Garmin vs Tomtom

[hrhofmann@att.net]

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone
have any experience with both units that can state a preference. Also,
I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a
lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

<hrhofmann@att.net> wrote in message
news:7d2c6c50-f036-464e-ae73-84f9acd481c5@n6g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does
anyone have any experience with both units that can state a preference?
Also, I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially,
a lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.

Actually, the "lifetime update" (for Garmin) applies only until the hardware
becomes obsolete, or the map data is supplied in a form that the unit can't
handle. This could be one years, or 20 years.

I have the Garmin 3790, which I got on sale at Costco. Terrific product, but
the software has some surprising rough edges that should have been "sanded
down" years ago. I suspect the TomTom isn't much better or worse.

One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount,
which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield
suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.)

 

[Rich Webb]

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

hrhofmann@att.net> wrote in message
news:7d2c6c50-f036-464e-ae73-84f9acd481c5@n6g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does
anyone have any experience with both units that can state a preference?
Also, I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially,
a lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.

Actually, the "lifetime update" (for Garmin) applies only until the hardware
becomes obsolete, or the map data is supplied in a form that the unit can't
handle. This could be one years, or 20 years.

I have the Garmin 3790, which I got on sale at Costco. Terrific product, but
the software has some surprising rough edges that should have been "sanded
down" years ago. I suspect the TomTom isn't much better or worse.

One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount,
which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield
suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.)

I'm happy with my Garmin 765T. They put out map updates about four times
per year and the updates do seem worthwhile. For example, many more
limited access highway intersections now have what they call "photo
real" views of the layout with signage, ramps, overpasses, and your
intended lane(s) marked. It's parameterized, I'm sure, but it does a
remarkable job. I'd guess it's three years old by now but. Just loaded
the last 2011 update a couple of weeks ago.

WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style.
Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Peter Hill]

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb
<bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount,
which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield
suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.)

WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style.
Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps.

Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't
work.

It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place?

As for having something loose in the car. I have to bat apples away
from my face after they get loose from a shopping bag on the passenger
seat and start bounding around inside the car.
--
Peter Hill
Spamtrap reply domain as per NNTP-Posting-Host in header
Can of worms - what every fisherman wants.
Can of worms - what every PC owner gets!

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Peter Hill" <peter.usenet1@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hbhtc7lpoir9rice2qqfdi3piadc36t04i@4ax.com...

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb
bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:
On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash
mount,
which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield
suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the
TomTom.)

WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style.
Keeps in reach for Bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps.

Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't
work.

So does mine, and the mount works perfectly. It doesn't have suction feet.
It's a bean bag with a rough rubber sole.

It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place?

Friction between the rubber bottom and the dash.

 

[Archon]

On 11/24/2011 11:25 AM, hrhofmann@att.net wrote:

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone
have any experience with both units that can state a preference. Also,
I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a
lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.
I bought the Magellan Roadmate with free lifetime map updates plus a

bigger screen to replace a TomTom that wanted $80 for a map update. (The
TomTom was excellent by the way). First thing I noticed was the Magellan
does not have the "avoid toll road option", second thing I noticed it
doesn't know how to get anywhere! It tried to make a 20 minute detour on
freeways to get to my house which was 1/2 mile away,(most use of
freeways), on the "least use of freeways" option it took me along
country roads for an hour. Totally useless. there seems to be no logic
to the routes it chooses. In NJ I hate toll roads so that is a
significant requirement for me.
JC

 

[Rich Webb]

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:39:19 +0000, Peter Hill
<peter.usenet1@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb
bbew.ar@mapson.nozirev.ten> wrote:

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount,
which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield
suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.)

WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style.
Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps.

Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't
work.

It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place?

Here also, the usual pebble-grain vinyl. Mine is an older model of this
<https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=63953> that I used with an
older Garmin. The feet bottoms have the soft, high-friction stuff that
looks sort of like velvet; I believe that a similar material is used as
a drawer liner. No suction, just friction. It *will* slide off given
enough acceleration or, I suppose, if I tried jumping the Snake River
Canyon but in normal driving it just sits in place quite nicely.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[Jeffrey Angus]

On 11/25/2011 5:40 AM, Bruce Esquibel wrote:

Keep in mind the usefulness of stand-alone gps units is in a decline with
the advent of the cell phones and tables that have gps in them.

That's like saying screwdrivers and knives are in decline because of
Swiss Army knives.

I doubt if either company is going to tank soon, but it's sort of like being
in the horseshoe business with Ford building the model T plant down the
road.

Stand along GPS/mapping units aren't in the same category as buggy
whips. They certainly do a better job at being GPS units then the
try to do everything under the sun iPads.

Jeff


--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"

 

[Bruce Esquibel]

hrhofmann@att.net <hrhofmann@att.net> wrote:

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone
have any experience with both units that can state a preference. Also,
I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a
lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.

Which is something to reckon with.

Keep in mind the usefulness of stand-alone gps units is in a decline with
the advent of the cell phones and tables that have gps in them. That and
even economy cars have some built-in option these days, although expensive.

I doubt if either company is going to tank soon, but it's sort of like being
in the horseshoe business with Ford building the model T plant down the
road.

-bruce
bje@ripco.com

 

[Tim Schwartz]

On 11/24/2011 11:25 AM, hrhofmann@att.net wrote:

I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone
have any experience with both units that can state a preference. Also,
I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a
lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business.

Good morning all,

I've got a Garmin 1490T (T= traffic report receiver) which I'm quite
happy with. That said, any of the 3 major brands (Garmin, TomTom or
Magellian) are likely to be just fine. I would have a look at the user
interface, and see which you like best.

I would consider any of these a 5-7 year device at best. At some point
the internal battery will die, or some other failure will occur, or
you'll just loose the darn thing. Or the new ones will be so much
better that you'll want one.

I've found the dedicated navigation unit far superior to ones on
phones, and much more economical than ones built into cars, especially
if you have several cars in your family.

As another point against built in units, Auto manufacturers charge
obscene amounts for updates. I had a friend whose dealer quoted $700
for the new DVD set for his 2005 car. Almost as offensive as charging
$500 for a USB interface, which likely cost them about $6.00. ($99
radios have them built in.)

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics