|
Once installed it works great. The screen on the Omnia isn't quite the right size for this software but is quite usable. This will only install if you don't update the desktop software. The documentation could be better.
The instruction for installation is bad. I came from Germany, so I need it for everyday.
On the wander, we found Google maps better for deciding what was possible, but the Tom Tom far better for navigation. It found a very nice back way inland by its fast re-routing when we had decided to go 15 miles out of our way for an In and Out Burger. I have enjoyed this product for specific uses, not every day navigation.I purchased this with a Freedom Keychain GPS unit. I've now had my Tom Tom for my Palm Treo for 7 months. It has worked very well with constant car adapter power. It was accurate all the way to the door of our rented beach house. It fatigued too quickly otherwise for our wander.
The maps were, however, very good once we decided where to go. Verbal directions were comprehendible and in time for action. Clarity on the screen was always very good. It also tried hard not to let us go into the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, full of switchbacks, but eventually convinced it to take us there. Keeping power to the system was also a problem in that my long lasting battery was totally fatigued by using the car adapter the whole trip.
We have used it for a "wander" where we decided where to go on the fly through the mid section of the country, and last used it for Southern California navigation. My palm had more trouble with maintaining bluetooth connection. When we took it to CA, after flying into LA area, we had to drive to the coast in the dark. The POI lists are good, but for "what if" type inquiries about where to go, another software was found superior. It was helpful to show us how many more hairpin turns we had to go and we had an error free drive.
Delivery was fast. Having said that, it could be the user and not the software. :( I found this software difficult to use and overall, a waste of money. I bought it to use on my HP iPAQ but after much effort I gave up on it.
After a full hour of searching the Internet, I in desperation disconnected and reconnected my PDA and now suddenly could install the maps. I sought answers in the printed manual (very thin), the PDF manual (also anemic) and online TomTom Q&A files without success. Speed of calculation is excellent, and recalculation when going off track is remarkably fast. The software doesn't report the side of street your destination will be found (like Garmin). When I tried to install the program, a dialog box informed me automatic registration was not available and that I would need to manually register online. I have used many GPS devices (including TomTom), and while standalone units can be better at less cost, this is a credible tool to have on your PDA. I was suspicious finding both highly positive and negative reviews, but hoped things had improved since they were written. It should not, however, take a fairly savvy PC user over two hours to muddle through the installation.
You have the ability to review your route, browse maps and display addresses by clicking on roads. There is no step-by-step wizard and you are thrown into a program where you select the PDA operating system, the maps, and the voices. This was the only product I could find that provides software and maps (only) for a GPS-enabled PDA/phone. TomTom apparently found the hidden 128 bit "universally unique DeviceID," but would not memorize the product code that has to be entered each time you add another map.There are many maps listed, but many of them overlap without specifying if they are standalone (they are) or combined into a single database when installed (they are not). I really like the ability to go to any address within my Outlook Contact Manager.
Here is what you should know:INSTALLATION--This remains a nightmare as reported. The installation guide was non-existent, and searching the PDF manual yielded no hits.PROGRAM--Once installed, navigating the software is intuitive, and there are a number of customizable features. Living in Colorado, I didn't know whether to install USA & Canada, Western US, UT-CO-AZ-NM, NV-WY-ID-UT-CO or all four. I thus purchased it for my new HTC Touch Cruise PDA running Windows Mobile 6.
There is a nice setting for auto, bicycling and walking speeds, although the calculated walking ETA is useless. Auto zooming in and out around a turn point is smooth and excellent. I finally wish this unit displayed available elevation information like some of the newer units.SUMMARY--I have taken the time to write a review to help those who elect to buy this product. Map detail is good, but I found missing road modifications three years out of date. Routing is sometimes serpentine and can take you through residential areas when only slightly longer arteries are preferable.
I later concluded they provide multiple area combinations to minimize storage requirements on your PDA, but that is never stated.Once finally installed, TomTom couldn't find a GPS signal. The software also doesn't narrow down POI choices as you enter your search criteria. I will keep and use this software because it does work and there is no alternative, but I hope TomTom is listening. There are too few POI's (points of interest) and their large font truncates most entries making searching a little difficult. I was further encouraged when prompted to upgrade from version 1.03 to 1.5, but then the reality hit.
They have found a way to display much information on a small screen, and it is customizable. Since Google Maps automatically found the signal, I didn't expect needing to assign a COM port (I chose COM4) and serial bus speed (I chose the fastest). When I attempted that, the three 5-digit Product Code was recognized, but when they asked for a Device ID described as two 5-digit sequences from the PDA, I couldn't find one. Unlike other products (like Garmin's MapSource), you do not see what states are included in area map selections (e.g., Western US did NOT include CO).
|
