Satnav help

[horkin]

Hi Guy's I'm sure I read about Satnavs on here but can't find it. Can anyone direct me or say which Tomtom you would suggest? I'm thinking of going to my local Halfords tomorrow to buy one. I don't need europe so want just a good uk unit..

[Tomo1971]

It depends on what you want out of them.

The most basic unit will do all the same routing/re-routing, alternatives, A to B, Itineries, avoid certain part of route etc as the most expensive ones.

The more expensive you go, you add the likes of bluetooth phone (handsfree) connection, mp3 players with FM modulators, text to speech, hard drives, RDS via TMC traffic warnings.

Even though I use mine on a daily basis for work sites (I am a telecoms engineer, visit sites that are on hillsides etc) I just use a TT One V2 GB. It has GB, Northern Ireland and Eire mapping.

The quality of the handsfree side of things gets a mixed response as does the traffic via the TMC reciever.

Try and go in Halfords when they arnt so busy and get the staff to let you have a go with them out the display case. I personally wouldnt move away from TT, when I tried a Garmin the navigation seemed awfully jerky and the re-routing was slower. Also, less chance to avoid certain parts of the route. With TT you can literally avoid the whole of a road (like 60 miles of the M6 etc), or just part of it. With garmins it will reroute you off the motorway but then just attempt to get you back on at the next junction. What if there is a major incident?

There is a new range of the Go series out about now starting with the 930, then the 730 and 530. These should see the prices of the 920/720/520 get a little lower. The Go range is a little more expensive than the TT Ones though.

Have a look at Pocket GPS World for more guidance, although there is that much info there you will probably regret looking!

Steve

[horkin]

Thank you Tomo for your help. Yes I got the impression from Google reviews etc that Tomtom were the best. I really don't need the 'Go' sereies and have in fact read where one or two were not too impressed. Mainly they said the reception was better on TT One.
As an older user I don't rally need bluetooth although mp3 is useful for all my '50's' music!!!
I will take your advice and try to get into Halfords tomorrow when hopefully (for me) most will be back to work and it should be quiet. I had thought of asking them to wire it in as my Fabia's 12v socket is near the handbrake. Less wires?? Cheers again.

[Tomo1971]

The older range of Go's as did the V1 of TT One had an older GPS chipset in. The newer ranges have a better and quicker to get a fix chipset, all are equal in that respect now.

An idea for mounting would be a brodit pro-clip and then a passive holder.

The proclip is vehicle specific and will clip, with no damage to a specific part of the dash. Then you can mount a passive holder to this that holds your new TomTom. (they make them for most of the TT's). This can either have a fag lighter on the end, or a fuse and bare wires for you to hide and run to the fuse box/12v supply.

I have not bothered doing this in the Octy as I dont use satnav in the car that often but am about to do it in the works van. It also gets rid of the mark on the screen from the sucker and looks more OEM and discreet.

Steve

[horkin]

Thanks Steve, Do Halfords do this brodit clip and passive holder thingy or where would I get them? I certainly agree the 'ring' on the window is not good. Cheers Harry. Oh! and thanks for the info re: reception improvements to later mods.

[Tomo1971]

No, halfords dont do them. I have just ordered 2 for the tranny from MountOnUs - Brodit Mounting Solutions for Vehicle Communication Accessories Online. but you can get them from Brodit Proclip Navman TomTom ALK Copilot Garmin Accessories Mounts Handnav Technology Ltd and a few others.

Brodit.se (but they dont sell them there)
car phone brackets: nokia car kits, Brodit Apple iPhone Holders: Smart Phone accessories (is a similar sort of thing)

The passive holder I have for the TT is the same holder as the one supplied with the unit but it has a solid plate on the back that is screwed/affixed to the proclip or other base. It has a power plug on it so when you insert the TT, it slips onto the power plug itself, no need to use 2 hands to plug in. Has bare wires so can be wired to a 12v source. Wires quite thin so can be routed past a trim panel to a 12v supply and earth easily.

Of course, if you change car you just buy another pro-clip and attatch the mount on that or vise versa if you change satnav.

Steve

[horkin]

Your a star..Even I can follow that and hopefully I'll be up and running quick time..thanks a million..Harry.