Technical Panda Cross Tomtom

[Mark Hurst]

Can I assume the Tomtom 2 Live system that connects to the port on the top of my dash is the same as the one in other FIATs, notably the FIAT 500? I have been looking at second-hand ones rather than new but it seems like a gamble unless I can get a definitive answer. My Cross is a 2016 model. As usual, the manual has nothing helpful to say.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Having looked at this I do not think it would work. My dilemma is partly that I want Nav in the new car and don't want to keep moving the Tom tom I have from one car to the other, any more than I want to lump out for a new phone. The web site does not refer to the the Panda Uconnect compatible phones and Fiat were suggesting phones that seem to cost £ 400-600 to buy. Clearly iphones don't work as well as android phones and windows phones don't work at all with uconnect....

I have ruled out the old blue and me route as I don't think the connections are the same but you could ask a dealer. I am assured by Fiat they will help.

 

[Mark Hurst]

Sorry, I'm confused by this response. I don't know what 'uconnect' is and my phone cost £19.99 if that's somehow relevant. I am hoping that the Tomtom 2 Live systems that plug into the '68R dashboard port' are the same across vehicle models, which is basically what I'm asking.

 

[trevorwat]

Here is my suggestion:

1. Do away with UConnect completely
2. Get a cheap smartphone (or free old one from friend/family/neighbour). Compatibility is not then an issue, just screen size in order to be able to see it!
3. You don't need a SIM in the phone (unless you want live traffic updates)
4. Install Google Driving using wifi at home or any of the other free satnav apps e.g. Navmii
5. Don't connect the phone to car's Bluetooth
6. Use a short 25cm USB cable to power the phone in the car from the new charging socket on the dash (that is just to be tidy as a short cable is neater!)
7. Turn the sound up on the phone to hear over the radio (set Google maps to 'loudest') You can even set up Google to respond to voice commands e.g. "OK Google navigate to xxxx postcode"
8. You can then keep your 'proper' phone in your pocket, connected to Bluetooth so you get handsfree calling and you can listen to your own music via the USB stick connected in the glovebox and controlled from the steering wheel

Bob's your Uncle! Or at least that is what I have decided to do in my new Cross!

 

[trevorwat]

Sorry Mark - just realised that my response is relevant to Peter Cresswell but not to you and your question!! Ooops!

Anyone know how to move this to my UConnect thread?

 

[Mark Hurst]

Sorry Mark - just realised that my response is relevant to Peter Cresswell but not to you and your question!! Ooops!

Hah ha, I was just indignantly gearing up to say that! I just want basic GPS in the car with no audio. I currently use a Tomtom Rider motorbike GPS but I thought it would be good to update to something with a few more features and that doesn't need to be stuck on the windscreen.

 

[hanix]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142310393838


Hope this helps I bought mine second hand off eBay for my cross last year had no problems tho it's a bit of a con as you have to pay tomtom for the updates every year but nice tidy job on dash instead of having it on window

 

[Mark Hurst]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142310393838

Hope this helps I bought mine second hand off eBay for my cross last year had no problems tho it's a bit of a con as you have to pay tomtom for the updates every year but nice tidy job on dash instead of having it on window

Well not really, it still doesn't mention the Panda. But I take heart from hearing you bought a second hand one and it worked. I can't see how you have to buy yearly updates - I've used my Tomtom for over a decade without any updates and it's just fine for basic navigation.

 

[pasotibbs]

I believe you are correct that a 500 unit fits a Panda in fact any Alfa/Lancia/Fiat unit will work (a workmate got one for his Alfa and was told that the software detects the car and changes the "Badge" as required,so the unit would say Alfa in his car but Fiat in yours)
Hopefully someone will confirm this but the research I did seemed to confirm this as the part numbers were the same.
With the Alfa he says he also gets a turbo boost gauge display, but not sure about a TA ?

 

[Mark Hurst]

I believe you are correct that a 500 unit fits a Panda in fact any Alfa/Lancia/Fiat unit will work (a workmate got one for his Alfa and was told that the software detects the car and changes the "Badge" as required,so the unit would say Alfa in his car but Fiat in yours)
Hopefully someone will confirm this but the research I did seemed to confirm this as the part numbers were the same.
With the Alfa he says he also gets a turbo boost gauge display, but not sure about a TA ?

Thanks, that's encouraging. They do seem to come up in eBay quite a lot, I just need to up how much I'm prepared to pay! It looks like £291 is the current official new price.

 

[pasotibbs]

I actually found the unit for my workmate as he was complaining about the price the dealer had quoted when he bought the car and how he'd decided it was to much to pay, a quick look on ebay and I had a brand new one for a lot less than the dealer had wanted to charge and within 5 miles of his home....at the dealer he bought the car from !!!
From memory it was around £200 instead of 300+

 

[Mark Hurst]

Well I got one and it works fine. Here's a thing though, although billed as 'new/unused', the initial LIVE Services subscription shows as expired over a year ago. The owner admitted it was powered up to test it out, and a quick trawl of the TomTom site confirms that the subscription is activated automatically the first time the unit is switched on. So if you're going to buy a second-hand one make sure you ask the right questions!

 

[pasotibbs]

Do you get a turbo boost gauge like the Multiair Alfa's apparently do ?

 

[Mark Hurst]

Do you get a turbo boost gauge like the Multiair Alfa's apparently do ?

I have no idea. Not even sure what that is, but I will be alert to it when I get around to some more experiments!

 

[murphyv310]

Just as an aside. The use of an old smartphone is excellent plus there is lots of dash cam software too. I've just had a phone upgrade and my old HTC will be used for the dual role of camera & satnav, less clutter in my field of view. I also have a £45 prestigio that could be used as a rear camera, jobs for another day

 

[murphyv310]

Hi.
Here is the front smartphone, dual useage as a Dash cam & Sat nav. Works great, next will be the completion of a rear camera.

 

[rotin]

Dedicated GPS units must be going the way of calculators and pocket cameras. Smartphone apps such as Google maps and sygic are especially better than Tom tom which I find particularly clunky and unintuitive. Smartphone displays are bigger and sharper than any comparatively priced GPS too.

 

[Mark Hurst]

Dedicated GPS units must be going the way of calculators and pocket cameras

A former colleague of mine, known for his bluntness as well as his technical brilliance, had a phrase that tickled me: 'jack of all trades, w*nker of most'. I can't think of a better description of your average smartphone.

 

[murphyv310]

A former colleague of mine, known for his bluntness as well as his technical brilliance, had a phrase that tickled me: 'jack of all trades, w*nker of most'. I can't think of a better description of your average smartphone.

Hi.
I'm sorry but I really do not agree with that comment. Even your average smartphone has more computing power than some PC's of 10 years ago, they also have more computing power than a dedicated Sat Nav.
In my case I am using a two year old HTC 610. it has 40gb of memory, 1Gb RAM, Quad core CPU running at 1.2Ghz, 1080HD video, GPS amongst other features. I use Navmii and a bluetooth clip on speaker on my sun visor.
I also run the phone as a dash cam and have warnings of speed and cameras if I so wish that can run alongside my Sat Nav too.
As the phone is out of contract it has been cleaned of all unnecessary apps etc, has no sim and other than my £15 a month contract during it's two years has cost me nothing.
So why should I buy a Sat Nav when the phone does it all and very well indeed?

 

[rotin]

I'd like to think that your technically brilliant friend typed his comments on a typewriter and then faxed them to you rather than using a Jack of all trades computer to email or text.

My 2 year old Tom tom was w*nky from the on-off switch to the screen mount and everything in between. At least with a smartphone you are not locked into a single software and hardware supplier whose main objective is to gouge you for additional maps while leaving you permanently stuck with a limited and clunky interface .