16. Map Corrections

Figure 103: Main Menu 2 of 3

As mentioned earlier in the review, Map Share allows you, and other TomTom owners, to correct mapping errors directly on the GPS, and then share those corrections with other TomTom owners via TomTom's HOME software. Using Map Share, if you're driving around and notice an error on the map, you can mark the error, as well as the correction, directly on your device.

If you choose to participate in the Map Share program, your map corrections are shared with other users, and maps are automatically updated each time the GO 930 is docked with the computer.

The level of map sharing can be configured to accept all corrections, or only those verified by TomTom.

Even if you choose not the participate in the Map Share program at all, you can still benefit from other TomTom owners' corrections and automatically download Map Share updates. Also, the ability to change the mapping data directly on the GPS device is a powerful feature that allows drivers to correct mapping errors immediately instead of having to potentially wait years for mapping providers to update their database.

Just how powerful a feature is Map Share? According to Harold Goddijin, TomTom's CEO, "on average, by the end of 2008, if you drive anywhere for one hour with a Tele Atlas map enhanced by Map Share feedback, your route will be influenced by more than 20 corrections."

Figure 104: Map Corrections 1 of 2

Map correction can't be used to make major changes to the map. For example, you can't use the GO 930's map corrections feature to add a completely new highway. But you can add or remove roadblocks, mark a one way street, change street names, and update turn restrictions and speed limit information.

Figure 105: Map Corrections 2 of 2

Map correction can also be used to add new POIs or update existing POIs.

Figure 106: Map Share Preferences

How much or little you choose to leverage Map Corrections & Sharing can be specified via the Map Share preferences screen, shown above.

Figure 107: Sharing Corrections

Map corrections you make can be shared with other TomTom users all the time, whenever you explicitly choose to do so, or never, depending on your own preference settings.

Figure 108: Quick Report Button

The Quick Report Button can be used to mark an area on the map you want to correct at a later time.

17. Screen Brightness

Figure 109: Disappointing Screen Brightness on TomTom's GO 930

The GO 930's screen isn't as bright as some other GPS units I've tested. Compared to the less expensive Garmin nuvi 660, TomTom's GO 930 looks washed out and dim. Even at 100% brightness (shown above), the GO 930 was less bright, and less readable in direct sunlight than competing units from Garmin and Magellan.

18. GPS Reception

Figure 110: Measuring the GO 930's GPS Signal Strength

GPS reception was excellent on the GO 930, thanks in large part to TomTom's use of SiRF's high performance StarIII chipset. Throughout my testing, the GO 930 quickly acquired location data within a few seconds of powering on the device, and maintained position tracking even when driving in challenging urban environments.

The GO 930's GPS receiver performed on-par with Garmin's nuvi 660, nuvi 880, and Magellan's Maestro 4250.