The TomTom Go Superior is the top-of-the-range device of the TomTom world and represents the best of the best in GPS technology. It’s not value for money, but then again it’s not designed to be either, its designed to show you what a TomTom GPS can really do.
In simple terms, it does a great job, but in this market it’s got serious competition, and I really don’t think that by charging a yearly subscription for traffic alert that you need to plug the device into your smartphone is acceptable. Personally I don’t recommend it, but if you’re a TomTom lover, and you want the best that TomTom can provide, it’s a great unit.
TomTom
TomTom is one of our two favorite Sat Nav companies. The company was formed in 1991 and since this time, TomTom has revolutionized the world of navigation and geolocation services, earning its reputation as a global leader in location technology.
TomTom’s GPS movement began in 2002 when it first introduced the world to the device known as the “TomTom Navigator,”. This device marked a significant milestone in the evolution of personal navigation technology, as it brought GPS-based navigation into the hands of consumers in a portable and user-friendly form.
The TomTom Navigator was a software-based solution that ran on a compatible personal digital assistant (PDA). Users would install the TomTom software on their PDA, and the device’s touchscreen would then function as a GPS navigation system. It provided turn-by-turn directions, maps, and points of interest to help users navigate while driving. Today, TomTom makes GPS units that are specifically designed and tested to be used in your car and provide turn-by-turn directions.
TomTom GO Superior
The TomTom GO Superior is the top of the range TomTom Sat Nav unit and comes as standard with either a 6-inch or a 7-inch, that uses a 1,280 x 800 resolution screen. This means that It’s still not crystal-clear by smartphone standards, but it’s the best that you can get in the Sat Nav market and with it’s effective anti-reflection coating you’ll be able to see your directions even in the brightest of light.
The Superior uses TomTom’s Click-and-Drive system to mount itself to the windshield. This involves a suction cup mount that attaches itself to the windshield of your car and a magnetic plate that attached the suction cup to your sat nav unit. The process is quick and easy, although it does mean the suction cup remains on your windscreen and identifies to any car thief that there is a GPS unit inside the car. It’s easy to use but I thinking living in London my car would get broken into.
The unit is fast and responsive and as with all TomTom units, setup is simple with the software taking you through connecting to Wi-Fi, connecting to your smartphone and setting up your preferences. Once you’re up and running, you can use the search box to search for an address or a point of interest, or tap search button a second time to pull up categories where you can find nearby parking, petrol stations, restaurants or pubs and cafes.
The step-by-step directions are clear with well-pronounced street names and accurate lane guidance that means even with the most difficult junctions are easy to navigate through.
There are a range of features including World Maps, TomTom traffic, Speed Camera alerts, live fuel pricing, off-street parking availability, EV charging stations and weather information and even an ‘avoid LEZ’ feature that when selected means your TomTom will exclude these zones from your route – ideal for those driving older vehicles in London.
What’s The Problem?
It’s a great unit, but it’s over 300 and for that I would expect a lot of these useful features to be free for the lifetime of the product and not that I have to buy a new subscription every year. Live fuel prices, parking availability, speed cameras along your route and the lez feature are really useful and something that I would use every day, but while there is a one-year free subscription included in the price, afterwards you need buy a yearly subscription which at 3.49 per month or 35 per year does build up over time.
I also hate the fact that in order to use things like traffic alerts and receive accurate ETAs, you need to plug your GPS unit into your smartphone. This is okay in London, but when I’m driving in the countryside there is little to no signal and as such it doesn’t work. No signal means no live traffic.
Overall
Overall, the TomTom GO Superior is a great choice for drivers who want a reliable and feature-rich GPS navigation device. It is also a good choice for drivers who travel frequently, as it offers free world map updates and 12 months of free speed camera alerts.
If you are looking for a high-end GPS navigation device with a lot of features, then the TomTom GO Superior is a great option. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option or a device that is easier to use, then there are other GPS navigation devices that may be a better fit for you.
