the 740 pops right out. Bunch easier than it used to be.