910 & Apple OSX 10.4

chadders001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 13

I have just purchased a TomTom 910. I have installed TomTom HOME on my Apple G5 under OSX 10.4 and was just wondereing if anyone has any links, sites or information sources with regard to using the TomTom with an Apple Mac?

I am particularly interested to see if anyone is working on anything to allow route planning facilities under OSX something which att he moment is not available in the OSX version of TomTom HOME.

Thanks

c.

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

I haven't come across anything for the Mac. It's disappointing since the TT uses Linux and the Apple is based on Unix, you would think there would be more stuff. But tomtom have aimed their software at the majority Windows market. Even the Home application does not have full functionality on the Apple.

I've largely ignored Home and done all my backups with drag and drop, but I have to use Home top install some updates.
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

chadders001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 13

I am prettu new to the TomTom, only just got my 910 so I'm not sure how to backup manually yet. I suppose it is just a matter of mounting the TomTom disk and copying all the files onto my Apple HD? Is there a breakdown/explanatiion of the directory structure on the TomTom and which files relate to what features?

I read here of being able to add POI's and Updated Camera positions. Is this simply a matter of moving files into the appropriate directories? And then perhaps enabling the new set via the TomTom preferences screens? Or is it more complicated than that?

Sorry if I am asking questions that are already answered elsewhere, but I am finiding all the different versions of the software and the different units covered by this site a little confusing. I am a very competent Apple Mac user, but very new to the TomTom.

Thanks

c.

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

Rule 1: Do a full backup!! Don't do anything until you've done this.

I plug in the GO to the Mac and make a backup folder on the Mac. Open the disc image of the GO. Select all and copy to the backup folder.

Takes a while to copy the full thing - about 15 mins if you have USB 2, over an hour if you have USB 1.1. Don't disconnect the GO in mid stream, while anything is flashing on the GO screen, or it has a message saying don't disconnect.

PoI are files ending in .ov2 with a matching .bmp file. You put these into the map folder.

File structure on the GO is a set of system files in the top level, along with some folders. The map folder is the critical one, this is your only copy until you back it up. Other system files can be downloaded from the tomtom site www.tomtom.com for free. But any problem with the map folder and you will be in for a long discussion with tomtom trying to get a replacement.

There are speed cameras available from this site http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Cameras as an alternative to the tomtom ones. The tomtom ones are not "normal" PoI files. I don't use them so I can't advise.

There are ways of adding voices to the GO to warn of speed cameras, but get the cameras on and working with a "beep" first.
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

chadders001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 13

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

You have the TomTom cameras. They have fixed warning distances. I think they are also part of a "free trial". I don't know how long the free trial lasts.

Some people think that the tomtom cameras are not as good as the PGPSW ones, but others say the opposite!!
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

mikealder · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 12:45 am Post subject:

It is difficult to judge what the TomTom offering can do in way of speed cameras (I gave up with it back in May) - have a read through THIS which details how to download, install and configure the speed camera database from this site.

The main advice sgould has offered is to make sure you have done a full back up of your new toy, if not please don't delay this vital step the back up will be the only copy of maps and software you have should things go wrong - Mike

chadders001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 13

I have backed up my system now, thanks for the info.

As for the cameras, so far I am pretty happy with the way the TomTom camera system seems to work, and the warning distance seems ok. The cameras from the site here, seems a pretty long winded way of installing them. Do they replace, or add to the existing TomTom cameras? Is there anyway of knowing which cameras are on the system already and how they compare with the number in the databse here?

Would I be duplicating what I already have? The camera thing seems a little hit and miss to me... you would think there would be a national database or similar of all the UK cameras. If they are so important to road safety!

Also is there a way of knowing which other POI's are already installed as opposed to the ones available here?

Just getting a 'feel' for how this all works. Great responses so far, I have to say. This seems to be a very good place to hang out for the TomTom.

Thanks

c.

Hirvevarra · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:27 am Post subject:

If you run both databases there will be duplication. Debate on which has more or is better, certainly PGPSW is more flexible on settings. Don't want to start a p***ing contest between the two sides here, tho'

The only way I know of counting the TT versh cameras is to do that....open the POI and count them. PGPSW tell you the contents on the update announcement page.

The ov2 method is admittedly more 'involved' but not difficult by any means.

The PGPSW HOME method is identical to TT apart from d/l the file into the directory yourself, where TT does that for you - 1 process isn't that bad,is it?

You can use HOME ( look to the right, under POI ) to see whats on, or look in your map folder for ov2 files. this will show names of the POI categories currently installed also.

you can use POI edit on your TT to look at POIs without adding/deleting but it's not a great way of finding out if Burger King in Strathclyde is listed by any means.

Yep, t'is a pretty darned tootin' website!
Merry Xmas

inthe128 · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject:

I run both databases, Tom Tom and this Pocketgps one also and yes I get duplication on a lot of sites, I did it to cover myself as much to see who was the best. The cost is still cheaper than a Road Angel for them both, so that was my reason. I have the Pocketgps database set for 500m as it seems most up to date and the Tom Tom database sent to 250m, so get a nice countdown.

I run my Tom Tom home from a Mac without any problem, the Pocketgps is a bit of a fiddle to install, but worth learning how to do it, at this time it seems the better database to me, but I am finding the traffic info I get with the TT database very useful as on my T-Mobile contract I have a fixed cost for my data, so do not worry about big data bills. I am happy to run them both with duplication.

Andy
_________________
in the 128

Darren · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Hirvevarra · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject:

On install, TT HOME should have created about 4 folders.
Backup, Content, Downloads & possibly StatData

Unzip the PGPSW_Home version files into the Downloads folder.
Start HOME, find PGPSW stuff in the centre pane list, tick the checkbox next to it, hit the big INSTALL button & you're done. They should then appear in the right hand pane....

They should auto enable, so just go activate the warn when nears.
That's it.
The only thing different with TT download is they put the files in the Downloads folder for you.

Hardly a taxing job, wouldn't you agree......

chadders001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 13

Mmmm, I'm not sure I am understanding all this...

First: When I run HOME on my Mac I notice that I can see the TT 910 HD and I can navigate its directories but I do not seem to have a Map folder, which many are referring to here. I have different folders which are country specific, i.e. 'Eastern and Central Europe', 'North America', these folders seem to contain several ov2 files already. Do I simply drop the POI files into these directories? What if any of the file names are the same as those already there will they ovewrite the originals?

Second: It seems that the OSX version of HOME doesn't allow me to view the 'My TomTom' and therefore route planning etc. is not available to me via the Mac. Is this the way that windows users are able to access the one click install of POI's mentioned here?

Third: Is there a way of being able to make the current 'modified' route a saved Favourite? If I pick it from the recent routes it seems to only save the original 'unmodified' route I selected. E.g. From my Home position I select a known postcode destination, but then realise that i know a better route and thus modify this route to avaoid a particular road or area, once this route is correct I then want to save it as a Favourite. What is the easiest way of doing this?

Thanks

c.

Darren · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

Hirvevarra · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

1. the 'Eastern and Central Europe', 'North America', etc.. folders are the 'map' folders people are on about.

You drop your POI's into these folders as required. You must put POI's for whichever map you are using in the current map folder...i.e. if you want BurgerKing POI showing in E&C Europe & N. America maps, put a copy of the POI in both folders. Then whichever map you select, the BK POI's will load.

Yes, they will overwrite if you allow them ( your OS should ask for permission to do so if filenames are identical ).

2. I think the one click install of POI's involves downloading TOC files into TT HOME downloads directory, running HOME, they then appear in the centre pane, you click a big green INSTALL button, and they load & show in the right hand pane.

3. I believe Favourites are for destinations, not routes. Use Itinaries for that.

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