Going Places With Help From TomTom @TomTomUSA #GetHomeFaster #‎TomTomGO

Disclosure: I received the product below to review in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

I have always been terrible with directions and I admit I do not know which way is North or South. I remember when I first started driving and I had to take the highway for the first time, I had my dad actually draw out the green highway signs so I’d know what I was looking for.  My dad was always my map and when cell phones became actually useful I called my dad all the time for directions. When navigation systems finally came down in price I was so excited to buy one and not have to call my dad all the time, although I wonder if he missed my lost-again calls.

Ever since I could afford one, I have owned a GPS device and after trying out many different brands I was excited to check out one from TomTom. For me a good GPS is a must-have. Yes I could use my smartphone for directions but I don’t like to because 1) it drains my phone battery and 2) if I get a notification or call then it messes up my maps. I know a lot of people who swear by their smartphones for maps but I prefer a separate device and that is what I am used to anyways.

The TomTom GO 600 is a redesigned GPS device that was designed to create a Traffic-centric experience that is both intuitive and offers relevant daily information. It allows drivers to make smart decisions while driving while also knowing what lies ahead. I honestly was so excited to set this puppy up in my car and wow does it look like a piece of art on my dashboard.

Features of the TomTom GO 600:

• 6″ Touch Screen – yes its huge!
• Lifetime Maps
• Advanced Lane Guidance
• 3D Maps – See buildings and landmarks in 3D
• Interactive Maps – Zoom in and out to explore the map with a touch of your fingertips
• Alternative Route – It checks your route as you go and offers alternative routes if it can save you time
• Lifetime Traffic via Smartphone – TomTom Traffic covers 99.9% of all road types – highways, major roads, secondary and residential roads (some competitors only offer 9% of roads)
• Tap & Go – Instantly get a route to your destination so you save time and move faster!
• Save your favorite places
• Speak & Go – yes you can control the device with your voice!
• Click & Go Mount
• MicroSD Slot
• IQ Routes – The world’s largest database of real travel times so you have accurate arrival times
• Spoken street names
• Parking assist – This will navigate you to the nearest parking garage to your location or destination.

Honestly this is a device that requires practically no set-up or instructions at all.  Right out of the box I plugged it in to my lighter adapter (which is included) and I was ready to go! Sometimes there is a learning curve since all GPS devices are different but this one really is easy and once you start tapping away its simple to maneuver. Everything you need is just a tap of the screen.

Here is what the holder you get looks like:

Here I have it mounted in the corner of my windshield:

Here I have it on a dashboard mat I already owned:

You know how with other GPS devices you have to put in the city, then the street then the address (or in whatever order)? Well with this device you just type out the address normally, such as 123 Main St. Springfield, IL. One line, not multiple fields!

This is the main screen:

Here is what the Search screen looks like, you just type the address, no separate fields:

Another way to search:

Here is what it looks like when there is traffic:

This is what it looks like when its routing you:

A super cool feature is you can sync your TomTom GO with your phone, tablet or computer via an app (or on a website on the computer) via bluetooth.

This is amazing to me because so many times I am on my desktop computer looking at something and then I have to write down the info usually on a post-it then bring it with me. Now I can search on my desktop and save it to my TomTom MyDrive account (which is a program you download for free) and when I get in my car my TomTom GO will sync with my account via bluetooth and immediately pull up the route! So amazing!

Here I looked up an address on my laptop:

See the Let’s Go, its already synced and ready:

Honestly I love this GPS.  Its so easy to use and its simple. There are so many features too on it that I’m sure I haven’t even used them all yet but they are there when I need them. For now the device just keeps surprising me.

I feel sometimes like half my day is sitting in traffic, from driving an hour to visit our families or driving into Chicago, traffic can be crazy. I love that my TomTom GO can navigate me to where I need to go quickly and efficiently. From its ability to re-route due to real-time traffic data or accidents to its Interactive Map so I can see where I need to go, TomTom has my back. Did you know that a 2013 study found that the average mom drives her kids around for 1,248 miles per year, or the equivalent of two weeks, and that is not counting the added hours spent in traffic. Less time sitting in traffic means more time with my family outside of the car!

Stay Connected with TomTom:

TomTom WEBSITE | TomTom FACEBOOK | TomTom TWITTER

BUY IT:  Check out the TomTom GO 600 from the TomTom for a suggested retail of $249.99.

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive a TomTom GO 500 GPS (retails at $199.99)

Need help entering a giveaway?  Check out my blog post for some help!

GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

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This Giveaway Ends June 15, 2015.