The fortuna uses a Nokia battery... so very easy it comes out with 1 screw - but TBH, if I wasn't changing the car, I'd have permanently hardwirerd a powercable for the GPS anyway...

 

I believe the TomTom GPS has a fixed battery, but I might be wrong - I don't have it with me today. I recall reading an article on a web site somewhere that discussed this exact topic, as many of the original Bluetooth GPS receivers contain fixed batteries that will only recharge a certain number of times. The good news, of course, is that the price of Bluetooth GPS receivers is dropping all the time, so by the time it needs replacing it won't cost that much.

 

If I was doing thngs again, I'd probably either:

1) avoid BT receivers
2) hardwire the receiver (maybe out of sight) from day 1

Why?

The battery in mine lasts about 8 hours... not bad. But I'm the kinda person that wants to jump in, insert the Ipaq into its powered cradle, press 1 button, plan a route and set off. I don't want to plug in (and switch on) a BT receiver as well. If I'm honest, even having to remove and insert the Ipaq every time I get in/out is a drag (but it is worth the effort!)

So I'd much prefer a solution whereby the GPS was permanently installed in the vehicle - and if it was permanently powered, it would almost always retain a sat lock, meaning route calculation at the start of the trip was virtually immediate.

So why not BT?

Well, because of the power issue, I've basically connected my receiver either directly to the cradle (power socket) or directly to the 12v socket - so there have been wires trailing anyway. BT is a wireless solution, and you pay extra for not having cables - so to add a permanent power cable defeats the object somewhat...

Knowing what I know now, I'd opt for:

1) a hardwired (BT or not) GPS receiver
or
2) a receiver permanently attached to the Ipaq (eg a CF or SDIO) - but unfortunately, as the 4150 only has 1 slot (and I need that for memory to store the maps!) there isn't that option for me.

If you can get around this, or it doesn't bother you, its a superb gadget.

Personally, I'm looking to install a DVD based system in the S4 - but safe in the knowledge that I do, indeed, love Sat Nav and will use it. I wouldn't have known that if I didn't get TomTom first!

 

Did you have the Tomtom first and then you went for the Fortuna?

I understand what you mean about plugging in and out etc. It is time consuming.

But a fully integrated system would require the manufacturers satellite system to be installed in the car already. Will your S4 have this already?

Hardwiring things can be a problem too...maybe not for me, but for you that you change your cars all the time. :wink:

 

Did you have the Tomtom first and then you went for the Fortuna?

I understand what you mean about plugging in and out etc. It is time consuming.

But a fully integrated system would require the manufacturers satellite system to be installed in the car already. Will your S4 have this already?

Hardwiring things can be a problem too...maybe not for me, but for you that you change your cars all the time. :wink:

No, I started with the Fortuna...

A fully integrated system requires I buy one and get a qualified installer to fit it. S4 isn't being supplied with Audi's navigation system - but I'm looking at an aftermarket kit (Pioneer AVIC-X1) which (for about £1600) will provide Sat Nav, DVD, TV, and a reversing camera...

 

I bought a BT receiver and a hardwired receiver. I don't use the BT one at all for exactly the same reason as Tim, but I'm trialling it, so had to buy both

But I knew even before I bought it that there is no point paying extra for BT, when you are still going to need a cable to power it... unless someone can come up with power via BT

To get at the BT receiver battery, you just unclip the base and the battery pulls out.

 

I bought a BT receiver and a hardwired receiver. I don't use the BT one at all for exactly the same reason as Tim, but I'm trialling it, so had to buy both

But I knew even before I bought it that there is no point paying extra for BT, when you are still going to need a cable to power it... unless someone can come up with power via BT

To get at the BT receiver battery, you just unclip the base and the battery pulls out.

In the TomTom BT receiver you can remove the battery?

And you don't need to power the BT antenna when you navigate. If it is charged it can work alone for about 5 hours in the TomTom device or up to 16 hours in a new Rikaline GPS antenna.