Sat NAv

Havn't a clue... Many places I know of would be classed as competitors. There is a website that compares satnav prices... That might be useful to you... Though remember it doesn't check everywhere.

I purchased mine based on the fact I could use some vouchers I had available... It may not have been the cheapest (Didn't check) but mine was approx £170 for the T model.

Note that I've seen quite a few go on online auction sites and so long as you don't mind a second hand model then this may be something worth considering. If you go down this route remember to check prices for the 720/720T too, as occasionally these can go cheaper (I guess if people are looking for 520's they may forget about the 720's)... Exactly the same but with European maps, too.
 
Jimmy1983 said:
Where is the cheapest place to pick up a 520?
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The very cheapest places will be possibly selling you a grey import - might want to check warranty information.

I went for the 730 a month or so ago - really nice unit.
I didn't go for the 730T - just didn't think that the traffic unit was worth it.

A quick search and I could get the 520 for £150inc - not sure about competitors, but that was at a famous "once books only" etailer.
They list the 520 Traffic Edition for £160inc.
 
RastaManBob said:
Only an opinion; Navigon are truly useless. I bought the 2100 from Halfords. It is not exactly the same as the 2100 MAX with a few differences... Smaller screen, no photo viewer, no RealityView Pro (RealityView standard an optional upgrade; See below), few others minor points. Cost £90.

snip

In all, I’d really advise you stay away from Navigons… A lot of potential but it really doesn’t deliver. I’d advise you decide on a price and buy the best TomTom available… The “core” working of them is great so even a basic ONE (Available for around the £100 mark, I believe) would do a sterling job… A little more just gives greater flexibility allowing more gadgets and possibly even more maps (E.g., 530, 730, etc). I also believe that the x40 series will be coming out shortly, meaning certain price cuts to be had.
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One big difference that you haven't mentioned is that the Max runs software version 7, whereas the 2100 non-max runs version 6... from reading around, it is clear that version 6 sucks big... the US version of the Max runs 6, and rarely gets good reviews, but I've not read a bad review of the European model. Also, the 2100 Max has a faster processor, making the software and route calculations more snappy.

I have also been looking at the Garmins, but there is one thing in particular that puts me off... after 1 year the speed camera function is disabled unless you subscribe, which I'm not keen to do. I prefer a deveice that maintains functionality throughout it's life while accepting that it won't be totally up-to-date.
 
I agree my 2100max has worked flawlessly since I got it a few weeks ago, no crashes, no hangs nothing. By the time I've got to reversing out of my road its got a GPS fix, and its routing seems to be pretty good.

As a test today I ran both my 530T and 2100max side by side. The Navigon ran smoother, with nicer looking maps, gave just as accurate directions, and its lane assist and Reality View worked at every motorway junction, the TomTom was not working at any of the M1 junctions I came off of.

To be honest for the £150 effectively the 2100max with TTS and Traffic has cost me I'd rate it as good at basic nav functions as the TomTom and the padded functions which aid in navigations better.
 
You don't need to stick with the garmin speed cam database. pocketgpsworld has it for £20 a yr and that database is updated more accurately !

Just use POIloader to put them on and all is good.


After having and using all *** current makes of satnav I could not use anything other than the garmin for complex routing really.
 
Seems it all boils down to personal perference then, I s'pose :) Glad there are so many makes out that we all can get the one we want. I still stand by the TomTom doing the much better job, and suits my uses perfectly but I can certainly appreciate others having their own favourites.
 
They show a dock which I got with my 520, 720 and 530 but never got a printed manual with any of them.
 
markyp23 said:
The USB docking station is fairly important. Chase up the seller.
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Well its my fault really, as he stated what you saw was for sale being the unit, cig charger and sticky to windscreen mount. Cant you just use a cable to connect to your PC? Ive got a camera USB that I think will fit-not tried it yet tho. Why do you need the docking station?
 
I'd *imagine* that a normal USB cable could be use instead of the dock (I don't believe it does anything fancy) but I cannot say I've ever tried... The only printed manual you get it one of those quick start guides in a million different languages. Due to the number of languages it may look pretty comprehensive but believe me it isn't! (I kept reading over it again and again thinking I must have missed the bit on how to remove the 520 from the screen mount... Didn't want to just pull it apart incase there was some technique to it... But it didn't even explain this [Not that the full manual does either though, mind]).

You can get a PDF of the full user manual, you'd get this on the CD with the device but if you havn't get that it is available on the TomTom website. English (UK) is available here:

LINK
 
As I said, I've never tried a straight cable but I'd have thought they'd be the same. I'd imagine TomTom included a docking station simply being it "looks" nice and gives more value to the product (I certainly thought it made the TomTom "package" look a lot more valuable). The TomTom also charges when connected to the computer (This could be the difference? But I'd doubt it... Unless the docking station has some extra power stage built in) and so having it in a dock makes it much easier to use the device (Eg, to plan an route before leaving home, etc) then holding it with a floating cable.

None the less, my suggestion would be just plug the TomTom into the PC and try! It is only a simple mini USB... When connected Windows should see it as a removable drive but it should autorun (If this is enabled on your computer) a script which checks is TomTom HOME software is installed and if so uses it, if not downloads the latest version. If you prefer you could always install TomTom HOME now (Download from the TomTom website) and then simply connect the TomTom to the computer (When switched on) and then launch HOME. If everything works, then I'd imagine it confirm the dock to be purely cosmetic... But I've never tried myself so cannot confirm either way!

Connected to HOME is useful for a variety of reasons; Backing the device up (Though do NOT trust HOME to do this; Do an explorer back up yourself), Adding things to the device (Maps, POI, Voices, Etc), Viewing whats on the device, Removing things from the device, updating the firmware on the device (I'd definitely do this incase it doesn't have v8 installed... This is free and v8 with v8 maps [Which are not free] add some extra features to the device) and a few other bits and bobs too.

EDIT: A quick search of Google shows a few places selling (And some are "Official TomTom products") "USB Data Cable". Seems to me that you'll get away with using this just fine :)
 
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Cheers RastaManBob, yer the cable works fine. Looks like the tomtom is getting charged aswell as the green light is on.

Quick couple of questions how do you enable a sound before/when a speed camera is shown on your display?

Do you guys always take the mount that attaches to the windscreen away with you and the tomtom when you lock you car up?
 
I have a dashboard disc which doubles up as a phone/pda holder too if need be for other mobile devices.
 
I'm going to be little to no use with regards to TomTom speed camera configurations - I pay a subscription to PocketGPSWorld and use their cameras. These are known to be one of (If not the) best speed camera database which are constantly updated and include mobile speed camera locations. I used the guide to set this up and with this I was able to specify at what distance before the camera (Which can be easily worked out when using the speed you'll be travelling at to be a reasonable number; I use 30 seconds in order to give me plenty of notice) the TomTom will alert you (Both visually and verbally). Any info required for this can be found on the above link, but will be no use for the TomTom speed camera database.

The removal of the mount etc is a personal thing. As I use my TomTom only on long distance or areas where I have no knowledge (Eg, such as going on holiday and when travelling around when actually at my destination) I store the TomTom in my house. Even when on holiday I'll remove the TomTom and take it indoors whenever I'm going to be leaving the car for any extended period. I also use a cloth to remove the ring when the satnav has been attached to remove any trace of it (Incase any potential crook thinks it may be hidden). Having said this, all of this is probably over kill but none the less it makes me feel better :p I'm sure many people just leave them in the car (Infact I often see cars parked with the mount still attached to the screen).
 
How do you enable a sound before/when a speed camera is shown on your display? Whats the deal with the speed camera at the mo tomtotm shows me the fixed ones-is it best to use PocketGPSWorld with your tomtom? How does it work-its doesnt replace the tomtom software?
 
As previously; I do not know how to enable a sound when a speed camera is shown... I never even bothered using my sat nav until I'd put the PocketGPSWorld database on as I knew even before purchasing the device that I wanted that database. I believe the TomTom software only does fixed locations though the PocketGPSWorld has portable ones too (Though of course it only lists the ones that people have submitted to the database so it is missing the odd one!). The TomTom certainly comes with the cameras disabled... There is an option you have to enable. I think this may be "Show safety reminders" in the preferences menu... Though hopefully somebody will confirm this as I never used them myself.

The PocketGPSWorld database does not replace the TomTom software. The database is simply installed as various Points of Interest (POI). These will show up on the map as you come to them. You can also specify if you'd like to receive an alert (Which you'd obviously want) at a set distance before it. This works alongside the TomTom software, though I'd advise disabling or removing the TomTom speed camera info if you're using the PocketGPSWorld database... No point in them both notifying of cameras.
 
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