14. IQ Routes

Figure 97: IQ Routes

IQ Routes are new to the GO 730 and 930T models, and allows the GPS to plan the best possible route using historical traffic information.

When the GO 930T calculates the route to a destination, IQ Routes considers historical traffic information for the time of day, as well as the day of the week. Estimated drive time is adjusted, according to the IQ Routes historical traffic information .

I wasn't able to notice any difference in routing based on time of day or day of the week, or at least not in the area I was testing the device. Nevertheless, IQ Routes's quality will no doubt improve over time.

I would have liked to see historical traffic information visualized on the map as you drive, similar to Dash Express. Having traffic information (yes, it's historical and not real-time traffic data, but it's still valuable to see) overlayed on the map would allow drivers to see the value IQ Routes is providing. It would also let drivers size up the projected traffic along the planned route, and possibly force a different route or exclude a specific road.

15. Help Me

Figure 98: Help Me!

The GO 930T includes a number of options designed to help drivers in emergency situations. Whether your vehicle is disabled, or your looking for the nearest hospital, TomTom's help feature is an important addition to the GO 930T.

The "Help me!" icon is located on the Main Menu, shown above, and can be used to:

• view your current location
• make contact with a service center
• place a hands-free call to a service center (if your phone is connected to the GO 930T)
• Navigate to a service center (on foot or in your car)

Figure 99: Help Me! Main Menu

The "Help me!" main menu is home to the following help options:

• Phone for help
• Drive to help
• Walk to help
• Where am I?
• First Aid guide
• Other guides

Figure 100: Phone for help 1 of 2

If a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone has been paired with the GO 930T, the "Phone for help" menu, shown above, can be used to call the nearest tow truck, police, fire department, or hospital.

Figure 101: Phone for help 2 of 2

"Phone for help" can also be used to find and call the nearest public transportation, auto repair, dentist, pharmacy, or vet.

Figure 102: Emergency services

The Emergency services screen displays your current location on the map, longitude and latitude coordinates, as well as written description of your location that can be used to tell emergency services where you are.

Figure 103: Drive to Help

Tapping "Drive to help" on the "Help me!" main menu brings up the "Drive to help" screen, shown above. From here, the GO 930T can calculate a route to the nearest car repair, hospital, fire station, police station, pharmacy, or dentist.

Figure 104: Walk to Help

Tapping "Walk to help" from the "Help me!" main menu allows the GO 930T to calculate walking routes to the nearest emergency services

Figure 105: First Aid Book

An electronic First Aid book is included in the GO 930T's "Help me!" menu.

Figure 106: Other Guides

Tapping on "Other guides" from the "Help me!" menu brings up a list of countries to choose from. Especially handy when traveling abroad, the GO 930T includes basic information about each country.