TomTom Mobile, SPV C500, general use SD-card

[Guest DonKraft]

Hi!

I own an SPV C500 and am considering buying TomTom Mobile 5 (with GPS).

I have read a lot on the subject, but still have a few questions, and would like to hear from people who have actually used it on a SPV C500

1. How well does it work in general? Are there any general problems, I should know about before buying the product? Does it work as well as for instance TomTomGo - only on a smaller screen?

2. I want to use the phone and gps on my roadbike as well as in my car. Should that be a problem? I mean, mounting the phone on the handlebar and keeping the GPS in my pocket (on my back).

3. Memorycard... I already have 512megz today, and use it every day for music, audiobooks, podcasts etc. I would not be able to accept having to swap memorycards every time I want to switch from music to navigation.

3a. If I only need Danish cards on the memorycards, how much space would that take up? And can I just copy for instance Denmark onto my memorycard and the use the rest of the space for audio-files/whatever?

3b. If the cards take up too much of the 512megz, so I cant have the audiofiles I want on the phone, is it possible to simply buy a 1GB card and copy the maps onto the huge memcard?

4. Batterylife on the GPS unit. How long does the gps-thingy basttery last when used? Is there a car-charger for the GPS in the TomTom Mobile 5 pack?

Thanks in advance :)

- Klaus, Denmark

[Guest looeee]

Hiya

Not an expert ... but I'll have a go at your questions

1) Yes it works pretty well. Overall its an excellent product. coolsmartphone.com is preparing a review that should be ready soon. There is a whole heap of stuff I don't like but no showstoppers (entering text is horrible). It works really well on the small screen, and is basically the same as the other products.

2) I use it whilst riding my bike. If I stick to the roads then it works great. You can keep the tiny GPS receiver in your back pocket no problem. I like to ride on cyclepaths and along canal towpaths, which it does not like at all.

3) The software fills a 128Mb card, so it will only occupy a quarter of your 512Mb card. WindowsMediaPlayer cannot handle running in the background but TCMP will happily play music while TomTom gives directions.

4) I have a C500. Last weekend I went for a 4Hour drive with tomtom. I listened to music all the way and the backlight was lit continuously. I arrived with 37% power left on the phone.

The GPS unit has a battery that seems to last forever. I am getting 30Hours+ from one charge. There is a car charger included.

[Guest looeee]

[oops double post]

Edited August 12, 2005 by looeee

[Guest scrattyrat]

"3) The software fills a 128Mb card, so it will only occupy a quarter of your 512Mb card. WindowsMediaPlayer cannot handle running in the background but TCMP will happily play music while TomTom gives directions."

What is TCMP? - i'd quite like a player that can work whilst tom tom is on.

Cheers

[Guest st3ph3n]

"3) The software fills a 128Mb card, so it will only occupy a quarter of your 512Mb card.  WindowsMediaPlayer cannot handle running in the background but TCMP will happily play music while TomTom gives directions."

What is TCMP? - i'd quite like a player that can work whilst tom tom is on.

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

TCPMP is the new Beta Player - http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/

Enjoy.

[Guest DonKraft]

Thanks for your reply, looeee! Sounds great, also that you have actual bike-experience. I ride a roadbike, and never ride off-road (not on purpose anyway). :)

So there are no problems moving the maps to my 512 meg card?

Damn, it is getting harder and harder not buying tomTom Mobile.

:cheesy: