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First preview TomTom GO's 2006
First look at TomTom GO 910!
March 9, 2006 - We've already held one in our hands: a brand new TomTom GO 910. And so we can tell you a lot of details about the new TomTom GO series.
CeBIT 2006 took off again, and with it the next generation of TomTom GO's has been presented. So it's time again for a detailed overview of the new 2006 models: the TomTom GO 510, the TomTom GO 710 and the TomTom GO 910. Since we've already seen and toyed with these new units, we're able to present you with a complete preview. This, while we eagerly await our review samples which we'll hopefully be allowed to keep a bit longer so we'll be able to thoroughly test them out for our very own review.
In this preview we'll limit ourselves to the hardware. For an extensive preview of the new and improved possibilities of the new firmware 6.0 And TomTom HOME, we'll refer you to our special: 'Firmware 6.0 and HOME: innovations galore'
Screen
The first thing we notice about the new TomTom GO's is of course the screen. With its 480x272 pixel resolution, the new touch screen almost uses a true 16:9 resolution and that's a first in the world of PND's. Yet still the device isn't bigger than the former generation GO's and the TomTom Classic.
On the contrary actually: as you can see from the picture to the left, the width and the height have even decreased a bit. (for your easy viewing pleasure, we've taken the liberty to draw the shape of the 'old GO series' onto the photo of the new unit) What has increased a bit is the depth of the device: 66 mm now compared to 58 mm with the former series. Because of this, the shape is also a bit pointier.
But even though we believe the new screen is a real beauty, we do have questions with it's lay out. It seems TomTom has opted to use the extra space on the screen to show a wider version of the map. And while this may have its advantages now and then, we believe it would have been better to use that space for the info that is normally displayed on the bottom of the screen. This would allow the unit to show more of the road you're actually driving on, and this is always better when navigating. To see what we mean, just have a look at the photoshopped example screen to the right. Who knows, this may find its way in a forthcoming firmware update.
Box contents
If you buy a new GO, you'll notice it comes in a box filled to the brim with goodies. Of course it contains the GO itself, but also the new suction cup/mount for attachment to the windshield of your car (more on that later on). Other things we recognise: a card with the licence number on it, an installation CD and poster, an SD card with maps and software (only with 510 and 710 ; on the 910 the software comes pre-installed on the harddisk), a carrying bag and a 12 Volts car adapter. The GO 910 is also shipped with a remote control and an audio cable.
TomTom HOME
But the kit also comes with some completely new things. Every GO 510, 710 and 910 is shipped with an external microphone and a docking station for charging the unit at home and easy connection to your computer using USB 2.0. And talking about easy connection to your computer: for this purpose especially, new TomTom management software called 'TomTom HOME' was developed. But for more info on this, again, we'll refer your to our software special 'Firmware 6.0 and HOME: innovations galore'
SiRF Star III
With the exception of the internal harddisk of the 910, all three new GO's are pretty much identical: same CPU, same amount of RAM, same SiRF Star III chipset. For a overview of all specifications and possibilities, take a look at our comparison table at the end of this special.
The implementation of the new SiRF Star III chipset is very good news, because this one is really top of the line. We've already determined that when we reviewed the TomTom ONE and the TomTom RIDER. Even indoors, this receiver picks up GPS signals with ease. Once the units locks onto a signal, it really doesn't let go anymore. Never mind a heat-reflecting windshield, high buildings, trees, good or bad weather: no problem at all for the SiRF Star III! Rest assured this is one chipset which always takes care of a great reception!
New mount
Another novelty is the new mount for the new GO's. TomTom opted for a completely new design which doesn't resemble the former model at all anymore. The new model consists out of two parts: the sucker for mounting to the windshield of the car, and the socket onto which the GO clicks. Both parts are connected to each other by means of a ball hinge which can be moved in any direction.
For attachment to the windshield, the new mount also uses a new mechanism. No more small lever, the sucker now uses a rotating disc. This disc has two settings: hold the mount to the windshield, turn the disc into position one and the sucker attaches itself. Turn the disc into position two and the ball hinge locks itself. Quick testing seems to indicate this works very well, but we hold off our final verdict until we've tested this new mechanism more thorough.
The new mount also holds a lot of connectors. On one side (top picture), from left to right we notice the external aerial connector, the 12 Volts connector and a special TomTom connector 
for a TMC antenna or an iPod. On the other side (bottom picture), there's an audio-out and a microphone-in connector for the supplied external microphone.
Sensor
The new TomTom GO's are now also equipped with a light sensor on the top of the unit. This sensor measures the light intensity in the immediate area of the device. This enables the TomTom GO software to automatically adjust the screen brightness to the surroundings, and switch to night view when it becomes dark or vice versa.
Text-to-speech
Last but by no means least, a small word about the new text-to-speech functionality of the GO, which enables it to say street and city names out loud. So from now on you won't only be instructed to go left or right, but you'll also hear the name of the street added to the command. And we have to say: this works beautifully! This feature was demoed to us at TomTom HQ, and we all agreed that the voice we heard sounded very natural. Even more, it's hard even to recognise it as a 'computer generated voice'. Truly impressive and an enrichment for navigational ease!
Closing thoughts
It's clear that TomTom has tried to take a big leap ahead with the new generation TomTom GO's. This first look has already convinced us that they've surely succeeded in being innovative. However, our final judgement will depend on the planned in-depth testing and how well the new models will perform then. You may expect a complete and in-depth review or our findings in the not-so-distant future.
Until then, don't forget to have a look at our firmware 6 special:
Specifications TomTom GO 510, TomTom GO 710 and TomTom GO 910:
 |
 GO 700 |
 GO 510 |
 GO 710 |
 GO 910 |
| In stores | June 2005 | April 2006 (UK: May) | April 2006 (UK: May) | April 2006 (UK: May) |
| Retail price | € 609,- | € 499,- | € 599,- | € 699,- |
| Dimensions (b x h x d in mm) | 115 x 92 x 58 | 112 x 81 x 66 | 112 x 81 x 66 | 112 x 81 x 66 |
| Weight | 310 gram | 300 gram | 300 gram | 340 gram |
| Screen (touchscreen) | 3,5 inch, 320 x 240 TFT, 4.096 colors | 4 inch, 480 x 272 TFT, 64.000 colours |
4 inch, 480 x 272 TFT, 64.000 colours |
4 inch, 480 x 272 TFT, 64.000 colours |
| Processor | 400 MHz ARM920T | 400 MHz ARM920T | 400 MHz ARM920T | 400 MHz ARM920T |
| Memory | 64 MB | 64 MB | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Storage | HDD (2,5GB) | SD-card | SD-card | HDD (20GB, >10GB free) |
| Maps | Pre-installed maps of whole European region on HDD | Detailed country map and cross-border navigation to any town in Western Europe | Maps of whole Western Europe on 1 GB SD-cart | Maps of Europa, USA en Canada on HDD |
| TomTom PLUS ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Bluetooth transceiver | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-free phone capability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Enhanced GPS receiver | Yes (SiRF Star II/LP) | Yes (SiRF Star III) | Yes (SiRF Star III) | Yes (SiRF Star III) |
| Built-in loudspeaker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in microphone | Yes (in mount) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lightsensor | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rechargeable battery | Yes (± 5 h) | Yes (± 4 h) | Yes (± 4 h) | Yes (± 4 h) |
| Assisted Satellite Navigation | Yes | No | No | No |
| Play MP3 | No | No | No | Yes |
| Text-to-speech | No | No | No | Yes |
| View JPG, BMP | No | No | No | Yes |
| USB | Yes (2.0) | No (2.0 on dock) | No (2.0 on dock) | No (2.0 on dock) |
| Audio out | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External antenna connection | Accessory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPod connection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home dock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes | Accessory | Accessory | Yes |
| External microphone | Accessory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cigarette lighter charger/adapter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power cable | Yes | No (docking station) | No (docking station) | No (docking station) |
» Pictures with this story
