TomTom GO 530 - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland Automotive GPS Receiver

so so whats good about this unit compared to others?

summary:
satnav
bluetooth hands free for mobile
fm transmitter for voice directions, MP3s and mobile phone.

there are very few units out there that can compare read on for indepth review.

Primary would have to be the easy use navigation, tap the screen and go to postcodes enter house number job done. Or you can even tell the unit where to go! Yes, its got voice recognition!!! its far from perfect but can handle most addresses with ease, even some tough Welsh place names, which I was very impressed with. It also has a function called IQ routes, this analizes the route and time you will be travelling to minimise delays due to traffic. i.e. if your travelling at peak times through rush hour it will automaticaly plan the route which has less traffick according to statistics, which can cut your journey down by a heck of a lot and it realyl does work, I live close to a major shopping complex and depending on time of day it will give me different driving directions to either by pass it or drive stragith through.

The unit comes with a very useful speed camera warning as well, it might not be the most upto date database depending on how iold the unit is. But will certainly have the majority of cameras on there (both mobile and static)

now we come to the secondary features, which can be just as useful as the primary if your willing to set the unit up properly.

Bluetooth enabled, this means that you can connect your mobile to it via bluetooth and use the unit as a hands free device with very clear sound and a decent microphone for the other party to hear you with, though it is prone to road noise if you have loud background noise. It will also read aloud any incoming text messages automaticaly meaning you dont have to even take your eye off the road when you get a text! there is also a handy touch screen keypad for you to make calls with as well. Very useful for those of us on the go and need to keep in touch.

FM Transmitter. now this is probably the reason why I opted for this unit, combine this function with its ability to play MP3s from the memory card and you have an absolutly brilliant mp3 player for the car! onyl this gets better, it will play the voice directions through your car stereo (needs music being played, or even a silent mp3 recording due to regislation regarding fm transmitting devices). The one minor down side about this function is the volume it can be a bit quiet so needs the stero turned up a little, this is very important to remember when you change back to a normal radio station.

The one minor down side i have about the unit is the lack of permament docking station for the car, the car charger is a lead that has to be plugged into the unit every time you use it. It would have been better to have a screen mount similar style to the desk docking station. But with all the added bonuses of what this unit can do that really is a minor down side.

one side point to add would have to be the ability of the unit to subscribe to the "live" services such as traffick, weather, and buddies, i cant make comment on any of these services due to never having used them.

Bought to use when travelling instead of maps. First time using a sat nav and found it very easy. Used to travel to Devon and back last week, was really useful

good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!

Moved from Garmin to Tom Tom,

So far so good. only gripe is that I preferred how Garmin calls out the Street names to turn on to