News: TomTom online route planner Options

[Rob Ot]

Posted News:

TomTom online route planner

TomTom will release a new online route planner, which allows users to easily pre-plan a route and obtaining precise travel and arrival times.

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The yourNAV team

[anchor]

Having tried the beta, it is good.

However, the big disadvantage is that I can see no way to save the route as an itn file, for transfer to my TomTom.

[gadget_sa]

Having tried the beta, it is good.

However, the big disadvantage is that I can see no way to save the route as an itn file, for transfer to my TomTom.

Not quite the full route - but a workaround!!


Can I send route information to my TomTom device?
Yes, you can send either the start or the destination of a route to your TomTom navigation device.

Note: The map on your navigation device must cover the area of the location that you are sending to your device.

Make sure that your navigation device is connected to your computer. After planning a route, do the following:

Click on a start or finish flag on the map and a balloon will appear.
Click Add to TomTom.
If installed, TomTom HOME starts on your computer and you are asked what you want to do with the location when it reaches your TomTom navigation device.

You can choose to show the location on the map, navigate to the location or add it to your Favourites.

If you choose to navigate to the location, your device may calculate a different route to that of the Route Planner due to differences in map version, Map Share downloads and IQ Routes™.

Can I send locations to my TomTom device?
Yes, you can. Make sure that your navigation device is connected to your computer. After finding a location, do the following:

Click the pushpin on the map and a balloon will appear.
Click Add to TomTom.
If installed, TomTom HOME starts on your computer and you are asked what you want to do with your location when it reaches your TomTom navigation device.

You can choose to show the location on the map, navigate to the location or add it to your Favourites

[anchor]

Thank you for your reply.

However, to be honest I cannot see it much, if any, different to just planning a route in the TomTom in the normal way.

The method you describe ignores IQ routes and latest map-shares. What a shame that you cannot save it as an itn file, which would be really useful.

Perhaps when they have it fully up and running, it will be possible, for a fee!.

[gadget_sa]

I agree Anchor, but like you say, as it's a Beta version they have a lot more to do to make it a useful tool

[The Vet]

Tried it myself and yes I liked it.
It will be nice to be able to drag and change the route on the map (google map).

The Vet

[Holdfast]

Good point "Vet" have you sent your thoughts on the Beta version to TT. I would like to see the ability to create multiple way points and to be able to transfer them to my PND.

I see there are still some members who feel the need to be able to transfer a route created on the planner to PND's. I still feel as I did in an earlier thread on this subject, "Why" , if you could create a route on the planner and transfer it to the PND it's going to become outdated within minutes should a RTC or slow moving traffic occur. Or is it that some may see this as a way of avoiding subscription to Traffic, either way the route planned on Route Planner is good up to the time you switch your PC off.

One thought though, I wonder if it will be possible to access Route Planner on an Internet enabled mobile phone like a Blackberry

[gadget_sa]

I see there are still some members who feel the need to be able to transfer a route created on the planner to PND's. I still feel as I did in an earlier thread on this subject, "Why" , if you could create a route on the planner and transfer it to the PND it's going to become outdated within minutes should a RTC or slow moving traffic occur. Or is it that some may see this as a way of avoiding subscription to Traffic, either way the route planned on Route Planner is good up to the time you switch your PC off.

The reason to be able to create and transfer a route to a PND is simply because you can sit at a full size screen to plan the route and then transfer it... obviously its going to route you the best way for that moment in time... and this might not be the best route for you if there are traffic issues.
Like you say, if it was to avoid paying traffic costs, then it's pointless becuase that could/would change as soon as you set off on your route.. I don't think people are that naive.
If they have the subscription, as soon as they turn on their nav they can do an update.

One thought though, I wonder if it will be possible to access Route Planner on an Internet enabled mobile phone like a Blackberry

Works on the iPhone!

[Holdfast]

I take your point Gadget_sa, I think it's a case of whatever way of planning a journey works for the individual. I do think the idea of creating multiple way points may be a way of bridging the gap between the way people use Route Planner.

If viewed as a Route Planner and compared with other systems, Google etc, I do think it's almost on a par with the best providing they include a number of other features such as Satellite views.

Nice to see it can be used on iPhone, I will hold back on my Blackberry for the time being as I use Google Maps for satellite imagery

[nharrisn]

If you want itinerary planning and to transfer to tomtom just continue using tyre, works for me

http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php

Nigel

[anchor]

I use both TYRE and MS Autoroute to create my routes with way-points. The former will convert the route directly to an itn file.

This is also possible using MS Autoroute, by converting the file created by Autoroute to an itn using ITNConv.exe.

It would have been nice if one could use the TomTom planner to do this too. I appreciate traffic conditions constantly vary, but the planner does take into account what is typical at various times of day.

In my opinion, in its present state it is something and nothing.

[Mate]

Try entering your destination as - Eastern Docks, Dover and see where it takes you.

[anchor]

Try entering your destination as - Eastern Docks, Dover and see where it takes you.

Just done that; no problem, nothing unusual. It exactly followed the route I would normally take.

[s70rmp]

took me to a completely different destinantion !

[Malcolm]

Leave the comma off between ..Docks and Dover

[Andy_P]

For me: "Eastern Docks, Dover" only offers Southampton Docks
"Eastern Docks Dover" gave me two posible locations in Dover near the docks

But a different problem.... My Route planner isn't giving me any boxes to enter a "From" location, only the destination. I'm sure it didn't used to be like that

[gadget_sa]

But a different problem.... My Route planner isn't giving me any boxes to enter a "From" location, only the destination. I'm sure it didn't used to be like that

Worked ok for me.... how many Sherrys for you at lunch Andy??

Daft question.. it's not on the Location Tab is it??

[Andy_P]

No it seems to be a page load problem, it looks OK in IE, but messes up in Firefox (for me anyway...)

Here's what it looks like in both (IE at the top)

 Route_Plan_error.jpg ( 166.36K ) Number of downloads: 2

[gadget_sa]

How strange. I only use Firefox and heres mine this morning:
 Routes.JPG ( 102.79K ) Number of downloads: 3

[Jack Russell]

I notice that it understates the mileage eg Sutton Scotney to Helston it makes 200mi my Go and Google makes it 219 miles.