TomTom in ashtray - R32OC

Danny Mac · 17th May 2009, 08:46 PM

Does anyone know if a TomTom one would fit in the ashtray? I would be willing to sacrifice the tray, cut out the middle divider and do away with the cigarette lighter. Only problem I can see is getting the connecting cables to fit in there and would have to be removable somehow to update maps and things like that.

Would go for either a) a fitted sat-nav head unit but cant afford one or b) a tom with a mount but I just don't like the look of having things dotted all over like knight rider or something (plus its a pain in the backside!).

pomme · 17th May 2009, 08:58 PM

Hiya Danny, which tomtom do you have?

Danny Mac · 17th May 2009, 10:00 PM

None as yet but I figured that I would get a TomTom One, they are the smallest I think and they now support the intelligent traffic things as well.

I was thinking, I have read that TomTom are planning to release their software for the iPhone, I have plans to get one in august anyway, does anyone know of a decent dock that would sit in the ashtray?

Yoblet · 18th May 2009, 08:51 AM

Hi Danny,

Great idea but I don't think either would pick up the satellites well from the ashtray. They need good sight of the sky, that's why they don't work indoors.

If it helps, I have recently changed to a TomTom1, and have the charger cable coming up through the right hand dash-top air vent. It looks quite tidy and subtle imo.

Terry.

Danny Mac · 18th May 2009, 11:03 AM

I was thinking of maybe getting a remote GPS antenna for it, if cables could be fitted in with it, should work ok. Might just have to borrow a tomtom from a friend and see if it would fit.

Yoblet · 18th May 2009, 11:29 AM

Danny,

Just checked. It looks like it would work if you do what you say. Not sure what angle of tilt you would be able to get - depends whats underneath the tray. Like the idea of being able to slide the cover over it.

For me though, the eye-distance is a bit too far from the screen. I would worry about the safety aspect unless you plan to use the voice commands only, in which case there are easier places to put it?

atomic · 12:10 PM

Take a look the Garmin Nuvi range. I think some of them are the same size or smaller then the TomTom One's. Having owned TomTom, Garmin & Navigon I personally I like the Garmin units best as they are better made than TomTom and have the most accurate mapping as they used maps by Navteq where as TomTom use TeleAtlas. The Navigon units are well made, again better than tomtom but used to be let down slightly by their maps but that being said the last one I looked at recently was superb.
I would recommend you also take a look at the Navigon 1210 (or the 2210 if you want TMC updates) & Navman S30 before making a final decision but If you do go for a TomTom One, make sure you get the ONE IQ Routes edition as they have the Lane assist function which can be very useful.

I also believe the Garmin speed camera database to be the best.

One thing to note is that you may have a problem with the sound by locating the unit in the ashtray

There are some reviews of the various units available here.. http://www.trustedreviews.com/car-tech/

David Hallworth · 18th May 2009, 01:12 PM

Look at the older setups before the dedicated units were coming about.

A PDA with a bluetooth GPS receiver might be the better option if you want to put it out of sight of the sky as you can put the GPS box where ever you want it.

I've got a PDA with bluetooth receiver and I just keep updating the maps on it when TomTom release a new one.

D

Danny Mac · 18th May 2009, 03:05 PM

Was thinking the same with an iPhone david, contract is up in august so will be getting one in about july. Does anyone know any good inserts/similiar items that will hold the iphone in there. I hate visible phone mounts.

David Hallworth · 18th May 2009, 03:17 PM

You've got the same problem with an iPhone though mate.

The GPS receiver is built into the device and might not like being tucked down in the car dashboard.

The iPhone doesn't have true GPS on it either, it's only googlemaps with a locate me function on it.

David.

Vtec Abuser · 18th May 2009, 03:21 PM

I know the Parrot does, but Tom Tom i'm not so sure..

Anakin · 18th May 2009, 04:14 PM

I have used a Garmin Nurvi, I have attached the sucker to the top of the ashtray and angled it so I can see it. seems to work fine like that

pomme · 18th May 2009, 07:04 PM

Here is what i have done in mine:

This one shows it easy to see what speed you are doing whilst driving:

and thats the good thing about the microgo in that it beeps untill you have slowed down to the legal limit if needed, ive never had this happen.

The next few show taking the unit out:

hth

OllieR32 · 18th May 2009, 08:18 PM

That looks really neat in there pomme. Nice one

Might have to do that with my roadpilot

Danny Mac · 18th May 2009, 08:59 PM

That's exactly the kind of thing I am after except with some sat-nav action! I think I need to find a little unit which will accept a remote antenna to squeeze in there!

R32Jambro · 18th May 2009, 09:53 PM

On the Mk5, a TomTom Go sits quite nicely in/on the ashtray between the two handles, and doesn't move much because of the none slip pads.

Pomme, the RoadPilot fits really well in the ashtray, but are there any SatNav units small enough to do that?

pomme · 19th May 2009, 06:02 PM

Personally i dont think i would want a sat nav unit there, as its not the easiest to see when driving but the sound alerts is what its for.