TomTom - again

[fatsteve]

Good people of PH, I'm about to upgrade from my dated Navman GPS3000 to the new swanky TomTom Navigator 2. I have a dilema over the bluetooth vs wired. To help me with this procurement conundrum:

1. Do you get a dual charging cable with the bluetooth kit, ie a y-lead that charges the PDA and the bluetooth mouse from a single cigar socket.

2. Can you use the wired version without plugging it into the cigar ligher. i.e, will it draw power from the PDA (so I can use it outside of the car)

Thanks

Steve

[roop]

Steve,

I got the wired versions as I intend to put in in the plane when I go flying and hence don't want any RF interference from BT devices.

The GPS unit on mine is powered from the cigar lighter via the cradle and will not work without being powered in this way (ie : it cannot draw power from the PDA). The reason for this I expect is because the GPS uses a serial connection between the PDA and itself and can't draw any / enough current over that connection.

Roop

[chim_girl]

If I was buying my kit again I would get the blue tooth version instead of the wired for two main reasons :

1. The wires from the pda to the GPS receiver are a pain in the r's.

2. I can't use the navigator outside the car as it needs a powersupply.

If you decide to go for the wired version email me, I have a slightly used one I'd be happy to sell!

[Leadfoot]

I've just got the bluetooth kit. It comes with a cigar lighter adaptor that powers both the pda & the gps reciever.
Haven't had much of a play with it yet, but it you have to establish the bluetooth connection between the pda & the gps each time you use it (unless you leave it in the car all the time) which is a bit of a pain.

[fatsteve]

Thanks very much everyone, I'll go for the BT option

Leadfoot - that shouldn't be the case if you've set-up a bond between the 2. When I get mine I'll check this.

Chim Girl - Exactly the same reasons that I want to go for the BT version; I've got an iPaq 3970 and I'm desparately looking for an XDA II, so BT solves the connectivity options. Also your comments (and Roops) about the wired version ONLY working if powered by the cigar lighter were a concern since I've used by Navman GPS on foot an number of times.

So the bottom line is I can buy the TT Nav2 BT version and charge both my iPaq and the BT mouse. Superb!

The PH knowledgebase as surpassed itself again!!

Steve

[fatsteve]

to follow up, those nice people at www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk have just made a sale. Went for the BT version + the Europe maps (which will get a testing on our LeMans + France trip!!)

[chim_girl]

Don't try and use it in Manchester City Centre, the software hasn't been updated to take into considerationg the trams.

.....turn left........ TRAAAAAAAAM!

Oh and the woman who gives the voice directions has been named Doris! I trust you will keep up the tradition.

[GCerbera]

I've been thinking about this for a while.
Not having a PDA, is this bundle all I need?

www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/viewprod.php?product_id=678

Will it work happily away from the car?

Anyone think anything else at less cost is better
quality and value?

I'd need one to work in Europe / North America and maybe the Middle East.

[fatsteve]

GCerbera said:

I've been thinking about this for a while. Not having a PDA, is this bundle all I need? www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/viewprod.php?product_id=678 Will it work happily away from the car? Anyone think anything else at less cost is better quality and value? I'd need one to work in Europe / North America and maybe the Middle East.

That'll be fine out of the car since it's bluetooth (see my posts for the reason). The only limitation I can see is how long the batteries last on the PDA and the bluetooth GPS mouse.

Thats a nice package. Although you are paying a premium for the iPaq 5550 (since its a top of the range one). This is great if you need a good PDA too. If you're no fussed about which PDA to use, go for Spotlight: Bluetooth GPS Receiver + iPAQ H1940 + TomTom Navigator 2 GB + 128MB SD card + car mount or

Spotlight: Haicom MMF(Evermore Chipset) CF GPS + TomTom Navigator 2 GB + iPAQ H2210 + Cable + Arkon Mount + 128mb SD card

[GCerbera]

I mentioned this one a while ago.
www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18642&type=0&cat=138

Anyone got one - looks like other maps are hard to
obtain and I assume, it's not BT?

Anyone?

[fatsteve]

GCerbera said:

I mentioned this one a while ago. www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18642&type=0&cat=138 Anyone got one - looks like other maps are hard to obtain and I assume, it's not BT? Anyone?

Stick with TomTom, trust me.

[whatever]

I'm currently looking at a 2210, TT v2 and an Emtac BT receiver.

Anyone know anything about how these receivers compare? The emtac gets some good reviews, but has anyone upgraded to one and found it an improvement?

[AJLintern]

I have exactly this system - works very well

[whatever]

Maybe one or two of our more experienced TomTom users can fill me in on a couple of points.

I've been doing a bit of research and one or two criticisms keep recurring:

1) The time to calculate the route seems to be inordinately long, particularly for long journies.

2) There's a lot of problems with s/w hangs/crashes etc

3) Some versions of the maps have a lot of missing locations -- are the current maps any good?

4) Many BT receivers seem to be unreliable for long-term use -- something to do with fragile charging circuits, it seems. Is this something anyone here has experienced?

5) How effective is the auto-recalculation (say, if I go off-route). Can it keep up in time for the next turn?

6) Is the speed-camera/POI add-on software any good?

7) Are the routes calculated reliable?


I'm ready to spend 600-odd quid on an emtac/2210/TT2 setup, but more than slightly concerned at some of the horror stories elsewhere (like www.pocketgps.co.uk)

Does anyone have any experience of these "faults"? Can anyone set my mind at rest, so I can spend my money with a clear concience?

>> Edited by whatever on Wednesday 18th February 20:28

[chim_girl]

whatever said:

1) The time to calculate the route seems to be inordinately long, particularly for long journies.

I can't say it is the quickest bit of software, however it does take longer if you're calculating whilst on the move. I try to get my route planned before setting off, much quicker.

whatever said:

2) There's a lot of problems with s/w hangs/crashes etc

I've only had that problem when I've turned my iPAQ off without exiting the application first.

whatever said:

3) Some versions of the maps have a lot of missing locations -- are the current maps any good?

That's my main gripe, the software is quite out of date. Manchester City being a prime example, I believe the trams have been there for a couple of years, TomTom isn't aware.

whatever said:

5) How effective is the auto-recalculation (say, if I go off-route). Can it keep up in time for the next turn?

It is pretty good if you miss a turning or similar. If you're talking about the 'diversion/alternative routing' option then it depends when you press it and how far away the next turn is! I find it quick enough when I'm on the Motorway but it can be a little slow when I'm in town.

whatever said:

6) Is the speed-camera/POI add-on software any good?

It's good for something that doesn't cost anything! Better when you have a co-driver who can look at the screen more often as it can be tricky looking at the screen when driving 'with enthusiasm' - which is when you really need it

whatever said:

7) Are the routes calculated reliable?

They're pretty good, it can get a little confused with major A roads that cover several areas. Example - set it to take you to Chorley New Road, this covers several postcode areas from Bolton into Central Manchester. As soon as the navigator finds Chorley New Road it will tell you you've arrived at your destination. You could still be miles away. The major flaw IMHO is that you can't route plan by postcode. From the blurb on the box it suggested you could, it is not true.

Despite these failings I still think it is a good bit of kit, on a par with the factory fitted version I had in a Merc.

[whatever]

Ta very much chim_girl.

Anyone else with an opinion?

[AJLintern]

whatever said:

Can anyone set my mind at rest, so I can spend my money with a clear concience?

If you come to Viginia Water on sunday, I could give you a demo...

[whatever]

AJLintern said:

whatever said: Can anyone set my mind at rest, so I can spend my money with a clear concience? If you come to Viginia Water on sunday, I could give you a demo...

I'll be there to pick your brains, then...

[roop]

whatever said:

1) The time to calculate the route seems to be inordinately long, particularly for long journies.

Depends on the PocketPC you run it on. My 400MHz Dell X5 cranks through the longest journeys in 15-20s max. I don't know if that's considered a long time though.

whatever said:

2) There's a lot of problems with s/w hangs/crashes etc

Mine has crashed once when it lost all my waypoints / POI's etc. Pissed me off but now I back them up and it hasn't crashed.

whatever said:

3) Some versions of the maps have a lot of missing locations -- are the current maps any good?

This is my only concern. Some maps are not up to date and TomTom's policy on providing updates seems extremely patchy / non-existent. Upshot is the actual software is really cheap and the GPS usea standard NMEA codes so will work with virtually all GPS mapping apps on Pocket PC so you can always switch and use the same hardware. I am VERY impressed with the sensitivity of the TomTomGPS unit. Don't know who's chip it is, but it say there 7 satellites up IN MY GARAGE with the door closed and no view of the sky whatsoever. Amazing.

whatever said:

4) Many BT receivers seem to be unreliable for long-term use -- something to do with fragile charging circuits, it seems. Is this something anyone here has experienced?

Nope, deliberately didn't buy the BT unit. What's the point when you have to charge it up and if it goes dead in the car, run it off another power cable to the cigar lighter. much neater just having the small wire from the cradle to the receiver on the wired version. I tied my cable up and it's only a 6-inch run from cable to GPS. Secondly if you have to swerve, the cabled GPS doesn't fly off the dash unlike the BT unit, unless you want to velcro it onto your dash.

whatever said:

5) How effective is the auto-recalculation (say, if I go off-route). Can it keep up in time for the next turn?

Good and fast IMO, although it has taken me down a couple of back streets unneccessarily.

whatever said:

6) Is the speed-camera/POI add-on software any good?

Good because it's free but for some reason a lot of my cameras are offset by about 20m to the East (I think). Annoying but useful, especially in Blackpool where cameras rule.

whatever said:

7) Are the routes calculated reliable?

Never failed me yet. Astounded at some of the predicaments I deliberately put it into. Good test yesterday when TT got us back from the back end of Clitheroe to Grimsargh a lot faster than anyone else, even two other sat-nav equipped cars that went different routes. Fair enough we were blasting down country lanes and had a hoot muddying up the CTR and they were on A-roads, but who cares. TT won...!

[GCerbera]

Anyone used the European map package extensively?

I am away on tour a lot and I don't have time to
work maps.