viaMichelin 980T Camera Database

JohnnySW · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: viaMichelin 980T Camera Database

I’m thinking of buying the viaMichelin 980T in the near future, wife permitting! :D TMC sounds good although not a critical factor, but if anyone has any real life experience of this I would be interested. More importantly is the Pocket World camera database compatible with this unit. I have glanced at the forums and am unsure.

philpugh · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

Yes - you can download the camera database for viaMichelin 980T from here (subject to membership).

TMC is fine when it works but there are a lot of issues around reception with users of different manufacturers TMC units. It seems to be down to the poor signal levels in the UK and the pathetically inadequate piece of wire that they use as an aerial. General concensus would be to connect the TMC aerial to an external aerial of some sort. have a look throughthe forums for details.

Any reason for going for the ViaMichelin? For similar price you can get similarly equipped units from TomTom and GARMIN.
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Phil

JohnnySW · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject:

Phil

Thanks for the reply. As I said TMC is a nice idea and a nice to have although not critical. Not surprised to hear it’s patchy, although on the 980T it’s free.

Re type on unit, the only reason I was looking at the 980T is I use viaMichelin web site from time to time so have sort of got used to it. Also of course this is a new (ish) unit with (SiRF Star III) and to be honest it looks quite good. Brother has TomTom one Europe which looks OK. Which TomTom or Garmin units would you recommend, ability to update Camera Database is important.

John

philpugh · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:20 pm Post subject:

I haven't used any TT stand alone units but I have used TT navigator s/w from the very early days. It is very nice. When I decided to go for a stand alone unit I opted for the GARMIN nuvi 660 as it looks really neat compared with a TomTom 710/910 (which were the options I was looking at).

The nuvi 360 is very nice looking (same s/w as 660 but smaller screen size). My wife is thinking of getting one (well actually it's her birthday soon so I guess it may be me getting her one!) and I would certainly look at the nuvi 360 as it has the hands-free phone capability.

What I would suggest is that you get down to somewhere like Halfords etc and have a look at the different units there. They usually have a good range of GARMIN and TOMTOM units in stock.

Check out the suppliers advertising down the RHS of this page.
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Phil

MaFt · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject:

Johnny, if you like the via michelin then have you seen the new x970T? it uses new, improved software too.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Blogs&op=showBlog&idBlog=18#Blog147

they seem quite nice although i've not seen it "in action" so to speak. also the unique design of the tmc aerial is worth a mention.

MaFt

michaelj2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2006 Posts: 157

I have the 980T and a Garmin 2820. The best thing about the ViaMichelin product is the POIs and the detailed description of restaurants and hotels. The TMC works really well in France but not very well in the UK. It is a little slower than the Garmin and the battery life is not very good. I think the speed cameras are out of date!

MaFt · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:57 am Post subject:

i've recently got hold of a 950T and i'm pretty impressed with the TMC reception right away. i picked up signal and a list of problems from inside my house - even with the fujitsu loox n10 i never had any signal driving around...

MaFt

JohnnySW · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

I did see the BLOG re the 970T, would seem to be more on the lines of the TomTom one Europe. There seems to be no information available, specs for this unit though or a release date, any ideas?

MaFt · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

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