Accesories for the New series tomTom's XLS, 520.720.920

[tharvey]

Below is a list of tried and proven accesories that I have tested and obtained for myself and friend's who have simular tomtom's.

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AC Apple USB Power Supply

my favorite is the apple us power cube which is well designed and about $15 shipped to your door.

It outputs about 1000 milliamps and will charge your tomtom in under 2 hours. This will require a standard to mini cube to work

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190181724009&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009

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Motorola AC USB power supply

I only reccomend the oem unit which outputs 550 milliamps and will charge your tomtom in a little over 3 hours.

These are about $5 off of ebay and are quite commonly found for most phones/headsets and bluetooth items.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150194622696&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=005

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Motorola Car charger

Again I only reccomend oem units and the usb car charger is excellent value and the coided cord keeps shorter runs neater.

These are a little over $10 shipped and will usually charge a tomtom which is on at a very slow rate or a tomtom in the off position in a little over 4 hours.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-OEM-Ca...yZ108570QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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When it comes to electrical items I am extremely picky as over voltage will quickly overcharge and destroy your tomtom in a hurry. I have used these items in various forms on assorted items for years without any problems what so ever.

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Cases

I searched high and low for a quality case including numerous stores and speciality shops. Needless to say the true and tested case for all my small electrical items is this case which is custom made for the tomtom and is made in real leather with a belt loop.

On my last visit to vegas I made a habbit of carrying the tomtom on my waist for 6 days and experienced no problems what so ever. With the screen facing forwards you almost have two layers of thick leather for protection.

At a to your door price of under $23 I really recommend this item.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leather-Case-fo...ryZ58049QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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SD Cards

I was given a 4gb sd card which after formatting it with tomtom home worked perfectley

I then heard about the 8gb sd card from A-Data which is a class 6 card, working for other people once it was formatted in fat-32

I then purchased the 16 gb sd card which is also from A-data and is a class 6 card and after formatting it with a usb adapter, it has been working flawless for almost 2 weeks.

the 8 card is $34 shipped from newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211180

the 16 gb card is $75 also shipped from newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211245&Tpk=a-data+16+gb+sd

"soderinde" has found an updated price for the card at $71.50 here is the link

http://www.meritline.com/a-data-16gb-turbo-sdhc-flash-card.html

I like newegg for their service and return policy not to mention their customer service which was rated as the second best on the internet. however i have bought from merritt before without any problems, I have just never had to return anything to them so I do not know their return policy

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SD card reader/formating tool

to my suprise my up to date computer would not see the sdhc card and would go into a lock up mode, I guess when I bought the multi reader the usb 2.0 reader was not sesigned to read or format these hc cards.

needless to say for a penny and 5 bucks for shipping I got the perfect sd card reader formatter.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mini-USB-Ca...ryZ50526QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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Mounts

Although the factory mount on the 920 does the job it lacks a lot of functionally. Here are some I have found and do the job quite well.

http://www.kudausa.com/tomtom_go_520___720___920_navigation_cradle-1308.html#

I like this one as it is a drop in design for the 520/720/920 series and includes a direct wire in power supply, and also a socket for the traffic control wiring. Price is $80 us plus shipping.

A forum favorite is the Pro Clip seen here

http://www.kudausa.com/tomtom_go_520___720___920_navigation_cradle-1308.html#

You buy the specific mount for the tomtom and then the specific mount for your vehicle and mate them together. Costs about $80 for both units plus shipping but does not deal wioth the power supply for the unit.

Another forum favorite is the flex mount off of ebay which runs about $40 shipped this is a custom cradle with an included power supply for direct wiring to your ignition and costs about $40 shipped in the US,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...tToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

Now by bar this is my favorite, I believe it is designed and manfactured in Germany and as of yet I have not found a price for the 720/920 units to the US

https://www.tomtomforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=136&d=1164188376

This was listed by a fellow forum member "ARAT GmbH" who states that info can be obtained for this item by e-mailing (e-mail address removed) <[email protected]>

http://www.arat.de/shop.php?mode=de...2DE900&lang=en&sid=v70mkmp0ogfbiipri3v8mf1la6

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Antenna's

Although this was one of the first items I thought I would need, I am amazed at the reception of my 920 even inside my house. The external connector allows for the tomtom to be mounted out of reception area for better viewing and still get excellent reception from an outside external antenna. The antenna comes in with either a straight connector or a 90 degree connector and the length of cable varries from 3-15 meters.

Fron GOer910 the following good advice

"For your external antenna question make sure that the antenna is a 3 VDC type (older models were 5 VDC). Once connected to external antenna port on the GO the external antenna built in LNA draws current (around 15 mA) which causes the internal patch antenna to be shut down.

To verify that you are actually tracking from the external antenna, go to the GPS screen that shows the individual satellites being tracked and cover the antenna with your hand you should be able to see most of the satellite signal indicators decrease in amplitude and most likely turn grey in color if they were blue. When the satellite signal are colored in blue this mean that they are used in the position calulation, if they are grey they are not. Hope this helps."

http://www.antonline.com/p_TomTom--9N00.000--TomTom-9N00.000-External-Antenna-_264384.htm

This is tomtom specific with a 90 degree mcx end connector from an, antenna speciality shop, priced around $18 plus shipping, I notice the price is like the price of oil, up one day and down the next, at this store I have seen this model as low as $10 and as high as $23 plus shipping.

From the ebay department, the same units just cheaper, are:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GPS-Antenna-for...ryZ73348QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this is $19.00 delivered to your door. however has the straight connector on the mcx.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MCX-Antenna-Gar...hZ013QQcategoryZ73348QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

$17 to your door and has the 90 degree connector for a flush cable mount.

http://cgi.ebay.com/External-Antenn...eZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

This one claims to be an ultra high gain 55db powered unit for a delivered price. Note all external antenna's are externally powered and some designs will give better reception then others. I like this one except for the straight connector.

http://www.tomtom.com/products/accessories/accessory.php?ID=263

This is the tomtom verified accessory which will not effect your warranty if they find out about it. Priced at $30 plus shipping most costly of antenna's available.


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I hope this helps others out and invite others to add links for other accesories

 

[F22]

Thanks for the accessories list.

 

[tharvey]

anybody else ???????????????????????????????? know of suitable accesories for the tomtom, I was hoping to edit the main post and keep an updated location for everything. I am looking at external antenna's, more case selection, car kits etc.

tim

 

[SShadow]

Do the XL(S) adn the x20s share the same case design? IE if I bought a case that said a 720 fit in it, would my XL-S fit?

 

[F22]

anybody else ???????????????????????????????? know of suitable accesories for the tomtom, I was hoping to edit the main post and keep an updated location for everything. I am looking at external antenna's, more case selection, car kits etc.

tim

Re: external antenna's

How does one know if an external is doing anything? Or there a setting for EXTERNAL antenna or do you just hook it up?

Reason I ask is that I have one that I purchased a while ago for my Garmin. It has the right connector and can be used with or withOUT an battery powered amp. Of course, remembering where I purchased it will be interesting....

 

[GOer910]

F22, for your external antenna question make sure that the antenna is a 3 VDC type (older models were 5 VDC). Once connected to external antenna port on the GO the external antenna built in LNA draws current (around 15 mA) which causes the internal patch antenna to be shut down. To verify that you are actually tracking from the external antenna, go to the GPS screen that shows the individual satellites being tracked and cover the antenna with your hand you should be able to see most of the satellite signal indicators decrease in amplitude and most likely turn grey in color if they were blue. When the satellite signal are colored in blue this mean that they are used in the position calulation, if they are grey they are not. Hope this helps.

 

[tharvey]

Do the XL(S) adn the x20s share the same case design? IE if I bought a case that said a 720 fit in it, would my XL-S fit?

Yes I bought 2 cases for people I work with and they have the xls and the 720 and this was the same case I use for my 920

tim

 

[SShadow]

Yes I bought 2 cases for people I work with and they have the xls and the 720 and this was the same case I use for my 920

tim

<----- See my avatar...

 

[irvinf]

Purchased external antenna on eBay for a total price of $15. Wanted a straight MCX connector so had to search.
My XL-S sits on the small console on the floor and receives 3 to 5 satellites.
With external antenna on top of the L/H corner of the dash, next to the wind-
shield-get 6 to 7 satellites in a minute or so.
Look here for my installation

https://www.tomtomforums.com/showthread.php?t=6747

 

[Gilbert]

Can anyone confirm an SDHC card works with the TT ONE XL-S? TT web site warns about the SDHC not being compatible or shows non XL-S models compatible with SDHC. IOW the XL-S is not present in the compatibility list but other model are listed...

 

[infama]

Yes I bought 2 cases for people I work with and they have the xls and the 720 and this was the same case I use for my 920

tim

The XLS is a bit fatter, so that the x20 will fit in an XLS case, but necessarily vice-versa.

 

[tharvey]

The cases all have the exact same dimension. I have ordered 2 cases for the 920 and gave these to 2 people who purchased the xl-s from costco. The xl-s does fit these 920 cases.

I then looked at my 920 in these cases and it could easily allow for more room to accomidate the thicker xl-s units.

 

[tharvey]

Two weeks since I started this thread.

I was hoping for input from others and I would edit original first page to keep it updated.

I am looking for input on antenna's, mounts both powered and non powered, and cases. I have seen some nice looking protective cases out there.

Please add to this thread and I will edit the original with links as it grows

thanks

tim

 

[F22]

I purchased the Carcomm powered cradle sold US by Kudausa

It contains the traffic connector although I don't have that (yet). It is a bit large the the 920 slips into it nicely. I have not had time or weather that's allowed my to figure out where/how I will connect it in my car.

TOMTOM GO 520 / 720 / 920 NAVIGATION CRADLE

internal part-ID: HA-CNM-160

CNM-160 NAVIGATION CRADLE TOMTOM GO 520 / 720 / 920
The main function of the Mobile Navigation Cradle is to power and charge your PNA/PND while you?re on the move, and hold it securely in position. The cradle is the perfect accessory for your PNA / PND.

Perfect fit
The Mobile Navigation Cradle is model specific which ensures a perfect fit. The use of high quality materials and components makes the holder suitable for normal and professional use.

Power and charge
Integrated inside the Navigation Cradle is a high efficiency charging system compatible with 12V and 24V, which safely charges and powers your device.

TMC connection
The Carcomm Navigation Cradle has a cable output with a cigarette lighter plug and a cable with a TMC antenna connection. The TMC antenna connection allows you to connect an original TomTom TMC antenna. The extended cable allows you to install the TMC antenna in a professional clean way.

Accessories
Standard this kit comes with an extra fuse cable to hard wire the Navigation Cradle in your vehicle, 2 screw sets and a rotating swivel to mount the cradle on the KUDA base in your vehicle.

 

[SJX426]

Bump on Gilbert thread #10 question. I am interested in a definitive answer.

 

[tharvey]

Can anyone confirm an SDHC card works with the TT ONE XL-S? TT web site warns about the SDHC not being compatible or shows non XL-S models compatible with SDHC. IOW the XL-S is not present in the compatibility list but other model are listed...

I have only knowledge of the 720 and 920's which are working fine. I have read somewhere that models other then the 720/920 can not see the additional memory as a seperate additional drive and instead must have the operating system on them in order to correctly work as an add on drive, kind of defeats the purpose, perhaps some of the more knowledgeable people on the xl-s can step in and comment

tim

 

[Gilbert]

Bump on Gilbert thread #10 question. I am interested in a definitive answer.

Just received it in the mail this afternoon and can say the TopRam 4GB 150x works without any problem on my XL-S. Also will add it works fine with Tomtom Home as some reported somewhere about possible problems in using such a card with Tomtom Home and only being able to access it fully with a USB adapter.

I've reported more fully on my experience in another thread here today. So click on my name to see my other post on this...

I could also add this bit of info... How do I know this is an SDHC card vs a straight SD? AFAIK, 4GB SD cards are formatted FAT16 with large cluster size as normally FAT16 is limited to 2GB. My card came formatted FAT32 which indicates SDHC from what I could gather reading articles on Internet.

 

[Gilbert]

I have only knowledge of the 720 and 920's which are working fine. I have read somewhere that models other then the 720/920 can not see the additional memory as a seperate additional drive and instead must have the operating system on them in order to correctly work as an add on drive, kind of defeats the purpose, perhaps some of the more knowledgeable people on the xl-s can step in and comment

tim

True, the insertion of an SD card just renders internal memory inoperative. If one gets a new SD card, one needs to copy the entire internal memory content to the new SD card. Because of this, one needs to think about getting a large size which decided me on the 4GB if I wanted some headroom. OTOH, if your SD card gets defective, you can always fall back on the internal memory by simply removing the SD card.

 

[tharvey]

posting updated to include antenna's and mounts of which the german made mount is quite appealing

tim

 

[racefan]

just got this case yesterday. Really nice case and a perfect fit for my 720.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leather-Case-fo...ryZ58049QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem