TomTom GO 930

in Midrange GPS Systems

Score: 8.5/10 , Based on analysis of reviews and performance evaluations.

• Overall

TomTom GO 930 Overall - 8.5 (Very Good)

The GO 930 comes with a suite of features that work to make one of the best navigation experiences. Reviewers especially like add-ons like IQ Routes and Map Corrections, and praise TomTom for including voice command -- still relatively hard to find even on the premium devices.

Although the GO 930 is a high-quality nav system with numerous convenience features, you should also consider the TomTom GO 930T, which adds a RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver and one year of free service. If you're looking for more basic features, consider the TomTom GO 920T. 

What the Experts Say: 

• "The TomTom GO 930 delivers several exciting and innovative features that improve the value proposition of GPS navigation." -- GPS Magazine
• "If you're looking for a high-end in-car GPS with the latest features, the TomTom GO 930 delivers with accurate directions and new navigation tools like advanced lane guidance and voice address entry." -- CNET
• "But the real winner here is IQ Routes. IQ Routes takes TomTom to the top of the pack when it comes to estimating route time, and those times will continue to get even better as TomTom collects more data." -- GPS Review

• "Overall, the GO 930 is an excellent companion for business or pleasure travel, with some improvement needed in the new voice address input feature." -- About.com 

 TomTom GO 930 Performance - 7.25 (Good)

The majority of reviewers feel that the performance of the voice recognition has a ways to go. GPS Magazine says: "The speech recognition features of the GO 930 feel clumsily and incomplete. Accuracy is inconsistent, and it isn't possible to operate the device using voice commands alone. Only a limited number of voice commands are supported, and you'll still need to touch the screen to begin navigating." CNET adds, "The voice command feature on the GO 930 isn't the most accurate, and often it's just easier to enter addresses using the onscreen keyboard." With regard to the navigation system itself, GPS Magazine says, "Routing engine not as good as Garmin or Magellan." 

TomTom GO 930 Ease of Use - 9.0 (Excellent)

Reviewers as a whole like the GO 930's usability. GPS Lodge says, "The interface continues to be one of the best in the industry, as more GPS makers come to the market, it is more obvious that it is not easy to design interfaces as easy as TomTom's." About.com agrees, saying "TomTom mastered the easy interface long ago, and the large, colorful icons make using the Go 930 simple even for beginners." CNET likes the interface, but could do without the excessive submenus: "The software and interface is easy to use. That said, there are some areas ... where you can go through several layers of submenus before you get to the option you want." GPS Magazine adds, "Seemingly endless lists of menus and options can be overwhelming and confusing at first. Might be difficult for first-time GPS users." 

TomTom GO 930 Design - 9.13 (Excellent)

Reviewers rave about the TomTom GO 930's look. CNET states, "The look is sleek and sophisticated, and we imagine it'll look nice inside any car." GPS Review says: "The 930's physical appearance is totally hot, but I worry a little bit that the more reflective shiny black finish might make seeing the screen a little more difficult in high glare situations. Probably not much, but it does happen with other shiny black GPS devices a little." GPS Magazine is also a fan, saying the GO 930 is "elegant and sleek looking ... one the best looking GPS units I've tested," but warns that the "screen [is] not as bright as other GPS units." 

TomTom GO 930 Features - 8.3 (Very Good)

One of the TomTom GO 930's standout features is IQ Routes. As GPS Review puts it, "Saving the best for last, IQ routes is perhaps the biggest reason you might want to look at the new x30 series from TomTom." IQ Routes basically builds up more accurate time estimates for your trips, based on how long it usually takes you to drive over specific roads. A favorite of GPS Lodge's reviewer is the Custom Voices feature: "...[T]he ability to record your own turn commands felt like a total gimmick, but one that I fell for; I'll admit it."

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $200 TomTom ONE 3rd Edition

The TomTom ONE 3rd Edition is an affordable, no-hassle solution for those in the market for an entry-level GPS device. While it's not loaded with extras, it will get you to where you're going.

MSRP: $130 Mio Moov 200

Like other Mios, the Moov 200 has a bottom line that's easier to digest than other GPS devices, but you'll have to do without some coveted convenience features -- the Moov's appeal is basic navigation.

MSRP: $200 Navigon 2000S

For its affordable price, the Navigon 2000S has a great design and is easy to use, plus it features useful navigation extras.

MSRP: $200 Garmin nuvi 200

The Garmin nuvi 200's trump card is "no muss, no fuss" navigation that's absent the frilly features increasingly offered on even the cheapest navs, but fully loaded with Garmin's trademark accuracy and simple operation.