Tom Tom, Garmin or other?

[rykard]

Hi,
we currently have a garmin 310, we are looking to replace it with another unit that will allow us to download routes. Whoch would be best? Garmin used to have the better sat coverage but is that still the case? Tom Tom seems to have better advertising but are they better? Are there any other makes I should be considering?

Are there any websites that give good reviews/comparisons?

cheers
Rich

[shandyman]

Personally I prefer Garmin - I find them far more reliable and accurate, and there is that 'Hoover' thing with TomTom's where they are made more popular because the name is synonymous with satellite navigation. But saying that the new GO1000 series TomTom's that have just been released are nice...

I would recommend having a look at the Garmin 1490T or 1690T along with the GO1000 Series TomTom's as a good starting point before you tailor your choice based on what you want from the unit.

Hope this helps!

[waremark]

Tomtoms certainly have good satellite reception and good accuracy. I like my TT Go 950 Live, but I suspect there is not much to choose between the two leading brands. Some other brands undoubtedly make good devices; personally, however, I am rather risk averse and so would choose one of the leading brands.

[MEATANDCHEESE]

Bought my TT IQ Routes in May this year and have sent it back THREE times for repair before finally demanding a new replacement or my money back.

This one has yet to be used in the car but seems ok and not immediately freezing or refusing to start at all.

Each unit they sent back was a "refurbished unit" !!

I do enjoy the functionality of the TT when it works.

[FlossyThePig]

Non specific reviews I have read comment that Navteq (Garmin) update their maps more frequently so are usually more up to date.

[shandyman]

MEATANDCHEESE said:

Bought my TT IQ Routes in May this year and have sent it back THREE times for repair before finally demanding a new replacement or my money back.

This one has yet to be used in the car but seems ok and not immediately freezing or refusing to start at all.

Each unit they sent back was a "refurbished unit" !!

I do enjoy the functionality of the TT when it works.

THIS is the problem with TomTom... abysmal after sales service.

[vetteheadracer]

I've got a very old TomTom One Europe and it is the best SatNav ever IMHO.
It does itinerary files, you can load up maps of the USA, Australia etc onto an SD card and it is utterly brilliant. Recently did a 4,800 mile trip across the USA with it, did a trip around Western Australia at Xmas and a 9 day trip around Europe in Sept which was using Itinerary files and it was by far the best satnav compared with newer versions of TomTom and way better than the Garmans.

[shandyman]

I agree, the older TomToms are BY FAR the best, especially since they stopped putting SD card slots on the units. My old GO700 is still going strong...

[Charmless man]

PS3 or XBox?

I've used a Tom Tom one and a Garmin Nuvi. Personally I prefer the Garmin. I find it quicker to update and more accurate with it's eta times. I bought mine about 18 months ago with european mapping for £80-£90 quid from Amazon. Can't fault it.