TeleAtlas versus Navteq
Discussion
Hi folks, I'm currently investigating my options for a GB & Europe Sat Nav purchase, so I thought I'd consult the knowledge base here 
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I'm choosing between TomTom and Garmin. Various pros and cons for each, but my question isn't a "which Sat Nav is best?" but more a "which map is best?" Some use TeleAtlas and some Navteq mapping/engines and reviews just leave me confused, ie. you can easily find "the road wasn't there!" stories about either systems.
So has anyone got back-to-back experience of using both TeleAtlas and Navteq mapped units? Is there a noticeable difference in real world use? Any niceties one has over the other?
...I'm choosing between TomTom and Garmin. Various pros and cons for each, but my question isn't a "which Sat Nav is best?" but more a "which map is best?" Some use TeleAtlas and some Navteq mapping/engines and reviews just leave me confused, ie. you can easily find "the road wasn't there!" stories about either systems.
So has anyone got back-to-back experience of using both TeleAtlas and Navteq mapped units? Is there a noticeable difference in real world use? Any niceties one has over the other?
I've got a TomTom 910 (Navteq) and various Nokia phones running Nokia Maps (TeleAtlas). I do notice variations in how both deal with roads when it comes to junctions, turns and defining which road has priority etc. Example:
My street (street A), joins on to the main road (street B) at a T-junction. Tomtom tells me to turn left (as expected), but Nokia maps tells be to carry on along the road, treating my road as a continuation of the main road (not correct). It's just coincidence that the first time I noticed this was on my own street, but it does pop up a lot.
Not sure if it's a quirk with the map data or with the navigation software itself, but it occasionally gets annoying. Basically, Navteq always responds as one would expect given the road layout, junction priorities etc. but TeleAtlas often describes things wrongly, although the description usually still gets you to the same destination with a little thought on your part
My street (street A), joins on to the main road (street B) at a T-junction. Tomtom tells me to turn left (as expected), but Nokia maps tells be to carry on along the road, treating my road as a continuation of the main road (not correct). It's just coincidence that the first time I noticed this was on my own street, but it does pop up a lot.
Not sure if it's a quirk with the map data or with the navigation software itself, but it occasionally gets annoying. Basically, Navteq always responds as one would expect given the road layout, junction priorities etc. but TeleAtlas often describes things wrongly, although the description usually still gets you to the same destination with a little thought on your part
I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two. I think the differences occur in the interpretation of the map data by the software of the company using it. As far as I know both Garmin and TomTom use Navteq, but each will have minor differences for any given route.
My Garmin doesn't like the junction at the top of my road, preferring to take me on a 2 mile detour to avoid it, but a TomTom unit I recently tried had no problems with it. I am sure the reverse is true on other routes.
My Garmin doesn't like the junction at the top of my road, preferring to take me on a 2 mile detour to avoid it, but a TomTom unit I recently tried had no problems with it. I am sure the reverse is true on other routes.
I think my new TT uses TeleAtlas. I am finding it very accurate, as well as a great device, having just changed from a Garmin Nuvi 660 using Navteq - but I could not say that either one is more accurate than the other in the UK. None of these devices are 100%. I therefore always find it necessary to see the map on screen as well as listening to voice directions.
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