GO vs PDA

MarkW · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 15, 2004 Posts: 4

Hi there,

Great forum Thumbs Up

- Ive been reading for a couple of weeks and following the launch of TomTom Go with interest.

I'm afraid this is another "Which is best question", so I thought I would identify my requirements first:

1. I want a SatNav solution that can easily be swapped between 2 cars.
2. I want a neat/tidy install that looks good with few/no wires.
3. I dont want to spend much more than £400.
4. I dont own or have a major requirement for a PDA.
5. I would also like a Safety Camera detection system.

I realise some of these may be mutually exclusive, but my choice comes down to TomTom Go or a PDA/BT GPS/Tom Tom.

I do really like the Go, have read the reviews and the thread on here, and it does all I want apart from the Camera database. Some concern over the visibility/screen etc but at £425 it seems a good option. How easy does the holder transfer between cars? Will you be able to buy a second holder seperately in the future?

If I go down the PDA route, for say a ipaq 2210 with SD card, BT/GPS, TomTom 3 and car kit it will cost at least as much if not a little more, so the issue is more down to points 1 and 2. Where the PDA scores is the fact I can get the Camera database.

I am slightly more confused about the installation/portability options on the PDA front:

If I want to use it in two cars, is it better to have two car kits?
Where is it best to locate the GPS Antenna? Some car kits seem to have a holder that holds both this and the PDA?
How reliable is the Bluetooth option? Ive had problems with using a bluetooth headset on my phone in the past.
How long does the charge last on bluetooth GPS? Is there much of a difference with different devices?

If I thought I could get a neat/tidy easily transferrable PDA option I would potentially go down that route, otherwise it looks like the Go.

Any advice/comments/answers to the above would be greatly appreciated.

Having spent quite a while reading topics on here, I am amazed there are so many things to consider...but I do find it fascinating. Most of all, this site has convinced me that my life is not complete without GPS :D

Thanks
Mark

p.s. Long shot - but has anyone got pics of a PDA install in a Mazda RX8?

Robin2 · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:17 pm Post subject:

It's the add-ons which are the problem with GO - as far as I know you can't run Checkpoint, GPSAssist, ukpostcodes, PocketGPS safety camera database etc These add a lot of functionality to TomTom and would be a strong reason for going down the PDA route for me. But GO satisfies your first 4 requirements admirably
Robin

Wilko · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 17, 2003 Posts: 203

If you look around you can get some good prices on iPAQs and TT3 at the moment.

I managed to get a 2210 and TT3 with the TT Bluetooth receiver and a decent 256meg SD from www.ebuyer.co.uk for about £370+vat delivered next day plus a Brodit proclip car mount and car charger from www.handnav.co.uk

andyblissett · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 20, 2004 Posts: 65

yeah I went for Ebuyer too. I've used em a few times, and have been reliable, and the stock levels always seem to be good, so you can normally get what you want. Cheap too I noticed

cgriff · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 07, 2004 Posts: 14

i know PC WORLD are doing the 2210 ipac with tomtom3 and gps mouse and tomtom car kit for £399

chris66 · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:56 pm Post subject: tom tom go

have had this for about a week now and its brilliant , yes it does lack some of the "add ons" but if you want a neat and tidy set up for your car as i did without all those wires this is the one for you voice guidance is loud and clear even while listening to radio etc , to remove just pull lever amd release suction cup and you away , all in all a brilliant piece of kit!! Thumbs Up

mrklaw · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 67

i wanted portability in the long run, but bought a PDA setup.

If you are thinking Bluetooth, then even a basic Tomtom BT GPS will last around 5 hours, so you could have your primary car set up with a charge cable nicely installed, then just pop out the GPS for use in the secondary car.

Then just double up on the powered mounts (I have a tom tom one which is good, there are others too). That would give you a neat and tidy install for both cars, and then just pop the PDA into the cradle and off you go.

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