Great solution with a person caveat. This is my initial satnav, so i have almost nothing to compare it with. I would have offered it five stars except for 1 detail: the directions (which are shots with no words and phrases) advise you can use it straight out of the box. Without a doubt i did just that and it labored high-quality for my initial journey. Nonetheless, at the time turned off and then turned on once more for the return journey it would not select up any satellites.
I was type of expecting this and i'm grateful to prior reviewers who have warned that the software package needs to be upgraded. Once i experienced upgraded the software program, which in my circumstance was straightforward, but took a extended time, the product labored beautifully. I am pretty happy with it now. I have only made use of it on shorter outings (up to about 40 miles) but it has usually discovered good routes (at times possibilities to the types i routinely use) and the recommendations and map are quite obvious. I have to have the volume whole up, and i would imagine that you would not be equipped to hear it in excess of new music, but this is not a trouble for me.
Alright but. Acquired this to swap a edition a number of a long time more mature in the belief that the mapping would be suitable up to day and positioning sharper. I did test on the tomtom website (difficult to use in sixty four little bit right until found alright opened with google chrome) to make sure maps were up-to-date. The device takes for a longer period to sign up satellites than the outdated, loses signal additional quickly, and my latest vacation throughout southern ireland was amusing as a lot of areas of the principal n25 / e30 are continue to set where they have been at the very least a few years in the past and satnav positioned me driving throughout a great deal of fields.Even with the `faux sample screen' proven, the maps and lane guidance have altered incredibly minor and in roi were being frequently mistaken.
On the as well as facet the new unit is less complicated to retail store and connect in use.
Pros
- Yeah, like it a lot
- Upgrade from Start
- Simple to use and no problems with set up
- New to GPS but thought it might be easier than this!
- TOM TOM Start 20 (Europe):- Brilliant
- Excellent product with one caveat
Cons
- Problems Start When You Try To Update
- Tomtom Start 20 (UK)
- Avoid Tom Tom products - defective batteries cost £75 to fix
- Not quite ready for launch
- Don't try to download maps from TomTom home page
- Pity new map update doesn't work
Negative Review of TomTom Start 20 4.3" Sat Nav with UK and Ireland Maps (discountinued by manufacturer)
Not quite ready for launch. I have had a tom tom one (europe) for almost four years and decided i needed an upgrade. When i looked at the xxl model on amazon i saw a "see later model" option so clicked on this to be shown the start. Upon delivery i was straight away struck by the plasticy (is there such a word) feel to the product. I couldn't see where the memory card should go despite the spec saying this model had one.
I plugged it into my laptop and discovered it did not work with tom tom home but needed different software (downloaded free from tom tom). This new software was, in my opinion, significantly inferior to the home version i was used to with many of it's features not working yet. I tried the start for a few days and found the voice (sound) quite tinny. I decided, mainly because of the interface with my laptop, that this product was not yet ready for market and returned it to amazon who credited me straight away with a full refund. I am now the happy owner of a tom ton xxl that works very well with the home software.
Features of TomTom Start 20 4.3" Sat Nav with UK and Ireland Maps (discountinued by manufacturer)
- Richer maps - You get richer, more detailed maps
- Integrated mounting with flip screen - A convenient foldaway mount that's integrated with your device
- Advanced lane guidance - Helping to navigate complex junction views - providing peace of mind
- Pre-installed Speed Cameras
- Latest map guarantee
Advanced lane guidance provides clarity even when navigating tough junctions. Click below for a much larger image Get commenced with a navigation system that functions right from the box - the TomTom Start 20 UK & ROI is a good introduction to what satellite navigation can do for you, Whether you might be driving familiar streets or venturing someplace new, the TomTom Start gives you peace of head. It can be the greatest gadget in its league, and surprisingly simple to use. See significant top quality maps on its bigger screen, and have confidence in it to guidebook you safely and securely by advanced junctions for a assured drive. Traveling even more abroad? Check out out the Start 20 EU, or the Start twenty five EU with a substantial 5' screen. If you want a little something much more from your satellite navigation, why not verify out the whole variety of TomTom in-car or truck sat navs, and see how impressive, up to day data can strengthen your journey.
Greatly enhance Security, Protection is generally the quantity-one particular priority when driving, and the Start 20 provides you the equipment to make your journey go extra efficiently - from effortless-to-browse substantial screens and warnings of fixed cameras in advance, to spoken street names that allow you retain your eyes on the street. four.3' Touch Monitor (11 cm), You can see the route ahead far more very easily with the large 4.3' touch screen on the Start 20 from TomTom. Our touch display screen technologies offers you the the best possible see with the best handle, all so that functioning your machine is a pleasure. Spoken street names help you to hold your eyes on the highway. Click on listed here for a much larger graphic
Spoken Road Names, Even when driving on familiar routes, consulting a map can be dangerous. That's why the TomTom Start 20 functions spoken guidance. By supporting you to maintain your eyes on the highway, we're encouraging you to have a safer journey. And, mainly because our spoken directions include things like street names, you may locate understanding which turnings to make is even easier than ahead of.
Digicam Alerts, The Start 20 comes with mounted velocity camera alerts pre-set up, to support you to drive additional properly and responsibly. You also get 1 cost-free update through your initial calendar year of use, to get the most up-to-date details on which spots have altered, and wherever new cameras have been positioned.
Reduce Driver Stress, Come across the correct route every single time with the Start 20, including the most up-to-date maps, and quick and very clear guidelines on how to get commenced.
State-of-the-art Lane Guidance, Motorists generally come to feel stressed at unfamiliar junctions when there are a great deal of lanes to opt for from. Advanced lane guidance supplies extra clarity to motorists in these situation, so they will never miss out on a convert or have to make a very last-minute lane crossing. It is effective by offering them a continue to 3D picture on the monitor that evidently implies the lane they need to have to take. So even at the most complicated junctions and in the heaviest visitors, motorists can continue to be calm and in management. Parking Assist lets you see nearby parking garages as you get shut to your location. Click on in this article for a larger sized graphic
Latest Map Promise, At times, TomTom releases a new map involving the time a product is manufactured and the time an individual purchases it. So we allow just about every TomTom consumer to look at for a new map release within just ninety times of initial utilizing their unit. If 1 is readily available, buyers basically use the voucher that is included inside of the box to download it for absolutely free. This is all done by means of Dwelling, TomTom's totally free desktop software, which will mechanically recognise a recently connected unit and verify whether a newer map release is accessible for it.
Richer Maps, You can are all set to go with the Start 20's richer maps, masking the entire UK and ROI with much more graphical information. Not only will you get a clearer image of your journey, the IQ Routes™ speed profiles will give you the speediest route for any time of working day.
Is effective Straight from the Box, Your Start 20 device couldn't be more simple to use - just unpack, plug in and tap the touch display screen. You will be on your way very promptly with our intuitive person interface.
Parking Assist, See data on nearby parking garages when you get shut to your vacation spot by default. When preparing a route the Start 20 will also inquire if you want to come across a parking location near your destination.
Simple Entry to Recurrent Places, Do you make the exact journey on a standard foundation? The Start 20 assists to acquire some of the problem out the everyday commute by making it possible for you to save your frequent places and swiftly accessibility them once more with a few faucets on the touch display. Entry your recurrent places quickly with the Start 20. Simply click here for a larger image
Built-in Mounting with Flip Screen, A convenient foldaway mount that is integrated with your machine, so it is really constantly there when you require it. It attaches quickly to your windscreen or, applying the optional mounting disk, you can flip it upside down and posture it on your dashboard, exactly where the screen immediately flips the right way up.
Help you save Time & Revenue, Travel smarter with the Start 20. Now can you uncover your placement immediately, and get the job done out the finest route to your location at any supplied time.
IQ Routes™ Technological innovation, Only TomTom makes use of precise speed information gathered from hundreds of thousands of people to compute the fastest routes at any position in time. Visualize a route that will take into account rush hour, website traffic lights, zebra crossings, university exits or even purchasing crowds, each moment of every single day. That's how clever IQ Routes is! By using IQ Routes you are going to not only get there faster, but you can also have a responsible arrival time, great for scheduling business appointments or just assembly good friends.
QuickGPSfix™, QuickGPSfix™ speeds up the time it usually takes to correct your GPS posture to assistance you drive off far more swiftly.
RDS-TMC Targeted visitors Receiver, This TomTom gadget is suitable with our TMC Targeted visitors Receivers, so your routing can be optimised for the targeted traffic in advance.
Box IncorporatesStart 20USB two. cableCar chargerDocumentation
Enhance From Start. I bought this (the uk variation) 2 weeks back as an enhance from the start tomtom sat nav and i've been extensively happy with it. The display screen is larger (four. 3') and, as a consequence, the touchpad is much larger and alternatively of unintentionally tapping the incorrect letters/ digits in, as i consistently did with the start, i now get my vacation spot postcode appropriate every time i program a new journey. I like the actuality that the avenue names can be spoken aloud and that i can now have my sat nav hooked up to my dashboard and swivelled upside down, many thanks to the flip monitor, relatively than sticking it to my windscreen, which is really a stretch ahead from the driver's seat in my automobile. In addition, the routes are, as the very last reviewer stated, outstanding while my start took me on some marginally odd routes (in spite of acquiring the most up-to-day maps), the start 20 appears to be getting me on less complicated/ faster routes up and down the motorway. Advanced lane guidance is also a nice contact for the motorways (despite the fact that i would not have minded just somewhat a lot more progress see on which lane to be in). My only gripe is that the 'richer maps' usually are not that rich. I often get a few blobs of environmentally friendly (depicting fields, no question) next to main roadways/ motorways on my journeys, which usually are not as 'rich' (study quite!) as i'd hoped. A slight niggle, however, and not a person worthy of the start 20 getting rid of a star in excess of. All round, a terrific entry amount sat nav and i'm delighted with my purchase. .
Straightforward to Use and No Challenges with Established Up. I acquired this to replace my aged tomtom and like the new capabilities and slender light-weight style and design. I feel the created in stalk to connect the unit to the windscreen is outstanding as the previous a single that clipped on and off was so bulky, this is a wonderful update. I acquired a gps sign fairly rapidly and was equipped to check with the tomtom to uncover a further route preventing the a40 when i realised there was targeted visitors ahead. It went accurately the way i would have absent to avoid the jam which i was impressed by as my old tomtom would generally choose me on unusual routes that a nearby would never use. I was relieved to find i was in a position to connect to the tomtom website (as it said to do in the start up leaflet)and down load the latest map with no issues. I was so worried it was heading to wipe my product or acquire several hours and hours toupdate after studying other evaluations but there were being no hiccups and accomplished the update and install in about 90mins. An additional fantastic little attribute with this item is that it will come with a automobile usb adapter which i could use to charge my apple iphone ect and not just the tomtom, very handy!i would unquestionably propose this to anybody who is looking for a product that is easy to use and gives crystal clear guidance with a very clear display for a sensible value. .
New to Gps But Imagined It May possibly Be Less difficult Than This!. I have experienced my start 20 europe for two-and-a-half times and have expend most of that time either on the mobile phone to tomtom or downloading knowledge. In a nutshell, if you want it for a vacation or vital journey, purchase properly in advance, or update map afterwards!only study on if you want to listen to my whinging. The saga began after i took my first (somewhat strange) journey - it was a excellent occupation i knew wherever i was heading!- and i plugged the factor into the mytomtom programme, which i downloaded at the device's request, to get my cost-free map improve. It then informed me i had the most recent map, when the tomtom web site said a more recent one particular was accessible. So i rang customer companies, and was only on maintain for 10 minutes (!). The agent sooner or later explained to me that there was a glitch and he manually included the new map to my account. Three several hours downloading afterwards, the pc stated no, and the machine said no. I tried again 3 hours later, the similar matter, so i went to bed. These days, i was informed something about the product attempted to increase the map, relatively than update. Could not really comprehend what the man explained but he certain me this wouldn't come about all through future map upadates. But then the tomtom deleted it can be map! gah!three hours later on, the 3rd down load was total, then yet another hour for it to reinstall into the equipment. All fantastic, except now it isn't going to see the satellites. Client providers runs me via a course of action, which remaining it with a black display screen for over an hour. A fourth connect with to customer services, finally helps make the factor work once again. I have absolutely nothing to assess this way too, as it is my initially satnav, and i am hoping i will improve to like it, but so much, i assume, 'could do better'. The customer providers fellas are quite great however, and pretty beneficial, and they received it likely. Soon after all, they are not the kinds who make the tomtom.
Product Info
- Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 2.5 x 8 cm ; 181 g
- Boxed-product Weight: 322 g
- Item model number: 20 - UK-Ireland
- ASIN: B004W1GQC4
Conclusion of TomTom Start 20 4
a usb cable [which joins the unit itself to the charger]a paper quick start guidethis sat nav can sit on a dashboard beanbag [purchased separately] if you decide to go for this. Out of the box and into the car then, the sat nav found my home position quickly after powering it up. I bought the start 25 eu as a replacement for a 3 year old garmin 255w, which died on me soon after a map update. Was initially tempted by the xxl as the price of those have come down now tomtom has updated their range. However the xxl has only 2gb worth of memory and therefore any updates to the european maps will not fit (so one has to choose what part of europe one wants to install- not great if you want to go to italy e.
- plenty of 'points of interest' installed- perfect timing for turnings, not too early, not too late (my old garmin often just spoke a little too early - many times i choose the wrong turn when 2 were close by). - despite what you find on tomtom's website, this one needs the mytomtom software (not tomtom home) installed on your pc (follow instructions in the box). The reason is: the new generation of tomtoms are using the linux based file system instead of fat/fat32 as before. Therefore tomtom were forced to use another file system other than a windows based one. - mytomtom states my map is up-to-date, which is 8.
In other words: 'latest map guarantee' does not work. Also 'map share' funtion does not work and there is no facility to back up the device. - on mytomtom it initialy appeared that i needed an activation card for the 'latest map guarantee'. - customer services has now passed me to a technical engineer, as they don't know why i cannot update the map. Com/getstarted website does not mention the start 20/25 as sat navs requiring this software.
- reading the tomtom forums, these issues have dogged mytomtom at least since february this year. One would expect different from tomtom, being the apple in sat nav land. However: overal i think it is a great sat nav, let down by the update software of mytomtom. Hopefully the tomtom folk get this sorted very soon.However still no resolve re the map update.
I have tried suggestions from tomtom forums like using a different pc with 32bit (instead of 64bit) of the windows os and different browsers, tried all the suggestions from the tomtom team, incl. Turning off the norton internet security suite temporarily whilst updating device, being 'hardwired' to internet and using the pc's rear usb connection. From their end they got my map download to work, however it appears i was assigned the wrong map (error as it was done manually) and hence i was unable to install it. And now i am back to square one, as mytomtom states once more there is no map update. However: tomtom finally admitted that unit might be faulty and i was able to get device replaced.
Halfords will only do this once tomtom gives them an authorisation code, without it one cannot change the device nor get a refund. The new start 25 has exactly the same problems: i can update the navigator software, but not the maps. Five weeks in and now on my third device (silly maybe, but i really like this sat nav - so have been persistent). This time mytomtom offered the map, downloaded fine, but again installation failed. Apparently appears that the device thinks it is out of memory (which it is not), so no space for the new map.
Finally someone at tomtom took 'drastic' action and with a small download wiped the old map of the sat nav. New map downloaded in around 25 min (20mb cable connection) and installed on the device in around 30 minutes. Update 4 (final): have now also been able to download the august 2011 map update(version 8. Looks like tomtom finally got this sorted (and that is the same thought of people placing messages on the tomtom forums). I bought this (the uk version) 2 weeks ago as an upgrade from the start tomtom sat nav and i've been thoroughly pleased with it.
In addition, the routes are, as the last reviewer stated, excellent; whereas my start took me on some slightly odd routes (despite having the most up-to-date maps), the start 20 seems to be taking me on easier/ faster routes up and down the motorway. I bought this to replace my old tomtom and love the new features and slim lightweight design. I think the built in stalk to attach the device to the windscreen is brilliant as the old one that clipped on and off was so bulky, this is a great update. I got a gps signal quite quickly and was able to ask the tomtom to find another route avoiding the a40 when i realised there was traffic ahead. It went exactly the way i would have gone to avoid the jam which i was impressed by as my old tomtom would often take me on strange routes that a local would never use.
I was relieved to find i was able to connect to the tomtom website (as it said to do in the start up leaflet)and download the latest map with no problems. I was so worried it was going to wipe my device or take hours and hours to update after reading other reviews but there were no hiccups and completed the update and install in about 90mins. Another great little feature with this product is that it comes with a car usb adapter which i could use to charge my iphone ect and not just the tomtom, very handyi would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a device that is simple to use and gives clear instructions with a clear display for a reasonable price. I have had my start 20 europe for two-and-a-half days and have spend most of that time either on the phone to tomtom or downloading data. In a nutshell, if you want it for a holiday or important trip, buy well in advance, or update map afterwardsonly read on if you want to hear my whinging.
The saga began after i took my first (slightly weird) trip - it was a good job i knew where i was going- and i plugged the thing into the mytomtom programme, which i downloaded at the device's request, to get my free map upgrade. It then informed me i had the latest map, while the tomtom website said a newer one was available. Today, i was told something about the device tried to add the map, rather than update. But then the tomtom deleted it's map.The tom tom was superb, getting me out of the airport and on the road to my destination, lake maggiore without problem.
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Great Product. Great product, i killed it after connecting to pc, contacted amazon instant dispatch of replacerment item. Tom tom supplied fix to reset in answer to email so stopped dispach of replacerment. Buy with confidence that you will be looked after buy amazon and tom tom if there is any problem. The tom tom start 20 is very good and works well, neat and compact easey to carry or hid. Pressed the speed camera button at home, it then told me there was a camera outside my house, but easely deleated. A breeze to use and highly recomended,for both item and service. .
Superb Stanav, Dismal Web Site. I bought mine in the usa whilst on holiday. I activated it over there and it worked a dream. The problems started once i got back home. First: the box came with a promotion code for lifetime maps update. To enter this code i had to download mytomtom, install it on my pc, start it up, logon to my account, click on the "promotion code" and. Got taken to a web page which insisted i download mytomtom all over again! what sort of rubbish web page is this? i searched google and found loads of complaints from people who couldn't active their codes. Second: i want to buy maps of western europe. Got as far as checkout, and it asked me for my address, the country being hard set to united states of america, with no way of changing it. And without this change, i couldn't buy any maps. What on earth do tomtom think they are doing by insisting people only buy devices in their country of residence?third: starting over a year ago tom tom home 2 is being phased out and replaced by mytomtom. Tomtom's web site is now a mess, with conflicting information on which device should use what software, and what steps to take where. Tomtom have really shot themselves in the foot. I've raised my first two issues with tomtom support. To my dismay, this is has been off-shored - i've had very patchy experiences with off-shore support. I'll update this review on what resolutions to the problems i get. Update:big improvements since i wrote the review. Where tomtom email support got me nowhere, the phone support line was local and really helpful. They fixed a problem with my account which allowed me to buy the maps. It took eight hours for the north america maps to be replaced by the european ones; there's not enough memory for both maps to be on the device. Eight hours is a long time but it worked without errors. Of course the north american maps are still mine, just stored on-line in my tomtom account. The phone support also sorted out the promotional code issue. Now that it's working beautifully in europe, i'm increasing the rating from 1 to 4 stars. .
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