itinerary and crossing countries (from a newbie, long...) ?

[DareDevil]

Hello All,

Brand new user of TomTom Navigator 3, which I have started to use with an iPAQ 5500. As user of Mapopolis on a Sony Clie, I am still trying to figure out what is different.

Since I travel by car across Europe from time to time, I need to plot a route spawning across different countries. Mapopolis lets you open as many maps as you want (depending on the available RAM and the so-called "population limit": you cannot open maps whose population exceeds 15 millions: e.g. you can't open France entirely, for example).

I understand that in TomTom you open one map a time, and deal with multi-countries trips either by using MRE or creating an itinerary. In my case MRE is out of question due to the path which not always involves major roads only, so itinerary is the key.

Now, I find the manual rather obscure with reference to itinerary, so I would like to cross-check whether my step-by-step approach is correct;

Let's say I have to go from country X to country Y and finally to country Z:

1. I choose my starting point in country X, adding it to the itinerary
2. Next, I choose a destination in country X and add it to the itinerary. This destination is basically a point on a motorway as close to the border with country Y as possible (which I know I will cross)
3. Next, I load the map of country Y and add another destination to the itinerary, which is again a point on the motorway as close to the border with country Z as possible (which I know I will cross)
4. Finally, I load the map of country Z and select the real destination there, add it to the itinerary

Now, even if I believe the approach makes sense, there are still a number of unanswered questions:

a) When I cross the a border, will TTN switch map automatically -or- I have to do it manually?

b) Regardless of how the following maps are loaded, do I have to manually open my itinerary and ask TTN to compute the path the next destination, or it will do it manually

c) Which starting point will be used by TTN to compute the "next" leg of the trip in another country (I suppose current GPS position)?

d) If not, should I add more intermediate waypoints ? For example, in step 3 should I *also* add a waypoint in country Y marking my "starting point in country Y" ?

Like I said, those may be stupid questions, but the manual does not really say anything about that, and I wouldn't like to experiment unexpected problems while I am driving, so I am trying to sort out all the issues in advance.

Thanks in advance for any hint,

DareDevil

[johnmar]

Hello DareDevil

Last summer I used the Itineary feature, to good effect, for a trip through France and Italy. It can be a bit cumbersome to sort out, as you need to learn the 'thinking' behind the various features. It is well worth spending time playing and learning the system in advance.

This thread covers some of the points and gives a good overview of what can be achieved.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10840&highlight=itinieary

You do need to switch maps manually, but once routes have been "planned" using the Plan Button, the route should pick up automatically when you switch maps. Also, there is also a certain amount of overlap on some maps.

To try to answer your specific questions:

a) Manually

b) The itineary stays loaded even if you switch maps. You should have aleady "planned" the route with the Plan Button when you start the application before driving off. When you cross maps it should just pick up from your current position, in the same manner as if you exit the system without Clearing the Route when not using Itineary.

c) Correct as in b) above.

d) You can of course include an additional waypoint in Y, to ensure that your route is on the chosen road, but make sure that it is further down that road, as there are sometimes issues when the system 'believes' it has not passed through/by a particular waypoint. Sometimes tries to route you back. This is where the "Cancel Next Drive By feature" is useful.

The system is very flexible with its many alternatives and consequently can take time to interpret. IMHO I don't think that a manual would be of great help. You will need to spend time to get the best from this.

Hope this is of help

Regards
_________________
John


iPAQ3830 (32MB) PPC2002 ROM 1.20
CF Expansion Pack
Holux GR-213 GPS Mouse (GSW3.1.1 -3.1.00.07 C23B1.00)
Kingston Elite Pro 1 GB CF Card for maps
Viking 512MB SD Card (not used for navigating)
TTNav 5.210 (5430) Maps of W Europe

[DareDevil]

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