Go 1000 purchase?

[iridium]

Hi,

I have been using tomtom software on a PDA (remember those!) for the past 5 years and with a new car coming next week, I thought I'd get myself a new tomom.

I've been looking at the G0 1000 (Amazon UK have them going for 200 quid) but I have a few questions before I purchase it:

1. What is the routing like on the G0 1000 i.e.will it still lead me down single lane roads even though i select "fastest route" - is here any way to force it to "snap" to reasonable roads, even though it may take me slightly longer?

2. What is the length of the power cable that comes in the box? I'd like to have enough cable to run from the charger under the drivers armrest to the windscreen (kind of a semi permanent setup). Is there any way of extending this if necessary?

3. How does the HD traffic work - I assume this is over some 2G/3G signal and that I do NOT have to purchase an additional TMC reciever?

4. Been reading about lack of current updates for the device on the forums and it has me a bit concerned. Given that I will probably keep the Go 1000 for the next 4-5 years, is it something to worry about, or should I save some pennies and get a cheaper model that's been around for a while?

All advice gratefully appreciated!

Thanks

 

[mvl]

Tomtom routing has grown leaps and bounds over the PDA versions. None of the PDA versions had IQroutes. IQroutes is so good it will probably teach you faster ways to go places you already knew. It definitely will fix the problems of choosing silly roads like the PDA versions did.

The model choices are a tough decision. Tomtom has added and removed many many features over the years, and the "right model" to get really depends on what features you want in a Tomtom. If you can post some details on what features you really want/use, we can give you better guidance.

The European cord isn't very long. You probably need a USB extension cord from a computer store to run from the armrest to the windshield. The American models with the RDS-TMC receiver cord are much much longer.

HD Traffic uses a built-in cellular modem, so you don't need an RDS-TMC cable.

 

[iridium]

Cool thanks for the advice:

The thing that appeal to me are the IQ routes, lane guidance, HD traffic, quick GPS fix and POI (with the ability to add my own bookmarks of destinations). Everything else I can probably do without (or is already built into the car).

As an alternative, should I be looking at the XL IQ routes or XL Live? (or is it better to pay the money for newer technology, given that I will be keepign it for the next 4-5 years). What are the docking stations/mounts like for the XL series i.e. can they be setup in a semi-permanent manner?

From what I've read, it seems that HD traffic is either part of the Live subscription service OR can be achieved with a TMC reciever. Q: is the power socket on the TMC the same USB-type format as the default power supply?

Thanks again

 

[Trey]

I believe the Live traffic is more accurate and up to date than the TMC. But the TMC has ben working fairly well for me in NC.

The TMC antenna is built into the 12V DC power adapter for the car and thus doesn't work when on battery power, which is a negative for some.

The mount is definitely better on the 1000/2000 IMO. It is magnetic and holds the power plug, so just drop the GPS in and out.

 

[mikealder]

If you can find an XL IQ Live rather than an XL IQ_2 Live then you will be doing OK, the older mk1 device is the better of the two, either of these is a better option than the 1000 which still suffers from a rather incomplete PC interface - Mike