I consider this review to date, updates / changes can be found at the end and are an important part of the overall!
The hardware supplied
=======================
The GO600 looks quite chic and makes a high quality impression, the weight matches the size. Supplied by TomTom in addition to the Navi also a sucker-disc holder, a car charger with built-in antenna for TMC reception and a mini-USB cable to connect to your home computer or a commercially available USB charger (not included) to the mobile shop , Unfortunately I miss a sleeve or bag.
The device is TomTom, for example has evolved noticeably positive compared to the 1015 Live I've been used as a primary FR. In 1015 it was still annoying that you needed an extra cable at home to close the Navi to the PC (at least if one has left the charging cable in your car). That TomTom now again a normal mini-USB port is incorporating a very positive step, because after all, you have to map updates etc. Yes Load from a PC.
Otherwise, the device has only a power switch and of course speakers and display. Everything is controlled via the touchscreen. Very positive note that the suction cup is very stable holds the Navi on the disc.
Updates on your home PC
====================
Since the device comes with Lifetime Map Update it is strongly recommended before initial operation to load the first update to start with the most actual status available. In my case, for example, despite the fact that the device is a ticket booth from 3 previous quarters (!!!) was not so long on the market installed.
For an update you need on your PC first MyTomTom install a small software which is to be operated via a web browser and connect to the Navi you have to register with an email address. Important: For each TomTom have to create a separate account. My first attempt to put the unit together in one account with my 1015 failed miserably. That leaves TomTom just do not. For families possess more Navis, the updates should be installed only by a family member, which is quite annoying.
The first time I showed the software to update both the firmware and the new cards. A total of approximately 6GB downloaded and installed, all took with me and quite faster connection about 1 hour and went smoothly.
I find annoying since the update that I MyTomTom reports every day, there would be a new content. If you connect the navigation system and logs on (although I have put hooks that TT remembers the credentials it does not) then comes with me the message there is nothing new, the unit had to date as possible.
From my 1015 I'm so not used a false info. Here, if the note is that there is an update, then there one too. When GO600 I will again misinformed on PC Sorry every day that are deductions.
The address entry
==============
However, the most important thing is to navigate. And that begins with the address entry. Anyone who previously knew a TomTom (and since the Urprungs Navis from 10 years ago) is surprised to find a completely new design of the interface and the address entry itself has been completely changed.
The menu was completely entschlankt and the usual navigation to you can now just looking. Even more existing queries as hometown favorite, address, final destination, there are in the Search menu all no longer, to get directly to a free text. Also enter a structure first place and then road no longer exists. You can directly enter street or place. From the entries made TomTom then proposes addresses found. In popular names like Hauptstr the Navi proposes then wild places before whose display logic is not obvious to me. I live in Mannheim and also here there was a main road. However, the Navi is in 351km distance the same street where I completely unknown as Mildenau proposal, closely followed by Olbernhau and Pfaffroda. All never heard in my life. Then POIs are displayed on the right side of the screen, here I am, after all, at a jewelery studio in 15km distance in Heidelberg, followed a purchase land in Mosbach (45) and a Lidl in Remchingen (58km). The nearest main road in Mannheim is also Nier been completely ignored and appears only after I then Enter H hauptstr Mannh. Then I see the 2,5km distant road and then actually 1 POI, then immediately afterwards a POI in Schönsee called Mannhart (291 km) and Manhattan Diner in Hofheim / Taunus (69km) and even Manhardt Franz in Mattersburg (Austria, 611km ).
Honestly I understand the display logic in any way. The displayed images are usually rather useless and grouped by completely opaque logic. When one enters the full street name and location can be found, but of course still the desired address, the POI selection, however, is really very very surprisingly poor and opaque. Are you the first location, you can select it and then the road search returns only roads in this location as a suggestion. Why so far from the working logic is nevertheless gone then? I do not have to understand.
If one believes by entering a zip code and street move faster so follows the next big surprise: with ZIP (at least with German) is TomTom no single address. Zip command appears to be completely disappeared from the program !!!
Saved addresses as the home address or favorites are now available in a separate menu item Favorites.
Despite all the surprising criticisms should not be denied a positive surprise. You can now also select directly on the map a location and to navigate by selecting a graphical steering wheel right here back with the version. This is a significant advantage to the previous version.
Navigating
===========
If one has chosen his desired address expects the device relatively quickly its route and start navigating. Alternatives are not displayed, this also corresponds to the philosophy of TomTom based day and time from the stored in the cards average speeds to calculate the currently most advisable route. This is called IQ Routes and represents an absolute advantage in TomTom. Data quality here is excellent and compared for example to Garmin / Navigon here is a significant advantage to record.
The display of the routing is also purifies to date and unfamiliar at first glance. Nevertheless, everything is important displayed. At one point or another but I would recommend rework TomTom. I find it such as unfavorable to have such a huge Navi, but the Small Turn themselves are very very small in the top half of the screen. In such a big screen I would have liked this for navigating crucial evidence certainly bigger and more striking.
The voice prompts were also entschlankt and GO600 speaks less. For my taste, which is now also helpful because I want to be notified only in places where I want to change my direction, a steady head straight I do not need. Nevertheless, should not be overlooked that Navigon informed here still enjoyable. TomTom has been here for years to catch up work and has not yet been matched by all the current version. Announcements such as the roundabout (turn left at the roundabout) are still at the first hearing confusing, but you can quite quickly see the sense and drive properly.
On the way to release the software and no other help. If you fast, for example, searches for the next fast food restaurant has one chance. Only parking and petrol stations can be found halfway quickly. Also due to a recalculation of blocked route can not be found in the menu unfortunately.
TomTom Traffic
=============
The traffic information from TomTom Traffic in my opinion are the best and most current source of traffic disruption in the market. As precisely as here I was so far never informed. The times indicated correspond to what is observed precisely in traffic even in most cases. Exceptions are only if the changes immediately before, so for example, an accident happens or a disabling, just dissolves. This can of course be considered TT Traffic only a few minutes later.
The GO 600 considered these messages when calculating routes and calculated part for me surprising, yet so far in any case quite sensible alternatives. That TT Traffic is a lifetime with this when GO600, is certainly a huge plus.
Smartphone Connected
=================
The GO600 has no built-in way to access the Internet. For the Internet connection of a smartphone is used. The connection is established via BluTootht and works surprisingly well and quickly. However, one should check with his own smartphone whether this possibility is via BT Internet to connect (tethering) before buying. On my Samsung Galaxy S3, this presents no problem.
But what really annoys me is that the Navi does not indicate an existing BT connection with the phone. To me it is not only happened once that I did not actively and therefore had been unable to obtain the Navi Internet data and thus could see no TT traffic due to an incorrect clicks the phone tethering. There is no icon on the Naviseite the one indicating an existing or missing connection. The check can be hidden very deep in the menu and that is for example not at all while driving.
A small telephone icon in green or red would be perfectly adequate and absolutely helpful so that one recognizes something equal.
My Conclusion
========
Very mixed and not yet mature software I can only say.
Main advantage of the device is certainly the lifetime traffic service and Lifetime Map Updates. This advantage is nullified in doubt by the lack of display of the software if at all traffic reports are received.
The nonexistent ZIP search and opaque looking for special places (POI) fit because unfortunately seamlessly into the picture.
However, if you examine meticulously (tedious) the correct connection to the phone and used the address search without ZIP, you can navigate quite well with the GO600 especially given the excellent traffic data.
Positive for the future could but say the problems are solvable. If TomTom wants, they could fix any deficiencies with a software update. The device itself brings everything to be with the absolute top-Navi. However, since this is the future, but I have no information whether TT here soon I can forgive only 3 stars because of the glaring gaps in the software to find something unfortunately today.
Tested with firmware 13.010.1331855.111 and Europe v910.5015
Update 06/09/2013
=================
The firmware version installed 13.012.1349721.111. Throughout the search behavior is exactly as described above, no change visible. Also (the BT connection to the smartphone bzww. "Failure to report") was on the display changed. The only noticeable change is so far that are now loaded on MyTomTom also Map Share corrections. A separate menu button in the device to report such corrections can not I find still.
For my 1015 is since 22:08. The map update at 9:15 prepared nothing for the GO600, still 9.10.
Due to my long list of criticisms, I can update previously classified only as disappointing which does not change the rating.
Update 10/10/2013
=================
Today was finally the map version is 9.15 and new software with the number 13,020.
After installation went with me at first access to the traffic information no longer. The Navi has indeed shown that the connection is established to the cell phone and the Internet, but the services were not available. Eventually I had a so-called Factory Reset perform, so to factory state, and thus were gone, all my saved addresses. Pretty stupid.
But the update is worth. Many of my criticisms have been improved though not all, the address entry is fiddly for my taste and you would have to tap as closely as possible. After all, you can now zip type and select the location as quickly.
Even criticized by my connection to the smartphone is not directly visible on the main screen, a menu for the menu item Traffic and safety camera you can lower but then clearly visible whether the phone is connected properly. Again, a significant advance. Report New options such as radar camera have also been added.
Overall, make some minor improvements the Navi distinctly better and earn the 4 Star scarce. With this software release, I do not have strongly advise against, you can use the Navi finally well and use, but of course I hope that TT nachlegt in a next version again and further optimized. I hope also that you map updates in the future time closer to the show are compared to other TomTom devices and the GO600 not have to wait for 6 weeks longer than other TT models.
Update 02/14/2014
=================
Version 13.040 is now available. According TomTom is an "Improved Lane Assistant", an "Enhanced search" and "Advanced 3D view" contents of the update. So a whole lot of you not feel, in detail, here you can see but little progress. My greatest desires were not tackled. I hope that here more through future updates.
Update 05/08/2014
=================
With version 13.051 clearly visible changes have now been made.
Improved in detail eg some ads, the font is a bit better because greater readable.
Unfortunately, it seems to me the responsiveness have not increased, in some runs I should depart was pointed in the direction now too late. So I had, for example, the message: "In 90 meters, turn ..." and since you already travels about 22Meter / second at 80km / h can be imagined where I am when the announcement is finished ...
Overall, the update is but another step in the right direction. Too bad that it is taking so long and still not all my wishes were implemented. My rating remains at 4 stars, but now just above 4 stars.
Update 07/21/2014
=================
And again a significant step forward.
With version 13 057 TomTom has redesigned especially the display. The colors are now richer in contrast and finally there is a meaningful indication as to whether the Navi has conjunction with the TomTom server for traffic information. Another new feature is now also reporting of safety cameras or MapShare map corrections.
What I, however, do not like the quality of the route calculation has actually deteriorated. In particular, the recalculation of routes is in some cases much worse now: This can adjust especially if one deviates from a route. In this case, the navigation system calculates by no means the complete route again but wants to be traced back to the previous route. For me it has repeatedly led to that then travel times were calculated which would have been considerably longer to make than on the new route just a completely new calculation. For those interested a concrete example: If one of Mannheim Karlsruhe is on the way and then, for example, at the height of Schwetzingen moves to the B36 towards Karlsruhe wants the Navi still a very long time back on the highway, though the route would be almost equivalent on the B36 and at the latest by 3-4 descents which one ignores the main road is in any case faster (quickest route). This can be seen also beautiful on the display if you ignore back to drive the prompts to the motorway and the main road just next follows. Sometime resigned the Navi and expects it and whoosh, the total driving time at a stroke significantly shorter than previously. Too bad, I would like to see much earlier here a complete recalculation.
Update 09/03/2014
=================
The Version 13.060 has now (finally), especially the possibility to change the font size. The current size is referred to as "small", you can now still and select "medium", "large". Especially "Medium" is much more readable on the device. Finally !!!!
However, a disadvantage of these larger font is then that the most frequently used of me 'My Places' menu item will no longer fit on the first menu page and you have to move it left to the select. I would now wish that I either can select the order itself or at least the voice control or "Report safety camera" would be placed further back.
Further improvement is in the display if one is connected to the online services.
The routing engine or the possibility of roadblocks was not improved by my experience to enter. So there still a lot missing to be really top.
All in all, my review is on track 4 star level with still existing improvement wishes.
Too bad that it takes so long ...
