Tomtom Sat Nav ... bong, bong, bong

philharve

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Hi All

I upgraded the system software in my Tomtom GO 910 Sat Nav from v6.x to v7.x just prior to a 500-mile round trip to Swindon earlier this week. I usually mount the Tomtom device in the centre of the windscreen so that a passenger can control it if my hands are otherwise engaged griping the steering wheel whilst traveling at speed.

V7.x contains many new features which I hadn't fully appreciated until my journey was well underway. One such feature, which normally defaults to 'alarm mode on' when the software is initially installed, caused much concern and head-scratching and resulted in a call to my indie to check I wasn't dreaming.

The latest system software now contains 'legal speed detection' which takes the current speed restriction on a section of road or motorway and computes the speed which could result in prosecution. For 70mph the legal speed is 79mph; for 60mph the legal speed is 68mph; for 50mph the legal speed is 57mph; etc. If the legal speed alarm is active (it is user-configurable to 'on/off') an audible warning is generated whenever the vehicle attains or exceeds the legal speed and repeats periodically. In effect it is warning the driver to 'reduce speed or risk prosecution'.

Shortly after entering the M5, after leaving the A30, I started to hear a 'bong, bong, bong' sound which repeated every couple of minutes. The sound appeared to be coming from the ICE speakers.

I have owned my C230K for 3 years and it's never 'bonged' me before. I quickly deduced that either my car was trying to tell me something was wrong, or, it had to do with my vehicle's speed and some external subsystem, possibly external to my car. Because there were no other complementary warning indications in the facia, I deduced my car was OK. It was performing well, very well. Consequently there must be some other speed detection system in operation ... but where was it and how was it interacting through my ICE speakers???

I considered the possibility that this was some new experimental traffic calming system in which my car was interacting with sensors in the surface of the motorway and an 'overspeed warning' was somehow being transmitted on all channels on my FM radio. Very clever, I thought, but what if I was listening to CD or tape??? I switched audio sources and the 'bong, bong, bong' kept on sounding??? The alarm was beginning to annoy me so I switched the radio off. The 'bonging' sound continued!!! I was now getting quite worried. Where was the sound coming from and what was producing it???

I reached Swindon in record time and decided to call my indie. I asked him whether there were any subsystems in my Mercedes that were associated with speed detection and could it be producing the bonging sound. He said, 'No', there was no such subsystem, not even the speed limiter or cruise control is capable of generating such a warning. The answer must lie elsewhere.

I read through my Mercedes manual and, sure enough, there was no mention of audible alarms other than 'lights on', 'brake engaged', radio security', etc. The answer must be the Tomtom Sat Nav but how could it transmit sound to the ICE speakers in such a way that I could not control the volume???

I went through the Tomtom v7.x menus - there's no instruction manual - and stumbled upon the answer. Legal speed limit warning ... its alarm was set 'On'. Furthermore, the user-defined alarm sound was set to 'bong, bong, bong'. It was then that I realised that I had covered the last 150 miles at very close to the legal speed limit. Fortunately I had discovered that by backing off on the accelerator I could stop the 'bonging' ... but not for long. I further deduced that the Tomtom database must include a list of currently enforced speed restrictions for specific roads and motorways and it was this information that was controlling the onset of the alarm. I found some roads I could travel at 90mph without 'bonging'. The Tomtom will even allow the user to set a speed alarm of his own choice but why bother if you have speed limit control?

BUT HOW COULD THE 'BONGING' SOUND EMINATE FROM THE ICE SPEAKERS??? That's the question.

I examined the Tomtom installation and noticed that its internal mono speaker, located on its rear panel, points downwards when sitting in its screen-mounting cradle, straight into a windscreen air vent. The answer was now obvious. The 'bonging' sound was echoing around behind the facia and was eminating close to the ICE speakers giving a stereo effect. My discovery made me smile like a Cheshire Cat.

I decided to leave the legal speed warning active on my return journey and used it to my advantage. I subsequently cut my return journey by 20 minutes and used the time I saved to call into to my indie to give him the good news. We both laughed and agreed that sound transmission problems can be 'quite interesting' to resolve.

I have since studied my Tomtom menus in a little more detail and discovered there are around a couple dozen possible user-programmable warning sounds that the Tomtom could have defaulted to. But I wished Tomtom had chosen a more appropriate default warning, such as 'You're Nicked, You're Nicked, You're Nicked'. At least I would have realised sooner what the problem was and where the warning was originating.

I decided to post this thread because it might warn other Tomtom users that the latest system software upgrade introduces quite a few new features which are not exactly obvious. If you are not familiar with them, and especially their alarms, it could result in an interesting journey, to say the least.

REGARDS

Phil
 
G

Geezer

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LOL. I discovered exactly the same thing last weekend. Took me ages to work out what it was. ****** Bong, Bong, Bong!! :D
 
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philharve

philharve

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Annoying ... but what speed is safe. Sat Nav maps ...

Hi Geezer

Yes, it was annoying. I was in two minds whether to stop the car and give it the once over to check all was well. However, since the facia instrumentaion presented no warning alarms and the car felt OK, I decided to press on. Over the next 150 miles I was able to deduce that the audible alarm was speed related.

I think I will write to Tomtom and suggest that they supplement the 'legal speed exceeeded' audible alarm with a flashing icon in the Tomtom's display, then there can be no doubt from where the alarm originates. I suspect many of the Tomtom's new v7.x features only produce audible alarms which, IMO, is a mistake. Suppose I was hard of hearing and had the hi-fi turned up loud. Would I have heard the legal speed alarm? Probably not! But there is a very good chance I would see the Tomtom's display flashing an icon.

I have no objection to having a 'legal speed alarm' because it helped me cut my return journey from Swindon by 20 minutes. However, there will be those members who will disagree with me and say that no limit should be breached: if 70mph is in-force, then that speed should not be exceeded under any circumstances. However, as we all know, some drivers will travel at speeds well beyond the maximum speed limit. I encountered several dozen drivers traveling well above 100mph on my recent trip and a few were in vehicles of no more than about 1.4 litres.

I have another beef with Tomtom which I would like to raise. I not only downloaded and installed the latest system software, I also purchased extra maps which are currently on offer [to end of January 2008] at 50 percent discount. I used the latest UK and Ireland map during my Swindon trip and encountered many errors, most relating to the A30 between Truro and Exeter. The A30 has been upgraded and the large roundabouts enroute have been removed. But the latest Tomtom map is no different to the previous one in this respect: it shows roundabouts where there aren't any. I am now wondering whether I wasted my money, even with a 50 percent discount.

An electronic manual, accessible through the Tomtom screen, would not go amiss either.

Criticisms aside, I do like Sat Nav systems and prefer them to paper maps. However, neither should be taken as totally accurate and drivers must be prepared to override their advice on occasion.

REGARDS

Phil
 

rf065

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I used the latest UK and Ireland map during my Swindon trip and encountered many errors, most relating to the A30 between Truro and Exeter. The A30 has been upgraded and the large roundabouts enroute have been removed. But the latest Tomtom map is no different to the previous one in this respect: it shows roundabouts where there aren't any. I am now wondering whether I wasted my money, even with a 50 percent discount.

REGARDS

Phil

Using TomTom Home & the Map Share feature, can you not change the maps to show the new/old roundabouts yourself & let everyone else download the changes you have made?

Russ
 
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philharve

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Map Share

Using TomTom Home & the Map Share feature, can you not change the maps to show the new/old roundabouts yourself & let everyone else download the changes you have made?

Hi Russ

I've heard of Map Share but have no knowledge of its features or capabilities. However, now you have mentioned it, I will look into it. Thanks.

REGARDS

Phil
 

Phil D

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Hi Russ

I've heard of Map Share but have no knowledge of its features or capabilities. However, now you have mentioned it, I will look into it. Thanks.

REGARDS

Phil

If you have any success could you let us know ? - there are one or two annoying little glitches on my local maps but I haven't a clue how to go about getting them changed!
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rf065

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I think you have to upgrade to the latest operating system version & above a certain level of map before you can use it.

Russ
 

johnmc

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I gave up on portable sat navs. I can really use a good one for worldwide travel, but the portables are naff for serious use. 95% of any journey is easy, I only need it for the odd tricky bit.

To solve my problem I've installed Microsoft Autoroute on my company laptop with
US and European in depth coverage. Covers 90% of my travel needs. The software takes a feed from a $40 SiRF Star III USB GPS receiver.

Not exactly dash mount, but it it gives superb route plans to start the journey and the tracking needed for the tricky bits.

Now, I could use one for Asia, but a few too many countries to cover :(.
John
 
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philharve

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I think you have to upgrade to the latest operating system version & above a certain level of map before you can use it.

Russ

Well, I certainly have the latest system software and I assume I had the latest maps too. I'll check with Tomtom.

REGARDS

Phil
 
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I gave up on portable sat navs. I can really use a good one for worldwide travel, but the portables are naff for serious use. 95% of any journey is easy, I only need it for the odd tricky bit.

To solve my problem I've installed Microsoft Autoroute on my company laptop with
US and European in depth coverage. Covers 90% of my travel needs. The software takes a feed from a $40 SiRF Star III USB GPS receiver.

Not exactly dash mount, but it it gives superb route plans to start the journey and the tracking needed for the tricky bits.

Now, I could use one for Asia, but a few too many countries to cover :(.
John

Yes, I have gone the Autoroute path too but I find myself looking away from the direction of travel a little too often for comfort and my safety. I usually place the laptop on the passenger seat. I was wondering whether one of those super micro laptops with a 5-inch screen would be any good. They are just about pocketable, if you have poachers pockets in your coat, that is.

I have used my Tomtom GO 910 has a portable - and it works OK - but it is a damned awkward shape for putting in a pocket. It will fit in a trouser pocket but this is not advised because it creates the impression the owner is having an erection.

Anyway, high-capacity, solid-state memory is on the horizon and the day of the hard disk is coming to an end.

REGARDS

Phil
 

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Hi All

-snipped-
But I wished Tomtom had chosen a more appropriate default warning, such as 'You're Nicked, You're Nicked, You're Nicked'. At least I would have realised sooner what the problem was and where the warning was originating.

-snipped-

LOL - that reminded me of the time I hit the brakes and moved over on the M1 thinking the police were after me as I came under the bridge only to realise it was the sound of sirens coming from the Clash track I was playing in the stereo at the time :p

Muppet - Yes indeed I was on that day!

Gary
 
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philharve

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Sounds can play tricks.

Hello Tikon

I, too, have a recurring problem with the sound of our front door bell, I keep thinking it's ringing. It isn't Tinitus, i.e. ongoing. It's real. I go down stairs, open the front door and there's nobody there??? I think, 'what a plonker, fooled again!'

I found out a few weeks ago what the problem is. The bedroom TV is on when the 'phantom' bell rings and the ringing sound actually eminates from my TV. It is the exact same pitch, duration and level as my own front door bell. I have listened to the TV quite intently these past few weeks and it is amazing how often a ringing sound is heard on the soundtrack of programmes and TV adverts. Now I've been alerted to the problem I can allow for it. I might change my front door bell for a chime.

Sound can play funny tricks if you don't know where it is eminating from. I expect you felt a plonker too when you pulled over?

REGARDS

Phil
 

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Hello Tikon

I, too, have a recurring problem with the sound of our front door bell, I keep thinking it's ringing. It isn't Tinitus, i.e. ongoing. It's real. I go down stairs, open the front door and there's nobody there??? I think, 'what a plonker, fooled again!'

Hi Phil,

I am okay on that score I got married and when our doorbell rings the wife answers it as she knows I wont go :D

Regards
Gary
 
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Hi Russ

I've heard of Map Share but have no knowledge of its features or capabilities. However, now you have mentioned it, I will look into it. Thanks.

REGARDS

Phil

Hi All

I stumbled upon this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU2iQX4vJ10

Now I now understand what MapShare is and how it works. The latter half of this presentation is unbelievable, and I do mean 'unbelievable'.

REGARDS

Phil
 

rf065

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Hi All

I stumbled upon this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU2iQX4vJ10

Now I now understand what MapShare is and how it works. The latter half of this presentation is unbelievable, and I do mean 'unbelievable'.

REGARDS

Phil

I read this is the first version of Map Share and later versions are planned to be a lot more advanced, should be even more "unbelievable" then.

Russ
 


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