Tomtom Go 530 Software Companies
TomTom is not just an app. TomTom offers a wide range of software and hardware products for car, motorcycle, truck, and other vehicles. 3D buildings in TomTom Go look great. Night mode is available in both. Both offer to show the lanes on the top and suggest which lane should the driver be driving in.
Sitting at the bottom end of the Go range of the company's satnav line, what can the TomTom Go 530 offer? We jump in the car and find out.
Bigger than the TomTom XL in terms of design and features, the Go 530 sits below the Go 730 and 930 in the features that it offers and is ideal for those not fussed about maps of North America (included with the Go 930) or maps of Europe (included with the Go 730).
Cased in black body, a welcome respite from the silver clones that seem to dominate the satnav market, the TomTom GoO 530 like the other two models in the range has a simple, clutter-free, design - the front dominated by the 4.3in touchscreen. The only button is the discreet power button on the top – it’s almost a shame TomTom didn’t decide to use their logo as the power switch.
You also get the software suite for TomTom HOME, to really get the most out of your device, using the supplied desk dock. The maps on this version cover just the UK.
The best thing about TomTom, and one of the reasons it has been so popular, is that it is incredibly easy to use. Out of the box, turn it on and away you go, it is a simple as that. The suction mount is worth a mention because is fairly low-profile, slipping into the back of the device, although it has to be said not as nice as the new EasyPort sucker shipped with the new One range.
The power cable has a 90 degree plug meaning your TomTom can be mounted flush with the dashboard and it is this sort of attention to detail that really impresses with TomTom.
Of course, on this level of device you get the Bluetooth link for your phone, and an FM transmitter built-in. Connection also enables features like TomTom Weather once you have established a data connection – but you will end up paying the data rates for these sorts of options. You can also access your address book and have incoming text message read out, which is a nice touch.
This being the non-traffic version you won't get the TMC cable in the box and means that your dash will be free from cables. That's not to say you can't get traffic, you'll just have to use your mobile phone for the data.
Connection is via said Bluetooth and fairly easy to set-up, though our suggestion would be to do this at home rather than in a traffic jam where you'll merely pick up everyone else’s mobile phone. You'll also have to bear in mind that if you use a headset, as is the law, that you'll only be able to connect to one device at a time.
You also get IQ routes, which calculates your route based on real average speed data, so you get a more realistic picture of you journey time. Advanced Lane Guidance is a gem to make sure you take the right turning on a motorway and don’t end up heading north instead of south, a problem that has blighted satnav in the past.
The Go 530 also supports voice commands, which sounds smart, and works pretty well. It basically pulls up the location menu, so you say 'London' and it offers you a list of cities, with London at the top, for you to press, and again with street names. It works, but doesn’t save much time as the interface is relatively simple anyway. Perhaps it is designed to stop drivers pressing too many buttons whilst driving, but you do have to access the menu first to enable the voice input, so doesn’t really satisfy that demand.
Unlike the Go 930 you don't get a remote control in the box but it’s no big loss.
Of course the best feature is being able to access the wider community and update maps. Maps were invariably out of date on older versions, but now at least you get the chance to edit them as well as download updates from other users. In reality you will probably correct things near your home, to stop a route down a closed road and so on.
All in all, this is TomTom doing what it does best. As a navigation solution, we think this is the best around.
The Go 530 offers plenty and is surprisingly a large step up from the cheaper TomTom XL adding plenty of features be it better mapping guidance, Bluetooth or FM transmitter support.
If you are looking for all those features this will offer you just that, although you have to ask whether you will use them?
While you'll save some money on not getting the North America or European maps if you aren't planning on travelling outside the UK we would recommend the XL. It is likely to suit your needs saving you a fair wad of cash.
TomTom navigation devices get regular map updates at least once a quarter to keep you in the know when it comes to route changes and new location information. The company offers two different software programs to update your maps depending on what device you have: MyDrive Connect and TomTom HOME. Both programs are available as free downloads for Windows PCs and Macs. While some TomTom updates are paid, you can update your device for free with the company’s “Latest Map Guarantee” if you’ve purchased it recently or if you have a device or app that includes Lifetime Maps.
Latest Map Guarantee Updates
When you purchase most new TomTom devices, the company gives you some time to download any updates released since your unit was manufactured. This way, you know you’ll have the most up-to-date information when you start using your device. If you purchase a TomTom from the GO series, you have 30 days from the first time you use your unit to download updated maps, if available. If you purchase a unit from TomTom’s PRO series, you get a little longer – 90 days from the first time you use it. The Latest Map Guarantee doesn’t apply to refurbished units or memory cards with preinstalled maps. It also doesn’t apply to units with Lifetime Maps since those devices get free updates anyway.
TomTom GO: If you have a TomTom GO, download and install the TomTom HOME program. Connect your device to your computer with the provided USB cord and sign in with your TomTom account (or create a new account). Click on 'Tools > Use Latest Map Guarantee.' If there’s a newer map than the one installed on your device and you’re within the guarantee time period, you’ll see the map update. Click “Continue” to start the download and installation of the new map, then “Done” when finished. Click 'Device > Disconnect Device' before unplugging your unit.
TomTom PRO: If you purchased a TomTom PRO device, updating it under the Latest Map Guarantee is a similar process, but instead, download the MyDrive Connect software from TomTom’s website. Plug your unit into your computer and open MyDrive Connect. The program opens in your default web browser. Click 'Overview > View Updates.' Click in the box next to any available updates, then click the “Update Selected” button. After the update finishes installing, the device will restart. You can disconnect it from your computer safely after the restart.
Lifetime Maps
Some TomTom devices and smartphone apps come with Lifetime Maps or other Lifetime services, like TomTom Traffic and Safety Cameras. If you purchase a product that has Lifetime Maps, you’ll be able to update it for free at least four times a year for the lifetime of your unit. Some products come with lifetime updates for the map regions preinstalled on your device, while others include World Lifetime Maps, meaning you can download maps for any region supported by your device without paying extra.
Download TomTom HOME or MyDrive Connect to your PC or Mac, depending on which program your device uses for updates. First, register your device to receive an email from TomTom when there’s a new map available. If your device didn’t come with a code for Lifetime Maps and simply had the Lifetime Maps icon on the packaging, plug your device into your computer, sign in with your TomTom account and click on 'Tools > Use Latest Maps Guarantee' if you’re using TomTom HOME. If you’re using MyDrive Connect, the software opens and shows you any available updates as soon as you connect your device to your computer.
If your TomTom unit came with a promotion or activation code for Lifetime Maps, enter the code in the TomTom software to download future map updates. For TomTom HOME, plug your unit into your computer and turn it on. Tap “YES” on your GPS unit when it asks to connect to your computer. Click the “Eject” button and disconnect your unit from your computer, then click “Use my activation code” in the main menu of the TomTom HOME program. Type in your code, then click “Next” and “Continue” once it accepts the code. Yokogawa dl 1200 fdgh.
If your unit requires you to use MyDrive Connect, plug your unit into a USB port on your computer and open MyDrive Connect if it doesn’t open automatically. If you haven’t connected your GPS unit to your TomTom account yet, you’ll see a prompt to do so. Next, click the “Use Activation Code” at the bottom right corner and make sure it shows the correct serial number and model for your device. Click “Continue,” enter the activation code that came with your device, then click “Activate.”
Paid Updates
If you’re past the Latest Map Guarantee period and your device didn’t come with Lifetime Maps, you can still get map updates from TomTom’s website and install them through the MyDrive Connect or TomTom HOME software, but the updates won’t be free. You can also purchase maps for different countries or regions.
Tips
- Only certain devices can use the My TomTom application, including the GO LIVE series, GO 2000 series, TomTom Connect, Sony XNV, VIA series and Blue&Me TomTom 2. All other devices use TomTom HOME.
- In most cases, you cannot update your TomTom's maps for free; you will need to purchase those updates. If you have purchased a device that includes lifetime map updates, however, you can receive free maps up to four times per year through My TomTom or TomTom HOME. If your device is eligible, these updates will be offered to you when you connect your device to the computer and launch the TomTom software.
Warning
- Never disconnect the device during an update. Doing so may corrupt the device's software.