Which Satnav?

Richard53

I've had both TomTom and Garmin, although I haven't bought a new one for several years. So, bearing in mind this opinion may be out of date by now:

TomToms are well-designed and intuitive, easy to use straight out of the box, but not very customisable.

Garmins are less intuitive, but more capable (for example, planning a route in Google Maps and transferring it to the unit, saving breadcrumb trails etc).

It depends on how techy you feel about it - a bit like the difference between Apple and Android products.

I can vouch for TomTom durability. Mine is now 8 years old, has done tens of thousands of miles in the car and survived two trips round Europe strapped to the top of a motorbike, with only a ziploc bag for weatherproofing. It still works perfectly, although the battery is shot. My next satnav will probably be a waterproof Garmin for the bike.

You won't go wrong with either.

Warning: if you have stored favourite locations on your TomTom, upgrading your map will wipe them out. TT don't warn you of this, and they should.

boatman

http://www.satnav-discounts.co.uk/satnavgps/

molerat

Richard53 wrote: »

Warning: if you have stored favourite locations on your TomTom, upgrading your map will wipe them out. TT don't warn you of this, and they should.

Only sometimes. To prevent this, before updating open up in windows explorer, go into the map file, make a copy of MapSettings.cfg which will then be named MapSettings-Copy.cfg (or just copy it off to your computer). Update the map, go back in, delete the new MapSettings.cfg and rename the old copy to MapSettings.cfg (or copy it back from your computer). All your settings and favourites are then saved.

The problem with the new 2013 range TTs is that you can not add third party POIs and speed camera databases, a real omission IMO, you are stuck with what TT give you. My old TT has a range of third party POIs (you can make and edit the files yourself if you wish), speed cameras, height indication and an auto day/night setting. None of these can be added if not already available on the new models. Garmin currently seems much more user friendly.

DigForVictory

TomTom user and advocate for raw simplicity.

MWH has a small point - what if he wants to use a satnav & you & your mobile are elsewhere (also it's living hell on the battery, and without a good app, pretty rough on the driver.)

Me, I'd be buying the lifetime map variant of a tomtom as mine is still going strong after 8 years & savage abuse, but the try before you buy If Possible advice certainly holds!

coastday

DigForVictory wrote: »

MWH has a small point - what if he wants to use a satnav & you & your mobile are elsewhere (also it's living hell on the battery, and without a good app, pretty rough on the driver.)

This is what put me off using a smartphone for sat nav. I tried with my Nexus 4 and previous HTC phone on many occasions and even though the display and instructions were fine, about three hours into a journey I would get an error like 'Unfortunately Navigation has stopped' or the screen would go to sleep and not come back (even though the audio instructions continued).

I tried all sorts on both phones (different apps, Android versions, factory resets) and made sure as little was running in the background as possible, but in my experience it seemed to work much better on shorter journeys.

poppasmurf_bewdley

molerat wrote: »

The problem with the new 2013 range TTs is that you can not add third party POIs and speed camera databases, a real omission IMO, you are stuck with what TT give you. My old TT has a range of third party POIs (you can make and edit the files yourself if you wish), speed cameras, height indication and an auto day/night setting. None of these can be added if not already available on the new models. Garmin currently seems much more user friendly.

I wasn't aware of this, and it means I will not buy another TomTom, as I'm a user of the excellent
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/
which is a fantastic selection of POI's and a speed camera database which is far superior to what TT offer, and at a much better price.

bluedrop

DigForVictory wrote: »

TomTom user and advocate for raw simplicity.

MWH has a small point - what if he wants to use a satnav & you & your mobile are elsewhere (also it's living hell on the battery, and without a good app, pretty rough on the driver.)

MWH has a iphone4. the car has mobile chargers. Also, he is planning to buy a iphone6 as soon as it comes. Still wants to spend £100+ for a satnav. Beyond me !! :money: Ok -forget it. I agreed to buy a satnav already - no point cribbing now.

Thanks for the inputs everyone. Much appreciated.

We've nearly decided to buy Tomtom Via 130 EU one. MWH needs a few more days to think and confirm.

bluedrop

Forgive my ignorance, but whats this speed camera database? What does it have to do with a tomtom?

poppasmurf_bewdley

bluedrop wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance, but whats this speed camera database? What does it have to do with a tomtom?

Speed Camera Databases are what you put on your SatNav, and they warn when you are approaching a speed camera. They are usually updated regularly. A very useful addition to any SatNav.

skivenov

I've worked all over the country for year and had them all, or travelled with someone who has, at one point or another. I used to say I wouldn't have anything but a TomTom, now I prefer Google Maps on my phone.