Tom Tom 520 portable sat nav system

The new TomTom GO 520 range finally comes in an almost slim design with higher quality finish than earlier models. The large 4.3 inch touch screen has TomTom’s renowned easy-to-use and intuitive user interface with 3D graphics including building footprints that ensures drivers have an even better overview of their surroundings.

 

The Tom Tom 520 has an abundance of features but importantly the navigation function works well. Routes can be calculated quickly using the touchscreen and it comes with the usual functions you would expect on any high end unit such as auto re-route technology, shortest route and quickest route. In addition the Tom Tom 520 sat nav system will tell you the location of most fixed speed cameras and has an exstensive list of points of interest making it easier to find services such as cash machines and petrol stations as well as restaurents and hotels. 


Unique TomTom Map Share Technology

The TomTom GO range also sees the introduction of TomTom’s unique new map improvement technology, TomTom Map Share™. This technology enables drivers to easily and instantly improve their own maps. It also lets users share improvements and benefit from all other users’ improvements, daily, automatically and easily via Tom Tom HOME – TomTom’s free software application. TomTom has the world’s largest satellite navigation community with over 10 million users. TomTom Map Share™ users can contribute and exchange all their improvements amongst each other, making the best maps available for all of them. Tom Tom Map Share™ means TomTom drivers can always have the most up-to-date maps and inside local knowledge at their fingertips (see separate press release for more information on TomTom Map Share™).

 

Enhanced Hands-free Kit

The enhanced hands-free kit features a new high quality sound system offering users the best hands-free calling experience via Bluetooth®. With optimised acoustic design, enhanced noise reduction, echo cancellation and an automatic answer function, the TomTom GO 720 and TomTom GO 520 ensure drivers can make and receive calls easier than ever whilst keeping their eyes focussed on the

 

New Safety Features

Safety is a key priority in the development of all TomTom products. The new TomTom GO comes with uniquely designed safety features so drivers always have direct access to extensive safety and roadside assistance information wherever they go. The extensive ‘Help Me!’ menu includes information such as the way to the nearest hospital, car maintenance information and first aid instructions. Another new safety feature is the short-cut menu, which enables drivers to jump straight to their favourite, most accessed information with just one touch on the screen for even easier and safer navigation

 

Sat Nav Express opinion

The Tom Tom 520 is probably the pick of the Tom Tom range. It has a few additional features that are genuinely worth while that make it a better buy than the Tom Tom One XL for instance. Our only complaint is that there is too many features that we don't think many people will ever use which over complicates the unit. Also watch out for the speed camera location function. Unfortunately it's speed camera database contains too many inaccuracies to make it genuinly useful and there is some serious competition in this price bracket.

Help Me

The new safety options include a ‘help me’ button in the menu. Users can use this button to access links to useful locations, phone numbers, car maintenance information and other information (including medical info), and get assistance with a large number of different problems. The ‘help me’ button provides direct access to the most relevant car assistance services of a certain country. TomTom has made cooperation deals with a lot of services for this, such as: The British AA, the Irish AA, the Dutch ANWB, the Italian ACI, the Luxembourg ACL, the Portuguese ACP, the French ACTA, the German ADAC, the Finnish Al, the Danish FDM, the Swedish Motormännen, the Norwegian NAF, the Austrian ÖMATC, the Spanish RACE, the Polish Starter, the Belgian SOS Touring, the Swiss TCS and the Czech UAMK.

The TomTom GO 520 and 720 both contain a complete database of important locations and phone numbers, like the numbers of emergency services, but also information on the nearest car dealer, pharmacy or police station which are all displayed very intuitively. The user can dial the phone number which is displayed on the screen, while the TomTom system pinpoints where the user is, both on the map, and in text, and even with satellite coordinates, precise up to one metre. In the mean time, or instead, the user can plan his route to the nearest location. This can be by a car or a pedestrian route. Thanks to the seamless software integration and TomTom’s handsfree functionality, the system also offers the possibility of directly dialling the number of a car assistance service via a handsfree connection to a mobile phone with Bluetooth connection.

Traffic Ready (**)

The new TomTom GO range offers the latest and most up-to-date traffic information through its compatibility with RDS-TMC Traffic and TomTom’s Traffic subscription, making drivers’ journeys more efficient and stress-free. The enhanced traffic information user interface provides drivers with the most accurate route calculation by taking into account the current traffic information on the road and giving precise information about traffic incidents.


Audio Options & Built-in FM Transmitter

The new TomTom GO 520 comes with extensive audio options for flawless integration with the car stereo and user’s phone. Drivers can play their favourite songs through the integrated MP3 player or by connecting their iPod to the TomTom GO 520. In addition, music and navigation instructions can be played seamlessly through the car stereo via the built-in FM Transmitter.


Smart and Fun Extras

With the new Tom Tom GO 520, drivers can choose from a host of smart extras, making sure the destination is reached in a relaxed and enjoyable way. A number of personalisation options, such as recording your own driving instructions, have been added for the first time so users can easily record their own voice, or be guided to their destination by the voices of their children, family or friends. Drivers can also view documents and pictures and exchange positions, destinations and other content with other TomTom GO users, through Bluetooth® wireless technology.


To compliment the new GO range, TomTom will bring to market a full range of accessories which have been designed specifically to match the design and finish of the new GO range. The range includes a leather carry case, a soft touch carry case, a remote control and a home charger.

 

TomTom HOME and TomTom PLUS

As with all TomTom products, the new TomTom GO range comes with TomTom HOME. TomTom’s free software application for PC/MAC, TomTom HOME is the essential tool to keep the TomTom up to date at all times. Through TomTom HOME customers can easily download new software versions and download the latest maps. TomTom’s large satellite navigation community can contribute and exchange all their map changes amongst each other through TomTom HOME, making the best maps available to everyone. In addition, the new TomTom GO range comes pre-installed with the latest safety camera database and a host of other TomTom PLUS services, including TomTom Weather and TomTom QuickGPSfix (for extra fast connection between the TomTom and GPS satellites). Furthermore, users can shop for more services, prepare trips and receive free traffic alerts on their computer.


TomTom GO 720 & TomTom GO 520

TomTom GO 720 comes pre-installed with the most up-to-date door-to-door maps of Western Europe with maximum detail stored on the internal memory. The TomTom GO 520 comes pre-installed with door-to-door maps of the local region. In selected countries the new TomTom GO 720 or TomTom GO 520 will be available with RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver.

Product technical specifications

4.3” widescreen 16:9 format LCD (WQVGA: 480*272 pixels)
CPU 400 MHz, 64MB RAM
512MB, 1GB (TomTom GO 520) or 2GB internal flash memory (TomTom GO 720)
SD card socket
High sensitivity GPS receiver
Compatible with RDS-TMC traffic information receiver
Integrated FM transmitter
Bluetooth™
Battery lithium-polymer (5 hours operation)
Optimised integrated microphone and speaker for high quality hands-free functionality
Dimensions: 118 mm x 83 mm x 24 mm
Weight: 220 grams

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