Happy New Year to everybody.

A quick question to all those who use a TomTom (or similar) GPS SatNav setup in their S.

I was lucky enough to get the bluetooth version for Xmas (for use with my iPaq) but was wondering what the best place(s) for mounting the GPS receiver are in the S. I think somebody mentioned the secret compartment, which would be great if it can still 'see' the satellites OK throught the compartment lid and the soft top (I don't use a hard top BTW).

Also - should I buy the TomTom car kit or is there a better way of mounting the iPaq in the S? I do not want to drill any holes in anything, but am a little concerned that mounting the iPaq using the windscreen fixing will obscure the view too much, as the S has such a small windscreen to start with... also a bit wary of the vent mounts....

Any suggestions/photos/etc gratefully received.

Cheers

Jerry
PS I have already tried the setup in my beater (XM) - seems to work very well indeed, although I think the NavTech system may have the edge for accuracy (I've already been directed the wrong way down a one way street once, this has NEVER happened with the NavTech system in my C5).

 

I use a seidio mount, and there is no problems with vision at all. I think this is the simplest, although not as neat as I might like.

 

Can't see how the GPS receiver will work in the secret compartment as its needs line of sight to the satellites. I have mine on the dash - driver side. I am also using a Seidio mount which is very good. Still not got it hardwired yet....

 

I have mine on top of the secret compartment.

Dunno what mount i am using, it is from ebay

 

So do I but I belive that it also works fine inside the secret compartment ..... Jaeger has the same bluetooth receiver that I have and he sticks his in the compartment.

I use the TomTom Ipaq mount stuck to the window as this also provides power to the ipaq.

This places the ipaq in a good position to view whilst driving.

 

Re mounts, the Arkon I have does not obstruct your vision as much as you think it might. I have it suckered to the screen as low as possible (in the centre), and the flexible boom resting on the dash with the screen angled towards me.

My Bluetooth GPS will not acquire satellite lock from a cold start while in the compartment, but will happily retain it once found. So you can sit it on the dash or seat until you get a lock, then hide it in the compartment. You can also shut the compartment with the power cable for the Bluetooth sticking out under the lid (just) if you use ot for long journeys where the battery life is an issue.

 

Thanks for the advice everybody - much appreciated.

On a related topic - has anybody tried the speed camera detector software that is available for the iPaq/GPS combination and, if so, is it any good? Which is the best to go for...?

Sorry for all the Qs but I am new to this stuff

Cheers

Jerry

 

With TomTom there are lots of free databases you can download (BP petrol stations, cinemas, Burger King etc), and there is also a free one with speed cameras. I'm not sure exactly how to use it - you could try one of the GPS forums or sites for more info if someone here doesn't know how.

You can also buy a speed camera add on, bit IIRC it is quite expensive and possibly not as up to date as the free one.

 

I've used POI Warner (more details here http://www.navigating.de/TomTom_en/POI/Index.htm)

It works pretty well, but the biggest problem I have found is that the iPaq speaker is not loud enough so you don't always hear the warnings. Ironically, if you're going quick enough for speed cameras to be a real issue you can hear the warnings even less.

Got the Seidio mount and this improves the volume, but not quite enough.

 

I've got the long neck Arkon CM655 which follows the contours of the dash and allows the iPAQ to sit just above the radio, in line with the dashboard. And it came with a transmitter so you can hear the prompts thru your radio if you want.

I have found the iPAQ 4700's speakers to be loud enough on their own. I binned the Bluetooth option and bought a CF GPS card from eBay - for about