06-25-2002, 07:02 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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TomTom Navigator and TomTom Maps-on-Line
http://www.palmtop.nl/ce/index.html
TomTom, the people behind Routeplanner and Citymaps, have released two new mapping products that might be of great interest for those of you in Europe.
TomTom Navigator
TomTom Navigator is an all-in-one GPS Car Navigation solution, that addresses many of the wishes I had when I reviewed Routeplanner and Citymaps before, and especially the three major ones. Other than Routeplanner and Citymaps, Navigator can give vocal instructions, and it can automatically reroute when you detour from the original route. Next to that it covers everything from highways to cities, so you don't have to switch between two programs like with Routeplanner and CityMaps. Navigator is available with a GPS receiver. But the software works with NMEA 0183 or Sirf compatible GPS receivers, and if you have one of those, you can get the standalone software as well. As MvOosten wrote us: this includes the Destinator GPS unit!
TomTom Maps-on-Line
The other product is something that many of you have been dreaming of. "TomTom Maps-on-Line gives you access to detailed, street-level maps of twelve European countries without the need to preload any maps. Maps are sent instantly to your Pocket PC as you need them; no matter where you are, you always have detailed maps of the exact location with you. In order to use Maps-on-Line you will need to connect your Pocket PC to the internet. [...] TomTom Maps-on-Line plans your routes between any two locations, whether you�re by car or on foot. You can search places by name or just by pointing on the on-screen map and set your departure or destination. When you attach a GPS receiver, your Pocket PC can automatically use your current location. When planning a route between two cities, TomTom Maps-on-Line will seamlessly switch between detailed city streets and national roads and highways. This makes it possible to very quickly plan the best route between any two streets; within seconds, detailed route instructions will be displayed, offering turn-by-turn instructions accompanied by detailed maps."
The service is free for the first month, and will cost � 5 per month after that. Jerome Neuveglise from my2cents.info already wrote a review of this service that gives you a good overview of what it can do for you.
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06-25-2002, 08:02 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 21
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Marlof,
As I mailed to you and is worth mentioning: Navigator is supposed to be compatible with the destinator GPS reciever. That's what I got back from TomTom.
M.
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06-25-2002, 08:09 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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Shoot! I forgot to type right the sentence, that triggered this post. Holiday time for me! Thanks!
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06-25-2002, 08:51 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 13
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TomTom Navigator is a bomb !! 8)
I've just made my first trip with it and it's gonna be the summer hit ! (At least in Europe)
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06-25-2002, 11:22 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 43
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I'm very curious how it holds up against its 2 main rivals in Europe:
Alturion and Destinator.
It certainly has won concerning cost, but with navigation software there are a few other issues quite important:
- correct routeplanning, door to door
- date of maps
- correct instructions [voice and screen]
- visibility of instructions [safety]
- speed of rerouting
- flexibility in loading parts of maps on the PPC [optimal use of available memory]
Without the functionality mentioned above implemented correctly, the usability is questionable.
All other functionality is welcome [points of interest, avoid areas, etc.], but is "the icing on the cake".
I actually like the screen as shown on their site, the splitview [map with instructions] and the instructions screen must be perfect at night [simple, not bright in total, with just the instructions you need very clear].
Well, bring on the comparative reviews please.
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