Post by: jwboyd on February 28, 2007, 07:09:43 PM
Would like to hear from anyone who has experience with this or other models of such. How well do they work, what features should I look for, and what are the advantages/disadvantages?
Thanks to all.
Joe
Post by: RNKIII on February 28, 2007, 07:42:01 PM
Sure RHP will be along soon, He has one that he swears by and has used it all over the place.
Know from checking for my own enlightenment... that both the TomTom 510 and TomTom 1 are good items.
Good luck in your search... and let us know what you decide on.
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: RHPConsult on March 02, 2007, 02:39:48 AM
I got my first TomTom GPS because it was the only supplier who provided a product for a Palm. . . aka Navigator 5. It has been both fun and a very frequent a time saver, when seeking and reaching a new address. I've used it all across the country and in Hawaii. It consists of a sensor that rests on the dash and a holder for Palm Pilot (w/wired and Bluetooth connections)
Last December, I purchased a free-standing "Go" model for my brother-in-law's new car . . . as a result of our getting lost (going East instead of West) while exiting St. Louis airport at 10 o'clock one night – he from Ohio, we from California, both trying to get to Columbia, MO for a funeral.
Last summer, my Navigator "found" us when we got lost at 11pm trying to return to a hotel (via a forested route) from downtown Alexandria, VA, following our attending the celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding. We were really lost, really, when "the voice" known as "Lori" told me to make a U-turn. 4 minutes later we emerged from the forest and there was our hotel. BINGO.
My brother-in-law was somewhat reluctant to accept the gift, (thinking it a bit extravagant) until he had about 10 minutes experience with it. Now he could be a TomTom "spokesman"!
Compared to the Palm "accessory" model, the newest "Go" model has a major positive change: the maps are already installed when you get the device. Don't settle for any other arrangement. Loading the maps onto the Palm was the only downside of getting Navigator initially set-up. All brands, I believe, now have the same "feature" of preloaded maps.
I very much like the bright screen of TomTom (it can be reduced at night), the "voice" (of 6 available, 3 male, 3 female) that provides informative audible prompts, PLUS the text legends that change as you move along the map, giving such useful data as . . .
- what the next change of direction will be on your chosen route
- the mileage to that direction change
- the time required to drive to that direction change
- the identity of your present route (number or name)
- the identity of the route when you make the direction change
- an estimated time before arriving at your destination
Only real downside (and I cannot comment on Garmin or Magellan) is its lethargic tech support. OK w/on-line FAQs, but a somnolent pace of its phone support. Fortunately, such support is not needed in any great measure.
Let me know if you need any further information. "Go" for it!
Post by: Parker on March 02, 2007, 12:40:49 PM
Personally, i'm all for in-car nav, but when you've got to go portable, you've got to go portable.
Post by: Ken on March 02, 2007, 12:56:58 PM
The software is the difference. There's a reason they are the oldest in the GPS business and have tried to make their software as user friendly as possible. The downside is that though they have proported to have Mac friendly software available to update Points of interest and map routes, they still have not released it. At this time, you will need a Win machine to do any updating.
Best,
Ken
Post by: Parker on March 02, 2007, 01:00:50 PM
you took the words right out of my mouth!
Post by: RHPConsult on March 02, 2007, 02:55:28 PM
Not sure what our colleagues mean by "programming." e.g. if I want to go from home to, say an address in Santa Barbara, CA or Coshocton, OH, or Santa Fe, NM here are the steps in TomTom:
- Turn on the sensor
- Wait perhaps 10 seconds while the satellites are acquired (this process is aided quite significantly if you first back out of your garage!!!
- "Accept" (tap) the boilerplate warning that driving and setting the TomTom (simultaneously) may not be the smartest thing to do! (You only have to do this once in a given trip)
- Touch (tap) a "Navigate to . . ." icon – select a State (tap), a City (tap) – which may already be in your displayed roster – a Street )tap), and a Number (tap,tap,tap,tap)
- Answer a YES/NO query as to whether you wish to avoid toll roads on the journey (tap)
- Wait another 3 seconds as the route is calculated and BINGO you've got a path to follow, visually and auditorily
Oh yes, don't forget to close the garage door.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 02, 2007, 04:05:41 PM
QUOTE
tap, tap, tap...
Is that the Raven or your neighborhood hawk! 
I don't know what brand my son uses, but he likes the last one he got, I'll email my Granddaughters! He is as far from a 'rocket scientist' as they come and he claims it's easy to use and gives great directions and warnings about upcoming turns.
As for opinions about which brand is best, you'll probably get positive reports from everyone who has one! My biggest concern would be updating the locations database in these things. Perhaps they are now capable of accessing a 'main-frame' database back at the factory for that kind of stuff.
Post by: MamaMoose on March 02, 2007, 04:41:17 PM
I have had two Gamin's. But, I sold them because after OS 10 and my G5, I could not program routes or way points because Garmin has not fixed the USB software so it will work with a Mac. Since my first Garmin used a serial port it was easy to connect to my G4 using a serial-USB connector. My second Garmin was USB based and since All Garmin software is Windows based, I could not run it using Virtual PC 6 on my new G5. The problem was the USB and VPC 7 did not work with a G5 and 2) all the virtualization software I tried, none gave me a clean USB connection between the Garmin and Mac. A year ago Garmin attended MacWorld Expo and promised a fix that allowed Garmin software to work on a Mac by Jan 2007. We are still waiting!
I finally gave up and bought a Tom Tom GO 910 as Dick advised. Like Dick, I am satisfied with it although the mapping software for setting up routs and way points is not as good as Garmin's, it is adequate for all my travel needs. One note of warning - The TomTom software does not work with multi-processor Macs. It will work with all single processor Intel and PPC Macs. However, for multi- CPU Macs, one can program directly from the unit although it is not as convenient as seeing the maps on your monitor screen. Clearly, TomTom will have to resolve this soon since most Macs have multiple processors.
MamaMoose
Post by: RHPConsult on March 02, 2007, 04:58:23 PM
QUOTE
Is that the Raven or your neighborhood hawk!
Those nine (count- 'em –9) "taps" are the total "programming" chores, or whatever, required to lay out a path to the nearest village or clear across the country.
Tom
I'm glad I have mine (even though it's the older CD-to-SE card system), but having all the maps the US and Canadian already installed (as in my brother-ion-law's new model) makes set-up a no-brainer, latest and greatest. I assume new maps would be internet downloads.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 02, 2007, 07:20:07 PM
Post by: RHPConsult on March 03, 2007, 01:10:25 AM
QUOTE
. . . and if their mapping and Mac access is no better than MapQuest, fergitit!
But, IMHO it really is much, MUCH, better. TomTom and Mac have far less difficulty cohabiting than Palm and Mac, IME(xperience)You may on occasion find yourself sailing along and only to discover that something on the ground is just not "right" on the display, but those are really infrequent – in my experience. Far more frequently are the occasions when observers in my vehicle have said . . . "How do they do that?"
I don't recall the name of TomTom's map source. It's not Google.
Since it's a British Company (headquartered in Amsterdam, I believe) HighMac or George may know. I'll find out and post it.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 03, 2007, 09:23:34 AM
OTOH, us younguns have long range plans for the future!
Fortunately, I don't have/need one of these marvels, Judy never lets me have a car with more than half a tank of gas! If I need more than that, she goes with me! And she's a great navigator! Plus, she has all the money for the extra gas!
I'm still just the "driver"! 
Post by: Gregg on March 03, 2007, 10:50:55 AM
Post by: RNKIII on March 03, 2007, 11:45:06 AM
You mean like "Zuni" 
Bob K.
Post by: RHPConsult on March 03, 2007, 07:23:16 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Mar 3 2007, 07:23 AM) [snapback]120789[/snapback]
Well, I gues the updating feature is not too important to some of our more "aged" members...
OTOH, us younguns have long range plans for the future!
Fortunately, I don't have/need one of these marvels, Judy never lets me have a car with more than half a tank of gas! If I need more than that, she goes with me! And she's a great navigator! Plus, she has all the money for the extra gas! I'm still just the "driver"!
Well now, Let me say this about that/thoseOTOH, us younguns have long range plans for the future!
Fortunately, I don't have/need one of these marvels, Judy never lets me have a car with more than half a tank of gas! If I need more than that, she goes with me! And she's a great navigator! Plus, she has all the money for the extra gas!
I'm still just the "driver"! - I can't say I know exactly, but I would guess that when a whole set of new maps are issued, you'll get a) a replacement SE card, or b) a download to the existing card. Either would be quite different from the 9, that's riiiight, 9, DVDs I received that required DLing to my Palm's SE cards.
- Yahoo! Judy. Sounds like a Plan to me/us!
• • •
A couple more data points, Joe.FWIW: While walking through a Target store today, I spied a display that had the latest models of the 3 "majors", plus a couple of brands of GPS I'd never seen before.
I had previously never seen such an easy to observe side-by-side display as was this one. Admitting to my bias, seeing the 3 "leaders:, Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom again reminded me why, when looking for a gift GPS for my brother-in-law, I stuck w/TomTom.
IMO,
- Magellan is way too bulky . . . you'll be glad, for example, when you can easily pick-up your device and move it from car to car, indeed, even to someone else's car.
- Garmin's maps are too b-u-s-y, too cluttered. There is some information you really don't need, since you can simply look out the car window and see if that's a greenbelt on your left!
- TomTop's colors are designed to make them readily discernible when negotiating traffic on the freeway. I don't want a gazetteer – or the National Geographic Magazine –I want an effective sketch map, and I thihk TomTom does that really well
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 03, 2007, 08:32:53 PM
QUOTE
or b) a download to the existing card.
Like, ya know, hold it up in front of the screen?The salient problem still remains: How? If the Mac is not capable of 'talking' to the unit ( any unit ), how does one get the downloaded info into the unit?!?!
I have yet to see that question answered. Period. All I see is 'promises' of Mac support, No Mac support and "Who needs support?" That the units work and nicely is beside the point if, in the next 90 days, new roads open, new industries open, new stores open, old roads close, old industries close, old...well, you get the picture. Most phone books are useless after 180 days, but at least I don't have to pay $300 for them. There simply must be something in the literature/web site/help screens that describes how to update these things or why they have all the navigation/location knowledge that mankind will ever need already installed.Or, perhaps these are meant to be disposable?
BTW, I love a gazetteer! Especially when planning ones trip or knowing where stuff is off the beaten track! And no body makes better ones than the Brits!
Post by: Gregg on March 03, 2007, 08:48:38 PM
QUOTE(RNKIII @ Mar 3 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]120803[/snapback]
You mean like "Zuni" Bob K.
Isn't it "Zune"? At least it rhymes with what it does.
This interruption is not designed to unravel the thread. Please ignore it and carry on with the original discussion...
Post by: RHPConsult on March 04, 2007, 12:53:18 AM
You don't appear to need a GPS . . . since you clearly are able to jump to conclusions plenty fast, w/o assistance!
I don't think I ever said TomTom can't "talk" to the Mac. What I did note was that downloading a chosen subset of maps from their location on one (or more) of 9 DVDs to a memory card and/or a Palm was NOT intuitive. That's a non-issue now, given the product enhancement of having all US (50-state) and Canadian maps coming on an SE card. Period.
IMExperience, maps do not change (i.e are upgraded) as frequently as, say, Firefox, or Graphic Converter (e.g, as often as new shopping centers open anywhere in the "lower 48"), but much less frequently (about as often as I-80 gets a brand new interchange E of the Mississippi) . . . so to speak!
The more frequent miscue I receive is that the street that should be there, jest ain't, OR I'm driving on a street that only displays as a dashed line, not an identified thoroughfare. Even Google, in a related example, has me living 2 doors away from my actual address (for the last 40 years); so everything's a work in progress, I guess
Post by: csonni on March 04, 2007, 05:29:20 AM
http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=12667
Here's the screen review I was referring to:
http://tinyurl.com/86qs8
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 04, 2007, 08:23:08 AM
I'm glad you are happy with yours!
I've heard many positive reports of TomToms. In my earlier years it would have been great to have one of these since Judy and I traveled more and mostly off the beaten track. Of course, that was before any usable satellites were in orbit! 
Still, it's not that unusual to have a detour on highways through the 'mountains' of east Tennessee ( and around weldigger's area! ) so it would handy to have this help available. We'll also be making trips to FL for the foreseeable future and, not being familiar with the state, these things could help. Of course, I can always call up some local TSers and ask for directions ( if not how to update my 'guidance device' 
). I'll review your responses above, I seem to have missed to info about using the Mac to update a TomTom.
Post by: RHPConsult on March 04, 2007, 11:14:00 AM
QUOTE
I have no idea what an "SE" is, nor does Google or Wikipedia.
Oh, oh! typo!. Charge that off to having gotten up at 4a to drive the gang to SFO for their journey to Disneyworld (Yes it was cold and rainy when they got there!)How does SecureDigital sound? Sorry.
Csonni I return to my earlier theme(s) . . .
- Some displays are far too busy . . . competent human factors engineers could have advised the software authors about that. I suspect TomTom had such advice.
- These devices are useful to save time and avoid problems, but they should not (IMHO) display encyclopaedic data
- Maybe the new TomToms are brighter, Those "review" pics don't look like what I see every day or so in Kalifior-nia's sunshine!
- TomTom's colors are NOT natural . . . they are designed for legibility for the QUICK GLANCES you'll give them, when the voice prompts need some embellishment. After all, at 70 mph you're going 176 fps, – not a good time to be reading "fine print" If ANY display gave a traditional paper-map portrayal. IMO it would be essentially useless.
Post by: kimmer on March 04, 2007, 01:50:17 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Mar 4 2007, 06:23 AM) [snapback]120871[/snapback]
In my earlier years it would have been great to have one of these since Judy and I traveled more and mostly off the beaten track. Of course, that was before any usable satellites were in orbit! Still, it's not that unusual to have a detour on highways through the 'mountains' of east Tennessee ( and around weldigger's area! ) so it would handy to have this help available.
Still, it's not that unusual to have a detour on highways through the 'mountains' of east Tennessee ( and around weldigger's area! ) so it would handy to have this help available.Just a point of curiosity. One of the issues that surfaced when the Kim family was lost here in Oregon was the lack of GPS info for many of the "off the beaten track" roads around here -- and there are TONS of them. So how reliable are these GPS systems for your cars?
Post by: RHPConsult on March 04, 2007, 02:15:19 PM
I very much doubt if any "commercial" device <10,000 dollars has software that displays logging roads in the (really) back woods of OR, MN, CO, AL, CA or MI. Or a lot of other places.
TomTom does do a great job in the tiny township roads in Amish Country, in Ohio, however. Because Ohio has such an abundance of paved, "1.88-lane" county roads out in the absolute boondocks (Dick Miller and Dolphin can confirm), such roads appear. I can't speak for rural Oregon, except I don't believe that private logging roads (that were supposed to be behind locked gates) will be revealed.
But, if you're cruising along I-5 and want to know how many restaurants are in the next 30 miles (No! no Julia Child recommendations) it'll do it, w/o requiring you to know any addresses. So to w/gas stations (Sorry, George, petrol).
OTOH, if you want to find a plumbing supply store in Eugene that you've never visited, but you have an address, it will put you in the right block, if not precisely in the driveway. National Park camping areas, city halls, hospitals . . . yup.
But, logging roads, I don't think so. The handheld that my grandson has will do trails in Yosemite's back country, but at 13 he can read a topo map probably better than 98.675 per cent of TeeEssers!
I can't tell you how many times guests in our car exclaim, "How does it DO that?" when TomTom does its thing!
Post by: Gregg on March 04, 2007, 03:14:10 PM
QUOTE(csonni @ Mar 4 2007, 05:29 AM) [snapback]120867[/snapback]
I have read that TomTom's screes aren't very bright in daylight.
Of course, if you tend to get lost only at night....
Bright at night -
Dumb in the daytime?
Post by: kimmer on March 04, 2007, 09:45:35 PM
QUOTE(RHPConsult @ Mar 4 2007, 12:15 PM) [snapback]120886[/snapback]
But, logging roads, I don't think so.
Thanks, Richard. I was really curious because if you pick up most any paper map in this area -- from the ones the realtors give away, to the AAA maps, to the Thomas' maps -- they all show the logging roads. They also state "Closed in winter". I would think that the fancy-schmancy GPS maps should know this stuff as well. That's just me.
I'm really old school. I get paper maps and I check with AAA and locals before I head out to unknown territory.
Post by: Gregg on March 05, 2007, 07:08:47 AM
Speaking of updated maps...
Picked up a 2006 Wisconsin map at the auto show Saturday. Just thought I'd check for such things. The blow-up of downtown still shows St. Paul Avenue (Street?) as one way eastbound up to Water Street. Maybe that's why I've encountered at least two drivers coming at me in my lane over the last two months!
To be fair, that change is part of the Marquette Interchange rebuilding project. It probably was still one way there when the '06 map was being printed.
Just curious: do GPS maps show one way streets?
Post by: jwboyd on March 09, 2007, 11:08:45 AM
I still think I would find such a system very useful in our travels, and that the TomTom One would be my choice. Unfortunately, my wife and I cannot agree on the need for such, so we won't be getting one anytime soon.
With regard to the screen brightness issue: I had already decided that if I got a TomTom, I would make some kind of a hood to shade the screen. Now I find that there is a visor on the market for this specific purpose. It's called "GlareBuster," and is available on eBay for under $20 USD.
Again, thanks for all the input.
Joe
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 09, 2007, 11:17:53 AM
Post by: RHPConsult on March 09, 2007, 11:35:05 AM
QUOTE
. . .that change is part of the Marquette Interchange rebuilding project. It probably was still one way there when the '06 map was being printed.
Just curious: do GPS maps show one way streets?
I've wondered just how maps get translated into the SW. I've assumed that the TomTom's "mapper" (not a corporate name I'm familiar with) uses some kind of governmental sources, rather than subscribe to the National Geographic, or rely on Monks in some Ancient Library. Just curious: do GPS maps show one way streets?
The larger point, IMO, is that using a GPS device doesn't free one from driving, it embellishes your presumed driving skill to reduce chances of getting lost. I doubt if anyone, even with the $5k system in the new Porsche I had a chance to ride in yesterday, ever thinks they can stop reading signs out there on the landscape.
One-way streets? Of course.
Joe
Keep checking prices in the various on-line ads. Prices have been coming down over the last 6 months in 100 dollar increments!
Post by: Gregg on March 09, 2007, 12:15:57 PM
One block from where I am sitting, so, obviously, on the same street as "my" office, there is a block of Broadway in downtown Milwaukee (that would be the 400 block) that is one way and two way.
Yep. Halfway down the block it changes from a one way street to a two way street! (or vice versa if you're coming from the other direction) I kid you not!
I bet your fancy GPS won't tell you that!!!
Post by: jwboyd on March 09, 2007, 04:37:27 PM
About an hour after I last posted, my granddaughter called and said, "Something was delivered to my office a while ago that you just have to see!"
I didn't think too much about it since their business has been acquiring new equipment recently, both in the office and in the back shop. It's always nice to be invited to share their joy.
So I went to see what they had, and they handed me a TomTom One! She and her mother (our daughter) said it was an early birthday/Christmas present. My birthday is in June, and you know when Christmas is.
I spent about a half hour setting it up and experimenting with it, and I'm THRILLED! My wife probably thinks I entered into some kind of conspiracy with them, but such is definitely not the case. At any rate, I look forward to giving it a workout next week when we visit relatives in Dallas and Houston.
Best regards to all
Joe
Post by: kimmer on March 09, 2007, 07:31:43 PM
Enjoy the toy!
Post by: RHPConsult on March 09, 2007, 08:28:48 PM
I'll be interested in which "voice" you choose from the 6. We like "Lori". In fact, we call it (her) Lori, as in "Will Lori get us there?"
Another vignette. We were in Columbia, Missouri for a memorial service just before New Years. I had to go to a local pharmacy for a prescription, perhaps a mile and a half away from our hotel. NOT rocket science.
Snowy night. "Lori" found the pharmacy address, precisely, w/o incident. It took 15 or so minutes before I was ready for the return trip. I didn't turn TomTom on upon reentering the car, and consequently missed a major right turn, continuing on a main road until I realized I was lost, but not quite; i.e., I thought I knew where I was. Ten minutes later I knew I was really lost in the hills west of Columbia. Ran out of street lights, and street signs and house numbers . . . farm country. Nothing, absolutely nothing visible on the horizon to help.
Flipped "Lori" on. "She" told me to turn around "when possible". Proceeded to take me through 5 or 6 L and R turns and Bingo, there was the hotel on the left, even though I was sure it was going to appear on the right!
So after wandering for 15-20 minutes in the dark-and-snowy-night, I was safely "home" in 5 thanks to TomTom . . .1800 miles from Kalifornia.
Post by: Gregg on March 10, 2007, 09:26:28 AM
Yeah... dark, snowy - makes a big difference.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 19, 2007, 08:04:11 PM
No frills, doesn't connect to anything, "Just the facts, ma'am."