SatNavs

A

andicole0

Active member
 Tunbridge Wells
I've been asked to get the in-laws a SatNav. They are in their 80's and get worried going places they don't know. I have to say my first reaction was that they ought to stop driving and use public transport but they can't be told! :)

I haven't bought a SatNav for ages but think one with live traffic updates would be better for them. Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the TomTom and Garmin traffic systems are. Do they need mobile phone technology or are they now digital radio based, I prefer the look of the maps on the TomToms but I see good reviews of the Garmin systems.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Andi.
 
I do like the TomTom that my son has but I think I'm homing in how the traffic updates work, the TomTom seems to require a smartphone to be attached but the Garmin uses digital radio, or am I misreading this.

Andi.
 
Hi Andi, I work for TT so hopefully can help you out.

TT Live services includes Traffic, Speed Cams and Local Search (alternative to Google), The traffic service is embedded in the the device and each TT comes with a SIM card built in. This means that traffic data is sent and received without the user having to do anything.
The traffic information comes from a number of sources, but the main one being probe. Probes are the millions of TT devices on the road that relay their travel information back to our traffic centre in Germany, we also have commercial agreements with some mobile phone companies to use their probe information.
The information your own device shares with TT cannot be linked back to an individual, rather it says that this (your) probe was travelling on this section of road and took a total time of xx. Our historical traffic data (some 10+ years) then checks and says either the road is free flowing or there are problems and your journey is slower than expected. This is where you get the alert telling you of a delay and where appropriate an alternative quicker route.

There are some new TT's being launched that can use your phone connection to get the live services, but I would stick with one of the original ones.

In my mind the Go Live 1005 http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/car-navigation/go-live-series/go-live-1005-hdt-m-europe/index.jsp currently offers the best value for money.

Hope this helps

Andy
 
I own a garmin unit, but its rarely used since i got the TomTom app on my iphone.

Imo the tomtom maps are easier to understand and use, and entering the navigate on tomtom is more intuitive then the garmin goto menu.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
 
Tomtom app via the iPhone for me.

Covers the whole of Europe and the US... I find them great maps and very easy to use...
 
Hi Guys, I'm going to resurrect this thread as my wifes Sat Nav has failed, I think it was cooked in recent weeks left in the car. I did get my in-laws a TomTom 1005 and they are still a bit warey of it (they are 85+).

I see the latest models have lifetime maps and traffic, both the TomTom 6000 and the Garmin 3598 (3597 when not from Halfords). I know and quite like the TomTom series but have seen poor reviews of the 6000 (Halfords and Amazon) but they seem a bit picky for a normal car user to worry about. The Garmin though is probably older and maybe not as technical and has things people say are missing from the 6000. Surely POI is not missing from the 6000 as one reviewer said!

Does anyone here (sorry marchantsuk) have anything really good to say about Garmin that could change my mind away from TomTom.

Cheers.

Andi.
 
i originally got my Garmin unit over a Tom Tom as i found the menu easier to use (but then my previous Pioneer headunit used Gamin maps)

Whenever i go to america the nav's the hire cars give me are Garmin - i guess Garmin are more popular there.

However Tom Tom on the iphone is flawless and easy to use for me!
 
I'd wait on buying the a new model TomTom as they're known for removing features from the previous version, promising those features will be added in a future software update, and then not bothering!

I'm still waiting for the proper itinerary planning function to be reinstated on my TT1005 after 2 years of waiting. I normally upgrade every 3 years, but unless TT stop pissing about, then this will be the last one I'm buying.

Also watch out for some of the 'free' Traffic offers as there are two units. One is about £100 more expensive and has a built in SIM to download traffic info (for whichever country you're in). The cheaper model uses a wireless connection to your phone to do the same, which is not an issue in the UK, but will/may uncur unwanted data charges when used abroad.
 
Had a Garmin in the US this summer, supplied by the hire company. Was a complete bag of crap - addresses not found, towns and roads missing, kept freezing, then resetting. Ended up buying Tomtom for the US and Canada and a mounting kit for my iPhone, worked perfectly every time.

Incidentally, got a refund on the Garmin from the hire company and a "you're not the first to complain about them" response.

Definitely put me off Garmin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom