Since there are so many nüvi models it can be difficult to compare the TomTom GO 720 to the Garmin nüvi.

The fairest way is probably to find a model of comparable price to base the comparison upon. So for this review, we’ll compare the following two GPS units:

Garmin nüvi 760 – $339.49

TomTom GO 730 – $399.99

Consumer Ratings

The first factor we looked at was actual consumer ratings (the following are averages of all the ratings found online):

Garmin nüvi 760 – 8.5 out of 10

TomTom GO 730 – 8.6 out of 10

Features

As you would expect with similarly priced GPS units, most of the features are identical. Here we list the features that are different for each unit.

Garmin nüvi 760

• FM traffic receiver with 3-month subscription to TMC real-time traffic services
• “Where Am I?” helps find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersections.
• Qwerty or ABC keyboard

TomTom GO 730

• Voice address input
• Map Share technology
• IQ Routes – finds smartest routes
• Advanced lane guidance

Maps

TomTom’s Map Share and the ability to correct errors right in the 720 itself and have them updated so that other users can be aware of the changes is a really powerful feature.

Compared to Garmin where if you find an error in a map and report it, the only thing that will happen is that the change will appear in the next upgrade, which may cost you money to install.

Other Factors

Screen

The nüvi 760 is brighter, but the TomTom seems clearer and easier to read.

Multi-Point Routing

User’s report that creating a point to point route is able to be done much more accurately with the TomTom 730.

Setting up a route to an off road or new location (like a new construction site) is possible on the TomTom, but requires much more configuration (using custom POIs) compared to the nüvi 760.

The TomTom lacks the route optimization abilities that the nüvi 760 includes. These can save a lot of time if you are trying to find the fastest route on a complicated itinerary.

Conclusion

Overall, actual users rate the units very similarly. We’d give a slight nod to the TomTom 730 primarily for the Map Share technology which should provide you with faster map updates and less map inaccuracy.

You’ll pay about $60 for this benefit, but it is well worth it to have constantly updated maps which is the main reason to have a GPS in the first place.

We found the Garmin nüvi 760 on Amazon for $339.49 or less.

The best price for the TomTom GO 730 on Amazon was $399.99 or less.