TomTom Go - MINI Cooper Forum

nat · #1 (**permalink**) Oct 4th, 2004, 01:48 PM

What a great piece of kit, bought it yesterday for the MINI & think it is superb. It is small & portable, has an excellent screen & very easy to use. Has touch screen & post code inputs. Works out routes quickly & responds well with recalculations. The 3D map is excellent, much better than the M3s. Has lots of options, including destination via another address/POI. Have downloaded a speed camera database but not check it out yet. No probs with satelite reception or battery life.

If any of you are considering this then go get it, you wont be disappointed!!

wwwebber · #2 (**permalink**) Oct 4th, 2004, 10:17 PM

Yeah, been thinking about getting this - it sound s marvellous. Do you have any problems with locking onto sats in the Mini ?. Also, do you have a heated windscreen ?.

jionty · #3 (**permalink**) Oct 4th, 2004, 10:36 PM

thinking of buying one of these units for my dad, seems to be the best of these types on the market. where did you get the camera database from ?

ChicagoGator · #4 (**permalink**) Oct 4th, 2004, 10:44 PM

I already bought one after much research online. Definitely a good way to keep my mind off the wait for my Mini.

It retails for $899 (US) here and was able to get one online for $650. I bought it sight unseen, as I haven't been able to see one in person in the states. I defintely recommend it, now if my Mini would just arrive, I could get some good use out it.

Kinster · #5 (**permalink**) Oct 4th, 2004, 10:49 PM

Is it better than the MINI Sat Nav?

ChicagoGator · #6 (**permalink**) Oct 5th, 2004, 01:14 AM

Considering I got my GO for $650 US and the Mini NAV is $1700, there is no comparison.

The GO is not as "clean" as the built in, but you can easily take it with you in another car. The screen on the GO is amazing, whereas people have complained about the Mini NAV in bright sun. Also I believe you lose one of the line in/out options when you have the NAV.

To my knowledge, the main additional features of the Mini NAV are integration with the front/rear bumper cameras and TMC for traffic updates. The CDs for the GO come with the TMC codes, so there may be an add-on in the future.

IMHO, if you can live without those features, then GO is a much better value.

TonyM · #7 (**permalink**) Oct 5th, 2004, 09:56 AM

I've had a Tomtom Go for a couple of months now and am very impressed with it.

I use it in two cars, the MINI and a Volvo and have no problems with satellite reception in either of them although neither has a heated windscreen.

You can get a whole range of POI databases at this site www.PocketGPS.co.uk

CMOBBS · #8 (**permalink**) Oct 5th, 2004, 06:33 PM

What cabling do you need with the GO? Does it need plugging into the 12V power socket? Where is the best place for it?

Any chance somebody could post a picture of it in the Mini?

TonyM · #9 (**permalink**) Oct 6th, 2004, 08:28 AM

You don't actually need any cabling. It has an internal rechargeable battery and comes with a mains charger. The battery will last for about 5 hours on a charge. It also comes with a cigarette lighter type 12Volt charger which you can use in the car for longer journeys.

The Go also includes an internal antenna which works fine inside the car, unless you have a heated windscreen. So there are no aerial leads either.

It comes with a mounting bracket that has a suction pad and is adjustable. So you can attach it to the windscreen or dashboard. I haven't got a photo of it in the MINI but it fits nicely on the windscreen in the corner by the driver's door.

ScottieCoop · #10 (**permalink**) Oct 6th, 2004, 12:54 PM

Bought it in July along with the new Garmin touch screen. I used them side by side when we went touring during the month of July.

Now I agree it's good and the cost of it not to bad agianst the Garmin but a couple of points.

The European map for France Germany Italy etc is rubbish.

Lost its reception more than the Garmin when going through tunnels

Garmin re routed quicker.

The voice was easier to hear on the Garmin.

The Garmin has more routing options i.e roads suitable lorrys or motor cycles etc which is good when you have a 8 meter long caravan on the back.

As a portable GPS SatNav which we take from car to car and country to country I think the Garmin is the better of the two.

Only what I think mind.

lubeld · #11 (**permalink**) Oct 7th, 2004, 06:22 AM

I am very impressed with mine also - I have heated windscreen and it works fine. The mounting system is high quality. I only need to use the car power lead occasionally on longer journeys. I have attached a couple of ppics I took the other morning.