I was in San Francisco 2 weeks ago, and took my TomTom with me in the rental car. I was only in the city for one evening, and can't recall a moment when I lost the signal. I got there driving up 280, and headed to Fishermans Warf, and then on the way out of the city, I drove around Union Square. I have lost the signal when I'm on a country road that has a lot of trees and the road is "in a valley". That happened to me this past weekend, when I was driving some back roads in West Virginia, but in most cases the "loss" was for only a few seconds, and it quickly recovers.

The Go 300 & 700 do support an external antenna, according to information on the TomTom web site.

Oh, and I always loose the satellite signal when I travel thru one of the tunnels here in Pittsburgh , but the Assisted Satellite Navigation (ASN) helps a little to keep me on track.

 

Forgot to respond to this in my first reply

TomTom uses the Navteq maps for it's map sources, the same as Google Maps, and many of the factory navigation systems. They do offer upgrades, and if you check out the TomTom web site, you'll see what their upgrades are for the original TomTom Go GPS system. Prices seem pretty reasonable, but I don't know what Garmin or Magellan charges, so these prices may be high. I do know the DVD upgrades for factory systems are in the $300 price range.

Oh, and I notice TomTom has released an OS X client for upgrading and installing updates on the GPS units, that's a huge bonus for me. :smile:

 

When reading the TomTom reviews, the original TomTom seems to recieve better reviews than the 300 or 700 regarding the maps. I assume all three systems use the same technology so I am not sure why this is. I am almost tempted to buy the older TomTom from last year based on user feedback. I wish I could find a local store that will demo it for me.

 

Any difference between ttg 300 and 700? I know the 700 is all in 1. So it doesn't need to load extra maps. Other than that, what's the diff. Since I am thinking about spending the less $$ and get ttg 300.

 

TomTom Go 300
CPU 200Mhz
Memory 34MB + SD card
5 hour battery life

TomTom Go 700
CPU 400Mhz
Memory 64MB + 2.5GB hard disk
4 hour battery life
Available Remote Control
Hands-free calling via Bluetooth (requires Bluetooth enabled mobile phone)

These are the differences. This information was extracted from the TomTom website

 

the tom tom currently use v567 of the teleatlas maps.

see www.mytomtomgo.com in the forums section in the us/canada
area on discussion of map accuracy.

 

Isn't it if just want the US map (I don't want any map swaping within US), and don't care about BT dialing... then ttg 300 is good enough?

 

Your right. I don't know where I was recalling that (wrong) information from. thanks for the correction.

 

Does anyone think the TomTom GO can be mounted below the toggle switches somehow?

I'm really picky with this stuff. I want navi, but I didnt like the factory NAV's appearance, so I didnt get it.

I think the TomTom is great, but I don't like the way it looks when it's stuck on the windsheild. I might have to just deal with it though.

Any suggestions?

 

I've got the Garmin Nuvi 350, & I stick it onto the side of the center speedo. Sure, it looks sort of ugly there, but less so than on the windshield... plus it doesn't obstruct any of your view of the road.

Incidentally if you're looking at the TomTom, I'd suggest you have a close look at the Nuvi. It has the Sirf III chipset for better satellite lock (the latest TomToms *might* have this now, until recently they didn't) and the U.S. maps are supposedly better (Navteq database).

 

I would like to see if this is possible as well (with either the TomTom or Nuvi). I don't want it on the windshield/dash or speedo if I can help it. Has anyone else mounted their GPS anywhere other than those two places?

 

I have been using Nav 5 from TOM-TOM with a Palm Tungsten E-2 since March.
On the whole, the device rocks! Yes the palm cradle allows for an external antenna hookup as well as speaker hookup. Cost was $185 US for the Palm, $250 US for the software package incl cradle. I also have the John Cleese voice and my co-riders can't stop laughing at his sayings. If you go this route, get a SD card of 1gb for the Palm to load all the maps. The software came with 7 CD's of programs and map downloads.
Now on the cons:
The US maps are really not accurate. My daughter lives 4 miles west of us. Has so for the last 4 years. TOM-TOM still does not have the street listed in the database. The US is divided into regions, ie: West; Plains, etc. Colorado is in the Plains. When going from here (Colorado) to say Utah which is in the West section, you have to manually change the map.
It seems to take a long time to aquire a GPS signal even in open area, ie:parking lot, not moving. I have to disconnect the power cord (or reboot) 3 or 4 times to get a signal.

Still over all, it is a great product.

David
03 S Alta pulley, Intake, and 19mm sway bar
OVREASY in the Rockies