We test the TomTom GO 5200: the driver's best friend

Many cars are already outdated today despite belonging to the 21st century but, luckily for us drivers, other companies back us up with state-of-the-art products. These adapt perfectly to our vehicle whatever its condition and make certain tasks at the wheel less difficult. A clear example of this are TomTom’s navigators, a product designed to guide us to our destination efficiently. Today at Highmotor we have tested one of the firm’s most popular models, the GO 5200.

This navigation system is presented as one of the most advanced in terms of technology, something that combines perfectly with the simple, intuitive design of the GO 5200. Without a doubt, it is the perfect ally for giving our car a modern, carefree touch, while also being an essential guide on our journeys. After spending a few weeks testing the device, we tell you in detail how it behaves when faced with a journey unknown to us.

Easy, comfortable and simple

When we add an extra element inside our car’s cabin, we make sure it is easy to install, comfortable to carry -or to store and simple to operate. These three characteristics are part of the design of the TomTom GO 5200, an indispensable electronic accessory in our vehicle if we want a modern, simple and efficient navigator. Whether because our car does not come with a factory GPS system or because the one it has is too outdated, the TomTom GO 5200 is the perfect ally to sweeten our routes and road trips.

The GPS from Amsterdam offers a wide range of functions within anyone’s reach, something it achieves through its simple operation. On the other hand, the screen measures 5 inches, an excellent size that makes the directions easy to see and, although it reduces visibility a little once mounted on our windscreen, it can be positioned perfectly in certain corners to minimise any inconvenience.

This is also possible thanks to the mount included with the GO 5200, which features a very simple attachment system for both the GPS and for fixing it to our car’s glass. Once the device is in place, it offers a series of very intuitive, easy-to-use menus, ideal when we need to program a new route midway through the journey or to preset it before leaving home.

Without a doubt, the TomTom GO 5200 strikes a perfect balance between portability, reliability and efficiency, since these three features combine to offer a navigator on a par with those fitted as standard in vehicles, but with the advantage of being able to take it with us anywhere and, most importantly, use it interchangeably in any car. However, we must also focus on a more important aspect that goes beyond its physical features, its software.

Modern, secure technology within easy reach

As expected, the main objective of the TomTom GO 5200 is to take us to our destination in the fastest and most efficient way. However, the navigation company has wanted to enhance and improve the experience rather than act as a simple guide. To achieve this, TomTom has incorporated numerous innovations that enhance the use of the GO 5200 and other models from the brand thanks to the latest technology, which is closely linked to smartphones.

Thanks to the presence of mobile phones, setting up our TomTom is much simpler and, at the same time, we can have the GO 5200’s functions on our smartphone and vice versa. Once we download the official TomTom app on our device, we will need to register to access all the systems on offer. Thanks to this integration, we can select routes, journeys, schedule trips and much more from our mobile.

Another of the features that has caught our attention most is the possibility of the TomTom directly receiving any kind of message that arrives on our smartphone, and at the same time the navigator reads it aloud, so we avoid looking away at the phone or the GO 5200’s screen to read the text. However, the innovations and safety measures the navigator includes do not end here, since we can also answer our calls.

On the other hand, we have various menus within the navigator, which allow us to carry out countless tasks, which we will tell you about later, but within the safety section, we find the option to configure our routes using voice commands. This allows us, with just the press of a button, to say the destination aloud and the GO 5200 will automatically show us how to get there. However, the TomTom navigator does not limit itself to looking after our safety, but also that of other road users.

In the event of an incident, a traffic jam, or if we spot a fixed speed camera, our GO 5200 allows us to save the location of the event and send it directly to the map updates, so that other drivers using a TomTom device can see these changes on their maps. This function is possible thanks to the SIM card built into the device, so we will have constant real-time updates.

How it works and what menus it offers the user

When we turn to an external navigator for our car, we want it to be as smooth as possible and to respond immediately when we select a destination. The TomTom GO 5200 fulfils these demands perfectly, something we can see reflected in the various menus it offers and the way it lets us move between them. Getting the device up and running is simple yet intuitive; we only need to select our destination -either from the smartphone or on the GPS itself and press the button to start the route.

On many occasions we will encounter very busy destinations, either because it is our workplace or an address we visit frequently and, although we know the way by heart, it is not always the best possible route. This is where the GO 5200 shines, since it not only lets us save our most common addresses or our own home, but also calculates the smartest possible route, always adapting to traffic conditions.

This function works wonderfully when roadworks block a street or there is simply too much traffic, at which point the TomTom quickly suggests an alternative route and lets us avoid situations that delay our journey. However, at Highmotor we wanted to be somewhat meticulous and tested the GO 5200 a little; to do so, we proposed a route we know very well and, although we knew the fastest way to reach our destination, the TomTom opted for a slightly longer route.

In its favour, we must say that, after deliberately changing course during the journey, the GO 5200 reacted instantly to offer us an alternative route to the original one. Another advantage we have noticed with TomTom’s GPS is how far in advance it warns us of any incident on the road, and these are also shown on the colour map. However, the innovations do not stop there, as the GO 5200 offers a lot in a compact package.

Another aspect we found especially appealing about the TomTom is that, when giving directions, it does not limit itself to telling us the name of the street or the road number -which can lead to confusion- but also guides us with the turns we need to make and in which direction, so that reaching our destination is much simpler.

On the other hand, the TomTom GO 5200 tends to store the position of our last destination, that is, it does not automatically reroute, so we will have to re-establish our current location. However, this task is made sweeter by the option to save many destinations, which simplifies using the GO 5200 in every way.

At the same time, the company has also taken care of the aesthetics of its flagship navigator, so it offers first-class graphics which can be set to 3D mode, making it much easier to make out the streets we are driving along and, at the same time, it becomes much more realistic.

The ideal companion for our spring and summer holidays

Spring and summer are two times of year that invite us to pack our belongings and set off on a route to enjoy. Without a doubt, the TomTom GO 5200 is an indispensable companion on our adventures, as it makes the journey easier and more pleasant thanks to its functionality and simplicity. The TomTom GPS offers one hour of battery life and, should we need more, we can always charge it via our car’s cigarette lighter.

The complete package the GO 5200 offers comes at a price, which starts at 329.95 euros, a figure that drops when we look at other models from the company that have less advanced technological features. However, this product will become the ideal device for any route we wish to take and, at the same time, for destinations outside Spain. This is also complemented by the constant updates we can install via Wi-Fi.

Personal opinion of the TomTom GO 5200

Without a doubt, the TomTom GO 5200 presents itself as an indispensable accessory for our vehicle, whether it is a current model or a bit older. This is due to the convenience the TomTom GPS provides, since it combines versatility and functionality in an impressive way. The flaws we might find in this device are minimal and, at the same time, it lets us use our phone in a comfortable and intuitive way.

At Highmotor we believe that if we use the car as a means of transport for getaways or road trips, the TomTom GO 5200 is an item we should not rule out under any circumstances, since it offers a lower price than the navigators fitted in the cars themselves and, at the same time, we can enjoy the same functions without losing quality at any time.