Customer Reviews

TOMTOM Navigator USA Bluetooth GPS for Pocket PC

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Tomtom GPS navigator USA is the best GPS solution for Pocket PCs right now. I personally wish I had the Garmin GPS Palm PDA, but since I use a Pocket PC, I'm pretty happy with Tomtom so far. I initially had some setup troubles with the program, and occasionally it would crash, but this is very common on the PPC platform.

Things I like:
1. Great software. Even included 3D navigation maps. Pretty accurate as far as I know.
2. Audio directions.
3. Works, unlike many other GPS programs.

Things to watch out for:
1. Get a powerful Pocket PC. Don't pick the underpowered iPaq 1940 or 1945. Those models will not be able to run the software adepately. Get a PPC with an Intel Xscale 400 or faster.
2. Obviously, you need a PPC with Bluetooth.
3. Get an SD flash memory card.

It's hard to find this package at a discount, and watch out for people selling non-functional ones on eBay. But if you have a Bluetooth-capable PPC with a fast processor (and a spare battery), you'll like Tomtom.

Good software, as long as you never loose, never break, never need to replace your Pocket PC. Watch out for their activation policies, and non existent customer service.

I do like this unit and in general I like the navigation.
The maps are not completely updated, but they do a good job.
Its easy to re route to avoid traffic backups etc.

However, when my trusty Pocket PC died on my, I went out
and got one of the fancy TMobile Pocket PC phones and attempted
to use it, not a very good idea, the 6315 was buggy and
wouldn't keep its Bluetooth connection.

So I returned it and went to buy a regular pocket pc, I got the
rx3100, which seems to be ok.

However I can no longer install the TomTom software on my
Pocket PC due to their activation policies. They have registered
the original activation and my activation on the new phone
and that is basically it.

Good luck finding a phone number for someone to call and talk
to about the issue. At least Microsoft has a number that
you can call to get such issues resolved. I wrote them a letter
through their support link, and no response what so ever.

[...]

You need to send them the following documentation for them
to concider giving you another activation code:

A copy of the purchase receipt for the TomTom Navigator for PalmOne or Pocket PC PDAs.
Email copies of purchase receipts are not preferred due to the authenticity of content and / or origin.
A photocopy of the front of CD 1.
A photocopy of the existing Product Code label supplied with the original copy of TomTom Navigator.
A service and repair documentation demonstrating the replacement of the original Pocket PC.
Store returns receipt(s) demonstrating the replacement of the original Pocket PC.
If a second Pocket PC has been purchased recently send the purchase receipt / documentation for the original and new Pocket PC

I have not yet been able to find my original purchase receipt so I guess they expect me to licence the software all over a again, never mind the fact that I would have to use their Bluetooth dongle since it's the only one I have.

Such draconian measures such be advertised on the front of the package, so that the consumer would be aware of it, when they decided to spent their money, not a year and a half later, when they bought a new pocket pc.

With an impressive user interface I found TomTom's Navigator is easy to use and a joy to work with. The clean crisp presentation drew me into the feature rich functionality of the application with features like finger touch controls and an extensive point of interest database. I love the 3D view and voice directions are very clear and precise (unlike other solutions I've tried that sound like a robot). It's route calculation has a range of route types and settings that have reliable guided me to my destination. The best part is that, with the Bluetooth GPS, Navigator takes me beyond my destination. I get there and can walk around town with the GPS receiver in my shirt pocket.
I can't stop using it to the extent that I even found myself using it for directions to destinations I already know how to get to. It seems addictive in this way.

The Tomtom navigator version with no cradle for your Pocket PC lists for $329. With the cradle it lists for $349. Unlike most items on Amazon, this J&R listing makes absolutely no mention of what comes in the box. I assumed that for $347 you were getting a $2 discount on the $349 version. Nope, your being charged $18 more than retail for the one without the cradle. What's worst, is that the cradle costs you $50 when bought separately from Tomtom. Avoid hassles, buy directly from Tomtom and get what you expect.

I had tried so other devices but found the interfaces difficult to use (let alone my wife). The TomTom does an outstanding job and setting up is very easy.
What is also much better is the display and routing of the maps, especially outside LA when driving in scarcely populated areas.

I ordered the TomTom BlueTooth Navigation system for a Pocket PC. It arrived in an orderly fashion. The shipping box was damaged. The manufactureer's box was damaged. The GPS device was floating around in the box. The L-shaped cradle was missing (item#2 on page 3 of the manual). Much to my chagrine, the IPAQ cradle was missing. Then I looked a little further and the manufacturer's box had the cradle X'd out even though the price was $347.00. The retail price for this package INCLUDING the cradle is $349.00. I called J and R and told them my problem. They told me that they knew about the problem and that I was to call TomTom directly because the wrong box was being distributed. I called TomTom and the Customer Service representative told me that J and R was responsible. I once again called J and R and was told that they would "send the missing parts".

I may be wrong but I think that J and R purchasing did not investigate the product very well and they were selling it in a wrong manner. They need to straighten this out before seiing this item as advertised.

The single star was for my experience and is in no way meant to deter the purchase of the TomTom device. It just serves as a warning to check what you buy. There are different boxed versions of the Bluetooth TomTom Navigator.

I should say that I was able to take care of this problem this morning and that everyone involved was very nice.

For now I have returned my item and am waiting for things to "cool down" before jumping back on the horse and trying again.

I bought the bundle package direct from TomTom- pocket PC HP1940, the bluetooth antenae, the maps and the car kit.
I had initial problems getting the bluetooth pocket PC to detect the antenae - TomTom had sent an old version of software that had problems. Their help desk was always busy but they do ring you back. In the end, downloading an update from their website fixed it.

The maps - very detailed - best I have seen
Points of interest - extensive and you can create your own
Voice - is loud and clear, you can also download other voices
Satelitte reception - very good, finds satelites quickly. Even if you lose the signal it tracks your position for about 10 seconds.
Other good features - road avoidance - either if there is a jam ahead or if you know a road is going to be bad you can re-route around it. You can also indicate avoid areas if you know that a certain area is always a bottleneck.
You can also use the GPS if you are walking, with the antenae in your pocket - it has a special walk function that can route you through parks etc.

The pocket PC is also good, it was my first - it is small and light and fits into the sturdy car mounting kit well.

Bad points? The initial problem I described first and I also note that the Pocket PC seems to "freeze" quite often - I have a 512 Sandisk SD card, but I notice that if I have less than 150 MB free on it the pc can freeze up.

I note that Tomtom in the UK has "traffic" software that shows you where all the road congestion is - hope that comes to the States. They are also working on Canadian maps.