Total Newbie

[consolglass]

hiya
Total newbie to sat nav and I`m looking to buy a cheap one that covers both the uk and USA as we holiday there quite often...dont know much about the technology or what is "best to look for"...so any advice is appreciated

[Russell1]

Tomtom seems to be the favourite :) - plenty of maps available & easy to upgrade. Make sure you get on with a memory card so you have room to add extra maps ;).

[Bal]

Tomtom seems to be the favourite :) - plenty of maps available & easy to upgrade. Make sure you get on with a memory card so you have room to add extra maps ;).

Russell

Is TT the only option for updating maps yourself?

I am looking for one to replace my phone, with Bluetooth and SatNavs like Navicon ( I think thats the name) are on offer at the moment, but wasn't sure how easy it is on the others to update maps yourself?

Can you advise?

Thanks

[consolglass]

thanks for the reply...any particluar model you would reccomend?i`m not bothered about europe maps but UK and USA is a must
cheers

[Russell1]

Russell

Is TT the only option for updating maps yourself?

I am looking for one to replace my phone, with Bluetooth and SatNavs like Navicon ( I think thats the name) are on offer at the moment, but wasn't sure how easy it is on the others to update maps yourself?

Can you advise?

Thanks

Don't really know about the other units, but I've read that Tomtom can be installed on some of the Navigo units.
Any units that use tomtom are pretty easy to update.

[Russell1]

thanks for the reply...any particluar model you would reccomend?i`m not bothered about europe maps but UK and USA is a must
cheers

Depends on what other functions you need - if you want to use it as a bluetooth handsfree device for your phone then you want one of the Tomtom Go series - 510, 520, 530.... if not then get a Tomtom One or a OneXL (not sure which ones use a memory card). Just get one with a UK map - other maps are easy enough to add.

[consolglass]

ah right...i thought you would have to buy a one with the USA already"installed" i noticed that the ones with the USA maps were more expensive...so just buy one of the ones you mentioned...i only want to spend around £150-£180.....and then what? upgrade it?how do i do that is it a simple download or is it a subscription ?...i`ve seen quite a bit of "jargon" browsing the web looking at different models...so not easy.... would like a one that advices on when to turn and....bluetooth would be handy but not a neccesity....cheers

[paul01609]

i hate tomtom now my works installed them in our vans and they can now track us,tell them is we drive eratic or break speed limit :( dont let that put you off what i said they are good units

[Russell1]

ah right...i thought you would have to buy a one with the USA already"installed" i noticed that the ones with the USA maps were more expensive...so just buy one of the ones you mentioned...i only want to spend around £150-£180.....and then what? upgrade it?how do i do that is it a simple download or is it a subscription ?...i`ve seen quite a bit of "jargon" browsing the web looking at different models...so not easy.... would like a one that advices on when to turn and....bluetooth would be handy but not a neccesity....cheers

Have a look here -
https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104228
Depends on what unit you get & what functions you want to use on whether you can use an original version of Tomtom or if you need a patched version. The only tool you will need is the activation tool by Albert.

Also check out here for info on the units -

http://www.tomtom.com/products/category.php?ID=0&Lid=1
&
http://www.tomtom.com/products/category.php?ID=14&Lid=1
& here for some of the best deals -

http://www.find-tomtom-deals.co.uk/

[consolglass]

thanks thats great info...lots to go at...really appreciated.....cheers

[consolglass]

ok ...I have deceided on the either the Go 530(£192) or 630(£176)....how easy and how much extra would it cost to get the USA maps installed ?

[Russell1]

Easy & no extra (unless you need to buy a bigger memory card) :)

North America v830.2283 map - @ 1.8gb :-


http://linksave.in/11402154054a4e52b95e35a

or

USA & Canada v830.2322 map - @ 900mb :-

http://linksave.in/335848244a5391d7c8e4a

(not my links or uploads - so get them quick)

When you get your Tomtom - make a full back up copy - then patch the ttsystem file on your Tomtom. When you add new map you will have to activate it & also patch Tomtom home so you can still get the mapshare updates. Albert's activation tool will do all 3 for you.

[consolglass]

thanks for the reply...you are gonna have to bare with me here...went to the site you suggested and there was just a list of files mate..erm which one to download ? and where do i get alberts activation tool?

[Russell1]

Albert's activation tool link in post no 1 here -
https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104228

Which ever map you want you'll have to get all the files as the maps are split up in rar files - download them all & then extract one rar file - it should unpack the full map for you.

[consolglass]

right have got the go 630 have connected to pc and have installed all the updates....tried to back up and message says not available on this model ???any ideas

[consolglass]

ok have managed to back the unit up...dont know where the file is stored...do i need to ?

[Russell1]

Has it got a memory card or internal memory (or both) ?
Safest way of making a back up is to connect Tomtom to PC if internal memory or can use a card reader if it's got a memory card - should see it as an extra drive. Set PC to show hidden files & folders then copy all contents to a new folder on your PC.

[consolglass]

sorted....connected to pc(with no tomtom home installed)show hiden files>copy>paste...files now stored on pc....got the us maps of a bloke from work who had them on a memory card...now "learning" how to use my new "toy"......thanks for all the help..really appreciated....cheers