TomTom
GO 820 LIVE Automotive GPS

TomTom Go Live 820 TopGear Touch Screen Automotive GPS

Top Gear fans would understandably get excited at the thought of a navigation device that purports to be a limited edition model packed with features from the motoring show; but I have to admit that although the TomTom Go Live 820 Top Gear Limited Edition itself is great, I felt a little cheated on the Top Gear front.

As far as satnavs go, the TomTom 820 is the ultimate travel companion. The maps are accurate, it's easy to use, and it has a host of nifty features. I was particularly fascinated by the Go Live service, of which you get 12 months free, which monitors traffic on routes via HD Traffic; suggests alternatives in the case of route 'incidents' to get to point B as fast as possible, while encountering the least traffic; and provides a five-day destination weather forecast. All of this is dependent on a WiFi signal, however, which was not always available.

The TomTom got a bit confused at times. During one trip, it warned me of an incident that would delay my destination arrival time by four minutes. Although it did suggest an alternative route to circumvent the incident and make up those four minutes, I decided to continue on the original route, only to find that there actually was no incident. This, however, was the only time it picked up an incident, so if it ever saved me from sitting in traffic for an hour longer than needed, I would be most grateful.

Before departing, the TomTom 820 gives a handy breakdown of route information, including expected arrival time, weather at destination, incidents on route and how long these incidents would delay arrival time, as well as how many fixed cameras are on the route.

Features

• TomTom HD Traffic™
• QuickGPSfix
• Advanced lane guidance
• IQ Routes™ technology
• Hands-free calling
• Help Me! emergency menu
• TomTom Safety Cameras
• Spoken street names
• Voice command and control
• Integrated mounting
• 4.3” touch screen