The TomTom GO Professional 520 Sat Nav is an essential tool for professional drivers of trucks, coaches, and buses, offering specialized routing that accounts for vehicle dimensions, weight, and cargo type to ensure safe and efficient journeys across Europe. While it excels in providing tailored navigation, its real-time traffic services rely on a smartphone connection. This guide will help you optimize your use of this powerful navigation device to maximize your efficiency and safety on the road.
Professional Vehicle Routing: Tailors routes specifically for trucks, coaches, and buses, considering vehicle size, weight, cargo (e.g., hazardous materials), and speed limits to avoid unsuitable roads and restrictions.
European Maps: Comes pre-loaded with detailed maps of Europe, ensuring comprehensive coverage for international and long-haul drivers.
TomTom Traffic Services (via Smartphone): Provides real-time traffic information by connecting to your smartphone, helping you anticipate and avoid delays, ensuring more accurate arrival times.
Wi-Fi Updates: Easily update maps and software without needing a computer. Simply connect your device to a Wi-Fi network for the latest updates.
Custom POIs for Professional Drivers: Allows for custom points of interest relevant to professional drivers, such as truck stops, fuel stations, and service centers.
Lifetime Map Updates: Enjoy free map updates for the lifetime of your device, ensuring you always have the most current road information.
Interactive Screen: Offers an intuitive and responsive touchscreen interface for easy route planning and interaction during your journey.
Specialized Navigation: Routes are optimized for large vehicles, avoiding low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted areas.
Real-time Traffic: Helps drivers avoid congestion and delays, improving journey times and fuel efficiency.
Convenient Updates: Wi-Fi connectivity makes map and software updates quick and hassle-free.
Extensive Map Coverage: Comprehensive European maps support cross-border professional driving.
Customization: Vehicle profile settings ensure accurate routing tailored to your specific vehicle.
Smartphone Dependency for Traffic: Real-time traffic information requires a paired smartphone with data connection.
Initial Setup Time: Customizing vehicle profiles and initial map downloads can take some time.
Specialized Navigation: Routes are optimized for large vehicles, avoiding low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted areas.
Real-time Traffic: Helps drivers avoid congestion and delays, improving journey times and fuel efficiency.
Convenient Updates: Wi-Fi connectivity makes map and software updates quick and hassle-free.
Extensive Map Coverage: Comprehensive European maps support cross-border professional driving.
Customization: Vehicle profile settings ensure accurate routing tailored to your specific vehicle.
Smartphone Dependency for Traffic: Real-time traffic information requires a paired smartphone with data connection.
Initial Setup Time: Customizing vehicle profiles and initial map downloads can take some time.
The TomTom GO Professional 520 is engineered to provide reliable and specialized navigation for professional drivers. In real-world use, its core strength lies in its tailored routing algorithm. When you input your vehicle's dimensions (height, weight, length, width) and cargo type, the device calculates routes that are safe and legal for your specific vehicle. This prevents frustrating and potentially dangerous encounters with unsuitable roads, low bridges, or weight-restricted zones.
Live TomTom Traffic, delivered via your smartphone, is a critical feature for maintaining schedules. It proactively alerts you to traffic jams, road closures, and accidents ahead, offering alternative routes to bypass congestion. This can significantly reduce travel time and improve punctuality.
The device's clear visual and spoken instructions are easy to follow, even in complex interchanges. Junction View provides a realistic representation of motorway exits, ensuring you're in the correct lane. The Quick Search function allows for rapid destination entry, and the Tap & Go feature simplifies route planning by tapping on a point on the map.
For long journeys, the Points of Interest (POIs) tailored for professional drivers—such as truck stops, rest areas, and fuel stations—are invaluable for planning breaks and refueling stops efficiently.
Charge the Device: Before first use, fully charge your TomTom GO Professional 520 using the provided USB cable and car charger.
Mount the Device: Securely attach the device to your windshield or dashboard using the included mount, ensuring it doesn't obstruct your view.
Power On & Initial Setup: Turn on the device and follow the on-screen prompts to select your language, region, and accept terms and conditions.
Connect to Wi-Fi: Go to the Settings menu and select Wi-Fi. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network to download map updates and software.
Create Your Vehicle Profile: Crucially, enter your truck, coach, or bus dimensions (height, weight, length, width, and number of axles) and cargo type. This is vital for accurate professional routing.
Pair with Smartphone for Traffic: Download the TomTom MyDrive app on your smartphone. Follow the app's instructions to pair your phone with the GO Professional 520 via Bluetooth for live traffic updates.
Vehicle Types: Designed for professional use in Trucks, Coaches, and Buses.
Smartphone: Compatible with most modern iOS and Android smartphones for real-time TomTom Traffic and MyDrive services.
Maps: Pre-loaded with European maps, with free lifetime updates.
Screen Cleaning: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the screen. For stubborn marks, lightly dampen the cloth with water; do not use harsh chemicals.
Temperature: Avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures. Do not leave it in direct sunlight in a hot vehicle for extended periods.
Storage: When not in use, store the device in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Software Updates: Regularly connect to Wi-Fi to install available map and software updates to ensure optimal performance and the most current road data.