View Poll Results: What manufacturer make the best navigation system?
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll
Best aftermarket GPS Navigation Systems
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 745
Likes: 1
From: California
Woooo, I drooled at that one. TomTom GO 720 GPS, wow. Looks very impressive and has a nice, thin, and sleek interface too. Voice recognition, whew. I think I'm going to go with that one. With the features it has, looks to be very expensive too. I hope it's not around $800, lol.
Here's more on it:
http://www.tomtom.com/news/category....&NID=367&Lid=4
The more I read about it, the more I want it. This one is mine when it comes out by the end of July...I just hope softare works with Windows Vista. I'm sure it will since this is brand spanking new.
Here's more on it:
http://www.tomtom.com/news/category....&NID=367&Lid=4
The more I read about it, the more I want it. This one is mine when it comes out by the end of July...I just hope softare works with Windows Vista. I'm sure it will since this is brand spanking new.
I have a Garmin as well. No problems with at all. I'm actually thinking about giving it to a friend of mine and having an aftermarket in-dash model installed. I kinda want to avoid the clutter around the windshield since I want a radar detector too.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 745
Likes: 1
From: California
The in dash model is what I like too. That was my first choice but I was asking arond for one and there isn't any available for our cars 
.
Im' glad there aren't monthly fees for directions at least. I always assumed since it's linking up with the satellites, you have to pay for access.
.Im' glad there aren't monthly fees for directions at least. I always assumed since it's linking up with the satellites, you have to pay for access.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
The in dash model is what I like too. That was my first choice but I was asking arond for one and there isn't any available for our cars .
Im' glad there aren't monthly fees for directions at least. I always assumed since it's linking up with the satellites, you have to pay for access.
.Im' glad there aren't monthly fees for directions at least. I always assumed since it's linking up with the satellites, you have to pay for access.
For TomTom, there is either a RDS traffic antenna (not yet available in the US) or you can get traffic via your cellphone (GPRS then bluetooth to the TomTom) and for now, it's free til November.
Not only does it tell you traffic (and the delay), it'll tell you what *type* of traffic jam it is.. whether it's simply heavy traffic, road construction, lane closure, accident etc. It'll also give road conditions (snow, fog, wind). Can the Garmin do that?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
The new GO 720 will have more features (4.3" screen) and is slimmer than the ONE (so that's < 1" thick) so I would wait for that one instead.
I urge you to take a look
http://www.tomtom.com/news/category....367&Language=4
I was debating between a Garmin and a TomTom myself last year. I went with the ONE because it was small, slim, cheap and portable and had a nicer user interface.
Edit: Here's the link to that in-dash unit I was talking about in the previous post (Eclipse)
http://www.tomtom.com/news/category....007&Language=4
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 745
Likes: 1
From: California
Yeah, I read that article when you mentined the new Go 720. I may very well go with that version when it comes out. It will have fresh maps too which makes it a worthy purchase.
That second article can really make you a believer that TomTom is truly the number manufacturer for GPS Nav systems. The good thing is that they're all coming out like almost right now in the summer.
The thing I love about the new TomTom as compared to all the other Nav system is that it's tons sleeker and more powerful at the same time. I go for looks too and it would definitely be a nice edition to the IS. I'm already looking forward on getting the TomTom. I'll have to look at pricing and more in depth feature of the In-Dash version before I can make a final decision between the Go 720 vs the in dash model.
Is TomTom a new company? Because a lot of people seem to know Garmin a whole lot more.
That second article can really make you a believer that TomTom is truly the number manufacturer for GPS Nav systems. The good thing is that they're all coming out like almost right now in the summer.
The thing I love about the new TomTom as compared to all the other Nav system is that it's tons sleeker and more powerful at the same time. I go for looks too and it would definitely be a nice edition to the IS. I'm already looking forward on getting the TomTom. I'll have to look at pricing and more in depth feature of the In-Dash version before I can make a final decision between the Go 720 vs the in dash model.
Is TomTom a new company? Because a lot of people seem to know Garmin a whole lot more.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 7
From: The Round Rock ,TX
I have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and I think it's a very good nav system, it's very accurate, text to speech, mp3 player, currency converter, and other feature's with it. I was able to use it recently on a road trip from Texas to Ohio and back and never once got lost.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
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From: none
However, I heard about TomTom from Fifth Gear. Jon Bentley tested a bunch of nav systems over in Europe and the ONE (1st gen) was his no. 1 pick. So I decided to check it out, especially since the 2nd gen ONE just came out (last August). I saw it was slicker, pocket-sized and most importantly, slim. The GO 510/910 and the Garmin C320/330 had the bulge like a CRT TV and I figured that would be troublesome to carry around without some sort of pouch.
Another reason is that Garmin uses Navteq and TomTom uses TeleAtlas for their North American maps. A lot of people swear by Navteq (even Google Maps uses it) for North America. In Europe, the reverse is true where TeleAtlas is thought to be better than Navteq. Naturally, the reason is that Navteq is a North American company and TeleAtlas is a European company.
While I admit I have a few issues with my map version (from summer 2006), I've heard lots of praises from the new January 2007 maps, which will no doubt be loaded in the GO 720.
Also note there are two versions of maps for TomTom. North_America is 1.4GB and USA_and_Canada is 850ish MB. The NA map is for the upper models and the USA_and_Canada map is for those with the 1GB flash drives. Obviously the NA map is better (more detail, features, POIs etc) so go for the upper models.
On my ONE, I can play movies and games too. Someone with the GO 910 had HD movies
cause it comes with a 20GB harddrive.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Depends. I have the v660.1215 (last summer) and they're ok. The new v665 ones suck in my area cause nothing was changed but others have said it's a slight improvement (mostly in the US). However, we all agree that the v675 (January 2007) is the best set so hopefully that's the version you get.
Here's a review of the TomTom ONE headlined:
Verdict: Almost Perfect. Too Bad About the Mapping Data
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/09/r...tomtom_one.php
Punch line:
12. The Good
Best looking GPS we've ever tested. This is a highly designed product that exudes elegance
SiRF's high performance GPS receiver results in outstanding signal quality, even in challenging environments
Windshield mount is much improved over previous TomTom mounts
Priced under $500
Good quality speaker
Excellent voice quality during navigation instructions (voice prompts)
Loads of configurable options - virtually every aspect of the ONE can be customized
Nicest looking user interface in the industry
Lots of available voices to choose from
Broad language support
Supports multi-destination routing (itinerary planning)
13. The Bad
Tele Atlas mapping data (In the USA)
Slow CPU results in occasional sluggishness when navigating menus
Shorter than average battery life (2 hours)
Instruction manual only covers the basics. Does not explain all the features of the ONE
Carrying case not included (can be purchased for $19.95)
No text to speech (does not read street names aloud)
Extremely limited bluetooth phone support
Non-existent URL's referenced in the included documentation
14. Conclusion
Clearly TomTom has put a lot of R&D into the ONE. In developing the ONE, TomTom focused on the customer who is concerned chiefly with navigation, and does not want an MP3 player, a picture viewer, or a hands-free speakerphone. That pretty much describes me to a tee, so I thought the ONE and me were going to get along great. Unfortunately, TomTom has chosen Tele Atlas as its mapping data provider. Here in the United States, NAVTEQ (the larger competitor to Tele Atlas) has more accurate and complete maps. It's no coincidence that Garmin, Magellan, Yahoo, Google, and MSN all use NAVTEQ.
The ONE is a beautiful device that's small enough to keep with you at all times. The interface is nice looking and easy to use. The voice prompts sound like a human being and not a computer. The included windshield mount works well and keeps the ONE solidly in place and vibration free while driving. With so much going for it, I couldn't help being frustrated with the Tele Atlas maps. In my rigorous testing, the ONE simply didn't have the addresses of many locations that other NAVTEQ-powered GPS units did.
I also felt TomTom should have thrown in the carrying case as part of the package. Garmin includes a leather carrying case on their nuvi line, and the ONE is similar in size. Battery life was less than average on the ONE, and the CPU felt slightly underpowered when navigating menus, but was acceptable when navigating. The major disappointment with the ONE is the choice of Tele Atlas for mapping data. Tele Atlas is not the best-of-breed mapping provider for North America (NAVTEQ is). Were it not for fact that the ONE uses Tele Atlas maps in North America, I would easily declare the ONE the Editor's Choice. It's worth noting that the European version of the ONE does use NAVTEQ maps, but here in the U.S. we're stuck with Tele Atlas.
TomTom is clearly an innovative company focused on bringing elegance, usability, and leading edge technology to the masses at an affordable price. Priced at under $400, the TomTom ONE has raised the bar on what we can expect as consumers. It's no wonder TomTom's market share and stock price are skyrocketing. Unfortunately, the mapping data is such a critical element of a GPS, for around $400 I feel you'd be better off buying a Magellan RoadMate 2200T or Garmin StreetPilot c530.
Best looking GPS we've ever tested. This is a highly designed product that exudes elegance
SiRF's high performance GPS receiver results in outstanding signal quality, even in challenging environments
Windshield mount is much improved over previous TomTom mounts
Priced under $500
Good quality speaker
Excellent voice quality during navigation instructions (voice prompts)
Loads of configurable options - virtually every aspect of the ONE can be customized
Nicest looking user interface in the industry
Lots of available voices to choose from
Broad language support
Supports multi-destination routing (itinerary planning)
13. The Bad
Tele Atlas mapping data (In the USA)
Slow CPU results in occasional sluggishness when navigating menus
Shorter than average battery life (2 hours)
Instruction manual only covers the basics. Does not explain all the features of the ONE
Carrying case not included (can be purchased for $19.95)
No text to speech (does not read street names aloud)
Extremely limited bluetooth phone support
Non-existent URL's referenced in the included documentation
14. Conclusion
Clearly TomTom has put a lot of R&D into the ONE. In developing the ONE, TomTom focused on the customer who is concerned chiefly with navigation, and does not want an MP3 player, a picture viewer, or a hands-free speakerphone. That pretty much describes me to a tee, so I thought the ONE and me were going to get along great. Unfortunately, TomTom has chosen Tele Atlas as its mapping data provider. Here in the United States, NAVTEQ (the larger competitor to Tele Atlas) has more accurate and complete maps. It's no coincidence that Garmin, Magellan, Yahoo, Google, and MSN all use NAVTEQ.
The ONE is a beautiful device that's small enough to keep with you at all times. The interface is nice looking and easy to use. The voice prompts sound like a human being and not a computer. The included windshield mount works well and keeps the ONE solidly in place and vibration free while driving. With so much going for it, I couldn't help being frustrated with the Tele Atlas maps. In my rigorous testing, the ONE simply didn't have the addresses of many locations that other NAVTEQ-powered GPS units did.
I also felt TomTom should have thrown in the carrying case as part of the package. Garmin includes a leather carrying case on their nuvi line, and the ONE is similar in size. Battery life was less than average on the ONE, and the CPU felt slightly underpowered when navigating menus, but was acceptable when navigating. The major disappointment with the ONE is the choice of Tele Atlas for mapping data. Tele Atlas is not the best-of-breed mapping provider for North America (NAVTEQ is). Were it not for fact that the ONE uses Tele Atlas maps in North America, I would easily declare the ONE the Editor's Choice. It's worth noting that the European version of the ONE does use NAVTEQ maps, but here in the U.S. we're stuck with Tele Atlas.
TomTom is clearly an innovative company focused on bringing elegance, usability, and leading edge technology to the masses at an affordable price. Priced at under $400, the TomTom ONE has raised the bar on what we can expect as consumers. It's no wonder TomTom's market share and stock price are skyrocketing. Unfortunately, the mapping data is such a critical element of a GPS, for around $400 I feel you'd be better off buying a Magellan RoadMate 2200T or Garmin StreetPilot c530.
Last edited by bitkahuna; Jul 14, 2007 at 08:29 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Not even close in North America at least.
Here's a review of the TomTom ONE headlined:
Verdict: Almost Perfect. Too Bad About the Mapping Data
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/09/r...tomtom_one.php
Punch line:
Here's a review of the TomTom ONE headlined:
Verdict: Almost Perfect. Too Bad About the Mapping Data
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/09/r...tomtom_one.php
Punch line:
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Norway
