TomTom 6-inch GPS and smartphone mount in SA

Navigation company TomTom has announced two new products for the SA market

September 20, 2012

TomTom has announced two new products for the South African market at a function in Johannesburg on Thursday night (20 September 2012) – the Start60 personal navigation device and a hands-free car kit for smartphones.

Start 60

The Start 60 personal navigation device (PND) features a 6-inch touch screen display and dual mounting system which lets users choose between mounting the device on the windscreen or dashboard.

The TomTom Start 60 is one of the first devices to offer lifetime free daily map changes, the Dutch navigation company said.

Updates are based on reports from TomTom’s Map Share community, which according to the PND maker is 21 million strong, and helps drivers to deal with frequent road changes such as new speed limits and blocked roads.

It is available immediately for R2,099, TomTom said.

TomTom Start 60

Hands free smartphone car kit

TomTom also announced the launch of its hands-free car kit for smartphones at the event.

The mount is also available immediately at a recommended retail price of R1,099.

It features an adjustable grip to fit any smartphone with or without its cover, and comes in two versions: micro USB and the old iPhone connector.

Asked whether the mount could be made to support the iPhone 5’s new “Lightning” connector, TomTom’s SA country manager, Daan Hendrickx said that they are looking at solutions.

“Obviously it’s a top priority,” Hendrickx told MyBroadband, adding that if they can’t find a way to make a connector that would still allow the iPhone to fit in the cradle then they would have to make a new model.

Hendrickx said that while they may not be compatible with the iPhone 5 yet, the install base of the iPhone 4 and 4S is so large it’s important to have a product that fits them.