What's tomtom all about?

[the_sanguine]

I'm getting an XDAII as my company mobile. How good it tomtom? What do I need to buy? How does it compare with Garmin?

[the_sanguine]

I rthought somebody would know

[rct]

Apparently it is very good although I haven't used it myself. Some good reviews of competing products can be found here: http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/menu_gpsstreetrouting.php

[the_sanguine]

Thanks, I'll take a look. I was interested to know how it compares with the Garmin products

[laser]

I have been using TomTom on PocketPC connected to a GPS antenna in the car and find it excellent. I especially like the 3D map view and horizon and like it just as much as Garmin. It's difficult to say which is better as you may like some features with either Garmin or TomTom do better. Either way I don't think you'd be disappointed with TomTom.

I've also added the speed camera locations (POI) with TomTom and CheckPoint3.2 which I really like. Not sure if this can be done with Garmin software.

[the_sanguine]

As I get the XDA for free, it seems a cheap option. If it's as good as Garmin it may be the way to go. Is the Tomtom GPS receiver the way to go or can I get any with a bluetooth interface? I need something small and portable that I can move from vehicle to vehicle (including a motorbike).

How do you get the audio out? I have seen devices that are FM transmitters but surely that procludes you from listening to the radio?....although maybe I could use the RDS feature and listen to CD?

[CDphobe]

I've never used a Garmin solution so can't compare the two, but am happy with the Tomtom solution that I use (v2 on an iPAQ 5450 using a Fortuna wired receiver).

For a receiver, the Tomtom B/T receiver doesn't get the best write-ups in the world, and being silver can cause annoying reflections on the screen. The Fortuna Clip-On gets good press if you're looking at alternate B/T GPS solutions. You may find the pocketgps site useful, especially the forums there and also the comparison tables (especially http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/compar....php?TempID=15)

If you manage to find a solution that uses RDS then I'd be really interested, but I understand that the RDS process requires a specific paging signal and I'm not aware of any system that'll do this. However, there are plenty of mounting solutions available, including some with amplifiers built-in, and both Seidio and Holux may have products suitable for your need. There is one other option, which is to use the bluetooth connection to a personal headset. However, two points to note.
1) I understand that Tomtom 3 uses a B/T driver that locks the serial port for B/T to the GPS mouse so you can't use another B/T device - I'm told an alternate driver is available but I don't have a copy
2) You would need to be sure that the XDA could cope with such a solution, I believe you need an "Audio Gateway" profile on the device to enable it to work this way - see also the write-up on the iPAQ 6315 on the pocketgps website.

Good luck, Al

[the_sanguine]

Thanks...useful info.

I guess on a motorcycle, I could use an autocom. It's in the car I need to work out the best audio solution. I just though RDS would be a good option...maybe I should patent the idea!

[Daftboy]

Great, but the maps are well out of date. I'd tell anyone to wait for version 4. Even the M6 toll is missing.

[the_sanguine]

When is V4 out? Will it be the same price? Will there be a charge to upgrade?

[dts_boy]

m6 toll is missing, but you have to be blind not to notice it when driving!
i use tom tom 3 and its more than good enough for my needs and i travel up and down the country all the time. you can add in software to it such as a 7digit postcode which i find tremendously useful.

[Daftboy]

Oh....Oh.....Where can I get this software. I got lost trying to find a hotel last night that was 3 miles away from my destination.

[the_sanguine]

when is v4 out? Is it worth waiting or is the upgrade free?

[Daftboy]

I doubt it will be a free upgrade. My guess is that early next year Feb / Mar we will see the upragde around the £30 - £50 mark.
BTW, anyone see the Sony one on the Gadget Show last night? Looked fantastic as it shows surrounding buildings and road markings.

[FatBoyii]

I have TomTom 3 on an IPAQ. I was so pleased I brought the TomTomGo as a present for my Dad. I am big fan of the TomTom3 bluetooth. The only bug is that you need to have the reciever switched on before running the TT3 prog on the PDA. There is a free full PostCode finder available and I have the Speed Camera download from www.pocketgps.co.uk. Having always had sat nav in the cars radio I was worried about the lack of a speed sensor to give the unit a more acurate position on the digital map, however, it has never missed a turning, even at dificult multi junctions in london. I would give it 9/10.