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Tomtom models & opinions?

13 years ago

This is a crosspost; I also posted at Electronics Forum

Hi - I'm finally going to buy a GPS. I think I've decided on Tomtom vs Garmin, although not for any real discernable reason. If you think I should go with Garmin, please tell me, why, and preferred models.

What about the Tomtom models? There are so many to choose from and I'm a little lost. Here is my wish list and things I don't care so much about:

- Less than $200 (much less than $200 would be great)

- Excellent navigation (natch)

- Spoken street names a plus

- Voice address entry a plus

- Easy setup; preferably out-of-the-box

- Automatic recalculation

- Don't care about Bluetooth

- Don't care about MP3s

- Don't are about FM integration

- Not sure what else to mention ...

Thoughts and advice?

Thanks so much!

Suzieque

Comments (8)

Georgysmom
13 years ago
My son travels a lot and always gets a car with a GPS. He has used them all and says the Garmin is by far the most user friendly.
bigfoot_liz
13 years ago
for a regular person using a GPS i don't think it matters between tomtom & garmin brands. i have a garmin, 1350T i think. if you were using this for sales work or truck hauling that's different, the more expensive the better, BTW i do logistics and ship over $1mil a month.

i got the garmin because honestly i work w/ 3 sales people & up to 10 drivers w/ semi's, who cover from VA to TX and got their advice. the model i got is 4.3" screen, reconfigures routes in 2-3 seconds, has lifetime traffic and maps and was an awesome deal last black friday @ target. THE most important feature to me (any sales person or driver too) is the reconfigering, if you change routes and don't follow their route it neeeds to reset and cheap models take time. when i'm driving i'm not pulling over for GPS to take a minute to figure out what i am doing.

mine was $175 black friday, i got the last one that day at that store LOL. the regular price is $250. ~ liz
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liljunkr
13 years ago
Most are pre-loaded with maps of North America and Canada you have to ask if there are any others available if you plan to drive in Central AM (Mexico isn't N AM), S AM., PR or Europe.
Traffic update subscription.
Most offer POINTs of Interest: POIs over millions you might like tht if you are traveling for fun and adventures.
Free Updrades to new maps free is a new plus only some models have.
Routing options: scenic, shortest, trucks, economic (gas saving), least time (not always the mileage shortest go figure).
Get new not re manufactured for better options to get a good one first time. The re manufactured are really not very good and have a limited warranty.
The last thing I can think of is make sure you get a DC vehicle charger, an AC charger and a USB charger. All three options is best so you know you'll have a way to charge it any where.
I have an old Garmin330 the minimal cost of upgrading the maps was fine, voices get a bit snippy and annoy me when I know the route I want and don't take the one they recommend.I haven't gotten lost in a long time now.
LIL
zeetera
13 years ago
Bought a TomTom a few months ago. Hated it, returned it and got a Garmin. Love the Garmin (& it was under $200).
whidbeykathy
13 years ago
After your first year, you have to pay renewal with TomTom to get updates. Ours was very basic, and didn't give traffic jam alerts, detours or road closures.
Check all of that when you buy one, or you may end up in the "general area" of wher you wanted to go! Ask me how I know this : )
workoutlady
13 years ago
Garmain is better in my opinion. My daughter has a garmain and I have a tomtom. I like hers better but the tomtom isn't bad. It is nothing fancy. It doesn't list the detours and such but where I'm at there's no real traffic.
joann23456
13 years ago
Check out the Garmin Nuvi 1300. On the Walmart site, it has a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 425 people. It has similarly good ratings on Amazon and elsewhere. Walmart has it for $117.00.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garmin Nuvi 1300 at Walmart
suzieque
Original Author
13 years ago
Well thank you! I knew I could count on you. I'll go armed with this info and let you know what I come back with.

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