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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. Delivery was fast. :(
I was further encouraged when prompted to upgrade from version 1.03 to 1.5, but then the reality hit. After a full hour of searching the Internet, I in desperation disconnected and reconnected my PDA and now suddenly could install the maps. There are too few POI's (points of interest) and their large font truncates most entries making searching a little difficult. There is a nice setting for auto, bicycling and walking speeds, although the calculated walking ETA is useless. 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.
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. Speed of calculation is excellent, and recalculation when going off track is remarkably fast. 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. 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. You have the ability to review your route, browse maps and display addresses by clicking on roads.
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 was suspicious finding both highly positive and negative reviews, but hoped things had improved since they were written. Routing is sometimes serpentine and can take you through residential areas when only slightly longer arteries are preferable. I thus purchased it for my new HTC Touch Cruise PDA running Windows Mobile 6. Map detail is good, but I found missing road modifications three years out of date. I sought answers in the printed manual (very thin), the PDF manual (also anemic) and online TomTom Q&A files without success. 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. 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.
This was the only product I could find that provides software and maps (only) for a GPS-enabled PDA/phone. They have found a way to display much information on a small screen, and it is customizable. Auto zooming in and out around a turn point is smooth and excellent. The software doesn't report the side of street your destination will be found (like Garmin). 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). 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. Here is what you should know:INSTALLATION--This remains a nightmare as reported. It should not, however, take a fairly savvy PC user over two hours to muddle through the installation.
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). 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. 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.
Software on DVD does not support Palm TX. I have tried to upgrade from Navigator 5.0 to 6.0. I have find out on another forum, that for Palm TX Navigator 6.0 has to be preinstalled on the SD card.
I learned in following up on a problem through the electornic customer service system that the customer service reps have routine written answers that may or may not fit your question or comment. Maps are not current -- Roads in Orange County, California, more than three years old, are not on the maps.2. U.S. I'm going back to using Google maps. (and I wasted a few hours trying to figure it out), but here's the funky solution: to purchase U.S. I have not had this problem with other CD's.I feel like I am a sophisticated computer and pda user, but this product has frustrated me.
I discovered that after my purchase, the Company upgraded the maps. Until you start using the maps there is no way of knowing whether they are current, as it is not disclosed on the software product. A customer service rep claims the new maps are two versions later than my version. Of course, you can buy the new maps and download them, but at a price nearly the price of the entire software product with maps. I only wish I had read the reviews on Amazon before I purchased the TomTom Navigator 6 product last month.Here are just some highlights of the problems I have had:1. Because TomTom traffic is supposed to actually reroute you, not just tell you the location of traffic. The problems, however, abound:(a) the server can be down an entire weekend (like last weekend) without advance notice, and all you receive is a server error message;(b) it is a chore (almost impossible) to figure out how to purcahse traffic for the U.S.
traffic, you actually purchase traffic for Europe, and then tell TomTom's web site that your country is The Netherlands (of course, these instructions were obtainable only from customer service);(c) the traffic system, although it will reroute you, does not make it easy to actually see where the traffic snarl is (unlike Google), as it only displays in a very small size reflecting traffic on the entire route.4. Customer Service -- The Company apparently fails to give its customer service reps much flexibility. Traffic function -- If the traffic function worked, it could be better than Google's free traffic information, and worth the annual fee. The Company has a poor upgrade policy -- I bought the program with maps, expecting the maps to be reasonably current. I received the verbatim response twice to an email thread where I said different things.5.
3. Why. Product quality -- The CD that I received only works some of the time in my Windows XP CD-Rom drive. And no, I don't own stock in Google.Hoping I'll make a better purchase decision next time.
I purchased this program to use on my HTC Tilt. At first it was really frustrating because the display would freeze up, although the program continued to run because the voice directions still came in at the right time. It was easy to load onto the phone, but getting everything tweaked so that it would work on my phone well was a challenge. I tried it out on a long trip that I know well just to see how it would perform. I finally figured out that I had to increase the cache size on my phone - then the program worked like a charm. I did notice that the maps were not completely current and I am a bit frustrated that I have to shell out more money to get updated maps right after buying the program.
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