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Questions? Answers!
Here we collect all questions you might have concerning your GO, and we try to answer them as clearly as possible. This is a continuing work in progress, as the list grows larger every day!
FAQ TomTom GO - Last update: February 7, 2006
Questions:
What are the specifications of the GO?
- CPU: 200MHz ARM920T;
- Screen: 3,5” 320 x 240 x 262, 144 colours TFT LCD;
- Memory: 32Mb RAM;
- Battery: Internal, Li-Ion 2200 mAh;
- Dimensions: 115 mm x 91,5 mm x 57,5 mm;
- Weight: 310 grams;
- GPS-receiver: Built-in 12-channel “All-in-View”-tracking, accurate up to 10 meters;
- Power: 12V DC (via cigarette adapter) en international AC converter. Both power the GO with 5V worth of DC current;
- Sound: Through internal speaker;
- PC-connection: Through USB-cable.
What does TomTom GO cost?
The recommended retail price is € 799,- including VAT. However, if you shop around a little, TomTomGo can be found for considerably less than that. We've seen prices as low as € 650,-!
What's in the TomTom GO-box?
- The TomTom Go (Duh);
- Carrying Bag (or a registration card which enables you to request one);
- AC adapter;
- SD card with the maps of your country on it. Might be 128 Mb, might be 256 Mb, depending on how large the country you live in is;
- CD-ROM with pc-link software, Maps and ‘Major Roads of Europe’;
- The holder with suction cup for placement in the car;
- Cigarette lighter adapter for power in the car;
- USB-cable (1,5 meters);
- User manual.
Where can I find the TomTom GO manual?
You can download it from the TomTom website.
To be able to read this file, you'll need Adobe® Reader®. If you haven't got Adobe Acrobat reader installed, you can download it from the Adobe website.
Where can I find the product code of my TomTom GO?
- Turn on your TomTom GO;
- Tap on the bottom right of the screen (on the "sattelite reception icon");
- Tap on the version number;
- The product code now appears on the first line at the top of the screen, and consistes out of 2x5 numbers and letters.
For use of the GO, do I need a PC?
Short answer : no
Long answer : initially, you don't need a pc : the GO is shipped with a fully functional SD card with the maps of your country. However, if you want to do other stuff with the GO, like :
- Adding/deleting maps or voices;
- Making a backup of the GO to preserve your favourite locations and settings;
- Installing the ‘Major Roads of Europe’ on your GO;
- Updating the software;
- Managing POI’s.
then you will need a PC with the Windows ME/2000/XP OS and a cd-rom player.
What is the life expectancy of the TomTom GO internal battery?
Approximately 2 years.
The battery lasts the longest if you don't drain it completely every time you use use it. Best is to drain it halfway and then recharge it.
What are the technical specifications of the external antenna?
- Operating temperature : -30C TO +80C
- Preservation temperature : -40C TO +100C
- Water proof
When will the exchangeable fronts be available?
Haven't you noticed yet ? They have been available since november 5th 2004. You can order them from the TomTom-site.
Should I install software version 4.42 if I already have version 4.40 installed?
No. TomTom has stated that there is no difference between v4.40 and v4.42. The difference in numbers can be explained because TomTom did an "internal version number update" No more, no less.
Which maps are available?
Right now there are 4 different types available :
- The standard card that is shipped with the GO.
- SD cards, each pre-installed with a certain country/area. Right now the following countries/areas are available: United Kingdom, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), France, Italy, Germany, the countries around the Alps (Austria, Switserland and Sounth-Germany), Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland), and Spain.
- Major Roads of Europe, which only contain the numbered roads in Europe;
- Maps of Western Europe, the complete collection of all the Western-European countries: Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switserland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
How large are the maps?
The size of the maps is important to know if you want to be able to fit them on an SD card.
Some numbers:
- United Kingdom: 105 Mb;
- Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg): 60 Mb;
- France: 235 Mb;
- Italy: 190 Mb;
- Germany: 230 Mb;
- Austria: 45 Mb;
- Switserland: 25 Mb;
- Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland): 115 Mb;
- Spain: 120 Mb;
- Major Roads of Europe: 85 Mb;
How are the maps kept up to date?
The idea is that map-supplier TeleAtlas and TomTom release an update of the maps once a year.
You can report errors in the maps directly to TomTom, who will then in turn inform TeleAtlas about it. It's important to report these errors to make sure the map updates are as complete as possible.
You can report map errors here : TomTom Support website.
How does the GO handle Points Of Interest (POI’s)?
TomTom GO ships with a larg number of POI's like musea, petrolstations, hotels en parking lots. You can easily select those on the GO. Since software version 4.40 (downloadable from TomTom support-pages) , you can also make your own POI's.
How do I contact TomTom Support?
Through the TomTom website , where you can send them and e-mail with your inquiry. To be able to do this you first need to log onto the site, by means of your TomTom account. If you haven't registered with them yet, you can do so on that page too. TomTom wil replie to you as soon as possible, usually in a couple of days.
Dutch GO users can also call support on: 020-4469443.
Belgian Go users need to dial the phone number: 078-250156.
What is ASN?
Assisted Satellite Navigation (ASN) keeps on providing navigational data to the GO, even when the GPS signal is temporarily lost (eg. in tunnels).
What is the maximum capacity of SD card than can be used with TomTom GO?
TomTom GO supports SD-cards up to 4GB.
When will the carkit be available?
The carkit, which features direct input into the car's power and sound system was released in 2005. It's available now at specialised shops.
What's the carkit going to cost?
A very trustworthy source has informed us that the recommended retail price of the carkit will be €249,- VAT incl. The real retail price in the shops will probably be a bit less than that.
Keep an eye on our "pricewatch" forum for the best deals !
Is there a "trucker" friendly version available? i.e. low bridges etc...
No, there isn't as of yet. Nothing like it has been announced either. It IS a good idea though, and we're sure TomTom is considering it.
For the UK driver there may be a compromise: you can go to this site , scroll down to the UK section and there you'll find a POI called "Low Bridges". If you download and install this POI, you will be warned in time for those low bridges. However, TTG will NOT automatically route you around such a bridge if you find one on your path. You will still have to manually select "find alternative route" for that.
What is the minimum set of system files that have to be on the TTG's SD-card in order for it to work?
- "Your country map" folder (different for each country)
- Current map data file
- Data5.chk (This is the English Jane voice file - the number is different for other voices)
- Engf.vif (ditto)
- Data.chk
- "your country"-xxxxxx.mds file (different for each country)
- TomTom aid file
- TTgo.bif
- TTsystem file
If any of these files are missing, your TTG wil not work.
I already bought the Navigator 3 maps for PDA/Palm. Can I use those maps on the TTG?
No, this isn't possible. TTG uses it's own maps, and maps of other TomTom products are NOT compatible with the GO. If you want to extend the map database of your GO, you'll have to buy the "Maps of Western Europe". Those maps are specifically intended for use with TTG and, in turn, won't work with any other TomTom product but the GO either.
Can I edit the POI's that were shipped with my TTG?
No, pre-installed POI's exist in an encrypted POI.DAT file. You can't edit it. You can rename or delete it, but not edit it.
Can I edit the POI's that I added to the TTG myself?
Yes! For this, use POIEdit, a Freeware program. You can get this program here.
What happens when the battery runs out? I read on your site that it last +/- 2 years. Will I have to buy a new TomTom GO every two years?
Don't panic. The battery can be replaced, but it does require some (minimal) soldering skills. We will add the necessary part item # once we have it. Any local electronics shop should then be able to perform this upgrade, or you could of course DIY.
It has also been mentioned that TT would provide a battery replacement service, but it won't be cheap (amounts of up to 200€/£136 per replacement have been mentioned) AND you would have to send your unit in.
In any case the unit will always continue to function with the car power adapter, even if the battery doesn't funtion anymore.
Can I use the Maps installed on my PDA SD Card for Navigator 3 on the TTG system?
No. TTG uses it's own maps, and these maps are not compatible with other TomTom products and vice versa. You'll have to buy maps specifically made for the GO.
How do I edit existing standard POI's as they usually show too long text and I cannot read the remaining relevant info?
You can't. It's not possible to edit the standard POI's that get shipped with the GO. However, it IS possible to view the rest of the text.
To see the name in full length, you have keep your finger (or whatever you are using) on the line of your choice. You will see the complete information in a smaller font. You can, with your finger still on the screen, scroll (slide) up or down the screen. If what you want is not on the screen, slide to the scroll area and let the finger go. Then scroll up or down and repeat the action.
The same goes for streets, POI’s, city’s …
The streetname/POI name/city name is too long, and is not displayed completely on the screen. Can I do something about that?
Yes!
To see the name in full length, you have keep your finger (or whatever you are using) on the line of your choice. You will see the complete information in a smaller font. You can, with your finger still on the screen, scroll (slide) up or down the screen. If what you want is not on the screen, slide to the scroll area and let the finger go. Then scroll up or down and repeat the action.
Does the 'Major Roads of Europe' supplied with the TTG hold sufficient detail to be practical for travelling through europe point to point?
Yes and no.
There are pretty small streets on those maps included, and travelling from city to city (even smaller towns) should not be a problem. But don't expect to be able to navigate up to a certain house number. That won't work. For that, you need the more detailed maps.
Basically, Major Roads of Europe contains all the numbered road + a little bit more.
How can I install the voice add-ons from the TomTom website?
First download them here.
Then unzip the files using Winzip. (Windows XP users don't need to do this, XP is capable of unzipping files by itself)
Connect your TTG to your PC via the USB cable.
Then run setup.exe
The voice add-ons now install.
Unplug your TTG from your PC.
The installed voice will now turn up in the "change voice" menu (4th preference menu). Select it there.
I get an error message when I try to open the voice add ons that I downloaded from the TomTom website?
You probably haven't noticed that the files are compressed in the .zip format. Use a utility called Winzip to decompress the files first.
Then just run setup.exe and the voice files will be installed.
I need the US maps. Where can I buy them?
For now the US maps are only available at .TomTom's own online store.
Follow the link and select "buy now". Select "brand" -> "device" and "product". At the bottom of the product list you'll find the US maps. They cost 249€ / £172
Can I buy the US maps in the USA?
For some strange reason: no. In the US, the USA maps are not sold separately.
If I buy a TTG in the USA, will it be cheaper?
Probably. Just keep in mind that it will come with the US maps. You will have to buy the Maps of Western Europe as well if you want to be able to use it in Europe.
Also keep in mind that if you buy it on the internet, you'll have to pay import taxes for it as well. These taxes differ from country to country. Better check that out first before you order online.
It might be worth though it if you actually go to the USA and can buy it yourself there.
Do I need a separate SD card for each country map?
Most definitely not!
Look at the back of the box your "Maps of Western Europe" came in. There a small table on it with the size of the different maps. (or see here). Just add up the megabytes of all the maps that you want to put onto one SD card. Add another 20mb to that for the application and POI's and you'll know what size of SD card is right for you.
You can install as many maps as the capacity of your SD card will allow. ALL of the maps take about 1.6GB, so that means that you would need a 2GB SD card. These are very hard to come by yet though. (and they are extremely expensive)
Once all the maps are installed, you can switch map by tapping "change preferences" -> "Switch map" (2nd preference menu)
Can TTG navigate around the congestion zone in London? Or show the perimeter of the zone?
No, this isn't possible. It might become possible in the future though, since this would only require a software update.
Is there a way to enter "favourites" on the PC and download to the GO?
No, this can't be done. (yet?)
I misstyped my device code when I was activating my TTG. As a result I've been given an activation code that doen't work for my TTG. What can I do?
Two things:
1) Contact TTG support and tell them about your problem. They will be able to fix it for you. This is the prefered method.
2) Wait for 7 days and then try again. It is possible to unlock the maps for a second time if you wait for 7 days. This will only work ONE time though.
Which SD cards will work with my TTG? Which will NOT work?
Because a lot of people ended up buying a card that turned out not to be compatible with the GO, here's a small list.
Cards brands that WILL work with the GO
- A1
- AData (1 GB)
- ByteStor (Hi-speed)
- Dane-elec
- Expansys
- Integral
- Hama
- HP
- Kingston
- Kodak
- Perutz
- Sandisk
- NCP
- PQ1
- Traxdata (normal series and PRO series)
- Transcend
- Viking
Card brands that will NOT work with the GO
- Aria 512 MB
- Bystore
- ByteStor (normal speed)
- Corsair
- PNY (some work, others don't)
What is the support number for TomTom in the UK?
0845 161 0009
What is the support number for TomTom in the USA?
(866) 486-6866
This is a continuing work in progress, as the list grows larger every day! If you want to help us make it complete, email us your questions at faq@mytomtomgo.com. If your question is suitable for our FAQ, we will include it as soon as possible.
BUT... please do NOT use this email address to ask us questions about your GO/ONE/RIDER that you don't know the answer to yourself. This email address is NOT meant to be used as an "allround support address". It's meant for suggestions regarding additions to the FAQ and therefor to be used for this purpose ONLY. Support questions made through this email address will NOT be answered!!
Now, that said, let us emphasize that this doesn't mean that we don't understand your need for answers to your questions. But for this, please register on our forums and post your questions there. We're sure you'll receive an answer in no time! You may also try searching our forums. (hint: a lot of possible problems with TomTom GPS units have been discussed there in the past, and a simple search can already take you a long way!)