TomTom GO 5000 feedback thread NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the MNers who've been trying out the TomTom GO 5000.

Below are some questions to get you started but please feel free to add other comments too.

In terms of your first impressions...

• What was your initial impression of the TomTom GO 500?
• How easy did you find it to set up your TomTom?
• What journeys have you made so far with your TomTom?

Please also note that TomTom may use your anonymous feedback comments on their website and social media channels, as well as elsewhere.

Thanks,
MNHQ

Thank you for replying TomTom. I will go out in the car and check if I'm connected to traffic and try the petrol station prompt (it's out of battery at the moment)
Do you have any idea why the screen doesn't show 3D or what lane I should be in?
Thank you.

Hello MN and TomTom - thanks for the opportunity to test this satnav! Sorry I'm a bit late to the thread...here's my initial answers:

- What was your initial impression of the TomTom GO 5000?
Nice big screen with very clear graphics. Worked slightly differently from previous models. Sat comfortably in the holder and was fairly instinctive to use. Surprised it didn't come with a case due to its RRP. Not fussed about the charger as already have USB compatible plugs.

- How easy did you find it to set up your TomTom?
Not a fan of the pictorial quick start guides generally but this one was fairly straightforward to use. I've not yet hooked it up to the laptop because I'm running Windows 8 and each time I've tried to use MyDrive previously all that happens is my laptop crashes. Apparently this is a "known problem" according to TomTom forums - and it seems that TomTom say it's MS's fault, while MS blame TomTom. Plugged it straight in and input my destination (without having to use a postcode) and it sent me on my merry way.
- What journeys have you made so far with your TomTom?
A couple of local journeys where it took me a sensible way and one longer journey. It's probably because I've not run the updates yet, but the speed camera warnings on the motorway were wrong. The live traffic was OK and fairly accurate although it had missed out some roadworks.

Going to use it more next week as I'm planning on being out and about a bit more and will try the voice recognition thing then.

AngelieMumsnet (MNHQ) Mon 20-Oct-14 17:34:23
ChippingInLatteLover
TomTom

I am finding it very frustrating that you need to have the postcode for wherever you are going. It doesn't recognise places that have been here for a long time (over 10 years).

It's not showing much along the route here, it makes it look like I'm driving through fields when I'm actually driving in a city - most odd.
TomTom say:

"Hello ChippingInLatteLover, what you have described is a strange occurrence. Can you please ensure that your device is set to search the “Whole Map” (top right in the “Search” menu)? We would also be interested to find out how you have been entering your destinations on the search bar. Additionally, an example of the places you have searched but could not find unless using post code would be helpful for us to look into the matter then we can provide you with tips on how best to get results. Lastly, be aware that when you search for an address or a place the GO will give you suggestions of those on the left and on the right Points of Interest while you are typing in the values. You can put away the keyboard by pressing the button with 3 lines on the bottom right of the search menu so that you can see the rest of the suggestions."

Yes, it is set to 'whole map' :)

Sorry, not sure what you mean by We would also be interested to find out how you have been entering your destinations on the search bar? I have been tapping the buttons to say 'write' George Street Garden Centre for example. I also tried George St George Street etc. It's not even showing on the map when I navigate myself there?

I have sent A a PM with the names of some of the places.

Yes - I worked out early on how the LH/RH side of the screen worked and how to put the keyboard away :)

I am having the same issue (I posted about it earlier) as VeryStressedMum Mine is on 3D and preview motorways is switched on.

In happier news :)

VR

TomTom & I seem to have reached a mutual understanding. If I say Hey... (long pause).... Tom...(slight pause)...Tom he hears me more often on my first attempt. He didn't like it when I was speaking as I would normally (probably too fast for his little ears!). He will follow my 'go home' or 'my places' requests and we are muddling along. I've given up completely on finding addresses though, he just can't understand my accent - never mind!

It is still a bit annoying that he turns off very quickly and if you do something like cancel the route, he doesn't ask you if you would like to go somewhere else, he just turns off and we are back to Hey.........Tom....Tom.

- What was your initial impression of the TomTom GO 500?

My DH was the first to use the TomTom on a significant journey as he is the main user of a satnav (previous TomTom models Go9000 and Renault TomTom Carminat)for work purposes,he says he "was pleased with the general appearance with a good sized screen and an improved screen dock. The TomTom was not as user-friendly as the previous models used. The traffic alerts has been a good feature on the TomTom but the traffic feature on this model did not appear to be active, perhaps not setup properly on the journey undertaken."

My first impression was that I liked it and was ridiculously excited to have my very own satnav, for my car, that I haven't had to grovel to get dh to let me use. It seemed really easy to get going with, I took it out to try right away without doing any of the updates or anything. I just wanted to play!! The voice control drives me mad, it really struggles to understand me. It was really frustrating not knowing that the update changed the 'wake up' command. Now I know to say 'Hello TomTom' its slightly better but I have to affect a strange accent to get it to acknowledge me which the kids think is bloody hilarious. It understands some of what I say, I can get it to go home or to 'my places' but haven't got it to find a 'McDonalds' or 'Tesco' via voice control.

The traffic thingy is hit and miss, I don't think it likes our area as it disconnects a lot. The one time it has effectively detected traffic I ignored the alternative route as it was 4 miles further, had the same ETA and I know that there was equally likely to be traffic on the alternate route despite the fact TomTom hadn't detected it.

- How easy did you find it to set up your TomTom?

I found it easy to set 'home' and put in some regular places we go to (parents, in-laws, school, swim club etc). The updates were easy enough to do but took blooming ages.

My DH thought that the journey setup was more difficult on this model compared to previous models, perhaps he is too set in his ways with the older models!!!

- What journeys have you made so far with your TomTom?

I've made lots of short journeys - to my parents, school, clubs/activities and so on. I've discovered a new, much quicker, route to DD2's makaton class which is fab because we have to be there by 9:30 after dropping DS and DD1 at school at 9am and we were really pushing it. Sometimes however it's tried to take me routes which I know would take longer despite TomTom thinking otherwise.

My DH travelled Home to Sheffield (25 miles each way) in rush hour traffic, Home to Lincoln (62 miles each way) in rush hour.

We are going to Legoland Windsor and Chessington World of Adventures during half term so looking forward to putting it through its paces on the M25!!

Initial impression
Very good. Slim, slick. I liked the colours on the screen. Clips on easily. Smaller than I thought it'd be. The perspective is different from previous ones (other brands), the streets appear at an angle rather than strictly from above. I got used to this easily.

Setting up
Ok. I don't use all its facilities yet because I'm not entirely confident with new technology and my DH has been away. Easy enough with what was straightforward.

Journeys so far
Commuting to work, including the M25. Lots of short 3-5 miles journeys near work to unknown addresses. Longer journeys in the depths of Kent. Brilliant every time.

I love the ETA. It's always really good, to the minute. The voice is pleasant.

Why do they all call Brighton Rd, Brydon? It's the fourth different one to pronounce it so.

I got on a bit better with mine today. It got me to work OK (albeit over a narrow bridge which I wouldn't normally choose to go over, and with one big jam I'm a bit surprised it didn't avoid as I don't think the other way would have been worse), and picked my usual route home. Niamh has a nice soothing voice, better than Serena or the Aussie who got annoying quite quickly.

I have downloaded Stephen but not yet uploaded him onto it as a) I keep leaving the wire in the car and b) think he might get annoying too!

I did have some fun with it on the way home, testing the VR with lots of silly voices and also singing at it! Slightly to my surprise it seemed to respond quite well to being sung at Hope the other drivers didn't notice It mostly works fairly OK for me as long as I put the radio off first.

Further to my earlier feedback I do find it easier to use each tiime I use it now. It did seem high tech to begin with but now it just takes me seconds to set up and off we go. I love it, it has really made a difference to how I feel while driving in unfamiliar places. My stress levels

pops, pressed post too quick

My stress levels are much lower now that I don't get lost on a daily basis with my work in the community. I used to get sweaty palms and feel so cross with myself but that hasn't happened at all since the arrival of TomTom.

Even though I got it free I do think it's worth the money, the problem is I wouldn't have known how good it was until I'd bought it and it is a lot of money to spend unless you know for sure that it's fab. ( If you catch my drift, not sure how to word that last bit )

TomTom thought I was a delivery driver for Tesco Amersham today.

Not quite sure why it would direct people to the delivery entrance when it's been there for more years than I care to think about it...

Still, it did find Tesco when I did a search without postcode and Serena knew what I'd said and sent me home when I asked

used it today as a passenger, it never seems to recognise my voice.

also is it possible to store favourites as it only seems to remember home but hard to put new information in as half the time it doesn't recognise the postcode or name of place like a shopping centre. doesn't seem to be a hard and fast way of using it, i seem to muddle through.

V pleased with TT today, accident on a local road, hadn't bothered with TT as knew where I was going but popped it on and straight away was able to see exactly where the problem was.

It diverted me the way I would have gone anyway but was quick to do it and the live traffic meant I wasn't putting myself into any unnecessary jams. Very grateful to have it! In built sat nav in previous car would never have done that!

I am not part of this trial (sadly) but I use a Tomtom every day. My unit is a few years old but it was top of the range and I find it indispensable.

I would, therefore, be grateful if you would pass on my request to TomTom.

Request: I would find it very helpful indeed to have the facility of putting the ‘favourites’ into Groups.
For example ‘Personal’, ‘Work1’, ‘Work2’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Deliveries’, ‘Scouts’, ‘Hospital’.

It would make selection a lot easier as I wouldn’t have to wade through all my favourites when I’m doing a particular job.

P.s. Angelie If you have a spare Tomtom5000 please send it to me!

My code for the Stephen Fry voice doesn't work. I keep getting an error message

All in all it's a fine piece of kit, but I'm struggling to get excited about it. It has taken me on a couple of shortcuts which have saved me a few minutes here and there.
Mostly its a bit annoying the VR is very temperamental, the 3d doesn't work oop north and sadly Stephen Fry is really annoying. Would have preferred Yoda

Oh and I forgot my reason for posting
It died this afternoon I switched it on and it came up with some system message gubbins. Took about 3 or 4 off/on reboots to get it to work

Today my TomTom not talking to ME I touch voice control tell it where Li want to go but then the voice stops and it just shows you on the map. I do wish it came with a printed manual rather than an online version as I tend to like to double check instructions all the time. Also wish it had a case as I'm terrified of it getting damaged. I am going to have a good look at it tonight and see if I can see what I'm doing wrong.

We tried Stephen Fry last night......he's mighty annoying! Have to say I prefer Serena reading me the road names to his faffing and telling me that he thinks he might be falling in love with me

I wanted Marge simpson, or Homer.

My VR is still hit / miss - agree with other poster that a pause between "hey" and "tom' seems to work, but not really practical to doing that everytime. Anyone else with a northern accent having problems?

I don't like Stephen Fry, he is v.annoying - please can I have Alan Rickman instead, DS would love Professor Snape guiding us. You could have fun with additional comments.

Not having a case is annoying me - I use pool cars in work and transferring it without scratching it is a pain. I am now wrapping it up in a cloth cover from my tablet.

Tomtom has saved me approximately 2hrs this week - mix of avoiding traffic and time saved working out manually directions for work. So thanks for picking me - I would recommend to people on the basic of reliability.

So I finally remembered to download Stephen. I got it fine and it downloaded onto my Tomtom, but Ive gone into settings and voices and he is not there? Ive tried to buy it again just in case I did something wrong, but the website is saying Ive already bought it. I have no updates according to My TomTom either, so where is Stephen hiding?

I've done two night time trips now. Very impressed with the night mode display. Just the right illumination without being distracting.

I have found the motorway lane guidance very clear, also.

The vr could still do with improvement. It's very hit and miss.

I found my first niggle with the Tom Tom yesterday!
Driving around a unfamiliar area, I needed petrol.
So using the VR mr Tom Tom picked up immediately a long list of petrol stations near by which I found pretty impressive.
However when It came to my selecting one I had to read out the number it was in the list..... taking my eyes off the road to read the list and then no matter what I tried it just could not understand any number I was saying at all???
in the end I had to pull over and do it without using the voice as I wasn't getting anywhere with telling it numbers.

Hi, my only problem with the TomTom so far is that the mains cable to charge the device makes it difficult to fit it into the stand. First time I did this I spent about 10 minutes trying to slot it in but the wire was in the way so I gave up otherwise I would be late. Made the 2 hour journey to London with the sat nav on my lap instead! I think I read a comment on the other thread that there is a slot at the BACK of the stand for the charging cable to go through? If this is correct then it is not very clear. Actually I must be quite thick as I seem to be the only who had this problem!