hi guys..

at the very beginning when I buy my car...I did not choose the navigation system... but now... i think i do need it...

i found one nav. onlline... the name is tomtom go 700 (which contained canada's map)

have anyone used it before in other model?

is this brand good?????


I need some comments... and thx guys..

 

Tomtomgo is top-notch...and it costs a top-notch dollar!

 

I just bought the TomTom Go 500. I bought it new on eBay for about $600, way less than the factory navigation from MINI. The product is absolutely awesome. The UI is top notch, the form factor is great, the mounting is really good. I am so happy I bought this unit instead of investing in the factory option. I was able to update the system by downloading a new version of the software from TomTom's web site. I don't know what MINI's policy is on getting Map updates, etc. but my brother has the factory navigation system in his Nissan, and they charge $400ish dollars for a new map DVD.

 

thanx for the INFOs, guys...realy appreciate it... i am looking forward to getting one , haha....can't wait

 

I use the TomTom here in London and it rocks!!!

A london cab driver told me that it was the best out there so I bought it. I am from Florida and I have no clue where I'm going in London.

User interface is great and it gets you within 30 yards of the spot. Well worth the dough. Check out http://www.pocketgps.co.uk They have all of the speed traps listed.

Kesh

 

acej80 - I would be very curious to see yours installed. I had the factory NAV system in my '02 but, while I liked the integrate approach, have decided against it for the new '06 I will be ordering. However, it was a very nice feature and I have been considering the TomTom. Will you be going to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix with the PittStop MINI Club? If so, I can check it out then. If not, I also work at the dealership - next time you are in ask someone if John Welsh is around - they'll find me.

BTW, the TomTom website is pretty cool, especially the product tour flash presentation. It's fun to check out even if you don't buy the product.

 

Heh. Interesting. After I posted I found this little picture. Does the dash look familiar to anyone?

 

I have had a TomTom GO for almost a year. I like the operational features, but, the U.S. maps are badly out of date and TomTom will make not commitments regarding when we'll see an upgrade. For what its worth...

 

I'll look you up the next time I'm there. Not sure if I'm going to make it to the VGP. TBH, that picture is pretty much what it looks like
:smile: . Although I put mine on the left side of the windscreen as close as possible to the pilllar.

 

I just bought a TomTom Go 300 and used it for about a week in DC and Virginia area. I really like this gaget as compared to other brands. I will have to agree that TomTom needs to work on their US map a bit, because I ran into some difficulties navigating to small streets a few times. Otherwise, I am all for it.

 

wow... so many people have used tomtom...

now i am pretty sure that tomtom is the one that i am looking for....


Thanks again guy!!!!!

 

Went out for a drive this past weekend, and happened to snap a picture out the windscreen with the TomTom unit on the left side. Picture is in my gallery

 

I thought this info might be helpful to you and other forum members to research our companies site and navigation solution for Mini enthusiasts; www.advancednavigation.com/mini We are a sponsor of NAM and we feature the only screen-less gps navigation system which talks to you with a human voice that gives your step by step instructions; street name, freeway signs exactly as you would read them, prepare to turn, and more, as you drive. It will do everything a 2k full featured nav will do and more, for under 1k! Even in it's permanent install configuration, it has portability, is hidden, and does not disturb the ambiance of the Mini cockpit. Try programming any nav system traveling at 70mph on the freeway, then see our downloadable video demo that does exactly that...seeing is believing! Thank you forum members.

 

I just got a TomTom 700. The thing kicks butt. Bluetooth phone integration for live traffic updates, and maps seem to be right on, from what I can tell (I live in the Northeast).

And, I've got John Cleese giving me directions (really, he's the first-- I think-- celebrity voice available) Highly recommended!

 

The traffic stuff is working in the US? I saw nothing on their web site indicating it was offered anywhere outside of Europe. Did you have to pay a subscription fee for the service? How is the "hands free" phone operation with the 700? Does the UI give you abilities to call "points of interest" numbers thru your cell phone? I have the TomTom 300, which has the traffic options with a bluetooth cell phone, but the 300 doesn't do the hand free phone stuff. I'm interested in the additional capabilities of the 700.

 

Yeah if that thing does Traffic here in So Cal...I'm going to be on that tomtom like Ricky Ricardo.

 

www.epinions.com is a good resource for product reviews, we have a system you may be interested in and you can view a demo of the system
www.advancednavigation.com/mini our's comes with 3 maps, one of which allows for street level mapping down to towns of 500 in population. And you get free map upgrades for 1 year. What ever system you select , remember almost all other systems come preloaded only with Navteq basic which will only allow for street level mapping down to cities or zip codes of a population of 100,000 after that you will not be able to program an address into it or see the street.
Les

 

If you don't mind my asking, what did they charge for Johnny? I think it'd be a real hoot, but I'm also kinda cheap...

 

http://www.tomtom.com/plus/services/voices.php

Looks like 9.95 euros.

 

Has anyone use The TOM Tom with a Mac? Does it require a Windows box to set up?

 

There are a couple mac utilities for Tom Tom GO:

http://www.versiontracker.com/php/se...macosx&x=0&y=0

However, none for the PDA software, so you need a windows box if you set it up on an iPaq or whatever.

 

the folks over at equinox make the tamtam software which runs under osX.
unfortunately, the current version still doesn't work w/ the ttg 300/500/700.

once that's out, the ttg 700 goes on the to buy list!!

Edit:

looks like the tomtom folks now have software which directly supports the ttg's

it's hard to find:
http://www.tomtom.com/support/rightn...arch_text=OS+X

 

I have been reading reviews on the TomTom product for several months now. I would love to purchase the 700 but am still skeptical. TomTom rocks because they have a fabulous product and other companies are starting to copycat them (you know a product is hot when other companies start ripping off the form factor and GUI).

My primary concern, however, is the accuracy of the US maps and ability to hold up communications with the satilite in big city areas. I've read quite a bit about people who love the product until they hit San Francisco or some other big US city and then loose the signal constantly. TomTom is still my #1 choice but I am holding out for better reviews on upcoming products or existing product updates.

But then again, I might just buy it simply to hear John Cleese tell me what to do all day...

 

GPS signals in cities with tall buildings will always be a problem. I have a handheld Garmin E-Trex that I've used then on business in other cities and it does go in and out if you get into a "valley" between two buildings.

I don't think you're going to find a unit that doesn't have this problem to some degree. Any unit with a built in antenna, inside the car is probably more prone to this. I assume that many of the built in systems use an external antenna.

Does the TomTom have the ability to attach an attenna?

 

I am not sure if the TomTom has the ability to connect to an external antenna. I don't think so or at least I haven't read about that as a feature. The Garmin C330 seems to have better maps and POI's though. The C330 is my second choice. I still don't know which one to get...