Last week, after getting lost several times on little back twisty roads in MA and NY, I decided to finally make a decision about which portable NAV unit to get. I read on this forum that the TomTom 720 had just come out, and it seemed like it was exactly what I wanted - so I ordered it on Amazon.

I really, really like it! It's already one of those devices that I'm wondering how I got around without it. It's got all of the functions that I need it to have - good maps, accurate directions, read-aloud street names, great interface, fast connection, quick updates, accurate POIs and large visible touch screen. Plus, it's got lots of things that I may or may not use, but are nice to have - FM transmitter, bluetooth connection (i got it to connect to my phone, but haven't made or received a call yet), MP3 support, the community update functionality, and wireless traffic updates (via bluetooth - though they cost $$).

I didn't want to get the in-dash nav partly because of price, and partly becuase of portability (I took the tomtom on a kayak trip and was able to use it to navigate on the lake system I was on as well!).

The one potential drawback is that it comes with a suction-style holder that you are supposed to attach to your windshield. I stuck it to the center speedo, and it works ok, but seems like a temporary solution.

I can't compare it to Garmin, but I can recommend the 720.

 

You know I am still on the fence regarding NAV. I generally drive by the seat of my pants, but then again the MINI comes with a MAP so the big roads are there. I am generally aware of where I am in relation to freeways as well as knowing that I can only go so far West before hitting the ocean, and I will be good to drive South.

Maybe one day I will jump on the GPS bandwagon, but I don't think I am there yet. I am glad that you like yours however.

 

I have the factory navigation in my R56 MINI and really like it, especially the integration with the speedo, but a friend just got the TomTom 720 last week for a (non-MINI) car and I have to second the recommendation...it does seem like a very nice unit. Lots of features, including Bluetooth for hands-free phone, optional real-time traffic, rapid route recalculation, etc.

 

Can you explain the FM modulator thingie? At first I thought the voice direction coming through the stereo. But then I one would have to be tuned to 88.9fm or something like that all the time. So scratch that one.

So is it only for listen to the mp3 files stored in the Tom Tom?

I purchased the One XL back in May and now I should have held out for the 720. The 720 addresses all the issues I have with the XL One:

• Longer battery life
• text to speach
• slimmer design
• Bluetooth for cellie

I recently updated my One XL and to my surprise it has the map sharing function . Also the newest version of Tom Tom Home is a vast improvement.

 

The FM transmitter allows you to tune your radio to an empty FM station and the voice transmits through your stereo rather than the speaker in the back of the unit. Since you can play MP3s on the TomTom, my guess is that you can use the FM transmitter to do the same (there are lots of similar FM transmitters for iPods on the market). I haven't tried it with music yet since I've just been hooking my ipod up via the AUX.

For the text to speech, not sure if it works on the one XL, but make sure you are using a computer voice rather than a human one. Even on the 720, human voices don't read street names, etc. It has to be a computer voice.

 

Interesting. I've been thiking of getting something like this for some time.

I do this volunteer program where I drive the elderly to doctor's appointments, so something like this would come in handy. Plus, on the various farm and backroads near where I live. (I live in sub-pseudo-urban-rural-cookie cutter-King of The Hill Texas.)

Here on this site learning about Minis, but this is something I think I will finally jump on.