Update 07/30/2014: I now give 5 stars instead of 4! The reliable HD Traffic just about compensates for the little weaknesses!
Update 6/18/2014: The unit now works reliably since purchase! No crashes, which are reported in other reviews here and I have also seen with my old predecessor TomTom XL Live itself.
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Summary:
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After an XL Live and an iPhone app that GoLive 1015 HDT is our third TomTom Live service experience since the beginning of March-2013. And this live service "HD Traffic" is for us the main benefit of the device, since it thus virtually in real-time "bird's-eye view on the street looks" and informs the driver about the traffic situation and confidently takes the fastest route. And you always know quite exactly when you arrive!
This can currently offer no other navigational or automaker in the accuracy of our knowledge. You notice it in everyday life because the device sends us again and again amazingly empty roadblocks which obviously hardly recommends another navigation solution. Therefore, we have turned the device permanently and use it for regular trips to famous destinations such as commuting on weekends. The classic function of a navigation device that is "navigation to new destinations" for us now more of a secondary function - the device but also very well controlled.
Live Service / HD Traffic
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Here again a short explanation, because we are often asked by riders: The device maintains a Vodafone SIM card is installed, with which the device automatically and autonomously dials after switching in the mobile data network and connects to the TomTom Traffic Data Server , The unit will remain permanently online and receives every 2 minutes updated real-time traffic data. This traffic data determined from TomTom transaction data from Vodafone mobile phones, TomTom devices and other sources and thus creates an extremely accurate real-time detection of traffic conditions. This is called TomTom HD Traffic. The live services operate throughout Europe. When crossing the border, the device automatically switches the network provider - just like the cell phone. Roaming costs are not incurred!
By accurate traffic data arrivals are tageszeitabhaengig very precise calculated existing congestion partly displayed 50-meter exactly with delays and detours only be proposed if they really bring a reduction and not on the branch line is also a jam. The indication of congestion on secondary roads is truly unique. Even in inner cities delays appear - except the "normal" traffic jams. If you want to get an impression of the traffic data, look up times to the directions on the website of Tomtom. Here you can see the current traffic data online. Exactly this is also receives data on the device.
All in all, makes us HD Traffic driving more relaxed, because there from the start of transparency about the traffic density and the estimated arrival time. We are always amazed that the real waiting times by small and medium-sized jam on the highway are often much shorter than they feel. By quite accurate prediction of these delays on the screen simply remains with a good feeling on the motorway and exit only if it really makes sense.
TMC or TMC Pro has often taken from us in the past nonsensically from the highway, mainly because the delays were calculated too long and thus the bypass was expected more advantageous than it actually was. For this purpose, they released the congestion on the bypass route, the TMC does not know systemic.
First start
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The establishment of the unit after the initial power is self-explanatory on-screen instructions. The range of functions you can gradually work out by itself. A handbook we do not miss.
GPS location and route calculation
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After switching on the device is very fast within a few seconds the own position when it is turned on at the same place where it was ausgschaltet. If the device was turned off moving to a different location, it takes 10-60 seconds depending on the position until the unit know again where it is. This relatively rapid positioning is the GPS Quick-Fix allows data that the device receives via the online data connection. A regular weekly update on the PC as previous TomToms is it no longer necessary.
The route calculation is carried out quickly, depending on route length within a few seconds. If traffic incidents are found on the route, is immediate recalculation of an alternative route, which then requires significantly longer than the initial calculation, as more roads are searched.
When leaving a planned route recognition and recalculation also practical quickly.
The planned routes are consistently useful and the calculated driving time is specified as a function of time of day. The predicted for a daytime traffic problems are also displayed. This called TomTom IQ Routes calculation fits in everyday life very well to the actually necessary travel time.
The planned route includes occasional small bugs. Chance cards are due to errors regularly blocked roads included in the plan. And recently we were in the Oetztal in Austria for no apparent reason and without notice of a traffic jam taken from the main road, up the hill through a small village and then sent back down to the main road. This is unsightly and could in the winter can make a lot of snow in for real trouble. Such errors are however already happened to us with other navigation solutions and they also fall in quite early. This time we just moved on without criticism. But the fact remains that leave them turned head and not blindly trust the Navi.
Map display and operation:
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The map display is like the first TomTom years ago in principle - there has, in our view done in TomTom very little. There is clearly more beautiful and more modern representations, with more practical information on the display, such as at Navigon. But a real benefit for navigation have beautiful depictions or more hardly.
Jams, displays much better and more clearly than in previous TomTom devices. Storage density and direction are very clearly visible through colors and animations in 2D and 3D representation.
The operation is TomTom customary been over earlier devices but improved beneficial in some respects. Thus, for example any time to add one or more intermediate destinations for the current route. Is also pleasant that you can turn off the normal navigation instructions, the storage instructions and speed camera are but continue to listen. Previously it was either too much chatter or rest. It allows the 2D view mode now also turning off the auto-zoom. Very handy to keep track of, for example, during a bypass.
However, it lacks even things that are standard with other manufacturers. So we want eg each 2-3 alternative routes as proposals that have very similar times.
The unit should sometimes like to respond slightly faster at your fingertips. You can clearly see when the device calculates in the background and then accepts commands only slightly delayed.
Therefore, we give in the sum only 4 stars in the rating. (Raised on 07/30/2014 at 5 star because the strengths of the unit more than offset the weakness for us.)
Receive Data Link:
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The reception is much better than the old XL Live! Data dead spots while there are still in the same place in the landscape, the GoLive 1015 but offline and faster each much later online. Here you should, in our view remain fundamentally fair. There is no consistently good data reception in Europe over the wireless network. Also Blackberry and iPhone get out regularly. As a TomTom can not do magic.
Optics + handling
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The device looks elegant and feels valent to the metal housing and the high weight on. The suction cup base holds very firmly to the disc. The active support for the device with the magnet is great. The unit can be removed easily and replace without disconnecting the cable. Practical: When inserting into the cradle, the device switches on automatically. 10 seconds after removing it automatically turns off. If you can run the power supply via the ignition, leaving the device in the holder, it turns on as a permanently installed unit on and off.
Update / MyTomTom:
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The update via MyTomTom things used without any problems. TomTom Home software was as though somehow nice and showed a better progress of the update, but it works the same way. Sometimes it takes several minutes until the device is updated.
Update 4/23/2013:
The Tomtom1015 real pleasure by the very effective congestion avoidance with faster route update and simple operation. Similarly now and then a smartphone is recommended a reboot (20 seconds to Anschaltknopf press).
Update 05/02/2013:
Voice control has unfortunately been confirmed in everyday life as imprecise and annoying. We had thought at the beginning of a period of familiarization, the error rate remains high even with voice commands carefully, especially while driving. Unfortunately, this often takes place in conjunction with a Ignore the command "Cancel". If the device detects in the mode "Navigate to an address" as the street name is not, you can use the command "Cancel" do not stop, but it tries to find a similar-sounding street names. And again and again, that you are in a loop, you can terminate only the keyboard. Here we had a lot more promised.
Update 01/07/2013:
Because of the accuracy of HD Traffic, we rely almost completely on the system. But: In multi-lane traffic jams on the highway, the system detects the truck congestion on the right side than the relevant storage, although left the cars can pass. If you know the one that helps to gauge whether one can trust the delays calculated. Hopefully TomTom still working here to improve the evaluation of the data.
PS: Since such reviews should serve the interested parties to have to get some additional information about the product and the author is investing time and effort, your feedback on the button would be helpful or not motivation for the author to share in the future his experience with others to want. Thank you in advance !!
