Note: Some sections of this review are taken directly from the TomTom GO 930 review, as in most respects the two units are functionally identical

Table of Contents

1. Features
2. Specifications
3. What's in the Box?
4. Installing the TomTom GO 930T in the Car
5. Turning on the TomTom GO 930T for the First Time
6. Map Screen
7. Enhanced Positioning Technology
8. Advanced Lane Guidance
9. Finding An Address
10. Finding A Restaurant
11. Itinerary Planning
12. Canceling the Route
13. Voice Input
14. IQ Routes
15. Help Me
16. Map Corrections
17. Screen Brightness
18. GPS Reception
19. Routing Engine Performance
20. Music and Media
21. FM Transmitter
22. Bluetooth
23. TomTom Services
24. Traffic
25. TomTom HOME
26. Configuring Preferences
27. Pros
28. Cons
29. Conclusion
    

1. Features

• IQ Routes - Calculates your routes based on the real average speed measured on roads rather than posted speed limits.
• Advanced Lane Guidance - Gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions
• Realtime Traffic Awareness
• TomTom Map Share - Lets you add to, update, and personalize your maps. Also lets you download other users' map corrections
• Enhanced Positioning Technology - Maintains tracking without GPS signals, such as in tunnels, behind buildings, etc.
• Voice address Input - Enter your destination by speaking the address
• Hands-free Calling - Use Bluetooth for hands-free speakerphone use
• Built-in FM transmitter - Play your music wirelessly over the car radio (and hear navigation prompts, and cell phone calls too)
• 'Help Me' menu - Gives drivers direct access to emergency services and roadside assistance
• Text-to-speech - Enables street names, places, traffic alerts and SMS messages to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions

2. Specifications

• 4.3" widescreen 16:9 format LCD (WQVGA: 480*272 pixels)
• Map Coverage: Pre-installed maps of the US, Canada, and Western & Central Europe
• 4GB internal flash memory
• SD card slot compatible with SD and MMC cards (cards not included)
• High sensitivity GPS receiver
• RDS-TMC traffic compatible
• Integrated FM transmitter
• Bluetooth®
• Battery lithium-polymer (up to 5 hours operation)
• Optimized integrated microphones and speaker for high quality hands-free calling functionality
• CPU: 400Mhz
• Dimensions: 3.3” x 4.7” x 1.0”
• Weight: 7.75 oz./0.49 lbs.
  

3. What's in the Box?

Figure 1: Everything That's Included with The TomTom GO 930T

The TomTom GO 930T includes the following items in the box:

• TomTom GO 930 device
• RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver
• Windshield mount
• Remote control
• Car charger (12-24V)
• Desk dock for charging and computer connection
• CD-ROM containing TomTom HOME software
• Documentation

Figure 2: TomTom GO 930T, Front

The TomTom GO 930T shares the same size and shape as the GO 720, 730, and 920 models, but sports an elegant all black finish. The casing is constructed of matt black high-impact plastic that doesn't pickup fingerprints too easily, and a glossy piano black faceplate frames the 4.3-inch LCD color touchscreen display.

Except for the power button located on the top of the device, there are no physical controls on the GO 930T. All operations are performed via the touchscreen display, or the included remote control.

Measuring 3.3” x 4.7” x 1.0” and weighing about a half a pound (7.75 oz./0.49 lbs), the GO 930T feels well-built, and TomTom's attention to detail is obvious. The GO 930T might very well be the best looking GPS hardware I've reviewed to date.

An internal microphone (when paired with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, the GO 720 can be used as a hands-free speakerphone), ambient light sensor (Automatically adjusts screen brightness based on the ambient light conditions, as automatically switches the GO 930T into Night/Day mode), and charging light are located on the front of the unit.

Figure 3: TomTom GO 930T, Side

The GO 930T has a tapered design, and is thinner at the edges, measuring just under an inch thick at the center, and about half that thickness at the left and right edges.

Figure 4: TomTom GO 930T, Rear

Part metal, part black plastic, the back of the GO 930T is almost as good looking as the front.

The internal speaker and external GPS antenna connector are located on the back of the GO 720.

Figure 5: TomTom GO 930T, Bottom

1. Audio out connector
2. TomTom Connector
3. USB connector
4. Memory card slot

TomTom ships the GO 930T with a blank plastic insert in the SD memory card slot - a nice touch that both protects the card reader and improves the appearance of the GPS.

Figure 6: TomTom GO 930T, Top

The top of the GO 930T is home to the On/Off button, and is decorated with TomTom's logo in the center.

Figure 7: TomTom GO 930T

TomTom's GO 930T is an elegant, refined looking piece of hardware.

Figure 8: Home dock

The home dock is used for charging the GO 930T when it's not in the car, and for connecting the GO to a PC to use TomTom's HOME application (more on this later in the review).

You can also choose not to use the docking cradle, and instead use a standard USB cable (not included) to connect the GO 930T directly to your computer.

Figure 9: TomTom GO 930T, Docked

The docking cradle feels cheap, and docking or un-docking the GO 930T feels clumsy.

Figure 10: RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver

The addition of "T" in the GO 930T's model number indicates that this unit is traffic enabled, and includes an RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver that works both in Europe and North America. One year of traffic service is included for free, after which you'll have to subscribe at a cost of $60 per year.

TomTom's own documentation and website is extremely confusing regarding traffic, and in particular regarding information on traffic service in the United States. TomTom makes traffic data available either via the included traffic receiver, or as a TomTom Service that uses a data connection to a Bluetooth cell phone to download traffic information from TomTom. TomTom claims the TomTom Service model provides the best traffic data possible, but it requires the addition of a compatible Bluetooth cell phone (and you'll want to make sure that phone has an unlimited data plan, or you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when the bill arrives). RDS-TMC information is broadcast over the FM spectrum, and requires the Traffic Receiver (included with the GO 930T).

Figure 11: RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver

TomTom's website isn't clear whether traffic data is supported in the United States, but I had no problem receiving traffic alerts using the 930T's included RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver. More details on which countries are supported and pricing is available on TomTom's website here.

In my own experience with TomTom's devices, finding a fully compatible Bluetooth cell phone is no easy task, and the RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver is the easiest way to get traffic data on TomTom's GPS units. The downside to using the Traffic Receiver is the additional wire draped across your windshield, which is not only an unsightly nuisance, but also alerts would-be thieves to the presence of a GPS in the car.

Figure 12: TomTom GO 930T's Remote Control, Front

TomTom's GO 930T includes a Bluetooth enabled remote control. Once paired with the GO 930T, the remote can be used to control the GPS.

Figure 13: Remote Control, Battery Compartment

TomTom's remote is powered by two AAA batteries.

Figure 14: 12v Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter

The included 12v power adapter has a built-in LED indicator and fuse.

Figure 15: TomTom GO 930T's Windshield Mount

TomTom's included windshield mount is both simple and effective: once attached to the windshield, the mount forms a ball and socket style joint that allows the GO 930T to be articulated into the desired viewing angle.

Figure 16: Windshield Mount, Attached to the GO 930T

The back of the GO 930T slides onto the tip of the mount.

Figure 17: Doc Pack

The GO 930T includes an abbreviated printed manual, Service & Accessories guide, and a CD-ROM that contains an unabridged instructions manual in PDF format as well as the TomTom HOME software installer.