Go Power! GP-SW1500-12 1500-Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter

I have bought two other brands that have failed. One never did work and I was still charged 20% to return it! I did some research and found the Go Power to be backed by a serious company. After over two years of continuous operation, 24/7/365, it has delivered quality power to my three computers, scanner, laser printer, DVR, satellite controllers, speakers, wave radio, well, you get the picture. Don't mess around with a cheaper product, you'll end up paying more in the long run. With what I know now, I would pay the $950 list price.

I'm a mobile DJ and bought this inverter to power my 4000 watt PA/Lighting system. It replaced a modified sine wave unit that was noisy (static) through the speakers. This unit is completely quiet and actually provides cleaner power then my mains service. It works very well and doesn't seem to break a sweat running the PA and lighting system also powering a laptop, mixer and effects rack. It is light weight and feels very sturdy. All of the connections are good and will accommodate 4ga battery cables. I also like the separate voltage and capacity displays to give me an idea of how much time remains.

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This was a real plug and play unit for me since I waws bypassing a modified sine wave inverter. Very solidly built.

The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is there's nothing more than bar readouts for load and voltage and I prefer meters or digital readouts.

Three plus months in operation and I have yet to see any issues.

If needed, I would defintley buy another of these.

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It works ok. The only problem is that it can not be hard wired. Runs my frig tv and computer

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I would not buy this brand again, based on my bad experience. However, I bought mine back in 2003, so perhaps the bugs in this model have been worked out by now.

I would've given it 2 stars, but it did get me through Hurricane Sandy by powering my 2 refrigerators (its first emergency use), so I'm thankful enough that I'm giving it 3 stars despite its bugs. Mine does not work correctly in all modes, doesn't work the way the instructions said it should work.

I found some workarounds, but they're complicated, so I had to write my own instructions and tape them to the inverter -I'm pasting them below:

A) Without remote control installed:

Problem: Inverter does not work correctly with low power loads, like a transistor radio, whether or not it's in power saving mode.

1) With power saving mode enabled, it would work for about 30 seconds or so, then turn off, when attached to low-power loads like radios.

2) Even when the power-saving mode is disabled, it still acts as if it's in power-saving mode(!): it stays on for 30 seconds or so, then turns off (at least for about 10 seconds, then I think it went back on again by itself for another 30 seconds or so, but Corina thinks it stayed off), when attached to low-power loads like radios.

Cases where it works correctly: It seems to work okay only for high-power loads, over 100 watts, even with power-saving mode enabled. I've used it successfully for my electric drill and my weed-wacker-type Toro trimmer, and it takes a few seconds to come on but it works.

B) With remote control installed:

Problem: inverter does not work correctly in power-saving mode (even though I set the dip switches as instructed, five six and seven off). When put into power saving mode using remote (hold down button for 5 seconds until green light comes on remote), inverter acts up like it did without the remote control when power-saving mode was disabled (A2 above): it stays on for 30 seconds or so (green light solid on remote and inverter), then turns off for a few seconds (green light off for a few seconds on remote and inverter), then turns back on again (and turns on again even without any load attached!)

Cases where it works correctly:

When using remote, it works fine with power-saving mode disabled using the remote (orange light solid for inverter on, orange light flashing for inverter off). Turn the inverter on and off (keeping power-saving disabled) by one press on the remote button.

Summary and tips:

Without remote, works only for high-power loads (like drills, trimmer, etc.), regardless of whether inverter is in power saving mode or not.

With remote, works only with power-saving disabled (orange light on for inverter on, orange light flashing for inverter off).

If I need power-saving mode: disconnect remote, and use only high-power loads.

If I need to use low-power loads (like CF lights or small radios): keep remote connected, with power-saving disabled (orange light), and then switch the remote on by a short push (orange light turns solid).

Truck PAC ES1224 3200/1600 Peak Amp 12/24V Jump Starter with AWS

I BOUGHT THE TRUCK PAC ES1224 AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND CHECKING WITH THE LOCAL BATTERY SUPPLIER TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO OFFER.I CHOSE THIS UNIT AS I WANTED A NO NONSENSE JUMP STARTER PAC THAT WOULD GET THE JOB DONE.THIS UNIT DOES GET IT DONE WITH OUT ANY HASSLE.WE HAVE DIESEL TRACTORS AND TRUCKS AND WANTED A UNIT TO JUMP THEM AS NEEDED WITH OUT HAVING TO MANEUVER ANOTHER VEHICLE TO THEM TO USE JUMPER CABLES.OFTEN TIMES THE TRACTORS ARE IN AREAS THAT ARE HARD TO GET TO SUCH AS IN DEEP WOODS OR VERY MUDDY AREAS.WE CAN NOW JUST WALK IN AND GET THEM GOING WITH PLENTY OF POWER TO SPARE.THE UNIT HAS LONGER CABLES (60") THEN MOST OF THE UNITS I RESEARCHED WHICH IS A DEFINITE PLUS.YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND ALOT OF TIME TO POSITION THE UNIT TO HOOK THE CABLES TO THE BATTERIES.THE CABLES ARE MADE OF #2 GAUGE CABLE WHICH WERE LARGER THAN MOST UNITS I RESEARCHED.THE CLAMPS ARE HEAVY DUTY AND THE CASE IS QUITE STOUT,THUS SHOULD HOLD UP WELL.I LIKE THE CLAMP HOLSTERS WHICH KEEP THEM PROTECTED,AS WELL AS SEPERATED WHILE NOT IN USE SHOULD THE UNIT BE LEFT ON WHEN STORED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK.THE 12/24VOLT FEATURE IS A PLUS ALSO AS NOW THIS ONE UNIT WILL DO IT ALL FOR US.I BOUGHT THE UNIT ON AMAZON AS THE PRICE WAS RIGHT,SHIPPING WAS FREE.THE UNIT ARRIVED FAST WITH A MINOR ISSUE DUE TO THE SHIPPER AND THE AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICE MADE IT RIGHT IMMEDIATELY WHICH MADE ME ONE HAPPY CUSTOMER!I ALSO CONTACTED THE "CLORE AUTOMOTIVE" CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. WITH A QUESTION AND IT WAS QUITE A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. THEY TOOK CARE OF WHAT I NEEDED IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AS WELL AS SHIPPED WHAT I NEEDED THE SAME DAY.THEIR SERVICE WAS 5 STAR AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY TREATED ME AS IF THEY TRULY APPRECIATED ME BUYING ONE OF THE PRODUCTS THEY OFFERED.JUST ON AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CLORE AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE I HAD HAS CAUSE ME TO RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANY ONE WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR THIS TYPE OF HEAVY DUTY JUMP START UNIT!

This product works perfect for our company as we have tried other ones in the past that don't hold up.

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Works good, I like that you can turn the unit off. Customer service is excellent. Has plenty of amps for most things you would need it for.

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AmazonBasics 2-Port USB Car Charger with 2.1 Amp Output (Black)

• Note: Please consult your product's user guide to determine compatibility with your device.

Smart phones and tablets have two charging modes: USB and AC. The mode the phone uses depends on what it thinks is charging it. If it thinks it is connected to a dumb charger it will go into AC mode and ask for as much current as it needs. If it thinks it is connected to a computer it goes into USB mode and asks for 500 mA because that is what the USB bus on most computers is capable of providing. Because of this, USB charge mode charges much more slowly than AC mode and on some devices that need a large amount of current (like iPads) USB mode might not charge your device at all (the device will still be receiving charge, just not enough, so it will lose battery, just at a slower pace).

When I hooked my phone into this charger it went into USB charge mode (500 mA) even though the charger is rated at 2.1 Amps (it is 2 Amps max shared between the two ports but I have not checked to see if that means 1 Amp per port, or if only one port is connected that single port can use the full 2 Amps). The way that your phone determines which mode to enter depends on if the data pins of the USB port are shorted together or not; if they are shorted (the data pins are the center pins of the 4 pin USB connector) it will enter AC mode, otherwise it thinks it is a computer port and will enter USB mode. On this charger the pins are not shorted. I have found this to be the case with the overwhelming majority of chargers I have experimented with. They are rated for 1 Amp or more but consistently put my phone into USB mode. I assume this is because you can buy regular USB connectors in bulk much more cheaply than you can buy a properly wired AC charging USB connector. So the ability to put out more than 500 mA is there, your phone just will never ask for more.

It is easy enough to fix the charger so that it will enter AC mode if you know how to solder. You just unscrew the power end of the charger where the fuse is, then use a flat head screw driver to pop the casing open down the seam. Once you do this you are left with the circuit board that the USB connectors are attached to. Solder the center pins together on each USB port (it's a somewhat tight fit soldering the port on the side where the LED is connected but completely doable) and then just pop it all back together. If you are careful in taking it apart you won't damage the casing at all. After doing this my phone and all other device I have tried report that they are in AC mode.

I have tried charging an iPad with this charger (both by itself and with another device connected) and in both cases it reports that it is "Not Charging". This leads me to believe that it is a max of 1 Amp on each port (the iPad needs 2.1 Amps, at least when the screen is on). If you put the iPad to sleep it charges fine, with or without another device connected on the other port. And again, when an iPad or iPhone says that it is not charging, it is still "charging" just not fast enough to meet the needs of the device so the battery will still get drained.

I hope this helps anyone who has had problems with the charger or is considering buying it. I think it works perfectly fine (then again I was irritated with it until I modded it). It is really difficult to tell if one of these chargers is wired for AC mode until you get your hands on it and try it out. And if you have a device that doesn't check the data pins and kick itself into USB mode you should get the full current of the charger without modding it. It is technically the phone that is limiting the current being delivered not the charger.

Update:

Wow, they raised the price on this charger to $20. It was $10 when I got it. I wouldn't pay $20 for it. Buy a mini or a micro charger that sits flush with your dash (or close to it). This charger is pretty big. Or get a charger that can do a dedicated 2 Amps on one of the ports. I'd say it is worth it for $10 but not much more.

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I've been using a now unavailable Kensington PowerBolt as my car charger, mainly for my iPhone 4, but occasionally to reanimate my iPad 2. A single USB socket is fine for commuting, but on long car trips when my car is filled with children and gadgets, a double socket makes for a lot less futzing.

I tested this by charging my iPhone 4 while in use, while simultaneously charging a Kindle Fire and it seems to work fine. On my 40 minute commute, I can add about 20% to the charge status of the Kindle while topping of the iPhone, all without any overheating or fuses popping. A couple years ago, I went through many chargers trying to find one that could reliably power an active iPhone, so I'm glad that cool running chargers have become so inexpensive even while powering two devices.

Devices I've tested and found to work:

iPhone 4

iPhone 4S

iPod Touch 3rd Generation

Kindle Fire

Kodak Playful pocket video camera

Sony Bloggie Touch camera (Needs a USB extension cable or it blocks the other charging port.)

Remington hair clipper

Jabra Extreme Bluetooth headset

Devices I've tested which didn't work:

HP Touchpad

Materials are pretty cheap looking, and the device is much, much larger than the PowerBolt; this makes it easier to insert and remove but I'd have been happier with something compact as the large size makes it easy to knock it out of kilter and stop charging which you might not notice while concentrating on driving. This can be really annoying. So not a perfect charger by any means, but a useful budget model.

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I have been using it since last two weeks now. This is simply awesome product.

I have used "Griffin Powerjolt Dual Universal USB Micro" before and AmazonBasic is much better than Griffin for following reason

1) Design: Griffin is so small that it gets stuck in the car charger. Amazon basic is perfect size .. neither too small nor too big (it looks huge in pics but actually is small)

2) Charging time: This is why you buy a car charger ... Amazonbasic is 2.1 amp vs griffin which is 1 amp... Amazonbasic charger charges phone twice as fast griffin. I use iphone 4 and it gets fully charged (from 10% battery) while i m listening to music in an hr

3) Quality: Griffin use to get very hot (and even my phone use to get hot) after 1 hr of charging ... amazon car charger is of much better quality ... I have used it all day and neither charger nor phones get hot

Overall I would highly recommend this product if u have a iphone (or any smart phone). Whether you are charging one device or two devices simultaneously it charges faster than any other product in market

UPDATE: Aug 28: Its been 10 months and this product is awesome... Actually I have noticed that my iPhone changes faster in car compared to even wall socket.

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I am trying to get a 2.1 Amp (or atleast 1 Amp) car charger for my HTC Vivid and HP Touchpad (CM7). These devices consume lot of battery when using gps in car. I had lot of hope on the amazon basics car charger. However, both my devices get only 500 mA from these chargers (which is not sufficient for GPS usage). The devices recognize the chargers as USB port and hence only 500 mA. I have performed amperage analysis on both Vivid and Touchpad using currentwidget for android. See customer images.

01/02/2011 Update:

Well, few people have suggested me about "data pin shorting protocol" for phone to differentiate between real usb port and charger's usb port. I would like to question the rationale behind ME doing it instead of AMAZON (or whoever the manufacturer really is). My wall chargers already have these data pins shorted. They charge every device I throw at them including iPhone. So why can't amazon manufacture them with data pins shorted initially.

Also I would not recommend end user meddling with power electronics. I value my phone and tablet more than a $10 (now $20!!) car charger. No thanks. Its simply not worth the hassle when its time to claim warranty.

A few other reviews are correct, this unit does ** NOT ** provide anywhere near two amps of charging current.

When charging an Android phone (HTC Rezound) the phone indicates the charging source is USB because of the low current (probably ~ 500 mA). If the charger was providing anything over one amp, the phone would indicate the charging source is AC.

The charger stays completely cool which also indicates it is not providing any amount of current flow or regulation.

One star for deceptive product description.

"Watt's Up" RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer WU100 Version 2 --- SALE!

This item is marketed primarily by and in support of RC enthusiasts (toy makers and users). It, however, is not a toy and could cause harm if misused. I purchased the Watt's Up meter to monitor large batteries powering telescopes, associated computers, heaters and lights. This is in an outdoor environment subject to cold and moisture. Follow the instructions and be prepared to be delighted. Perhaps one of the few items on the market which delivers exactly what it is designed to do. Because my application is at night, I wish it had a backlight, but that's not a major problem. My astronomy gear is expensive, portable and uses DC power. The Watt's Up allows me to see what my electronics are really doing in the field, compared to what the manufactors say they are suppose to do. That means early warning for batteries, heaters, internal components (computers, motors and chip sets) and in the environment they are used. The Watt's up is well made, weather resistant, and compact. During a session, it even records relavant data and continually updates itself. It won't pour your coffee, but it will watch your DC systems better than you could without it. A very, very good buy.

I purchased this meter after learning about it on a few of the solar power forums on the net. I am using it to monitor a small home solar power system. So far I am very pleased. I especially like the fact that it will measure amps and watts over time, along with minimum voltage and peak currents. I would say it is indispensable for maintaining or tuning a small solar set up. I have only been using it for a few days but if it lasts I am very pleased. The 60 amp limit is a real plus.

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This device is being used as an eBike power monitor. It's very easy to install and works exactly as advertised. Shows instantaneous Volts, Amps,and Watts. After a ride, it shows the total energy used in WattHours, and the peak current and power used during the ride, as well as the minimum battery voltage. Extremely useful for monitoring battery consumption and condition. It will not quantitatively display regenerated current but it does show the rise in battery voltage during regenerative braking. Excellent product; excellent price.

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The Watt's Up meter is an Inline DC meter that measures 8 parameters. Amp houses (Ah), Watt Hours (Wh), Voltage (v), Watts (w), and captures peak current (AmpsPeak) Peak Power (WattsPeak), voltage Sag (VoltsMin), and power consumed with (AmpHours)

Here are the Watts Up parameter, ranges and resolution

Voltage, 0-60v, 0.01v

Current, 0-110Amps, 0.01A

Power, 0-6554 watts, 0.01W

Charge, 0-65 Amp Hours, 0.001Ah

Energy, 0-6552 WattHours, 0.1 Wh

Minimum voltage is about 4.0 volts for operation of the meter itself.

I use this for testing all kinds of things, from RC gear, to Ham radio gear, to portable Solar systems. It does take some work to get it plugged into things. It comes with about 6" of bare wire on each end. I had to make adapters for the various typs of connections I plan to use. I start with Anderson Power Pole directly attached to the unit and then have adapters for several others.

5 Stars, this is an accurate and very handy tool

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I bought this because of the reviews I had read on Amazon. It has turned out to be one of the best investment I've made in my off-grid solar/system. With it I could determine the total amount of watt hours I was getting from my solar panels on sunny and cloudy days. As a result I determined that I needed to purchase more solar panels for my total electrical needs. It is an invaluable tool for the small scale off grid person. One can also rig it into any appliance to determine the amount of energy that unit is using. I put 4 inexpensive rubber shielded alligator clips on the unit as this allows for many different applications. Great little gadget!

Power Wheels battery charger, 6 volt, 4AH, for blue battery.

We visited my parents last Christmas and they gave my little boy a Kawasaki Power Wheels Bike by them. I Charged the battery and when we returned home we lost the charger. The battery lasted a lot so I was looking for the charger and the Amazon description (color of the batteries and the Voltage) helped me a lot. The new charger arrived and it also has some recommendations so we the parents do not forget when charging the battery. The charger worked perfectly fine. I recommend this product and its seller.

yes it works to it fullest potential of charging a big wheels battery charger. six more words to complete this

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The product arrived exactly as it was described. We charged the power wheels 4-wheeler overnight and it worked perfectly the next day.

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Moderate price, arrived fast, exactly what I ordered. I found the product easily on the site

It works well and my overall experience was without problems

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The charger works really good and charges really fast. Great product and will be buying another one in the future.

Husky Liners Custom Fit Front and Second Seat Floor Liner Set for Select Lexus GX460/Toyota 4Runner

Bought these mats as I have had them before in a work truck. they were OK but the plastic is a very hard material. For my 50K SUV, i would go with better mats.

After reading the reviews on t4r.org, definitely this was a better choice over the weathertechs. Good protection all around and does not move.

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Directed Electronics 904065 Clifford Replacement Keyless Remote

• Features Lock/Unlock, Trunk, Start. 3 button 6 channel "Cello" transmitter. Compatible with most G4/G5 systems. New carbon fiber finish.

I purchased two of these remotes as replacements for the ones I originally got with my car. They were easily programmable and the whole exercise was done in minutes. Got them for 30 bucks a piece. Great value for money!

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I have a arrow 3 keyless entry system installed in my car since 2003. The two remotes started working intermittently. Changed batteries, opened them up but to no avail. Turns out the metal contacts had just lost their flexibility after 7 yrs also the rubber contact points were worn. Bought this replacement, followed the straight forward instructions that came with the remote and now it works perfectly.

Bluetooth Handsfree In-car Visor Kit for All Pantech Phones

I just love this product, I can drive hands free without having an earbud in my ear that keeps falling out. It's just like talking to someone riding with me. The shipping was fast also. Best $25.00 I ever spent!

He loves it, only problem is getting phone to recognize voice commands. But t

he product is great, no more talking while driving

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Dell DJ Ditty 512MB MP-3 Player w/ Fm Tuner C02-MP3-DITT512

• includes cover and wrist band

Nice sound, basic package accessories included were lanyard, earbuds and player. Total 512mb, holds 220 tunes (depending on file size). I was able to put 125 tracks on this mp3 player w/each track about 3.5 to 5.5 minutes each. Approximately 7.5 hours of listening. Have had it for a few days now. I like it, nice sound and very easy to use. The included Musicmatch Jukebox software is easy to use also. If you are planning on buying, call DELL DIRECT and ask them for a discount (the sales people will discount $20 to $25 depending on which package you purchase). I purchased a $159 bundle package for $139 which included a Belkin mp3 transmitter, full year warranty, a package of iskins (3) with matching lanyards, and an upgraded package of earbuds. Free shipping and handling, no sales tax.

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I bought the DJ Ditty on discount for $69 because I wanted to try it out and see if I'd actually use it. As it turns out I use it quiet often. I haven't experienced the problems the other reviews have and I've had it for about 6-months. What I do hate is the low battery life and having to always plug it into my computer. I use Yahoo! Music Engine for my music and if you don't buy the song you have to plug the player in every month to renew the license. That's a pain. I've decided it will be less time consuming to buy an iPod, buy the music and join the masses as an iPod junkie.

Horrible product and that's why the discontinued it. Stop right here and go buy an Ipod.

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I have had a difficult time getting various computers to recognize it in the USB. Then the screen went out and so they sent me another one. The display stopped working on that one to but by then it had been 90 days so no returns.

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Amazon ReviewersI received the Dell DJ Ditty as a christmas present from my parents. As soon as I got it, I started experencing problems. I couldn't get songs to download, and when it finally worked, I could only get about 50 or so, opposed to the 250 it says. In early March, the back started exploding. The metal piece was popping out, leaving its insides to fall out! After securing it with a piece of tape, it looked like a piece of junk. About a week or so ago, I left my DJ Ditty plugged into the computer to charge, while I went out for the night, and when I came home and turned it on, it said it had no battery power left! I couldn't believe it! Ever since I started experiencing problems, I was writing to Dell. But they just simply said the warranty expired and there was nothing they could do about it. So there we go, a total waste of 100 dollars, and they didn't even do a thing about it. So save yourself some money, and DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT!! Its a TOTAL waste of time, and money.

My girlfriend got this free with her computer. She loved it when it was working because she only used it for radio, but when I used it for mp3's the interface was pretty annoying. Last week the battery started expanding and the back popped open. The battery no longer holds a charge. Called Dell and they said the warranty was up, sorry. I noticed another reviewer had the same problem, so unless you have a burning desire to get a $20 refund when someone finally brings a class action suit for selling a defective product, don't buy this.

NOCO Genius GC003 12V Plug Connector

It works just fine. very useful device to have. I would definitely recommend this item to anyone in need of a Male Cigarette Connector. It turned out to be an extremely handy attachment and I am highly pleased!

I have a 08 Jeep Liberty which has a very heavy hood. This device makes charging my battery simple. It works perfectly and is durable. Charging the battery now is as simple as it gets.

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I added a cigarette lighter (wired direct to battery) in my motorcycle sadlebag for my phone charger, this allows me to just plug in without having to remove the seat or add another wire to my battery post(another opportunity to short!) I want to point out, if your looking for one of those pigtails that is the more universal (battery tender style) plug, this is not it. I have the NOCO, I don't know if it works with anything else, but it does not use the standard 2 wire trailer plug that many others use.

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item is as described, it's quality made, so far it's holding fine and looks like it will last for some time.

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This product will not work on my Lexus. It does on my 1998 BMW Z3. I think it is because the lighter plug on the Lexus will not work without the key turned on. It does work without the key in my BMW.

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Garmin Nuvi 760 Battery Replacement Kit with Installation Video, Tools, and Extended Life Battery.

• Guaranteed for One Full Year
• High Capacity 1250 mAh 3.7V Battery
• Replaces Garmin Nuvi 760 Battery
• Kit Includes How To Video Instructions on DVD and Tools
• Warranty and Instructional Video Available Only With Kit Purchased from Innovate88

My Nuvi 760 really never worked quite right, even when new. After purchase, I noticed complaints online regarding the battery and its rather poor capacity. What concerned me most was that the battery pack would get VERY hot during charging (which Garmin considers normal) and then would only last fifteen minutes before low battery shut down. My GPS was not the subject of the recent Garmin battery recall, so that was not an option.

I wanted to update the maps because I really do like the GPS, so I had a decision to make: Trash it and get a new one, or attempt to replace the battery, test it and then update the maps if successful.

I went online to Amazon and found this kit for $20.00 or so and thought, well, I'll try it and if it doesn't work, I'm only out $20.00 and I saved the cost of a map update. I ordered the kit and received it in two days, which I consider quite fast.

I opened the kit and found the shim tool, two screwdrivers, a CD and the battery pack itself. I put the CD in my DVD player and watched the installation video. Then I got to work and opened the case. Everything went just like they said in the video. Screws came out, case opened, battery came out, replaced the battery, snapped the case back together and installed the screws. Really easy. But my experience may not be typical, as I used to work on aviation electronics, so my easy may not be your easy.....

I plugged it in and it has worked flawlessly ever since. It no longer gets hot while charging and goes at least five hours before low battery shutdown.

I am very happy with this product and would definitely recommend it to everyone who wants to replace the battery in their Garmin Nuvi. It is very inexpensive, high quality, and you get to keep the tools. At least I think you do. No one has called asking for them back......

Even if you have never worked on electronics before, take a whack at it. Just be patient and follow the instructions. It's only $20.00 and you just might save your favorite GPS.

REGjr

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I was so distraught to have my Garmin GPS constantly going off due to a "low battery". It was relatively new to us, and loved it when we took road trips a few times a year. However when checking with Garmin, they said the battery could not be replaced and we needed to buy a new one. I felt this was ridiculous.

After some research I came upon this Battery Replacement Kit. I was a bit skeptical but after reading the reviews and knowing it had a Guarantee, I ordered the kit. It came very promptly and was installed in just a few minutes after watching the installation CD. As others had said, you do need some double sided tape to hold the battery in place. I had read that when I purchased, so I had some on hand. In replacing the battery, we did not lose any of the previously entered information, such as settings, locations, and favorite places.

I would highly recommend this purchase if your unit is failing. Now I have the tools, and if I need another battery in the future, I will order the battery alone, which is very inexpensive. Also, if you have friends with with a Garmin, you can loan them your tools and they can just order the battery.

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BATTERY WAS EASY TO INSTALL, HOWEVER THE KIT DID NOT INCLUDE DOUBLE SIDED TAPE TO SECURE THE BATTERY. THE ORIGINAL TAPE COULD NOT BE REUSED.

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academy award winner to innovate88

I do not have to buy a garmin until the unit it is completely dead

keep up the good work and the tools came in handy and I had it all

done in 4 mins.

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This was absolutely what I needed! I received the package several days ahead of the promised delivery date. I think it took me less than 15 minutes to replace my old battery and my Nuvi came out better than new. All tools needed are included in the package (including a piece of double-stick tape) and an instructional video makes sure you know what to do. It honestly couldn't have been easier. My factory GPS battery never worked this well.

Vendor Communications Excellent

Delivery Excellent

Product Excellent!!!

BatteryMINDer 12/24 Volt Vehicle Power Plug - Model# VPP-12

GREAT invention, poor execution. Works great on a standard cig lighter socket, but on some of the shorter ones (in length), does not work well at all (as I feared). I have a 2001 Chevy Express van and this charger plug keeps squirting out of the socket. It BARELY stays inserted. Basically unusable. 50% of the time I've found the charge cord laying on the floorboard. It works great on all the "old school" outlets.

All in all, this is a handy product. I use it frequently. The only reason that it fails to rate 5 stars is its tendency to come out of the socket. It has only done this a couple of times though, so I'm reasonably happy with it.

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I use the provided + & color coded battery post rings and quick disconnect cable for a car stored inside the garage.. The Battery Minder is not designed for outside use. The power plug uses the cigarette lighter outlet inside the car to recharge and desulphate the battery of the car stored outside...the Battery Minder remains in the car on the floor behind the passenger seat. When I use the outside vehicle...I just disconnect the outside extension cord.that runs into the car in the gap below the passenger door...leave the Battery Minder on the rear floor...reconnect on return. No weather issues. I will never have a dead battery on either car. No resetting personal settings, preset AM/FM/XM radio station selections...no seat/mirror resets, etc.

Read Best Reviews of BatteryMINDer 12/24 Volt Vehicle Power Plug - Model# VPP-12 Here

Essential Gomadic AC /DC Charge Accessory Bundle for the Garmin StreetPilot C580. Kit includes the

• Gomadic TipExchange Technology protects your investment by allowing you to change/upgrade either charger by simply swapping the physical charging tip. (Charging tips for Garmin StreetPilot C580 included with additional tips sold separately).
• Gomadic Wall Charger is built to support worldwide voltage input levels ranging from 100-240vAC /50-60 Hz. High output 10W /2A transformer provides output voltage and resistor configuration specific to the Garmin StreetPilot C580.
• This Gomadic Car charger has a wide input voltage range of 12-24vDC to support all vehicle charging ports. Works in cars, trucks, planes, boat, RVs and more (both domestic and international). Available output current is an impressive 10W/2A . (Twice most competing products!)
• Kit includes two essential Garmin StreetPilot C580 accessories in one convenient package.
• Gomadic Car and Wall chargers employ latest state of the art advancements in charging and surge suppression technologies to deliver products in an unbelievable micro-sized form factors.

I bought a new GPS and wasn't sure that I would need these chargers or not. As it turned out the GPS did come with everything that was needed to charge it, but it's nice to have back up I guess. For someone that is in need of a new charger because they've either lost or broken the original one, these are very good chargers.

Buy Essential Gomadic AC /DC Charge Accessory Bundle for the Garmin StreetPilot C580. Kit includes the Now

Very Easy on & off usage...!!! Much quicker than Garmin AC Adapters & Plug in Vehicle Adapters. Merely Pull, Click, & it is stored out of sight for would-be thefts...Ingenious Idea...!!! Am sure there are Hundreds of Garmin StreetPilot C550 & C580 Users, who do not know about these inventive ADAPTERS...Like the Little Boy in the Advertisement says, { TRY IT YOU'll LIKE IT...!!!}

Read Best Reviews of Essential Gomadic AC /DC Charge Accessory Bundle for the Garmin StreetPilot C580. Kit includes the Here

I purchased this same item a couple of years ago and was disappointed by the short cord on the car charger could barely reach from the charger to the dash. This new version has a much longer cord...YAY. Finally I can stop worrying that I'll go around a corner too fast and unplug the charger!!! And it's also great to have a wall charger to fully charge the devise. The car charger doesn't charge well if you're using the devise at the same time. Just used this in a rental car for a trip from SF to LA...got it just in the nick of time.

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The chargers work great and the tipexchange worked great. My only complaint is that this cord is not as long as my original and when you put the Garmin on your windshield, the cord is stretched very tight between the windshield and cigarette lighter and it occasionally pulls the Garmin off the windshield due to so much pressure.

Panavise Portagrip 2000 Phone Holder Model 702

This holder is customized for the Panavise series of mounts (e.g. Panavise InDash Mount 04-06 Toyota Sienna) and as such, it provides an excellent "total solution" to hold your phone in your car. The holder adds to the real estate on the dash, rather than blocking any of the controls that are there and the position is excellent.

The holder itself could have been done better though (like, say, be designed for the 21st century). Most phones nowadays will be small enough that the two "ears" on the side will either grab the very top of the phone (as with mine: Motorola A1200 MING Phone (Unlocked)), or else not at all. As well, given that, the bottom rest is a bit too shallow; the phone tends to want to slide off the holder (unless you, like me, use the gravity of a charger cable to hold it back in place).

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Pyle PSWNV240 24V DC to 12V DC Power Step Down 240 Watt Converter with PMW Technology

Bought this Pyle as a replacement for my original Toyota voltage converter. My Land Cruiser is a 24 volt vehicle, but I do run several 12 volt devices. I read a lot of mixed reviews about this unit, but decided to take a chance. So far, so good. No problems after a year of use.

Item works exactly like I wanted it to.What more could you want from anything you buy,would recommend it to anyone.

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I am very happy with my purchase it worked great I installed it in an excavator

And even with the extream condition I have had no problems

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I buy about 10 and works good, I used with mobile radio rating at 6 amps. Also have a good protection

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High quality that delivers a nice clean consistent voltage.

Amazon is offering this at a great price, which includes Amazons five star service.

The low voltage cutoff goes down to about 13 volts.

So it will give you a wide range of input voltage and still give you a clean 12 volts.

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Candy / Carbonfiber Black SumacLife Brand GPS Portable Carrying Case with Removable Carbineer for G

• SumacLife durable Nylon GPS carrying case, designed to fit your Garmin nüvi 3590LMT 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator
• Compact yet roomy to accommodate a wide range of accessories such as cables, chargers, and batteries
• Shock absorbing case material cushion and protect your GPS from bumps, dents, and minor scratches
• Elastic restraint straps help keep your GPS unit securely inside the case and prevent it from falling out
• Removable Carbineer allows you to conveniently carry the case on your belt loop, backpack, or bag strap

It's a hard shell that will protect the GPS unit. It has a separate compartment for storage of sd cards. Best of all it has two straps that holds the GPS in its place that alone is sweet. I purchased this once before for my 4.3" 3790 unit and a new one for my 5" 3490. This company makes a great product. Thank you.

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CAR WIRELESS Stereo FM TRANSMITTER For Apple iPod iPhone MP3

• The unit made by professional hi-fi solution
• fashion mini design;Backlit LCD Screen
• Full frequency range design;Low current, no need battery ,power supply directly from iPhone or iPod.
• To charge the iPhone or iPod from car charger powered from cigar lighter.
• Suitable for all iPhone /iPod, except ipod shuffle

it works very well. It does not fit perfectly in the ipod, but it still works and price is alright

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Some noise, ok sound quality, if you aren't looking for high high sound performance it is ok for you.

Read Best Reviews of CAR WIRELESS Stereo FM TRANSMITTER For Apple iPod iPhone MP3 Here

I bought this to replace a 2 year old fm transmitter that was on clearance at Target (which was 3x's cheaper) that connected via headphone jack that worked like wonders. This didn't.

Finding stations wasnt hard, but the transmission quality really is sub-par. When connected with the cigarette jack, it boosts the quality, but not much.

It also throws the whole entire song out of balance. Usually you need to turn on the Bass Reducer because of unwanted high frequencies but it still comes in when the song itself is set that high (basically you cant play anything with bass, i.e. Hip Hop, Pop, etc.

The only good thing that this does is charge your iPod.

Digitl Robust 360° Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 Adjustable Seat Bolt Car Mount Vehicle Hands-Free Tabl

• New innovative, adjustable tablet holder fits your Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 with or without a case or skin
• 18 inch flexible aluminum seat bolt floor mount with optional floor or dash drill in bracket
• Swivel ball connection for 360° rotation with tilt for portrait or landscape viewing
• Lightweight and strong
• Super Easy Installation!

Overall its a good product however after multiple uses and adjustments i can see the Ball and Socket will need replacement after probably a year. For our use it will work until the adjustment wheres out then we will look for another option.

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Griffin NA15005 RoadTrip Handsfree for iPod, iPhone and Smartphones -Black

• Play your iPod or iPhone on your car's FM stereo while you recharge its battery .
• Flexible steel neck and case-friendly cradle holds your iPod or iPhone securely where you want it .
• Easy SmartScan 1-button setup finds the best frequency for you .
• Griffin SmartSound adjusts the signal for best sound, always .

Just arrived. Took it out for a spin around my neighborhood and it just works. Setup took under five minutes. It suggested I download the app. I did and it made the setup that much easier. Not having to press and hold buttons to set/change stations is quite nice. The interface of the app is a much larger display to read. Well worth the download.

I live in a VERY saturated city and the stations hold well. However the stations suggested by the SmartScan feature were not the best by a long shot. Fortunately I knew and had already set the best channels on my radio. The phone works very well. My voice, according to my parties, came through very clear with no background noise. It was hard to tell I was in my car. Their voice on my end was also very clear. Conversations can be had without shouting by either party.

Static still creeps in but that's common in a saturated market such as mine. I have yet to find a transmitter that was static-free. However, I came close with the last RoadTrip model. Changing the output to mono gave a clear static-free sound. The loss of the sound stage was noticeable but not unpleasant.

The design is very sleek. Soft blue lights provides a very pleasing effect at night. The display is very easy to read and very nicely designed. The menu can easily be navigated without reading the manual.

It's nicely built. However I found the swivel on the holder a bit looser than I'd like. That's my only concern so far. So, I'm keeping the box and packing materials handy just in case. There's no need to remove even the bulkiest case (short of military grade) I can imagine. The holder is adjustable and is nicely padded with soft rubber.

Bottom line:

It's the best FM transmitter I found so far for the iPhone 4.

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I was a little hesitant to purchase and FM transmitter for my car. I heard they didn't work as advertised and that I would hear a lot of static with my music. But when I bought a used car and an FM transmitter was the only way I'd be able to listen to my iPod, I needed to get one.

The Griffin Roadtrip Hands-Free was the only practical option when it came to FM transmitters. It plays and charges the iPod just like it's supposed to and the ability to talk on the phone through the car stereo and microphone is really nice. The only design flaw I can think of right now is that instead of pausing the iPod when a phone call comes in, it mutes the music. I have songs on my iPod because I like the music and I don't want to miss them if I have a long conversation on the phone. You can still manually pause the iPod, but it creates an extra step.

In terms of performance, I've heard that sound quality can depend quite heavily on the location of a car's antenna. Mine is built in to the rear window and I'd say sound quality is pretty good. If I listen hard, or during pauses between songs, I can usually hear a little static. The biggest factor in sound quality is the competing radio stations. I've found a station that maintains good quality for my trip from work to home, but if I deviate from that path, I usually have to use the Roadtrip's built in station finder. It usually does a good job of picking clear stations, but sometimes it only lasts for a few minutes.

In terms of the physical layout, the buttons are easy to find and press, and the lighting of the screen is not too bright for night driving. I love being able to rotate the iPod dock and move the neck around. It holds the position well, though I've only had it for about two months.

If you're looking for a good FM transmitter, I'd highly recommend you purchase this one. It's not perfect, but in my eyes, it's the best one one the market.

Read Best Reviews of Griffin NA15005 RoadTrip Handsfree for iPod, iPhone and Smartphones -Black Here

I was awaiting this car adapter for my iPhone for months to be released as my current Belkin TuneBase product which I have two was working except the LED numerals are burning out in each.

The stalk strength seems sufficient for most use. The adapter holds an iphone but a bit looser than the Belkin product a little wobbliness can occur.

I haven't tried the Bluetooth mode yet but the biggest problem with this device is weak FM signal transmission. I bought two of these and each behaves the same. In sport utility and crossover vehicles, the FM antenna is often not located near the front window. In both of my cars they are on a rear quarter window. The FM is almost complete static unless I cup my hand behind the unit essentially turning myself into an antenna. In a car with the FM antenna up front, the signal strength seems sufficient.

I discovered through trial and error that one can wrap a narrow gauge wire around the top of the stalk where it pivots to connect to the base. This appears to be near where the FM transmitter is located. This wire behaves like a passive antenna and one can then position the length of wire to an optimal position to optimize the signal output. I decided to wrap the wire around the antenna feed that leads into the back of my car radio. So it's actually not completely wireless a user modification is required if you have a sport utility or your car's FM antenna is not near the front.

I was under the impression this had a 5 watt FM transmitter but reading up, I think the specs only mean it draws 5 watts of power to power the whole unit. There is no way a full 5 W FM signal can't reach an indoor antenna 6 feet away. I believe this could be an electronic engineering deficiency in its design.

If this flaw gets fixed, then I would increase my rating to 5 stars. Right now, it has to be a buyer beware for you alpha adopters.

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Like other reviewers, I waited months for this unit, only to be severely disappointed. The FM signal output is so weak as to be almost useless.

It's not because of any FCC-mandated limits, either. I've owned several other FM transmitters (major brands, mind you, not no-name Asian knockoffs), and the RoadTrip Handsfree is hands-down the worst of the lot.

Here's how lame it is: I live in Central MD, where there aren't any truly clear frequencies, so much as there's one empty frequency between stations, all the way up and down the FM dial. With every other FM transmitter I've had, I could tune it to one of those between-station frequencies, then use the Seek button on my car's radio to tune into that frequency, as if my transmitter were its own "station".

Not so on the RoadTrip Handsfree. The Seek button went right past my chosen frequency as if there was nothing there. The signal is THAT weak. And my car's antenna is pretty much directly above the RoadTrip unit.

The upshot is that no matter which frequency I try, the signal is constantly overtaken by static as I drive, and my music fuzzes in and out. I can cup my hand around the stalk of the thing, as another reviewer noted, and that seems to improve the signal a bit, but that's about it.

Haven't used it for a phone call yet, so I can't speak to that. SmartScan is useless -it keeps picking frequencies that are already stations.

I was also unimpressed that every time I plugged in my iPhone, a message popped up informing me that an app was "required" to use the accessory. I finally downloaded the silly thing -which does nothing you can't do with the RoadTrip's buttons -just so it'd stop nagging me about it. Haven't used the app since.

Maybe if you live in rural country with broad swaths of clear spectrum, the HandsFree would work for you. For my part, I'll be sending it back and looking into other brands instead.

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I bought this as a mount, an FM transmitter, AND a handfree calling device.

Unlike others, I had no problem with the gooseneck not supporting my phone. The phone (even within a big case) fits on this device just fine. It's easy to put on; easy to take off. The FM transmitter works ... okay. My local reception is a problem, but that's not the fault of the device. It worked great to enable me to hear my Mapquest app's turn-by-turn directions.

My complaint about this device is the "handsfree" capability. It didn't always auto-pair to my phone (sometimes it did, sometimes it didn't) -but the real problem is that no one could understand me when I spoke into this thing, on a call. My car's cigarette lighter sits down low -so the microphone on the phone (that's the only microphone, for the unit) is far away from my mouth. It just couldn't be used as a handsfree device. Griffin was contacted, and had absolutely no suggestions.

I'm giving 2 stars because the handsfree part is the primary reason I bought this. If you're looking for a mount/FM transmitter, your rating might be higher.

TomTom START 45TM 4.3-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps and Roadside Assistance

• 4.3-Inch Touchscreen
• Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates - Outsmart traffic and road changes
• Fuel Prices - Find the lowest gas by location and price
• TomTom Roadside Assistance - Reliable roadside assistance you can trust 24/7
• Advanced Lane Guidance - highlights the correct lane

I am very familiar with GPS units, though most of my experience with them is with hand-held sport units. I gave my wife a Garmin Nuvi for Christmas and it has been a great navigator so I was excited to work with the TomTom and compare it to the Nuvi. So far, while I cannot say one is better than the other, they are both different in the features they provide and they both navigate well. I do prefer the TomTom though that is a matter of personal preference at this stage.

The TomTom Start is a very solid unit and feels very well made. I am very pleased with the construction of the TomTom. It is built to handle a little jostling and a few bumps though I would make very effort not to drop it regardless. One thing I do not like, though, is the mounting cup. Yes, it does hold the TomTom in place very well and it is unlikely that it will "let go", but it is a little awkward to attach to the glass and the swivel is very stiff. Also, while trying to adjust the angle the mounting cup popped right off the TomTom and I had to reattach it.

Though I am no fan of the mounting cup, it does remove easily and this particular TomTom is no too big to fit in a third-party window mount. I have such a mount so I can work with that and be happy.

On power-on the TomTom comes up very quickly and is ready to go, a lot faster than I expected as the Nuvi is a little slower at acquiring satellites before it's ready.

The menu system on the TomTom is very simple and easy to use. The large, colorful touch buttons on the screen make finding the desired function straightforward. The first screen offered (after the welcome screen) gives just two choices: Plan Route and Browse Map. I especially like the Browse Map feature when in an unfamiliar area it quickly shows proximity to gas stations, restaurants and other point of interest (which is very configurable). However, the points of interest list is not necessarily complete there are at least two chain restaurants within a mile of the house that do not show at all on the browse map.

When not actually navigating, most of the time a user will spend is with the Plan Route function. There are a lot of options here. There is a selection for navigating Home, regardless of where you are, and since entering your home location is part of the start-up process this feature is at the ready almost immediately. Entering an address is likely going to be the normal method of selecting an endpoint, though there are other choices such as navigating to points of interest, a point on the map or even a latitude/longitude location. There is even the functionality to save a location in a Favorites list.

There are six choices for voices, though only three speak the street names and of those, only one is in English (one of the others is Canadian French and the other is Latin-American Spanish). If you don't care about street names and you speak English you have choices. If you do care but do not like the built-in voices then you can go online and get more though there are associated fees.

I ran into some difficulty when I attached my TomTom to my computer, a Windows 7-based laptop. After messing with it I finally connected it to a 32-bit Vista machine and had no issues at all. I am not sure why it fought me on the Windows 7 machine but I am relatively sure that it has to do with my configuration, not the TomTom itself. (UPDATE: It was definitely on the Windows 7 side as I have had similar issues with other devices.)

Getting updates is easy. Once connected, TomTom Home (the application that interfaces to the TomTom) goes out and finds the updates, then with a minimum of interaction takes care of making said updates. Updating the map takes a while, which should be a given.

So, all this is great, but how does it navigate?

Voice aside, the navigation is good. The TomTom does a fine job of getting you from point A to point B using the conditions you stipulate: fastest route, shortest route, no highways, etc. The screen is acceptable in size to allow clear viewing of the map and the voice augments the visuals. I have not yet used it in the car to go to work; I am eager to see if it selects a better route for me than the one I have been using for the last 2-3 years.

The Tom Tom Start is my first exposure to TomTom's line of navigators and so far I am pleased with it. It's a little different than my wife's Garmin Nuvi, in ways I like. It's perfectly fine for navigation and finding points of interest, and the map updates on this model make this a device I will use for a long, long time.

UPDATE 03/20/2013: I recently had a good reason to use my TomTom in North Carolina a family gathering in a neighboring town that was 10-12 miles away from the starting point. I was not at all familiar with the area so this would be a good test. All had printed directions, but we chose to allow the TomTom to take us there instead. The result was that we arrived sooner than others that left before us; we were guided on a very straightforward path that seemed more logical than the printed route (which came with a map). Going home that night, we again configured the TomTom to take us on the fastest route and it did so without a hitch we knew that route very well already and the directions we were given were spot on.

And, I did use it to track to work to see if I could improve my route. With the exception of the first couple of miles (my commute is roughly 65 miles one-way), the route lined up almost exactly with the route I have been taking for years.

My opinion of the TomTom remains unchanged. It's a good navigator at a good price point and it has served me very well. My experience with TomTom has been very positive and I would not hesitate to recommend one.

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This is a pretty good GPS unit, there are some things to be aware of.

First, the positives:

The unit feels sturdy which I like. It's also quite simple to use and the interface is easy to understand and it has a large easy to read screen (larger than smartphones). It also comes with free lifetime traffic alerts and map updates as well as user-generated map updates.

It tells you the speed limit as well as recommended lane to be in in many circumstances.

There are TONS of voices you can download via the TomTom app on your computer however many of them cost $12.95. There are many free user-submitted ones however not many of them are good. Also, only the built-in computer voice can speak street names (although your next turn does display on the screen with the name of the street). The downloaded character voices (which include characters such as Homer or Marge Simpson, Yoda, Darth Vader, etc) will not speak the street names and only tell you things like "prepare to turn right in 200 yards". This makes sense if you think about it because it would not be possible for TomTom to synthesize each voice actors voice such that it could pronounce all the street names. They are only able to record a limited number of directions.

The built-in suction cup mount works quite well and is a nice design that seems to stick to the windshield quite well though I'm not sure how long it will hold up over time.

Now the negatives:

-If you are on a Mac, the TomTom software that comes preloaded on this unit does not work under OSX Lion (the current OS). Further, it took me a very long time to locate where on the TomTom website I could download the latest sync application. I finally found it, but using their website to locate it was almost like pulling teeth! I ended up doing a search on their homepage for the word 'Home' and was able to get the download link there.

-The gas station fuel prices service is only free for one year, then it turns into a paid service. But I could not for the life of me figure out how to get this feature to work. Even after downloading and installing it I could not find it on the unit whatsoever.

-There is only one included voice that can read the street names. TomTom should include several different voices that can read the street names so we can have more options.

-The downloaded voices seem much quieter in volume than the built-in voices.

-It comes with no case nor even a cloth bag! How am I supposed to store this when I'm not using it? The answer is you have to buy a separate case/bag for it or just store it loose, as is. It really should come with a case or at the very least, a cloth bag.

-The roadside assistance costs anywhere from $30. and up each time you use it. It may be okay for emergencies but if you already have an AAA card or equivalent that you pay annually for, you would be better off using that since that does not charge you per incident. This is not made clear in the product description nor on the TomTom website.

In all this is a good unit in this price range but if you have an iPhone you could purchase a software GPS app instead which maybe likely be fairly equivalent. You could even use a free GPS app such as Waze.

The competition with smartphone GPS apps is increasing and dedicated GPS units are going to have to be a lot more competitive in terms of included features and usability to remain relevant.

Read Best Reviews of TomTom START 45TM 4.3-Inch GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps and Roadside Assistance Here

Latest Update:

Finally got my RMA and replacement after 5 weeks

**********************

Update:

Audio completely died after two weeks. Spent twenty minutes on the phone with a Tom Tom CS and determined that it was hardware failure. I received an email that they are processing it. after three weeks, despite sending follow up emails to Tom Tom, the issue is still hanging..

***********************

This is my fourth GPS unit, the other three are Garmins which are still working except two have outdated maps. Only one of my old GPS has a lifetime maps updates. This is my first Tom Tom and one of the first things I needed to do is get used to the interface. I still miss the physical volume knob control on my two oldest Garmins. This unit and my newer Garmin require you to go through the touch screen to adjust the volume, not very convenient when you are on the wheel.

My first task is to make sure it has an updated map. I plugged the USB (by the way it came with a USB cable, car adapter and dash/windshield mount) to the back of my iMac with Lion OS. It seemed to start the process but stalled. I then went to Tom Tom website and downloaded their software for Mac. This time it worked. Just make sure to set your computer not to sleep or it will result into an error. You will need to register first with your email and create a password. At first it looks like you would need to pay for the update, but click the PromoCode button and enter the code number from one of the insert papers that came with the unit. It was an hour download.

The quickest way to download the software is to type "Home" in their search button. The Top 5 questions and Answers will show no. 1 as "How to install HOME", click that and you will be given choices for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac. For Lion you would need TomTom HOME 2.8.2

I bought one celebrity voice as I like a little fun when on long drives. One thing I noticed is that it cost more than my Garmin when I bought Dora and SpongeBob (that was three years ago though, price may have changed). I chose Homer for $12.95 and installation is quite easy. One caveat, Homer is stupid and doesn't know the names of the streets, he just tells you to, "Turn right ahead!" But it is not Homer alone, most celebrity voices are like that. If you want the name of the streets to be announced, there are three built-in voices that do that, but only one in the English language. The other two are Soledad (Spanish) and Charlotte (French-Canadian). You also have the choice between male and female voices.

Pros:

+ Fast satellite connection on boot

+ You can select to put the current time on the screen so you can have comparison with the arrival time. The difference (time left before arrival) is also displayed.

+ It tells you the speed limit on the road where you are. The part of the screen that tells you the speed turns RED to warn you if you are over the speed limit. It happens when you reached 5 miles over the limit. Just watch out for roads under construction where the speed limit is lower than the regular speed limit.

+ When you are about to turn, it will show you the number of lanes at the bottom-middle of the screen. Some are grayed out and one (or a few) in white. It tells you to take the lanes that are shown in white.

+ Lifetime maps and traffic

+ The price is right.

Cons:

No physical volume control

The gas feature is only free for the first year

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I have had a Garmin for nearly 6 years. I decided to try this Tom-Tom because it was available on the Vine and I was looking for a lifetime map and traffic GPS device. After a couple of weeks, I can say that it is quite underwhelming.

The first trip was to a State Park and we ended up on some dirt road miles from the Park roads. I then switched to the Garmin and it immediately redirected me from my current dirt road position to the front entrance of the park.

The second trip was from the South suburbs of Pittsburgh to my home in the East Surburbs. On this trip it never got settled and was forever directing me to turn into the Monongahela River. This was taking an Interstate highway the whole way. I'm not sure what screwed it up, but it never got on track.

The third trip was from the Eastern hinterlands to the near the airport. The timing immediately told me that I would arrive at 11:37am. I looked at the route and didn't like it, so I drove my own route. After 10 minutes of driving with the GPS constantly trying to re-route me to the original route, we got to a point where the device said I was going to arrive at 11:50am. Then suddenly we arrived at the PA Turnpike entrance and the route changed to my own route and the time of arrival changed to 11:27am. This was after driving 10 minutes in the "supposedly" wrong direction.

The fourth trip was from a park to my house. I programmed the Garmin and the Tom Tom and both gave the exact same routes, but the Tom Tom said that it would take an additional 8 minutes than the Garmin. The Tom Tom then kept changing slowly until it finally matched the Garmin's time of arrival. The original time of the Garmin was correct.

The fifth trip was of short distance into a crowded area of shopping centers. It was good until the near the end of the trip and then it sent me in the wrong direction and even after the building that I wanted was on my left, the GPS was still giving me directions to another road that would take me around in a circle and back to where I currently was.

So my analysis is this: Tom Tom has bugs in their routing formulae. Its time calculations are also not consistent. The voice is excellent and the directions are stated in a very clear and organized manner. The driver is warned well in advance of the upcoming turns. However, it seems to get lost easily without warning.

I'm somewhat torn as some of this might be corrected with a software upgrade or map upgrade. I'll re-post in a couple of months with an update on this device. Right now, I'll take the 6 year old Garmin without upgraded maps over this Tom Tom. I rated it a 2.5 and graded up because I like some of the way it was designed.

UPDATE: After continued use, I now only use this device for grins. It hasn't selected the correct (fastest) route around Pittsburgh in another 5 outings. It is outrageous how poor the mapping software is in this product.

If you buy this, when you TRY and download TOMTOM Home, which is needed to update your device and use all of those FREE lifetime maps you just bought, you may get an error 1152 when trying to download their file. If you do, your done. TOMTOM has no clue what to do and nothing I found on the internet helped. There are plenty of questions about it but NO useful answers. Believe me, I tried them all.

Also, I have a TOMTOM that is about 6 years old. When using that device, my HOME is perfect on the device. Now I program HOME and it tells me I have to drive another 1/4 mile up the street to be home. Good thing I know where I live. Garmin, was no better. I guess I'll try a Magellen.