TOMTOM fitted - with docking station

[columb]

Hi!

After travelling around Europe we have decided to buy TomTom (now I'm using PDA version) and fit it permanently into our W203. Yeah, I was thinking about COMAND but there are few things which are putting me off:

- I have got old W203 so no DVD-based Navi. I'm not happy with changing CD in every country
- No full postcode search. I'm using is constantly and can't really live without full postcode search
- No POI warnings. There is more and more speed cameras across whole Europe so it is vital to have warrning system in those days
- Price for retroffiting command.

All this is included in TomTom as standard feature and much cheaper!
Of course even TomTom is not perfect. Cables everywhere, dashborad look cluttered and no intyegration with dasboar display.
But- if I could buy NICE docking station and fit it permamently that would do the job!
So - has enyone seen proper docking station for TomToms? Ones that can be permamently fitted to the dashboard? Than I could hide cables and voila!
Nice, super-working sat-nav for 1/3 of the COMAND price!

Yes, I've googled but couldn't find anything interesting. All those docking stations are for home use. Or they can be used in the cars?
I was thinking about accidents - what will happen to TomTom/PDA? Will it fall-off?

Any help more than welcome!

Cheers
Chris

 

[Mark300SL]

I have said it before

I use Tomtom mobile on my N73 or N95 in a fully fitted car kit, the only downfall is the lack of full postcodes but you can do street and house number.
Permantley wire a bluetooth puck if ou feel the need but I just charge mine once or twice a week as I need to.

It also means all of my cars have Sat Nav - even the 1959 Jag

 

[JohnnyRob]

I'm told you can load the TomTom postcode zip file into the Nokia tomtom application and this will give the full post code search as opposed to the first half and then scanning through the road names. I've yet to load this on my N95 running TT6 (via the internal gps), as I find the partial postcode search OK.

Installing the TT docking stn in the Merc should be relatively easy; plenty have done this over at e36coupe.com with their BMs hardwiring the kit.

 

[columb]

http://www.tomtom.com/updates/great_britainpostal_all.zip

Cheers
Chris

 

[BTB 500]

The TomTom (mine anyway) runs for about 4 hours on its internal battery, so no wires needed at all for most trips.

 

[columb]

Thanks guys!

I was on that BMW forum but it's down now

Any other ideas?
Cheers
Chris

 

[BTB 500]

TomTom made a permanent-fit docking station for the original series (it was only sold to "installers"), but AFAIK there isn't one for the current models.

 

[columb]

TomTom made a permanent-fit docking station for the original series (it was only sold to "installers"), but AFAIK there isn't one for the current models.

Shame

Cheers
Chris

 

[BTB 500]

I'm sure you could DIY one by modifying a windscreen mount though - those are available separately.

 

[rf065]

Best bet is to use a Brodit ProClip & hide the wires behind the dash.
Thats what I use anyway.


http://www.brodit.com/images/231012.pdf


Russ

 

[Dragon]

Best bet is to use a Brodit ProClip & hide the wires behind the dash.
Thats what I use anyway.


http://www.brodit.com/images/231012.pdf


Russ

Will it melts in winter if you turn the heat setting high?

 

[columb]

Dragon, that's why I don't like the idea of ProClip- I NEED VENTS!
In summer I love cool aircon breeze

Cheers
Chris

 

[Dragon]

Dragon, that's why I don't like the idea of ProClip- I NEED VENTS!
In summer I love cool aircon breeze

Cheers
Chris

That why I didn't fit the clip. I initially use a glass paper weight to hold the suction cup that came with Garmin. It fell off too after sometime. So with a brilliant idea I clamp the suction cup to a mobile phone holder I bought from Halfords. Now I have two mobile phone holders, one for the phone and the other for the Garmin sat nav. That save me a couple of quids buying a Garmin bean sat nav holder @ £20.

 

[The Dent Guy]

Will there ever be a version of Tomtom that will run on Comand?

This will solve all the problems and would be the best navigation solution for MB drivers.

 

[rf065]

Dragon, that's why I don't like the idea of ProClip- I NEED VENTS!
In summer I love cool aircon breeze

Cheers
Chris

Not all the clips fit over the vents, there are usually 3 or 4 clips available for each model of car that fit in different positions on the dash.

Russ

 

[columb]

Not all the clips fit over the vents, there are usually 3 or 4 clips available for each model of car that fit in different positions on the dash.

Russ

Yes, but you are still blocking vent
Seen them all on brodit.se

Cheers
Chris

 

[flango]

Best bet is to use a Brodit ProClip & hide the wires behind the dash.
Thats what I use anyway.


http://www.brodit.com/images/231012.pdf


Russ

Exactly the same as me Brodit powered mount and hidden wires behind dash & Transmission tunnel. Beauty of the Tom Tom is you can change the direction arrow to a picture of your Merc

 

[columb]

Beauty of the Tom Tom is you can change the direction arrow to a picture of your Merc

Done that on my PDA!Nice blue C200!!!
btw. I have now like 6 PDAs which I'm not using
Thinking about converting one into permanent TT sat-nav!

Thanks
Chris

 

[flango]

Done that on my PDA!Nice blue C200!!!
btw. I have now like 6 PDAs which I'm not using
Thinking about converting one into permanent TT sat-nav!

Thanks
Chris

Would make sense, I used to run my TT on Dell Axim PDA worked perfect, but thought I'd go for the permanent unit. Have 2 Brodit mounts One in My Subaru the other in the CLK works perfect. Mind you I still use the pDA abroad fror My trips to the States and South Africa, beats hire car company's maps or road atlas's

 

[rf065]

Yes, but you are still blocking vent
Seen them all on brodit.se

Cheers
Chris

I've just viewed the 4 mounts available for the C class, there is a centre console pro clip, (poss too low down for a sat nav though) or a proclip which mounts to the left of the radio, neither of these cover any vents.

http://www.handnav.co.uk/proclip_select2.php?id=70

Russ