Portable TomTom instead of the built-in Nav
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
From: Seattle, WA
Portable TomTom instead of the built-in Nav
When I bought my 2010 Fit, I decided against getting the built-in Nav, although it does look nice to have that touchscreen. But I got a TomTom XXL540M, 5" touchscreen, with lifetime map update, for only $170. For a $18000 vehicle, spending close to 10% of the cost for a built-in Nav is not worth it, IMHO. I mean if you own a BMW costing $60,000 - $100,000, spending $3000 on a built-in Nav is nothing. Cost versus value.
Anyway, the TomTom is to replace my sucky 2 year old LG740 by LG electronics. It is a small 3" screen and just does not compare well with new updated models.
Anyway, the TomTom is to replace my sucky 2 year old LG740 by LG electronics. It is a small 3" screen and just does not compare well with new updated models.
When I bought my 2010 Fit, I decided against getting the built-in Nav, although it does look nice to have that touchscreen. But I got a TomTom XXL540M, 5" touchscreen, with lifetime map update, for only $170. For a $18000 vehicle, spending close to 10% of the cost for a built-in Nav is not worth it, IMHO. I mean if you own a BMW costing $60,000 - $100,000, spending $3000 on a built-in Nav is nothing. Cost versus value.
Anyway, the TomTom is to replace my sucky 2 year old LG740 by LG electronics. It is a small 3" screen and just does not compare well with new updated models.
Anyway, the TomTom is to replace my sucky 2 year old LG740 by LG electronics. It is a small 3" screen and just does not compare well with new updated models.
I am thinking about doing this as well-- where did buy yours? Would you show photos of how it looks in your Fit? I started a thread on this.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/general-fit-talk/57154-aftermarket-gps-setups-photos-wanted.html
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
From: Seattle, WA
I am thinking about doing this as well-- where did buy yours? Would you show photos of how it looks in your Fit? I started a thread on this.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/general-fit-talk/57154-aftermarket-gps-setups-photos-wanted.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/general-fit-talk/57154-aftermarket-gps-setups-photos-wanted.html
I found it to be on sale at Amazon. I had to pay WA sales tax, otherwise it would have been only $160.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
From: Seattle, WA
I stand corrected, I jst cancelled the Amazon order because I got it for $10 cheaper at Tigerdirect.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,462
From: Vermont
I picked up a windshield mount for my phone (Windows Mobile 6.5 with Garmin installed) for $10 at TJ Maxx. (also had a dash mat but it didn't work well on the fit so i'm using the Mount on the side front window.)
~SB
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 225
From: Shreveport, LA
I've got a Garmin Nuvi that replaced my TomTom one 3rd edition. I can't remember what model Nuvi I have, but it's the basic 4.3 inch model. I have to say I didn't think I'd like it better than my TomTom, but I do. I don't know if TomTom has corrected it in later models, but the ETA feature on mine sucked! It's as if it were made for bicycles or something. When I plug in my one hour commute in my old TomTom, it would always estimate it would take at least 1 hr and 30 mins. But my Garmin gets it right from the beginning.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
From: Seattle, WA
I've got a Garmin Nuvi that replaced my TomTom one 3rd edition. I can't remember what model Nuvi I have, but it's the basic 4.3 inch model. I have to say I didn't think I'd like it better than my TomTom, but I do. I don't know if TomTom has corrected it in later models, but the ETA feature on mine sucked! It's as if it were made for bicycles or something. When I plug in my one hour commute in my old TomTom, it would always estimate it would take at least 1 hr and 30 mins. But my Garmin gets it right from the beginning.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
The iphone GPS receiver is not the greatest, but you are right, it will work.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,462
From: Vermont
Seriously ,the phone gps antennas do take longer usually to locate but I used mine today (WinMo with Garmin) and it took me right to where I wanted to be. Not sure about the iPh but WinMo phones have 3 stand-alone gps choices (that I know of) and a few other that require a data connection. iGo8's Nav'n'Go, Destinator, & Garmin are the three stand alone that dont need a data connection that I've used and Bing2.0 works well but needs cell service for downloading maps. All three use the built in GPS chip and not Cell tower triangulation for my phone (samsung Omnia). I'm going to convert my omnia to a strict GPS when I move to a new phone (probably in another 6-9 months.)
~SB
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,417
From: Capital Distric New York
I've got a Garmin Nuvi that replaced my TomTom one 3rd edition. I can't remember what model Nuvi I have, but it's the basic 4.3 inch model. I have to say I didn't think I'd like it better than my TomTom, but I do. I don't know if TomTom has corrected it in later models, but the ETA feature on mine sucked! It's as if it were made for bicycles or something. When I plug in my one hour commute in my old TomTom, it would always estimate it would take at least 1 hr and 30 mins. But my Garmin gets it right from the beginning.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
If you have an iPhone, buying one of the GPS apps is another option. I have the Navigon app on mine and it's great. I use it whenever I go on business travel and have a rental.
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 225
From: Shreveport, LA
Regarding the iPhone GPS options, I know TomTom and Navigon make turn by turn apps. I went with Navigon b/c I saw they had a regional version. I've used mine all the way from New Mexico to Alabama and paid $15. As far as the quality, mine works fine. I've lost signal a couple of times but only for a few seconds max.
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 126
From: BFE, WA, USA
Playing with various GPS units in stores I thought even the cheap Garmin Nuvi's felt nicer and were more "functional". Then again, the only reason I want a GPS is to see in real time a top down of where I'm at and be able to enter coordinates. I could care less about navigation, but then again I'm old school and prefer a map.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
From: Seattle, WA
Just got my Tomtom XXL 540 today for the Fit, plug it in, and it works pretty much right out of the boc. The issue being the house I would like to drive to, somehow is not in the map, the house is only 4 years old. 
Odd.
Odd.
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