Advice needed on buying a TomTom

[pj123]

I am a looking for a TomTom PND with the following features:

1. Socket for external antenna
2. Advanced Lane Guidance
3. Sockets for both antenna and power on the dock.

1 and 2 most important.

On the website store the antenna is available for the following models: ONE New Edition, GO 510, GO 710, GO 910, GO 930, GO 530 Traffic, GO 530, GO 630, GO 630 Traffic, ONE XL Europe, ONE XL Regional, GO 720, GO 720 Traffic, GO 520 , GO 520 Traffic, ONE XL HD Traffic , GO 920, GO 920 Traffic, GO 730, GO 730 Traffic, GO 930 Traffic

I think I will have to look for one of the older models as the PNDs on the Tomtom website do not have what I am looking for.

Thanks

[mikealder]

I would try one of the newer devices in your car without the external aerial, Halfords are generally quite good for this sort of thing, the improved reception the newer units offer negate the need for an external aerial.

Also what map coverage do you want/ need, handsfree, mp3, FM Tx HD Traffic, GPRS Traffic, RDS-TMC etc etc - Mike

[MrT]

I have never needed an external aerial for the x30 or x40 range, the newer devices have far better reception than the older.

The x40 & x50 ranges do not have an external antenna connection but the x30 does.

The x30 does not come with a dock for use in the car (but you can buy various makes of these), just a clip in suction cup mount for the windscreen. The x40 & x50 come with basic docks

You need to decide which maps you want, on the x30, x40 & x 50 ranges, UK & Ireland (x=5), Europe (x=7) or Europe & USA (x=9).

You also need to decide on other features such as handsfree phone (unreliable across the range), music/jukebox & ipod control, FM output to car radio and EPS.

Traffic may also be important. the x30/40/50 can all use RDS-TMC a free service but limited information and often poor reception. The x30 can use Traffic over GPRS which is information on major A roads and Motorways, costs about £35pa and needs a mobile GPRS phone connection. The x40/50 use HD Traffic which is far better when it works but it has been beset by outages and problems since it was launched but is a least free for a year (normally £8pm or £80pa) under a limited offer at the moment.
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Drivelux

[pj123]

Thanks for the replies. I want the TT for use in Thailand. I know the Thai map is ony available for some of the TT range.

I have problems here with GPS reception due to the combination of UV film on the car plus the tall buildings & flyovers in Bangkok so antenna necessary.

Cannot get good reception using my Holux PND, Holux bluetooth or my mobile phone (All running IGO8).

Features like bluetooth, traffic etc are not important. Thanks.

[MrT]

You could always buy a re-radiating GPS antenna which picks up the GPS signals outside the car and re-transmits them inside and requires no connection to the TomTom. In some countries they are not legal as they are considered radio transmitters, but I have no idea if this silly rule applies in Thailand.

GPS Re-rad
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Drivelux

[Andy_P]

[pj123]

[pj123]

I think I have found the solution. The 550 Live which has the Thai map available and an active dock. For signal problems I can invest in a rerad receiver. Thanks for the replies.

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