Couple of notes on TomTom PNDs

[Kar98]

I just took mine on a epic cross country run of about 3,200 miles (need to check the odometer later), so we can consider this a real-life conditions test.

The sucker:
Works great, except it just falls the f off every 800 miles or so. If it wouldn't have been for the power leads, it would have jumped straight at the gear shifter, shattering the screen. Would have been a nightmare scenario, but I've had a second nav unit with me as backup, TT7 on the phone.

The power connector:
I'm sorry, the location of the USB jack at the bottom of the unit is really the worst place to put it ever. I don't care what it looks like, put it on the side, the top, the front, I don't care. While I do appreciate the convenience of the mini USB plugs, they are a freaking bitch to insert into a mini USB jack unless you're looking right at it. Maybe design a funnel of sort around the jack so it guides the plug into position?
Also, when trying to catch the unit when it jumps off the windshield, you will release the SD card with your thumb (assuming you do have snake-like reflexes. Else it will head for the shift knob and shatter the screen). So there either needs to be a latch, even a little rubber cover like on the T-Mobile Wing, or the card slots needs to move the the side.

Day/night colors, brightness:
Please for the love of dog! Add a brightness sensor and automatic day/night colors switching. Leave off mp3 playback, weather, buddies, document reader, hell, even TTS if you must. But if you can't see the screen, or it's blinding you, the whole added safety by not having having to squint at maps and road signs thing becomes moot.

RDS-TMC receiver:
Nice to have, but at this moment, it only works in a few major metro areas in the US. Seems however that those are the places you'll need it the most rather than in say, rural Tennessee. Worked great, I only got delayed once for 10 minutes in a construction zone way out in the sticks and didn't hit any traffic jams in any of the major cities I passed through.

The POI databases need to be looked at by real persons, and native speakers of the respective languages at that, so things like sorting "CPU Hospital" (obviously a computer repair place) under "Hospitals" don't happen. And many gas stations are sorted in under shops.
Also, the POI icons suck. Please use the standard icons for rest stop (white R on blue) and such.

Mapshare corrections:
How in the world am I supposed to change information as I barrel along an Interstate doing 85 mph? Mark hundreds of corrections for later and try to remember them all? Didn't even bother to try, even though the especially the speed limit data was rubbish for most of my 1,400 miles and back trip past week.
And block/unblock street is particularly silly with its question "is this permanent and for all cars?" Well, no and yes, what am I supposed to pick there?

That's it for now.

[Tomo]

Obviously heat may be an issue, but I have never had a problem with a Correctly fitted mount.

An alternative would be a permanent dah mount by brodit. This also means that the USB charger is built in so the TT unit just slips onto the mount and the TMC/USB are connected as it slides down

Steve

[Toneloc427]

I carry a small (travel size) bottle of windex with me to make sure the window and suction cup are clean, and I never have a problem after wiping them both.

Pony up the extra cash for a 720/730/920/930 and you get a light sensor with auto dimming.

Did you experience literally "hundreds" of errors? I'd like to know where you were travelling if you did. I just finished ~4,000 miles across the Southwest of the US and only made a dozen edits. I found the speed limit data to be extremely accurate when not in a construction zone with temporary reduced speeds.

[Kar98]

http://i34.tinypic.com/rgyyxi.jpg

Only POIs I had turned on where gas stations, rest stops, restaurants and information centers. Many POI shops are actually gas stations, the state welcome centers were missing altogether, and barely any rest areas were displayed. Speed limit data was the worst in Kentucky, utter rubbish, but not too helpful outside of Texas and Arkansas.

[mpwilson99]

"I just took mine on a epic cross country run of about 3,200 miles (need to check the odometer later), so we can consider this a real-life conditions test. "

My Tomtom map shows this trip between New York and Shreveport being only 1413 miles ( so around trip of 2826 approx ).

My POI list gives a resonable list of rest areas / service stations for this trip, however this could be improved.
Incidently, here in the UK, we have the same problem on the definition of a service station. If your on a motorway you think nothing of popping into the joint for a physical needs break and a sit down with your flask, however if your on a A road, you get a little chief cafe, where you feel intimedated to buy something.

My old 720 was supposed to have a light senor thing but never worked on all the units i had.

Suckers on these things are a bit poor, the best one ive ever had is for my tt700. - the only one thats never fallen off is the one i use for my pda.

"How in the world am I supposed to change information as I barrel along an Interstate doing 85 mph?"

Cant say i do mapsharing, but playing with the satnav, eating a sandwich and drinking a diet coke all at the same time is a skill, practice makes perfect.

Cheers!

MPW

[Kar98]

[Andy_P]

My 720 has a light sensor/automatic dimming, works fine.

You might not be able to make mapshare corrections while bowling along at 85mph, in fact you'd be mad if you tried - but that's no reason not to have the feature.

[Kar98]

Something I remembered just now:
For shits and giggles, I followed the directions (as provided by the latest maps AND mapshare turned on!) to the very obscure attraction of the Niagara Falls. Sure enough, TomTom guided me straight to the admin offices of the sewage treatment plant of the City of Niagara Falls. Good job all around!

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