TomTom BT GPS Receiver MKII User review

MikeB

Click here for the TomTom BT GPS MKII review

Earlier in June 2003 we reviewed the original TomTom BlueTooth receiver. Now at the same time TomTom launched the version 5 of their software they also released a new BlueTooth receiver. This is dubbed the MK II (as in "two").

It is based on the SiRFstar III chipset and a lot of users have asked us for a review on this unit. One of them was even offering to write a review for us - an offer that we just couldn't let pass by!

SirfStarIII and Bluetooth, just flashy marketing gimmicks or worth the money?

"So why should I buy new GPS receiver? I've already got one!", one might ask. But I guess that's just the lot of us early adopters. Last year's
GPS receivers, with the SirfStarII chipset, just aren't good enough anymore, especially if they are of the wired variation.

Click here to read our user's review of the TomTom BT GPS receiver.
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Mike Barrett

Kar98 · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:01 pm Post subject:

, nobody's got anything to say? 8O

iggyman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 01, 2005 Posts: 1

I have one of these and the reception and warm up is really good.
Even works in my glove box through a heated windscreen ! ! !

Lardyboy66 · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: TT Bluetooth receiver

Bought this due to fact that upgrading to Tom Tom 5 meant that my old CF receiver did not want to play !

Thought it might be a bit of a rip off due to it being Tom Tom Brand but the thing works really well.

Fire up my Axim 50 - Launch Tom Tom, turn on reciever and then thats it - it just works, no problems, great signal no hassle - perfect

Well recommended

Even finds me on Guernsey where I live but the map does not have any roads on it Laughing Out Loud

Well recommended

opel · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 10

I've been using the Tom Tom receiver for about 6 months now and I've never has a problem. The best thing about it is you don't even need to have it on the dashboard - the passenger seat works just as well.

The only thing I have to remember is to turn it on before starting my i-mate jam so it connects to the satellites before the Tom Tom 5 fires up.

Great little unit that works really well
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Opel

Computer Support and Computer Services for Berkshire and Surrey.
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RS2000 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:47 pm Post subject:

I dont like the auto off feature, as you have to remember to switch the bl oody thing on every time ya want to use tomtom.

With my other 1, the BT308 i used to just leave it on all day. & turn it off when get home.

Would be a lot better if the auto off was switchable so you could have stay on if wanted.
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rbartlett · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 09, 2004 Posts: 14

yes the auto off is a bit of worry as my v1 is hardwired and permently on in the car.

I would have liked the option to change the default setting to always on too.

However can you answer this

1 is it better than the first TT BT GPS
2 is the power socket the same as on TT BT GPS

why but this at 100+ quid when you can have the Holux GPSlim 236 GPS Receiver for a lot less??

cheers

richard

MikeB · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

RS2000 · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject:

The MK II is definately a lot better than any of the other receivers i've had. It is definately a lot more precise, & the reception is better as well.

I'm not so sure about the TTN5 software though, although a lot more roads are included & the planning seems to be a bit better. & the settings i think are a bit better. I have noticed twice now, once in Waltham Abbey, Essex & in Ware, Hertfordshire. It showed me as driving on the river.

Perhaps it thought that i had morphed into a hovercraft.
Just so clever this software enit...
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WARNING: To much chocolate can make your clothes shrink.

jagga · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2005 Posts: 4

Dear kar98
till now i had a wired tom tom attached to my pda. when i was gifted with a hp ipaq hx2415 with bluetooth, i thought of going wireless. so i upgraded my tomtom 3 to 5 and bought a well acclaimed tomtom bluetooth mk II receiver. to begin with i did not get any instructions manual as to how to use it. when i searched the web, i found the instructions in tom tom website under the heading " how to manually configure tom tom navigator 5 bluetooth receiver". i followed all the instructions verbatim and alas at the last step when I had to configure my pda to the gps receiver, i got stuck.
let me explain in more detail. i paired my pda with the gps receiver. now i started tomtom navigator and in menu 2 went to change preferences and chose gps status, wherein I got the screen saying configure. at this point there were 4 options
a) tom tom wireless gps with a passkey of 0000
b)tomtom cable gps
c)other bluetooth gps
d)other nmea gps

as advised in tom tom website, i chose other blue tooth gps and chose configure, when i got a screen message saying
please pair ur bluetooth gps and ur pda/smartphone . for details consult doucmentation for your gps receiver and your pda as i had already paired my device , i pressed continue
now i got a screen with a heading of gps is connected to and a list of options, I chose blue tooth serial port 8 when i got the message No gps device.
now as advised by tomtom again, this time i chose other nmea gps and a gps baud rate of 4800 and tried to configure. alas no luck again. the yellow and blue wheel never spins.
I am stuck here . I tried various combinations for receiver as well as for comports but nothing is working.
as i have looked into the forum and could n't find anyone with this problem, i am getting quite worried. am i missing something sinister? Kindly advice and help
Many thanks
jagadish

Kar98 · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:13 am Post subject:

Not quite sure what you're trying to do here.

Turn on the TomTom MK2 GPS receiver. In TomTom Navigator, go to Change Preferences, Show GPS Status, Configure, pick TomTom Wireless GPS, Select and you should be good to go.

lbendlin · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:07 am Post subject:

Firstly, you should have selected option a)

If it still doesn't work your receiver may be set to SiRF protocol. ask a friend to switch it to MNEA for you.
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Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
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Glyn · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2004 Posts: 29

I just read the review on the SiRFStarIII TT MKII BT GPS Receiver (whew...what a mouthful) Laughing

and I have a question if you please?

1. What software is running on the Dell Axim screenshot in the review? That looks good!

Thanks & regards,
-=Glyn=-

Kar98 · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:00 am Post subject:

Glyn · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2004 Posts: 29

Thanx for the quick reply...

I didn't realize it was a full-blown SatNav application - I thought it was just a program to display GPS data...

I have been looking for a decent program for ages that would just display the relevant GPS data as shown in your screenshot and I thought that was it!

Aaahhh well...guess I'll have to keep looking then.

Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

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