Have Tom Tom...Will Go......God Willing.
My thanks to all who so kindly replied to my question.
I am now the proud owner of a 'Tom Tom Go' dedicated device which I was able to purchase ex-demo for £295....can't be bad!
It is (second) childsplay to operate, there is no need to wear a hearing aid to hear it above the noise of radio etc and the nice young lady does not get annoyed with me if I don't do what she tells me.
To anyone else who is thinking about having Sat-Nav....if you are in any doubt as to which model to purchase, have a look at this review: www.lordpercy.com/tom_tom_go.htm It helped me to make my mind up. Scroll to bottom of same page for links to reports on other models.
And finally....while stocks last....Staples the office equipment people have a promotion until 30th March (in-store only...not on-line) with Sat-Navs at what they claim to be lowest prices in the UK.
|
And finally....while stocks last....Staples the office equipment people have a promotion until 30th March (in-store only...not on-line) with Sat-Navs at what they claim to be lowest prices in the UK.
Sold out at the Southport branch.
|
|
|
I still like my SmartNav but it probably looks expensive against some of those
Likewise my retro-fitted Alpine system (NVE-N077PS).
Great system, great software, but no upgradeability apparently (as I understand it, I will never be able to get an updated DVD for it).
I already asked both Navteq, who produce a large % of original maps for SatNav systems, and Alpine themselves, who appear to have moved on to touch-screen systems which use a different and incompatible DVD as I understand it.
So, although my present SatNav will always be 99-point-something correct, it will never for example show me the M6 toll road ...
Oz (as was)
|
|
|
Thanks for your kind words, nice to get feedback :)
TomTom have told us that the Version 5.0 software that is on the new 300, 500 and 700 models will be available to all current TTG owners.
The main difference with the new TTG units is they have bluetooth which allows the 500 and 700 units to act as a handsfree car kit.
|
I had no idea that Members from 'The Other Place' visit this site....Welcome aboard!
Anyone wanting a sat-nav and have no success at Staples due to success of their promotion....should try Office World....same Group....same promotion.
With reference to improved software for Tom Tom, I found this info in another place (no, not that Place:o) .......
"Map Updates and other new features
TomTom have recently announced a major new update for TomTom Go.
The new version 5, which should be free for existing version 4.x users, includes the following features :
New maps
Full postcode search!
Customisable route calculation
Toll / Congestion Zone warnings
Itinerary planning
Support for the docking station
On screen compass
Configurable status bar"
Apparently these goodies are just a few weeks away....can't wait!
|
Was reading the review of TT5 on pocketgps and there seems to be conflicting advice on the upgrade cost from 2/3.
Initiall TT said it would be free, but someone told the reviewer at CeBit it would be 49 Euros. TBH, I'd pay that just for the updated maps.
My only concern is that with all the new content available such as speed camera database and point of interest proximity warning that they'll bundle it all with the traffic subscription and it will become a standing charge. I don't use mine enough to justify that, so it would be a shame.
They're replacing the bluetooth gps unit too for one that lasts up to 8 hours so no need for in car chargers on long journeys.
-- Lee Having a Fabialous time.
|
Just logged into the TT site and found this :
>>{how to get updates}
Activation of your free TomTom PLUS trial or a TomTom PLUS subscription Alternatively you can buy Safety cameras directly from our site
So there's more money there for someone!
-- Lee Having a Fabialous time.
|
Tom Tom enthusiasts may be interested to know that:
(1) There is a forum for TT owners at:www.streetfinder.co.uk/tomtom/reviews/page1.php
(2) There are answers to 323 FAQs here:
www.tomtom.com/support/rightnow.php?ID=4&Language=...p
(3) The forthcoming up-date will include eighteen additional languages including.....Australian!!....it will greet you by saying "G'day Mate", providing you are wearing your hat with the corks on:o).
|
I've just bought a Navman iCN 610,and it's the dogs danglies.
|
I have just installed a secondhand Dayton MS5100 system. I got the bits, around two years old, on ebay and they came with the extra TMC receiver (Traffic Message Centre -- puts traffic conditions ahead onto the display, and re-routes accordingly if necessary) Together with the latest latest disks for software, map and TMC it cost around £470 plus some locally-bought hardware bits for screwing stuff down. I bought a brand new, unused, French map disk with TMC on French ebay for £32 (£149 from Tele-Atlas)
I did the installation myself -- it's not for the faint hearted and I would not recommend it to anyone without a good knowledge of vehicle electrics and the ability to read the Haynes manual wiring diagram. As well as power connections, you have to tap into the speedo data connection and the reversing light for example.
However, for something like the cost of an upper-range TomTom or similar I have a full-blown system that must be about the most effective available. If you cannot do the work yourself, allow around £150 for professional installation, depending on the vehicle of course.
Well worth considering.
|
"Dayton MS5100 system"
Its a good one too, I like the VDO 5000 range, works very well.
|
|
s'wot I've got in the L/C - although I would never have touched the installation myself; especially given the hassle they had tapping into the speed data.
|
|
The problem is usually physical -- removing the instrument cluster to get at the speed data feed. It's generally the most accessible spot and usually the safest place, since the lead is more readily identifiable there. You have be sure to tap into the feed to the speedo head, and not the speed data feed to the ABS.
|
Quandry - Now my turn.
Do I go for the TomTom GO 300 or a PDA based system.
I have seen the TomTom GO and its very cute, really good bright screen and seems very useable. Question - want to use it for France, how much is the European Street level mapping and how do you get it. I assume you can have your UK on one SD card and Europe on another?
Now PDA
I really want one of these. TomTom3 running on an IPAQ 2110. How bright is the screen on the 2110? and how bad are the reflections likely to be in a car? Anyone bought the TomTom3 streetlevel maps for France?
Cheers
|
RF, I can only comment on the iPAQ itself. The device itself is surprisingly robust. I remember thinking when I got it, "This won't last if I drop it" so I did. 4 times and it worked perfectly!
By default, when there is no external power, the screen sets to half brightness which is more than fine - so much so, I lowered the screen brightness even more to conserve the battery. On full brightness it's very sharp and clear but I suspect in a car, you WILL need full brightness to counteract and reflections.
I remember outdoors it was sometimes difficult to see the screen. The only reason I never got Tom Tom for it was because I thought to myself, wherever I drive, for the most part, I know so I didn't really need it. However, if I did need to get an aftermarket SatNav device, I would buy another iPAQ and Tom Tom.
--
Adam
|
|
TT Go 300 hopefully delivered by Tuesday. Will report.
|
|
Used SmartNav to guide to home of passenger who has TomTom and lives in Basingstoke. He said his TT was nowhere near as accurate or clear as SmartNav (but was still good).
|
|
That's why I waited for the new model.
|
(1) There is a forum for TT owners at: www.streetfinder etc...
There is a far better one at:
www.pocketgps.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=v...3
|
|
|
