Do you find it bothersome to look up maps on your phone? Do you want to receive live traffic updates? Or do you want to plan your vacation route well in advance?
If yes, then consider investing in a car GPS navigator. These devices, though, on average, can cost you $200 and above. Then, you have additional costs like installation, fees for live services, and maps.
If you are looking for a GPS device that delivers in terms of navigational accuracy and features but is easy on the wallet, consider the TomTom GO Comfort series.
With road trips being one of my top ways to unwind, I have reviewed several navigators from well-known brands like TomTom and Garmin.
Today’s article will focus on TomTom GO Comfort 5. It is the smallest device in the GO Comfort series. It is equipped with features like TomTom Traffic and Road Trips, quick search options, and destination prediction.
Additionally features like WiFi connectivity, smartphone message display, and the MyDrive app make for a positive user experience.
But the display quality, battery life, and basic features can leave some users wanting more. So should you buy the GO Comfort device?
The article will take you through my experience of setting up and using the GO Comfort 5 device, which can help you decide if the navigator is worth buying.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | TomTom |
| Model | TomTom GO Comfort 5 |
| Dimension (W x H x D) | 5.32 x 0.94 x 3.57 inches |
| Touchscreen Type | Resistive |
| Display Dimension | 5 inches |
| Display Type | WQVGA |
| Display Resolution | 480 x 272 pixels |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable, Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | Up to 1 hour |
| Vehicle Mount | Reversible mount |
| Memory Card Support | Supports Micro SD card, up to 32 GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth - for TomTom services and messagesWiFi |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Price | $179.99 |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor |
| Amazon Rating | 4.2 out of 5 (171 ratings) |
Our Rating
About TomTom GO Comfort 5
TomTom has been developing products and services in the navigation space for over 30 years. The company was founded in 1991. They released their first sat nav device in 2004.
Since then, TomTom’s product range has expanded to include several car GPS navigation devices like GO Comfort, GO Supreme, GO Discover, GO Essential, GO Exclusive, and more.
They also offer navigation devices for motorcycles and large vehicles and in-dash navigation for cars like Jeep, Mazda, and Subaru.
TomTom’s other offerings include mobile apps to make navigation easier for everyone. In addition, the company uses its own mapping platform to bring up-to-date and accurate information to users.
Who is The TomTom GO Comfort 5 For?
If you are looking for a standalone GPS navigation device that is comparatively budget-friendly and comes with basic features, consider the GO Comfort series.
It is an easy-to-use device that supports customizations and multiple languages. So it can be used by users of any age group. One does not have to be a tech-savvy person to understand and follow instructions from GO Comfort 5.
For everyday travel, features like TomTom traffic can help avoid congested routes and help you save time. For holidays, features like TomTom Road Trips can help discover scenic routes which you can further personalize.
So whether you want a GPS device for everyday travel or to help you navigate routes on your cross-country road trips, the GO Comfort device can help.
5 Important Factors I Tested The Product on
The GO Comfort 5 is a decent-priced product that aims to offer navigational guidance and features to make your driving experience smoother.
I tested the GPS device to understand if TomTom delivers on its claims. The review is based on several factors like design, display, usability, accuracy, and performance.
Here is how the GO Comfort 5 navigator performed.
1. Design
The TomTom GO Comfort series includes two devices – 5 and 6. The 5 model is the smaller of the two devices. Its dimensions are 5.32 x 0.94 x 3.57 inches.
The device display dimension is 5 inches. The display resolution stands at 480 x 272 pixels. I am not a fan of the resolution, as I have seen much better displays from TomTom. Considering the price range, the display does the job. You can expect a decent user experience at best.
If you use the device in a guidance view or zoom-in, then you are bound to see pixelated images.
The device comes with a reversible mount. You can mount it on the windshield or side window. Its small size ensures the device is safely mounted without interfering with your driving view.
Overall, I would rate the design of the GPS device to be pretty decent, considering its price.
2. Battery
The battery tends to be an issue with the older models of TomTom GPS devices. The batteries are expected to last up to an hour, but that is not always the case. If you are updating maps using WiFi or using live services, the battery can drain pretty quickly.
Another pain point is that the device needs to be charged for 3 to 5 hours for a full charge. You must use the car charger and the USB cable that comes with the package.
Using third-party chargers may not provide the device with sufficient power, or it may take longer to get a full charge.
As per TomTom’s recommendations, you should have the battery-saving setting turned on and have brightness and volume set at a lower level.
In any case, I recommend using the GO Comfort device while plugging it into the car charger.
3. Usability
The TomTom GO Comfort 5 is a user-friendly device. It may take you an hour to review its features and understand how they work.
When you turn on the device, the map view you see without a planned route is the default view. The screen is interactive when on the map view. You can use gestures to move around and explore icons and routes.
For example, you can double-tap to zoom in; you can drag your finger around to scroll through the map, touch an icon and press it for a second to open a pop-up menu, or use a single tap to select the item on the screen.
You can set the device to look for addresses on the whole map, near you, in a specific town or city, along the route, and near your destination. You can also enter latitude and longitude to look up a place.
4. Features
Some of the value-adding features of the GO Comfort device are built-in WiFi, safety camera alerts, and access to smartphone messages.
As the device supports WiFi connectivity, you can update the software and maps without needing a computer.
TomTom releases four updates quarterly. These updates can include road changes and speed limits. You can get these updates at no extra cost by using the WiFi. This is a handy feature, but know that updates can be battery-draining and time-consuming, so keep the device plugged into a power source.
The safety camera feature is available in selected regions. It provides alerts about upcoming safety camera locations, speed trap hotspots, and other locations.
Apart from WiFi, the device also supports Bluetooth connectivity. Text messages or messages from apps like WhatsApp can be displayed on the navigation screen. You can choose to read these messages or have the device read them aloud.
5. Performance
Once you set up the device, determining your location will take a few minutes the first time around. Driving to an open area to receive good GPS reception would be best. Tall buildings and dense trees can interfere with the reception.
Looking up routes on the device is straightforward. You can input addresses, street names, places, or points of interest to find your destination. The quick search and step-by-step search menu are both easy to use.
TomTom’s mapping platform offers accurate navigational guidance. TomTom’s traffic updates are also good. But I found these updates can be inconsistent. You need to be connected to your smartphone or WiFi source to receive these updates. So the connection quality could also be an issue.
Another useful feature is the arrival panel on the side of the screen. At a glance, it provides details like distance, estimated time, traffic status, safety camera location, gas stations, or rest stops on the route.
What Sets The Product Apart From Its Competitors?
The TomTom GPS device can learn from your driving habits and predict destinations. If you drive to work, a supermarket, or a restaurant regularly, the device will suggest the location as a destination.
For example, the device may ask you in the morning, ‘Going to XYZ?’ which could be your work location. If you select yes, it will plan a route to the destination.
You must ensure the ‘keep history on this device’ is turned on. And it will take a few days for the device to learn and make predictions.
Should You Purchase The Product?
The GO Comfort 5 is an easy-to-use and decent-priced product that does the job when it comes to navigation. With traffic updates, it can be a good tool for everyday commutes. And with road trip features, it can make for a well-planned holiday.
Its value-adding features are limited compared to other TomTom models. But it does offer user-friendly features like WiFi connectivity, destination prediction, and safety camera alerts.
Its battery life and display, though, can be disappointing. So is the standalone GPS device worth buying? You can decide based on the device’s pros, cons, and pricing.
Pros
- The device supports TomTom services like live traffic and MyDrive.
- You get safety camera alerts for three months.
- You can update software and maps with built-in WiFi.
- The device supports over 25 spoken instruction languages.
- The device can read your smartphone messages aloud.
Cons
- The display resolution of the device is on the lower end.
- The battery can drain quickly, especially when using live services.
- TomTom offers only a year of limited warranty.
Price
The TomTom GO Comfort 5 device is priced at $179.99.
Accessories like compact and dual car chargers are available at $19.95 and $24.95, respectively.
Dashboard adhesive disks and car mounting kits are available from $9.95 to $99.99.
If you wish to carry the GO Comfort device, you can buy protective cases from $24.99 to $39.99.
FAQ’s
You can mount the GO Comfort on the windshield or side window using the reversible mount that comes with the device. However, you will have to purchase the dashboard adhesive disks separately to mount the device on the dashboard.
No. You do not necessarily have to connect your smartphone to the GO Comfort device. But you will need a smartphone connection to access live services like TomTom traffic, safety cameras, and MyDrive.
The GO Comfort device has built-in WiFi that you can use to update maps; you do not need a computer. Ensure the device is plugged into a power source, as the update process can drain the battery quickly.
Conclusion
The TomTom GO Comfort 5 can be a good tool for your road trips or everyday commutes.
The device is easy to mount and use. It offers several navigation and user-friendly features like TomTom Traffic and Road Trips, a quick search menu, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, access to smartphone messages, and three months of safety camera alerts.
One of the major drawbacks of the device is its battery life. It would be best to follow TomTom’s battery-extending settings and always have the car charger and USB cable on you.
Overall, it is a budget-friendly device with good features and navigation accuracy.
| Check Out These Articles | |
|---|---|
| TomTom GO Supreme 6 | TomTom GO Discover 7 |
| TomTom GO Supreme 5 | TomTom GO Comfort 6 |
Meet Klark Kurz, a GPS enthusiast and author with a B.B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University. With a passion for technology and innovation, Klark provides accessible and user-friendly content to help individuals and businesses make informed decisions. As a regular contributor to TraxFamily.com, Klark’s insights and practical advice make GPS tracking more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.