Changing mode of TomTom’s bundled GPS

[Jereboam]

Hi,



I read the thread on the TomTom update with great interest, especially the mention of SiRF mode. I am often either in the countryside where foliage causes problems, or in London, where high buildings and bridges (going under them) also cause problems. In heavy traffic, you need the map to be spot on, and I often find that it is often slightly behind my actual location. If the faster and more frequent updates in the different mode would help alleviate some of these issues this would be great.



However, on the understanding that the TomTom GPS "mouse" was basically a rebadged Leadtek device, I downloaded the older version of their utility, as recommended, but I cannot get it to connect. I have read the instructions on several websites and searched through the forums.



So basically, my real issue is that I cannot connect to the GPS to switch modes. I also notice that where some people's TomTom GPS status screens (bottom, just under the signal strength bars)say NMEA etc mine simply says TomTom GPS.



Can I not change the mode? Or am I not doing something correctly? Any advice/help appreciated, as I am seriously considering purchasing a new GPS unit to improve the quality of my navigation, as with most things, I have come to rely on it totally!



Cheers, John

[nicknick]

That's because under the GPS tab you have TomTom GPS set up.



If you un-tick the box you can change this - probably you want the SiRF 4800 option in the top pick box and then TomTom GPS (or the port it is on) in the bottom one.



Then tick the box and if the GPS supports the mode (and you are outside) - on the status tab you should see the little dots moving between the aerial pic and the PPC pic



If not then try other modes


_________________
Nick

[DavidW]

Do these instructions help any?







David

[Dave]

First of all make sure that TomTom isn't running in background mode. If unsure, soft reset the Pocket PC. Then run WinFast Navigator and click the PORT SETTINGS option and select NMEA 4800 COM1 and this will connect.

[Jereboam]

Aha! I completely missed that checkmark...I thought that the dropdown boxes were grayed out because there were no other options...duh...



It's late now, but I'll have a go in the morning. So, for the change to be persistant, must I switch to SiRF mode in WinFast or in TomTom? And having read through again, is a baud rate higher than 4800 whilst in SiRF mode advantageous?



If someone could step me through to attaining optimum settings specific to the TomTom GPS unit, that would be great.



Thanks for all your help, guys.



John

[DavidW]

Try this sequence:



Connect using WinFast Navigator (as Dave says, it'll be 4800 NMEA on COM1).



Switch to SiRF at 38400 (this seems to be the standard speed for SiRF mode operation).



Run TomTom Navigator, switch to the GPS status screen, select SiRF 38400 as the driver and COM1 as the port. To change these options, you may have to untick the box next to them - then tick them when you've finished.





You should now be running in SiRF mode.







David

[Dave]

Leadtek's don't like 38400 baud. Switch to either 4800 SiRF or 9600. I tend to use 4800 and this works okay on the Leadtek 9531 and 9532.

[Jereboam]

Thanks all, just about to climb into the machine and have another shot at it. ;)



John

[DavidW]

Thanks for the clarification, Dave - I'm used to other SiRF based hardware, but not Leadteks.



Knowledge filed in back of brain - you never know when it'll be useful again!







David

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