Ari Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Got a 700 today and have to say, it is awesome! Very intuitive to program and to use all the different functions and facilities. I felt very confident with it in minutes and I've not even picked up the instruction book. Some useful learning tutorials on it too. Display is an excellent size and extremely clear. After a brief play tonight I really don't think I'd want it any smaller. It's small enough (just) not to be obstructive, but big and clear enough to read at a glance without having to focus in on it thereby distracting you from the road. Some extremely clever programs, like the ability to review a route in map form or in turn by turn instructions, or even send it off on a demo, whereby you can sit and watch the cursor navigate the route as though you were driving it, complete with all voice instructions. You can speed this up considerably so that you don't have to sit there for an hour whilst it completes what would be an hours journey in reality. Instructions volume can be set to adjust itself according to speed, display brightness can be toggled between day and night, and both those settings are adjustable independent of each other. You can even set whether you want a virtual ABC keyboard or QWERTY! The remote control, which I thought was a bit of a gimmick is actually a very useful way of controlling it. The sucker mount seems very firm when attached yet quick and easy to mount or dismount. All in all a great little unit! A lot of people rave about these, and after initially planning to spend a lot less on a Garmin i3, all the TomTom reviews pointed me to it and eventually I took a deep breath and paid the extra. Now I've got it I'm so glad I did. Couldn't be more pleased. Will be interesting see how it pans out in serious use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I heard you got it off a right dodgy fecker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Has it cooled down Ari? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I was a bit worried when he turned up in a Jag wearing a camelhair coat and a trilby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Have you downloaded the Transport Ministers little earners onto it yet? www.pocketgps.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I was a bit worried when he turned up in a Jag wearing a camelhair coat and a trilby! [/ QUOTE ] Hotlinking Ari? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Not any more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Have you downloaded the Transport Ministers little earners onto it yet? www.pocketgps.co.uk [/ QUOTE ] Already on it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] A lot of people rave about these, and after initially planning to spend a lot less on a Garmin i3, all the TomTom reviews pointed me to it and eventually I took a deep breath and paid the extra [/ QUOTE ] I really dont see the point of £1000 worth of RNS-E when these little GPS's do the trick so well. I my Tom Tom Go 500!! BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 I've just started using mine (possibly a bit lazy when you consider I bought it at the same time as your dodgy dealer bought his/yours) and have to say I agree. It's a great piece of kit, very easy and intuitive to use, and the bluetooth mobile phone connection is the best car kit I've had. Much better than previous hardwired ones. I'll have to start using the remote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 The TT700 is excellent - took us all the way to France and, er, part of the way back. It was also the unit that got stolen . But I must say it was pretty impressive - I'll almost certainly get the same again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Yes, following your tale of woe, I've decided that West London is not yet civilised enough to allow me to leave the bracket in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I heard you got it off a right dodgy fecker [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Glad you like it Ari. Have you downloaded just the speed camera data or all of the POIs. Not sure how you are doing it but there is a prog called POIedit on pocketgps which is the easiest way to get it all down. Might be telling you to suck eggs but.... By the way I think you also have a limit to how many POIs you can install, 30 ish rings a bell. Having all the McDonalds in has been great when I'm in the middle of nowwhere and just need a drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 All advice gratefully received CM. It has scameras already on it, altohugh it just bongs when one appears. Apparently there is a database where it tells you the speed limit and type of Scamera (ie Gatso, Spec etc) which sounds good. Do you have to remove one database before you add another or does it just sort of overlay? I've also got traffic light cameras on it but I might see if I can remove that as I'd never ever go through a red anyway so is a bit unnecessary for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Also, once you've put your destination in and it's given you a route, is there an easy way to toggle between fastest and most direct route? At the moment I have to come right out, into preferences, find it, change it, and then put the route back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I really dont see the point of £1000 worth of RNS-E when these little GPS's do the trick so well. [/ QUOTE ] I would still rather use the RNS-E than the TomTom, but fitting an RNS-E into the MR2 might be a little problematic! But £1000? I paid around £530 for my RNS-E on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 When you use POIedit it will download all the POIs and the pictures etc. As you will see there are over 100 I think in all. Just select the UK and PocketGPS as the update site. You will see a big long list. Create a directory and select them all to be added. A couple have problems sometimes just unselect them after the update you will see what I mean. I think there are 2 files for each site the info and the icon make sure you copy both onto the Tomtom. The speed cameras/ specs will all be there along with GATSOs being split out into 30 - 40 - 50 etc. zones. This isn't perfect but is very useful. And this is why POI Alerts. If you have a look through this it will tell you how to program the Tomtom with custom voices for the warning POIs. If you don't like them you can go back no probs. But what it does if you set it to bleep on Gatso as a POI and then set the speed limit GATSOs to the correct warning it will speak out the correct warning as you approach a camera. This way it bleeps (on the GATSO POI i.e. everyone just in case) and then goes on to say Gatso 30 etc. works very well on my Palm and should be great on the GO just set the warning distance a little longer. In answer to your question on the POIs yes you just copy them over the existing files. The updates come out once a month, if you see a camera that isn't on then mail them and it will be in the next release for everyone. The mobile warnings IMO are excellent.. a fair few points have been saved slowing down in case and low and behold there they are with the laser. I don't know how to toggle between the fastest / shortest. I think if you just tell it to recalculate or find alternative I think it is the route it chooses the other one Fastest / Shortest .. but try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_C Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Also, once you've put your destination in and it's given you a route, is there an easy way to toggle between fastest and most direct route? At the moment I have to come right out, into preferences, find it, change it, and then put the route back in. [/ QUOTE ] From memory (as I don't have it with me) I think you just select 'Navigate to' then 'Find alternative' followed by 'Shortest route' (or 'Fastest route' or whatever). Use 'Recalculate original' if you want to go back. Welcome to the 700 club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_C Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Thanks CarMad that's very useful. I applied the POI camera database some time ago, and last week the POI voices. What I haven't figured out yet is how to get the right spoken warnings to work with the relevant cameras, e.g. "Gatso 30" for a Gatso in a 30 etc. I'll give this POI edit a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Thanks CM and John, thats brilliant. I'll have a (TomTom) Go later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Do some work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Sorry boss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I really dont see the point of £1000 worth of RNS-E when these little GPS's do the trick so well. [/ QUOTE ] I would still rather use the RNS-E than the TomTom, but fitting an RNS-E into the MR2 might be a little problematic! But £1000? I paid around £530 for my RNS-E on ebay. [/ QUOTE ] Ok Ok! BUT how much will Audi charge you? You'd also have a bit of trouble fitting the RNS-E to a push bike or putting it in your pocket!!! Must admit I like the card slots though........ BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 the 700 is a fantastic piece of kit as long as you dont mind the size of it. I love the phone feature and also i can drive along roads that i would not normally go along as i would get lost and it just takes you where you want to go, apart from trying to get me to join a motorway using the emergency service gate once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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