TomTom Vs Garmin
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Garmin Nuvi 880 test drive
TomTom Speed Camera Warning
TomTom vs Garmin
GPS technology has expanded over the last several years to include mobile devices for cars and motorcycles, software for mobile devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and Pocket PCs.
GPS is more than just knowing where you are and where you are headed. Now you can receive real time traffic alerts, listen to your favorite MP3s and use Bluetooth to integrate information to and from your mobile phone including calls and voice read text messages. Even if you know your way around the area, GPS units can instantly locate airports, restaurants, hospitals and other points of interest with directions on how to get there from your present location.
When traveling in an unfamiliar area a GPS unit performs as a safety device. There are areas that are not safe - especially if you have car trouble or a flat tire. If you find yourself in this situation the GPS unit can locate help or mobile repair services including addresses and phone numbers.
Multiple routes can be accessed. Avoid toll roads, choose the scenic route instead of the quickest one.
Two of the most popular brands of GPS units are TomTom and Garmin. Both have multiple models that are mobile and can be used inside or outside of your vehicle.
TomTom is a global company based overseas. They are manufactured by a Dutch company and their customer service is located in Amsterdam. TomTom offers multiple stand alone units and they also offer software for other mobile devices,
There are no less than desirable TomTom units. Most all units have bright clear touchscreen displays and clear sounding speakers. They have adequate amounts of internal storage space as well as expansion slots for SD cards. Fast CPUs respond quickly to your demands. They are easily updated via a USB port.
The TomTom ONE XL Portable Extra-wide Screen GPS Navigation System is a mid priced unit with high end features.
- The widescreen display is a generous 4.3 inches of touchscreen delight that provides a wide screen version of maps.
- Optional real-time traffic reports
- Maps that include all 50 states and Canada
- Turn-by-turn voice directions
- Integrated Bluetooth
- Compass mode
- Anti glare screen
- Included windshield mount
- Withstands temperatures of 14 degrees to 131 degrees Fahrenheit
Garmin's original founders were Gary Burrell and Min H. Kao. Although one was from the US and one was from Taiwan they joined together to form a company that both felt was the future of Navigation - GPS technology.
Garmin International, Inc., headquarters for the parent company, Garmin Ltd, is located in Olathe, Kansas. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Cayman Islands. The primary production facility, Garmin (Asia) Corp., is located in Taiwan.
Garmin has a wide variety of GPS units. They began with the GPS 100 which was a $2500 unit designed for marine use, Garmin then produced a hand held GPS unit that was popular with the military. Next Garmin introduced the wrist worn GPS devices for runners called the (Forerunner) and the Foretrex which is popular with hikers, off-road bikers and sailboat racers. These are just a few of their successful models.
One of their most popular units is the Garmin StreetPilot series. One of the mid-priced Garmin GPS units is the Nuvi 360 Pocket Vehicle GPS Navigator with Maps for North America.
- 2D or 3D views
- Maps for all 50 US states, Puerto Rico and Canada
- Turn-by-turn directions with street names
- Real time traffic and weather
- 2.8 in touchscreen (can be viewed in daylight)
- Translator
- Picture album
- Audio book player
- Travel alarm
- Currency converter
- Included suction dash mount
Prices for either the TomTom or Garmin units start at around $200 and go up to over $600. The more these units progress the more features are included. They are actually becoming as much a personal assistant and they are GPS units. They are now small enough to be carried in your pocket or purse and can be used inside or outside of the vehicle. The voice integration is a real safety feature as is the Bluetooth handsfree ability for your cell phone.
Users have reported that the stand alone GPS units are more user friendly than many built in units that are found in vehicles. Many users also like to the option of moving the units between cars.
Personally I think that the stand alone units would be very useful when shopping in an unfamiliar city. When you are in a maze of tall buildings it is often difficult to get your bearings. The newer models have less trouble reading the sky even in this situation. The POI (point of interest) feature should point you in the right direction. Another experience that I've had is jogging in a neighborhood that most houses and streets look alike. While visiting family overnight and going for a morning run I was totally turn around. There were no good landmarks that I could remember. One of these GPS units would have got me back to the house sooner.
Read more of my GPS hubs:
Garmin Nuvi GPS Sorted by Features
TomTom Features List
Garmin Nuvi 705 Series with Lane Assist
Garmin Nuvi 850 and 880
Garmin Nuvi 1390T
Garmin Nuvi GPS Garage Sale Navigation
Garmin Nuvi GPS Open House Navigation
GPS Navigation Garmin StreetPilot c330 vs 340
Garmin StreetPilot 7500 GPS – XM and Remote Control
Garmin Forerunner 205 vs 305
Garmin GPS Forerunner with Foot Pod vs Nike Sport Kit
Garmin GPS Bicycle Fitness Edge 305 vs Edge 705
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Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Price: $120.99
List Price: $229.99 |
![Garmin Portable Friction Mount [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HhHbgDO8L._SL75_.jpg)
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
Price: $23.99
List Price: $39.99 |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount
Price: $23.72
List Price: $39.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $349.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 285W/285WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Price: $139.99
List Price: $249.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $499.99 |
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Garmin 4.3-Inch Carrying Case
Price: $10.99
List Price: $19.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $329.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Price: $120.99
List Price: $229.99 |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount
Price: $23.72
List Price: $39.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $349.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $499.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $329.99 |
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Garmin nüvi 780 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Service
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $699.99 |
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Gilsson UBM Portable Car Non-Skid Friction Beanbag Dashboard Mount for Garmin, TomTom, Magellan and more
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $26.95 |
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Garmin nüvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $249.99 |
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Case TomTom One XL/S V2 GO 730 920 930 630 330 325 340
Current Bid: $9.99
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TomTom XXL 540S 5" Touchscreen Portable GPS New in Box
Current Bid: $179.99
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For All Garmin Nuvi & Tomtom HQ CAR POWER CORD charger
Current Bid: $3.45
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Vent Mount Holder TomTom XL V2 330 330S 325 340 340S S
Current Bid: $6.99
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NEW TOMTOM ONE 130S GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM US/CANADA MAP
Current Bid: $119.90
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TOMTOM ONE 130 CAR GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM~US/CANADA MAPS
Current Bid: $51.25
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Garmin nuvi 765T N America Navigator GPS 010-00715-20
Current Bid: $226.87
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Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Heart Rate Monitor
Current Bid: $148.95
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GARMIN FORERUNNER 305 GPS + HEART RATE MONITOR
Current Bid: $149.99
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GARMIN NUVI 750 AUTO GPS NAVIGATION 2010 MAPS FREE SHIP
Current Bid: $104.50
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GARMIN NUVI 1200 AUTO GPS NAVIGATION 2010 FREE SHIP
Current Bid: $57.99
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4.3" ZIP Case for Garmin Nuvi 200w 205w 250w 255W 260W
Current Bid: $3.99
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GPS Map Updates
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Garmin nüMaps Lifetime North America Map Updates
Price: $68.99
List Price: $119.99 |
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Garmin nüMaps Onetime City Navigator North America NT Map Update
Price: $46.00
List Price: $69.99 |
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Magellan 2009 One-Time U.S. Map Update for Magellan GPS Navigators (SD Card)
Price: $54.25
List Price: $79.99 |
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Navigon FreshMaps Map Update Service
Price: $39.99
List Price: $79.99 |
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Comments
While the GPS portables are wonderful, the one item that I find is severely lacking is battery life. My first TomTom One died a horrible death and was replaced in short order with another one. After three or four long trips, I found that if I didnt keep it plugged into the cigarette lighter socket, it would die within about an hour or so. This was rather inconvenient since most places I was going were 1-1.5 hours in distance and the thing would die just as I was looking for the place I was going.
While this might be am isolated problem with only mine, I highly doubt it based on battery life of other electronices. They definately need to do more work in this area in order to make the GPS truely portable.
its amaging, no other words suitable for the function of This item
Wonderful things ... extremely handy!
The information about GPS units is very useful.
I have sold a few GPS's via my gadget blog and found TomTom to be more popular than Garmin.
Nice hub by the way.
I like the Garmin better. We have one for the Car and also one for the boat. I would buy this brand again.
tomtoms are better, more user friendly etc, its abit like Nokia vs SonyEricson!
Interesting post! Do you ever talk about politics?
I do:
i thought this article is going to be on the actual comanies instaed of their product :|
Its not just Garmin and Tom Tom anymore. There are lots of new names out there that have great features. Investigate before you buy. Look for the features that are important to you. I have a Navigon and it has free traffic updates for life! Great if you live in a city like boston that's supported.
I must get one of these - I have no sense of direction whatsoever!
Where I live in Germany there are two types of Americans, those that have GPS systems in their vehicles and those that never travel anywhere. What a great thing for reducing stress while utilizing quality time with your family on the road.
With GPS System it help me in my Malaysia trip. Great technology
Hi
I have a Garmin c320 and after 18 months it now has a dead battery any idea if it can be replaced?
Thanks
I did a quick Google search and found ads for the battery (listed in the sidebar)and I also found some on ebay.com - just type in Garmin c320 battery.
Thanks,
Deb
Thanks for that Deb your a star
Thanks great info. I know now what I am going to buy.
Big thanks.. really nice info..
I have enjoyed reading your article on GPS devices. Lots of great information here. I have always known what a GPS Device was but now I feel as if I want one! :-)
It's good to know. Thanks. I personally prefer Garmin.
At first I bought a TomTom720, and plugged it into the computer overnight, and the next day, went to install the disc, and it wouldn't install. Then my computer wouldn't recognize the device when I plugged it into the usb port. So I took it back and got the Garmin nuvi 260, it works but I live in Stettler, Alberta and the map doesn't shoe any street names in this town, and can't even find my home address, travelled from Stettler, Alberta to Regina, Saskatchewan and it kept on wanting to send me to Saskatoon,, I can't figure out which unit is better than the other.. Can anyone help me,, I also almost got lost in Calgary, Alberta the map didn't recognize the overpass on McKnight Blvd, and 36th, it kept saying turn left, when I couldn't make a left turn. Can anyone help me?
Sandy, Sorry to hear that you have having such a difficult time getting a GPS to work in your area.
I did a quick search on Google and found that there are maps that can be ordered specifically for Canada. Maybe your unit needs an updated map - posssibly there are updates for yours. I would suggest contacting either the manufacturer support or contacting a third party that sells maps for your unit.
Good Luck! If I come across any other information that might help I will post it here. Thanks
Thanks, Debbie, I did e-mail garmin, but they want me to fill out a form so that it can be added to an update which only comes out once a year they tell me. I did search for updates and they say there is no updates at this time. I am considering buying a Tom Tom Go 920T. I am really frustrated with these GPS's. Been doing research, I would really like to know which one is the most updated version. From my research I can update my own map and share it with other users, is this correct? Think this would be better than having to wait a year to get updates from Garmin.
Did Garmin say what their latest update is? Amazon has the 2008 version.
TomTom does allow you to make updates to the maps and then share them as well. Then an interesting feature of the Garmin 700 and 800 series is the "Where Am I". I have a hub that breaks down the Nuvi series feature by feature. It may help you choose.
I have an idea that you may try. Add your own POI (Point of interests) that are near by the areas that you are wanting to Navigate. Once you get to that address maybe the addresses would start to be picked up by your GPS. That way you will know at what location your Garmin will start giving you correct information.
I am impressed with your knowledge and abilities with technologies. I am very low tech, but learning!
thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
I put the town, Estevan, Saskatchewan and once again the Garmin wants to send me all the way North to Saskatoon, when it's south I need to go.. Why is this happening? Anybody out there know why? I live in Stettler, Alberta, and seems stupid to want to send me North to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
I find that the Tom Tom is a lot more clear and bright as compared to the Garmin.
I've got an old Garmin eMap that still works well, but I've been thinking about upgrading. I have to say though that the iPhone's location capabilitycombined with Google maps works better than I'd expected, so I've ended up putting off an upgrade longer than I originally planned.
Well, here it is,, I gave up on the garimin, took it back, and they said that there's something wrong with it. North on the mapping is off, so the unit is defective. Bought a TomTom Go 920T,, and so far we love it,, so easy to use and has a ton of options,, and it can even find my home address.... I love to conect it to the internet to Tom Tom Home and download all the updates.. So easy. Thanks Debbie for all your help with the Garmin. But the Garmin already had the 2008 map version.
Sandy I am so glad that the problem was just that unit. Electronics are great when they work! Hopefully if anyone else has the same problem they will see what you wrote and will know what to do.
The TomTom 920T has alot of great features and I like that you can update from home. It only make sense to have that ability.
Thanks for keeping me updated and I'd love to hear about any new discoveries you find on your new TomTom.
i want to buy a GPS for my hubby's b-day but i'm clueless what brand to get or what model????? H E L P!!!
Mokki, You can check out my hub on Garmin Nuvi GPS sorted by features. It would give you an idea of the features that are available. Hope this helps.
i run a business that involves me going to clients all the time . which would be better for my drivers to use to get around. english is their secound language .either tom tom or garmin. i currently have a garmin nuvi200w but i would like an easy to use , cost effective navigation that can be updated easily and regularly
Wesley,
Thanks for reading my hub.
The TomTom GO920T, 920, 720 and the TomTom One 3rd Edition have the "Map Share" feature. The maps can be updated whenever you like from the TomTom website.
My research shows that the Garmin updates the maps once a year.
Hi Debbie,
Great thread! I'm leaning towards TomTom 920. However, I couldn't find any information if it does support displaying of weather. Do you have any information?
Thanks,
Neil
Hi Neil,
You can access real time weather reports on the TomTom 920 by using TomTom Plus Services in combination with a bluetooth enabled cell phone. There are several cell phones that are compatible from Nokia, HTC, Sony, Motorola. I plan to write a hub with this in more detail very soon.
Jumping junipers!
Thanks for all the great info on the Gps I am looking at one for my car
I have found many sources for maps, red ligh cameras etc. I have a etc (free!) just by searching google or whatever u like,I have a garmin 250w, according to their site speed cameras are not available in Oz. However I found a free site with all the files I need and how to install
i guess garmin is the best......
I use a blackberry pearl with a built in GPS and downloaded the Google maps tool... totally indespensible, I will never travel to unknown lands again without it.
The Garmin is my favorite. I've gone through several models and currently enjoy the 200w. Great hub!
Same with me. Not tradeing my garmin for anything else. It's proven itself repeatedly in my line of work and finding site locations with sheer GPS coordinates of a tower or new build job site
Very timely for me as I am in the market at this time exploring GPS systems.
what an absolute waste of a review.. is this GPS 101 for retards??
Very useful hub
My husband wants to get the Garmin Zumo for his motorcycle, and I've been resistant to the idea. Your article was very informative and pointed out ways that a GPS is helpful that I had not considered. What an excellent starting-off point for more information. Thanks!
so who wins? You also said you think this would be a useful tool. How do they work in your life? I mean I read a bunch of regurgitated information. Wiki would have been more useful and have given better reviews and links.
I could use one of these. I'm terrible with directions!
Informative hub! Thanks for the sharing.
Great Information of GPS System.
Thanks for the information. We have been considering getting one. One thing I have noticed is that the screens are not always user friendly for those of us over 50. Did I just say that? I can't see the screen - even with my glasses! Some have a much bigger screen with larger print.
Nice information. It appears that TomTom has been making inroads into Garmin's market share lead of late.
Looking for advice on buying a decent sat nav.
I would like to have a multiple point route planning feature as i will be using it for travelling from client to client all over Ireland.
Also i have found using a garmin before that it did not display the names of adjacent streets on the route. Is this the same with the Tomtom.
Can anyone recommend a really good model
Dave, thanks for reading my hub. Hopefully these hubs will help answer your question.
i need more opinion to purchase my gps ,garmin or tom tom
Garmin uses NAVTEQ maps so I would definitely buy a Garmin. Even if it is a little more expensive it is worth it. NAVTEQ employees drive streets everyday to make sure their maps are up to date. Tomtom uses Tele Atlas maps and they don't have nearly as many employees in the US. Get a Garmin, you won't be disappointed..
I thought the article and reading everybodies comments was very helpful in deciding which GPS i should get. I went a little cheaper and got the Garmin 250W and so far am more than impressed with it. I compared it to my friends TomTom, not sure what version he has off hand, and I thought the Garmin out performed the TomTom in a lot of ways. *wider screen *easier to type in destinations *clearer picture *WAY more POI's *more options. I just moved to downtown Buffalo and the Garmin GPS has been an insane help on navigating throughout the city, i also love the "detour" option, and the arrival time is always exact.
These are global companies but do they have GPS in developing countries?
last I heard is just the G7 countries. It would be nice when going abroad I have traveled to other countries and their roads are just as good sometimes or better than ones in the USA. But I know Garmin is tops from everybody I hear from
I'm from croatia and i use garmin and only they have good and proper maps, at least for croatia...
Thanks for sharing such a usefull information.
I found this interesting. The only problem is the portable ones get stolen out of cars, so to avoid being broken in to Australians have taken to removing not only the suction pad mount off the window, but even the mark it left. It seems thieves will check to see if you put it under the seat!
I just lost mine overnight someone broke in to my ute, did some damage too, and stole my GPS which is why I read this hub. All the brands you mentioned work well in Australia as far as I know. If I get another one it will be pocket sized with a good battery life.
Can anyone recommend a small GPS with a long battery life?
The Garmin Forerunner 405 has recently been released in the UK. Have US users had good experiences with it. Are there any problems or issues.
Ken (Half Marathon Runner)
I bought a TOM TOM 720 and a Garmin 780w for Christmas . I have to say I first like the Tom Tom , but when you use it everyday it has a lot of shortcomings. I like the map rendering on the Garmin better. It also has way more POIS though the correct mapshare feature on Tom Tom is great. The routing on the Garmin is better also. Tom Tom finds the sattelites much faster than the Garmin. Tom Tom is much more customizable. Garmin is more simplr to use. Garmin uses a lot less buttons than Tom Tom to do the same. I would say Garmin is more like a Mac. And Tom Tom like a PC......
Between the two I choose TomTom... I've a TomTom One XL and I'm very pleased with it!
My husband has a garmin and I have a tomtom and I would tell everyone to get a garmin, it is so much better then the tomtom that I have.
I believe that YOU are Great !
WARNING: I have a Tom Tom ONE XL, and I liked it initially, although it occasionally led me to nonexistent places (closed or relocated businesses) or took me by unnecessarily circuitous routes to places that did exist. But I need to warn anybody who uses Verizon as their wireless carrier: there's an incompatibility between some Verizon phones and Tom Tom's QuickGPSFix software, an incompatibility that can destroy your phone.
Most unconscionable is the fact that they knew about this incompatibility but chose not to post a warning with their instructions to download the software (who wants to lose all those potential customers who use Verizon, right?).
I found this out the hard way, when my Motorola V3m phone was destroyed (a Motorola tech support rep verified that the Tom Tom software was the likely cause).
I had downloaded "update" software from Tom Tom's website -- big mistake. When the downloads were completed, my unit couldn't find any satellites. So I referenced the online support documentation, which advised I use a Bluetooth link to download their QuickGPSFix software. There was no warning about the incompatibility issue, so I tried downloading the software using my Verizon phone's Bluetooth link, as advised. Now the phone won't work -- completely fried -- only shows a weird blue Motorola logo I'd never seen before, with a subtext: "Bootloader USB init"...and all my photos, etc., are now inaccessible.
I took it to Verizon, but they couldn't fix it and advised that I contact Motorola to see if they might be able to access my phone's files (I already have a new phone and just want the files at this point). I contacted Tom Tom's "support" online, and at first they lied and said their software couldn't have damaged my phone. After I told them that a Motorola technician said otherwise, they admitted there was a compatibility issue -- but they refused to accept responsibility for destroying my phone, despite their failure to warn of the known issue. I told them they should at least fund the phone's repair, if it's reparable at all; but they preferred to then resort to their original lie, that their software couldn't have done the damage. I reminded them that they'd already admitted the incompatibility issue, and I promised to warn others about their potentially destructive software and their policy of irresponsibility. So, there you have it.
Bottom line: if you're in the market for a GPS unit, get a Garmin. I've heard nothing but praise for their product, and every comparision I've read online favors Garmin. Among other things, they're much better at locating what Tom Tom calls "points of interest." Tom Tom is pathetic in that regard: e.g., I looked up "schools" in a major city and got about twelve. And last time I asked to be directed to a gas station, it took me to an empty lot. Go with Garmin.
P.S.
Before you buy into the public relations talk about Tom Tom's wonderful map updates, go to their website and check out the prices for those updates.
Wow, I am so sorry that you have had such problems. I hope that you get your files from your ruined cell phone - you may have helped a lot of people remember to back up thier cell phone files just in case.
Debbie, I hope you won't mind my asking, but do you have a relationship with any manufacturer or provider of GPS systems, like Garmin or Tom Tom?
Hi Mister G, Thanks for reading my hubs!
I don't mind and the answer so far is no - not yet.
Hi Debbie! Thanks for putting up this post, I have a Tomtom unit, but can I use Garmin-compatible maps with it? Unfortunately, we only have Garmin maps available in the Philippines and it would be such a waste if I won't be able to use my Tomtom when I get home from Europe next year..
I bought a Tom Tom One XL S. The menus and maps etc. all seem very easy to operate and I really like it but this model only comes with 1 meg of memory and the maps alone take nearly all of that. A rep told me to delete the computer voice in order to make room for the "Guaranteed map update" but this does away with text to speech. So, I bought a 2 gb SD card in order to download all the available features but then I find that the program and maps have to run on the card also so this slows everything down so much that the computer voice cannot keep up and it sounds like a record skipping. I called the company and they told me it could be a corrupted file or a bad speaker so I deleted and reinstalled the files to no avail. Then I returned the first Tom Tom for another of the same type and it does the exact same thing. I've concluded that this model cannot operate at sufficient speed when operating from the SD card. The newer models have more memory and have done away with the SD card slot so that should tell you something. Stay away from the One XL S.
I have the tom tom. Love it, never failed me yet. easy to use visually good and it offers a lot of information.. i would think by now all offer the same ease of use and satisfaction.
Do you know if you have to pay for map updates on all GPS units?
I've had several aviation and marine units from Garmin. All were flawless. However, my latest purchase was a $2800 Garmin Chartplotter. Sixteen months after my purchase the unit malfunctioned. It was out of warranty, I had no reciept and I had purchased from an eBay Store which I could not recall. Yet, GARMIN gave me a brand new unit at no charge..WOW
Very well written hub .....
very much informative ......
Thank you very much for your great hub, for good advice, good wishes and support. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
I have a GPS Application in my mobile phone thesedays, it's amazing how quickly technology advances!
I have been going crazy trying to decide between a TomTom or Garmin. I want a unit that I can speak to for options as well as user friendly and has voice turn by turn directions. Having the option of audio books and photos is ok, but not a must. I would like to have the option of Bluetooth and real-time traffic reports along side of internet access if I choose to pay for that at a later time. 4.3 inch screen minimum. Any suggestions with price, models, and use will greatly help.
Personally I'd go for the iPhone, built into the phone, no need for an additional one!
I have both a Garmin 265WT and TomTom XXL 540-S. Frankly, both have their advantages and disadvantages. If I had to use just one, though I'd go with the TomTom. It gives advanced lane guidance and the quickfix via a weekly computer update (which also updates other users' map corrections) is much faster than Garmin's auto sat tracking. Garmin's computer voice text-to-speech is a little better. TomTom has more options, more good stuff on the main screen and is more fun to use. I find it (as opposed to someone else here) more "Mac-like" than the Garmin.Everything is where you expect, you don't have to go through a slew of screens to get the right menu, and it's logical. It is also much more customizable as far as splash screens, exit screens, etc. The software on the computer for both is good, either for Macs or PCs. I love the huge 5" screen on the XXL. Garmin has free (ad supported) traffic on the 265, but it requires a special, heavy power cord. Reviews of this feature agree that it is over rated. It hasn't helped me avoid traffic yet. You can get traffic on a T2 for $60 (with no ads) including a 1-yr. subscription. The Garmin doesn't show as many nearby street names, including the street you're on at the time- a problem for me sometimes. The routing also tells me to go where there is horrendous traffic near my house. The T2's intelligent routing is better for me. I'm going to keep both, but again I prefer the TomTom.
Don't buy a garmin. Their support is clearly lacking. I bought the garmin 880 which is their high end unit (very expensive) and it locks up and sometimes won't even come on. I got a recall letter on it and so far they still have not solved the problem. I'm finally frustrated and think I will have to live with it. My next unit will be a Tom Tom.
Just bought a TomTom XL330 AND a garmin nuvi 765 for $219
TomTom had a more accurate estimate of the time. I followed that Garmins Route.. but it kept adding minutes at each stop light... The TomTom held it's course, and was very accurate.. I arrived well after Garmin said I'd be there, and a minute after TomTom said I'd be there... TOMTOM by a mile
TomTom's can be updated... on the device itself! I frequent the same places... and my new garmin 855 was driving me nutz with stuff that wasn't there... I can just add it with tomtom.
new housing developments? add them with tomtom
Now, safety...
Garmin is much easier to see.
TomTom has much much much better audio instructions.
Garmin is down right dangerous. It starts talking right when you are past the decision point to do what it said... and it tells you plans while you are merging and other dangerous stuff...
Tom Tom will tell you to exit in the future.. more often after you are safely on the road and can listen.
Garmin Just talks and talks and talks.
The MAJOR plus of a garmin is that it has a trail log.. breadcrumb feature. that you can see.
TomTom does not have this... This makes editing the maps harder.
So, I reccomend buying a top of the line TomTom, and a super cheap garmin... the garmin can keep a log.. and the TomTom can be used for routing and directions.
I have a 720 and I wanted maps for Australia so I went on the Canadian web site and went to the Maps download guess what its down for repairs, not to much problem except that it has been that way for at least 4 months.
Tom Toms answer is use another country web site guess what your credit card details cannot be entered with the correct Canadian address on any other website except the canadian website ,Tom Toms answer is get credit card from Australia or some other country great How as I dont live there or any where else except Canada
So I bought a garmin much easier to get maps for it
Tom Tom still refuses to even accept that there is a problem as far as there support is concerned
Very useful!
Very useful!
I've just bought a new Tom Tom, so far I'm very happy with it
I got a tomtom for christmas... love it.
Something no one seems to have mentioned is receiver accuracy. Through my work I have had the opportunity to test and compare several makes and have found quite a difference in accuracy. I have not tested TomTom, but have tested Trimble, Magellan, Garmin and USGlobalsat receivers. Compared to the differentially corrected Trimble professional units, I found the USGlobalsat to have 3 to 5 metre error, the Garmin about 10 metres while the Magellan over had 30 metres of error. The 20 channel Sirf III chip used in the USGlobalsat and some garmin units has excellent accuracy. For in-car use, I use IGuidance on my PDA, combined with a USGlobalsat bluetooth receiver.
Volatto says:
2 years ago
The garmin is great, I wouldn't trade it for nothing else.