Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: paulr on June 05, 2008, 12:48:14
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I downloaded a rather nice Mercedes Star as the startup for my TOM TOM sat nav today.
It's all coming together nicely now....oh yes.
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TOM TOM sat nav
Can you translate so a New York Yank can understand this?
Richard M, NYC
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quote:
Originally posted by 280SL71
quote:
TOM TOM sat nav
Can you translate so a New York Yank can understand this?
Richard M, NYC
TomTom is a GPS system that is quite popular in Europe and somewhat popular in the U.S. I have a TomTom GO720. Lovely units that let you download voices, etc.
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quote:
Originally posted by scoot
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Originally posted by 280SL71
quote:
TOM TOM sat nav
Can you translate so a New York Yank can understand this?
Richard M, NYC
TomTom is a GPS system that is quite popular in Europe and somewhat popular in the U.S. I have a TomTom GO720. Lovely units that let you download voices, etc.
And you can select the speaker option to run it through your FM radio and listen to instructions and music (on the Tom Tom) through the car speaker.
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Tom Tom is a Dutch company so we're all very proud of that over here.
I didn't know you could download 'skins' for it, will have to check that out. I do know you can download funny voices like John Cleese to do the narrated instructions ("left here you fool!")
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love my tom tom- bought the 920 as it was preloaded with european maps for a trip a couple years back worked wonderfully. Use it here when needed- works like a charm- i prefer the australian female voice myself
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I'm on my second Garmin unit and I'm very happy with it.
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I guess you all know that Tom-tom is the Hindi name for a drum. The small drum used by Native American Indians is commonly called a Tom-tom.
Richard M, NYC
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and when the unit powers up you here the drums- I think the concept is that "tom-toms" were akin to jungle drums to help you locate and navigate you way home to your village ill bring it the 22nd!
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I didn't know Tom Tom was a Dutch company? Well done Dutch friends they are great devices!
I happen to have the Garmin Nuvi and absolutely love it. unfortunately I know where I'm going 95% of the time so it sits in it's case more often then not but when you need it you just can't go wrong with a good GPS.
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The Dutch also invented the Gatso speed camera
For that reason alone, surely Peter and Cees should be banned or something :D
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Ah yes, but did you have to pay a product placement fee?? Or did MB pay you to include it in your GPS..........
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Before we wax poetic on the Netherlands contribution of TomTom, or any other non-USA's firms GPS offerings, time for a little flag waving here.
(http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/mdsalemi/20086683228_USFlag.jpg)
These inexpensive receivers are only possible because of the 24 GPS NAVSTAR satellites. Conceived, designed, and built for U.S. Military use in the USA, and launched on U.S. hardware by the Department of Defense. Paid for by U.S. Citizens completely. They are about as all-American as you can get. Each satellite lasts about 10 years, I hear, so it is a continuing project to launch and maintain these medium-earth-orbit satellites. Oh, yes--I think there's a non-functioning Russian version, the Japanese have something in the works as do the Europeans, and so to the Chinese. That's all wonderful. All the GPS receivers in common use, use the American GPS system at least for now.
These have been in military use since 1978, long before the U.S. allowed commercial use of them at reduced resolution. If you think your TomTom is accurate, you should see what the US Military's versions can do at full resolution and accuracy.
So, next time your made in China TomTom, Magellan, Garmin, or what have you tells you to turn left at the next traffic signal look to the skies and thank the often maligned but good old USA for providing and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to make your receiver work.
This is no maligning of our friendly relations with the Netherlands. By all rights we should be speaking Dutch here anyway; they did a great job of exploring, and settling here, had a thriving city of New Amsterdam,(New York now for those that forget their history) and everything was humming along just fine until the Brits came along, and told the Dutch, "Great job, boys, we'll take it from here..." and sent them packing.
OK, I'm leaving the podium now and taking the flag with me. And, I'm running fast, too! ;)
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And another thing we owe the Dutch: the word "Yankee" comes from "Jan" and "Cees", common names of early Dutch settlers.
Richard M, from Yankee land.
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What makes the TOM TOM so special-and popular-among europeans is its capabilities of easy and quick update on the web.Just plug-in your receiver, and that's it, at a generally reasonable price (but sometimes for free).
I love this system compared to those that require buying new CD's or DVD's all the time.
Moreover, frequent updates are really useful as speed cameras tend to grow faster than grass on our nice european highways... ;)
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Am I really the only one with a becker 7948 ? ('[:0]')
Kemal
280SL
Manual LHD 69
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Correct Richard, and actually the more common spelling of my first name is indeed "Kees" rather than "Cees" (pronounced the same).
Michael - one fact you omitted to mention in your otherwise correct account of the satellite collection maintained by the US that we all rely on for our nav sat systems is that it was once again a Dutch inventor who came up with the basic system requirements, architecture, software and supporting technology for those satellites, back in the fall of 1649 ;)
Seriously through, I always enjoy the statement we get from the Hertz rental car 'Neverlost' system (we call her "Marie") when we have reached our destination: "You have arrived!"
quote:
Originally posted by 280SL71
And another thing we owe the Dutch: the word "Yankee" comes from "Jan" and "Cees", common names of early Dutch settlers.
Richard M, from Yankee land.
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Originally posted by cees klumper
Michael - one fact you omitted to mention in your otherwise correct account of the satellite collection maintained by the US that we all rely on for our nav sat systems is that it was once again a Dutch inventor who came up with the basic system requirements, architecture, software and supporting technology for those satellites, back in the fall of 1649 ;)
Seriously through, I always enjoy the statement we get from the Hertz rental car 'Neverlost' system (we call her "Marie") when we have reached our destination: "You have arrived!"
We call her "Michelle". And, she is spot on, nearly 100% of the time. Every little 2-track (that's an otherwise uncharted dirt road) in the California desert, Michelle had in her maps! Ironically the one thing Michelle could not do is take us back to her "home". Hertz failed to update their system to reflect the new rental car building in Las Vegas. Poor Michelle was taking us to a now-vacated empty lot off the airport thinking she was home! :(
I also failed to mention Canada. While I think the early satellites were sent up in "rockets" I think now the means to do that is with the Shuttle. Our friends from Canada have the robotic arm that gently places satellites in orbit.
Canada's contribution to the US Space program is not well recognized, but when AVRO basically went out of business at the dawn of the space program, THOUSANDS of aeronautical engineers fled south. Not bad, eh?
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quote:
Originally posted by Tosh
The Dutch also invented the Gatso speed camera
For that reason alone, surely Peter and Cees should be banned or something :D
I met the son of the (deceased) developer during a rally... he is a fanatic classic car rally driver.
I kneed him in the groin ;) . Am I allowed to stay now, Tosh?
Peter
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Only as long as you kneed him so hard that the family line ends with him!
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Not knowing much about these gadgets here is a question for all you savvy GPS users: Which brand, Garmin or TomTom, is better if one wants to use the gadget mostly here in the States and occasionally in Europe?
I don't want to spend top dollars and am more interested in an entry level unit. For example, is it possible to add a Europe map to an entry level Garmin Nuvi 350 or does this only work with an 370 model? What about the TomTom 130S, can that one be loaded with USA and EU maps?
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Originally posted by 66andBlue
Not knowing much about these gadgets here is a question for all you savvy GPS users: Which brand, Garmin or TomTom, is better if one wants to use the gadget mostly here in the States and occasionally in Europe?
I don't want to spend top dollars and am more interested in an entry level unit. For example, is it possible to add a Europe map to an entry level Garmin Nuvi 350 or does this only work with an 370 model? What about the TomTom 130S, can that one be loaded with USA and EU maps?
I don't think that there is a correct answer to this question. It's a personal preference issue. I know that TomTom lets you load US and European maps and I assume that Garmin does as well. I have TomTom and am happy. From what I have seen of other Garmin and TomTom users, most people are happy with what they have. You mention that you don't want to spend top dollar -- keep in mind that by going with either you are getting high-quality navigation (and possibly mp3 player, bluetooth phone kit, etc) for a fraction of what OEM navigation costs in cars today.
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I bought the 900 level tom tom for that very purpose. Its preloaded with both US and europe- I rarely use it here, just helped in philly though, but essential in europe with the mysterious roundabouts and it got me from monaco to lugano to zurich and around lago maggiore with no effort
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Alfred,
I have the Tom Tom 920. It was the top of the range 2 years ago. I wanted it for the purpose you describe, but from the other side of the Pond. It has 2 map databases, you just switch between them. It is excellent.
The 920 (which is now superceded by a new model also starting '9XX') has a lot of memory. Lesser versions require one to load maps via a computer disc. Mine was expensive but well worth the money - I often attribute it to having saved my marriage given my wifes proclivity for what I term 'after the fact navigation' which involves telling me as I drive along that autobahn that the turning I wanted WAS that one...
These things have dropped in price massively, though. There are also lots of great features on the Tom Tom which you may use, including the blue tooth hook up. This allows you to use your phone hands free (provided it has blue tooth) using the speaker and mic on the Tom Tom. Most modern high end cars now have this as an option, but the Tom Tom lets you do it more cheaply. Not that you'll be able to hear anything in the pagoda with the roof down.
James
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Just purchased the Garmin 760T which comes preloaded with UK, Europe and USA maps. It also has blue tooth hook up so mobile phone hands free, important points of interest, FM receiver, MP3 player through the FM transmitter to your radio and takes SD cards.
Will set this up at the weekend for my UK trip to Roger Edwards then Devon. Summer holidays 8) 8) 8) 8)
It cost GBP 200.
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Originally posted by rob walker
Just purchased the Garmin 760T which comes preloaded with UK, Europe and USA maps. It also has blue tooth hook up so mobile phone hands free, important points of interest, FM receiver, MP3 player through the FM transmitter to your radio and takes SD cards.
Will set this up at the weekend for my UK trip to Roger Edwards then Devon. Summer holidays 8) 8) 8) 8)
It cost GBP 200.
It has an FM receiver AND FM transmitter? That's pretty cool. It sounds basically the same in function and price as the TomTom GO720.
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Yes seems pretty cool, lets hope that the sat nav bit works and does not direct me into some river as you keep reading about in the papers :oops:
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Rob,
the sat navs are great and have got me to the door of the most unlikey places all over Europe. I simply don't believe these river tales. I think people just like making these stories up. If you keep the unit up to date with map corrections you'll be OK. Good luck with the RE boys.
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Originally posted by rob walker
Yes seems pretty cool, lets hope that the sat nav bit works and does not direct me into some river as you keep reading about in the papers :oops:
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Paul, yes there just good press stories, normally some bl**de for even more spice. I had the BMW system in my last 5 and it was good, but here in Turkey they are just coming onto the market. Garman do have a dealer here that has a Turkey map so will also get this uploaded, not that I realy want to drive anywhere here.....1.75 hrs to go 12 kms from home to downtown Istanbul office this morning :evil: hope the roads are better in Devon 8)
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They are, I have a house there ( in Devon ). Why not buy a Sat nav here at Halfords where they are often reduced by 50%. I have the Tom Tom 920T which is great and also the sticky thing that you stick onto the windscreen fits nicely on the glove box between the light and the edge and with a coily lead plugged into the cigarette lighter looks neat and tidy. I will have it hard wired soon when I have finished my "the electrical project" list for the boys.
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Originally posted by rob walker
Paul, yes there just good press stories, normally some bl**de for even more spice. I had the BMW system in my last 5 and it was good, but here in Turkey they are just coming onto the market. Garman do have a dealer here that has a Turkey map so will also get this uploaded, not that I realy want to drive anywhere here.....1.75 hrs to go 12 kms from home to downtown Istanbul office this morning :evil: hope the roads are better in Devon 8)
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Where in Devon, we also have a barn conversion in Devon near Okehampton, which is where we are going for a few weeks. I bought the Garmin in the UK on Ebay and its being delivered to Suffolk my start point for the Merc vacation.
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Originally posted by paulr
They are, I have a house there ( in Devon ). Why not buy a Sat nav here at Halfords where they are often reduced by 50%. I have the Tom Tom 920T which is great and also the sticky thing that you stick onto the windscreen fits nicely on the glove box between the light and the edge and with a coily lead plugged into the cigarette lighter looks neat and tidy. I will have it hard wired soon when I have finished my "the electrical project" list for the boys.
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Hi scoot and peterm,
do you know whether the map share feature works in the USA? And if it does how many owners use it and share maps?
Also what did it cost you to download European maps? Also does TomTom charge a yearly GPS fee?
I am still trying to figure out what to buy. I don't own an MP3 player or iPod and I use my (non-Bluetooth) cell phone only for emergencies, so all these bells and whistles are not important - at last for now.
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Originally posted by 66andBlue
Hi scoot and peterm,
do you know whether the map share feature works in the USA? And if it does how many owners use it and share maps?
Also what did it cost you to download European maps? Also does TomTom charge a yearly GPS fee?
I am still trying to figure out what to buy. I don't own an MP3 player or iPod and I use my (non-Bluetooth) cell phone only for emergencies, so all these bells and whistles are not important - at last for now.
Mapshare does work in the US but I don't use it so I can't tell you much about it. I _think_ the European map is $99, but check at tomtom.com to verify. There is no yearly GPS fee with TomTom but if you want real-time traffic there is a fee, and I think it is waived in the US right now since it doesn't work well here anyway.
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the 920 I have was preloaded with both us and europe the reason I bought it! Don't use any fee services, frankly only used on a prn basis
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I wanted to revive this thread because I'm about to take the plunge and purchase a GPS device. (Yes, I'm an Old School kind of guy when it comes to gadgets like these. In fact, I've been driving with a "Magic 8-Ball" attached to my windshield with a suction cup instead of GPS. "Answer Hazy. Try again." gets a little old after awhile....)
So does anyone have any recent experiences with preferred GPS devices they can volunteer? I'd even be interested in hearing about ones to avoid.
Thanks for any insight you can share on this.
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So does anyone have any recent experiences with preferred GPS devices they can volunteer? I'd even be interested in hearing about ones to avoid.
I'm still happy with my TomTom GO720. Prices are supposed to be low this year. Expect to get a good deal on whatever you buy.
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Hi Douglas,
I wanted a GPS with European maps already installed and after reading lots of comments from customers on the Amazon web site and on the GPS Review site [http://www.gpsreview.net/tomtom-go-920t/] I decided to buy the TomTom GO920T from Amazon. In mid-September the price for the 920T (with the RDS-TMC traffic receiver) was lower than for the regular 920 - go figure! Unfortunately that deal is gone. So far I am quite happy with it. I'll send you an email with more comments and details later.