I just think it is funny a cradle that costs as much as a standalone nav unit but doesn't include the software, maps or the actual hardware to run it besides the radio exists. There can't be no more than 15 dollars in parts there.
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TomTom iPhone Car Kit to Cost $120!! Seriously?
- Thread starter dhy8386
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TomTom's app is pound for pound the most expensive sat nav app on iTunes.
Having tried three (Igo MyWay, TomTom, and Navigon) I can say that TomTom has by far the worst case of GPS lag of all. For me (any many others) it was so bad that Apple refunded my purchase.
It is documented that the iPhone GPS chip is weaker that that of a standalone system. However, Navigon for one have managed to get the software to work around this problem and perform very well.
I have an email from TomTom confirming that they will NOT be addressing the GPS lag issue in any further updates.
TomTom however expect us to pay another $120 for the cradle on top of the $100 for the app, to make the app perform as it should do in the first place.
TomTom should inform people that their app will not work properly without the cradle, or 'fix' the problem in the software.
It's not the price of the cradle that p***es me off - just the fact that in order to get the app to work properly you HAVE to buy it.
Having tried three (Igo MyWay, TomTom, and Navigon) I can say that TomTom has by far the worst case of GPS lag of all. For me (any many others) it was so bad that Apple refunded my purchase.
It is documented that the iPhone GPS chip is weaker that that of a standalone system. However, Navigon for one have managed to get the software to work around this problem and perform very well.
I have an email from TomTom confirming that they will NOT be addressing the GPS lag issue in any further updates.
TomTom however expect us to pay another $120 for the cradle on top of the $100 for the app, to make the app perform as it should do in the first place.
TomTom should inform people that their app will not work properly without the cradle, or 'fix' the problem in the software.
It's not the price of the cradle that p***es me off - just the fact that in order to get the app to work properly you HAVE to buy it.
It's possible that I could buy this cradle for one reason, and that is because it looks from the pictures I've seen to be able to turn into landscape orientation. I haven't seen this in any other cradle that I've come across (please somebody point me to one, because I would really like this feature in the car, but the manufacturers seem to want to keep you in portrait mode, I guess to keep you from watching tv in the car or something).
But I do have a few questions about this thing. Does it have any functionality at all if you don't have the TomTom app? And since it has its own speaker, does that mean that it does not connect with your stereo system, so then the iphone can't play music through your car speakers anymore?
But I do have a few questions about this thing. Does it have any functionality at all if you don't have the TomTom app? And since it has its own speaker, does that mean that it does not connect with your stereo system, so then the iphone can't play music through your car speakers anymore?
It has a line out so you can still use your stereo system. Story is that the car kit should work with any GPS app... but until its actually out and confirmed I wouldn't hold my breath on that. It will go into landscape...but so do a lot of other car cradles, so if that's what you are mainly after, there are a lot cheaper options.
Come on guys, look at the picture + videos
its clearly a snap in deal = no case
You guys with cases should realize that a lot of the accessories made for the iphone were never intended to be used with cases.
This is another reason why BSE/IS/BG shields are a great solution
Queen of Spades
macrumors 68030
Sorry, but this thing is an utter waste of money.
I bought a Garmin nuvi 255w on amazon for $101 - dedicated and it's the best navi I have ever used. Why pay more for a crippled device? No thanks.
I bought a Garmin nuvi 255w on amazon for $101 - dedicated and it's the best navi I have ever used. Why pay more for a crippled device? No thanks.
chibamac
macrumors 6502
Lust on an escalator.
Your probably correct but some times the part that grips is flexible enough to allow for a silicone case or a thin plastic one..
I just bought a cheapo generic mount that clips on to my car's vent. Not as nice looking as the Tomtom but it was 15 bucks and i can have a case on the phone. The thing I like best about the Tomtom mount is the extra gps, The one on the iphone isn't nearly as good as a stand alone Garmin.
Perhaps other companies will chime in with after market antennas. It seems the demand would be high enough if they priced them right.
Your probably correct but some times the part that grips is flexible enough to allow for a silicone case or a thin plastic one..
I just bought a cheapo generic mount that clips on to my car's vent. Not as nice looking as the Tomtom but it was 15 bucks and i can have a case on the phone. The thing I like best about the Tomtom mount is the extra gps, The one on the iphone isn't nearly as good as a stand alone Garmin.
Perhaps other companies will chime in with after market antennas. It seems the demand would be high enough if they priced them right.
I have Bluetooth installed in teh car which means I can use the stereo touch screen to dial numbers rather than having to use the phone.
Surely Tomtom have taken the Phones ability to connect to Bluetooth into account when designing this phone holder.
I wonder whether I can use the bluetooth to have directions through the speaker rather than the one in the holder?
Surely Tomtom have taken the Phones ability to connect to Bluetooth into account when designing this phone holder.
I wonder whether I can use the bluetooth to have directions through the speaker rather than the one in the holder?
I hope I didn't miss an earlier thread, but didn't I hear somewhere that the GPS chip in the Tomtom car kit will also enhance the reception of other GPS apps?
If your iphone is jailbroken, then you can use an app called roqygps which will let you use an external gps module (also accomplishing improved GPS with way way way less $$$).
If you iphone is not jailbroken, then I suggest you do so.
If you iphone is not jailbroken, then I suggest you do so.
I have no need for a stand alone GPS
I use my 3G as a my gps and it works perfectly.
The yellow pages app will let you search local merchants, and with a touch of the map button allows you to find directions from your current location
The gasbag app lets you find the cheapest gas station in your location without even having to type in anything
I think those two apps alone shows how powerful having a cellphone+GPS combination in one
I would kill for turn by turn, so I don't have to press the "next" button on the iPhone Maps app, but doesn't bug me enough to pay $100 for a navigation app.
Scooterman1
macrumors 6502a
Survey
I don't see this posted on this thread, so I'll share this....
I haven't purchased the TomTom App, but I did join their newsletter emailing on their iPhone site.
Well, a few days ago I received an email entitled:
Tell us what you think and win one of the three TomTom car kits for iPhone
It took me to a Survey asking a LOT of question about price, how much I think would be a Fair Price, how much would be considered too low that I would believe it was not a good produce, what would be considered out of range high, high point that I might buy, how much to definitely buy, etc. This is just a small portion of the types of questions. Draw your own conclusion.
I don't see this posted on this thread, so I'll share this....
I haven't purchased the TomTom App, but I did join their newsletter emailing on their iPhone site.
Well, a few days ago I received an email entitled:
Tell us what you think and win one of the three TomTom car kits for iPhone
It took me to a Survey asking a LOT of question about price, how much I think would be a Fair Price, how much would be considered too low that I would believe it was not a good produce, what would be considered out of range high, high point that I might buy, how much to definitely buy, etc. This is just a small portion of the types of questions. Draw your own conclusion.
CD3660
macrumors 603
Anoher possible problem with this car kit will be if the next model of iPhone (probably due out sometime next summer) brings a change in the shape and size of the hardware, and therefore does not fit it.
My history with iPhones is to upgrade to the next model as soon as it arrives, but I wouldn't appreciate wasting £99.95 (currently $158.35) on a car kit that lasted me less than 9 months or so. 🙁 😱
My history with iPhones is to upgrade to the next model as soon as it arrives, but I wouldn't appreciate wasting £99.95 (currently $158.35) on a car kit that lasted me less than 9 months or so. 🙁 😱