REVIEW COMMENTS: TomTom GO

swing · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject:

Just found a UK website (offering what appear to be good prices for SatNav) selling the TMC CD for VDO Dayton at £200 (with a passing reference to 6 monthly updates).

Makes a new version of TomTom look good value - although I agree, I'd like to see TomTom offering an additional update service to just the mapping data.

Wads · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

PeterLuit · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject:

I notice that the TT Go does not like high in-car temperatures at start up. When I leave home and switch the TT Go on, the sats appear within 1 minute. Leaving the TT go in the car when temperature is rising, switching on the TT Go results in long wait (4-8 minutes) before sats come alive. I don't notice this problem at lower temperatures.

Peter Luit

BoxsterBoy · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 33

Having bought a Boxster (yes the 2.7 snail to boot) and Tomtom Go I feel victimised on this thread! Guess the Boxster is a poor mans 911 but still puts a smile on MY face when I use it.

Seriously guys - people make decisions for their own reasons and lets respect that please. We'll all be putting our Cars 0-60 times, CV's, annual salary, wifes pictures etc on our profiles before long if this keeps going.

PS Tomtom Go also works brilliantly on my L Reg Astra's (£900 - 90 BHP 1.6i 8v - with special edition alloy wheels) dashboard when I need to find tesco's as the shopping does not fit in the Porsche.

delboy0754 · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:40 am Post subject:

Wads · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:58 am Post subject:

sifi · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 2:14 pm Post subject:

BoxsterBoy · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 33

On the subject of Batteries:

There have been three types of rechargeable battery used in consumer electronics over recent years. Nickel Cadnium (Ni-Cad), Nickel Metalhydride (Nimh) and Lithium Ion.

The first two (Nimh to a lesser degree) suffered whats called a 'memory effect', this means that if you re-charge the battery from a point where it is fully discharged the battery will only work effectively down to that point (the memory). Often this was not fatal to the battery if done once or twice but if full charge and discharge cycles were not completed then the battery would progress to having a unusable short life.

The need for longer standby times and flexibility in mobile phones, camcorders and laptops drove new battery development to the new technolofy Lithium-Ion, the big difference being that this electolite had no memory effect.

The issues that TomTom Go owners will face are two-fold. Li-ions despite popular myth still need to be charged and dis-charged. If they are continually topped up and forced to hold a full charge then it will still reduce its life (if you need proof unplug one year old laptop from the mains if you don't use it often as a portable and see how long you stay online).Secondly the battery is not user replacable in the same way a mobile phone or camcorder is so becomes even more precious.

It may be me being ultra cautious but I try to run the battery down after a full charge and never interupt charging on mine.

BoxsterBoy · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 33

imapbox · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 25, 2004 Posts: 102

imapbox · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 25, 2004 Posts: 102

BoxsterBoy · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 33

No scientific evidence I am afraid. In a previous life I worked in Consumer electronics and just experience from how our test equipment. Apologies if I implied Lithium Ion has a memory effect as this is not the case, the point I was trying to make is that they die quicker if held with full charge - again in my experience. I am getting 5-6 hours from my TTG at the moment.

pottsy · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject:

Cor blimey!!

My comment "imagine you had a 350Z" to Kirium was meant to mean "imagine you had a car with a satnav cubby EXACTLY the same size as a TTG"... It's just too tempting, the TTG wedges in firmly and the lid can still close.

Boxsterboy - nice choice, despite what people say. I had one Dec 96 to April 98 and I reckon it was one of the nicest handling cars I've had (second to the 968CS). Just lacked a bit of torque and I prefer a non-convertible car.

Any idea how map updates will work, and whether TT have any plans to improve the routing quality? And a feature that turns the TTG on and off with the "mains" would be great for those with permanent installations. Do TT read this forum?

MikeB · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:43 pm Post subject:

sifi · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:48 pm Post subject:

I think it may depend on usage. If the batteries are to be stored for a period of time their "aging" depends on the temperature and state of charge. As temperature increases the capacity loss increases. If the battery is fully charged before storage compared to say 50% charged, then the capacity loss is about 15% worse. If the battery is being used regularly, many cycles of discharging and charging do cause them to age more but not at all significantly in everyday use. As mentioned by others, 2 to 3 years should be easily attainable with normal usage.

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