TomTom GO 730

The TomTom Go 730 is a particular favorite of U.K. reviewers, but U.S. critics are less likely to recommend it. Although its two main new features impress reviewers, they are not available in all areas: IQ Routes, which uses TomTom owners' previous experience to pick the fastest routes, and Advanced Lane Guidance, which shows you which lane you'll need to be in at an intersection. Also, users and experts continue to find fault with TomTom's Home software and its voice-recognition feature, which is designed to let drivers command the unit by speaking to it; reviews say it recognizes only limited commands. Critics are more likely to recommend the Garmin nuvi 885T (*Est. $400) or Garmin nuvi 855 (*Est. $275) for consumers who want a truly voice-activated GPS device, or the Garmin nuvi 765T (*Est. $350) for those who want a lane-assist feature.

ConsumerReports.org tests the TomTom Go 730 and rates it in nine different categories, using the results to rank it against dozens of other GPS units in a handy chart. The review at GPSTracklog.com doesn't draw as many comparisons between the Go 730 and other GPS units, but it does a better job describing and evaluating the Go 730 in-depth. Another reliable U.S. source, GPSLodge.com, recommends the Go 730 based on testing of the similar TomTom Go 930 (*Est. $380). Tests of the Go 730 at two U.K. sources, PC Pro and PC Advisor, are expert and helpful, but maps and navigation will differ between the U.K. and the U.S. User reviews at Amazon.com are particularly helpful, because they discover some flaws with the TomTom Go 730 that don't show up in even the best expert reviews. Users at Newegg.com like the Go 730 better than those at Amazon.com, but the reviews do include criticism.