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Garmin vs. Magellan GPS
patrickl:
--- Quote from: Level42 on December 27, 2008, 03:27:42 pm ---Both suck. Get a TomTom.
:laugh:
--- End quote ---
Indeed. Not sure how important this is in the US, but Map Share is pretty handy (gives you very recent map updates). GPS reception is also something where the Garmins usually lose in tests. Again, this might not be much of an issue in the US (unless you want to drive through a city). TomTom can be configured to your wishes better, but some see this as a problem and claim that they rather not have the option of tweaking the device. Never understood that one. Maybe because it keeps the menu cleaner or something. I have seen a Garmin (forgot which model) and I noticed how sparce the display was filled. It didn't even show all the streets until you were really close. Like it was missing the processing power to handle the graphics.
TomTom also has lane guidance, IQ routes (map has a record of the average road speed per time of day for accurate arrival time prediction) and HD traffic info (speeds calculated from cell phone locations used to measure delays in traffic jams). But yet again, I would guess that these more advanced features only work well in Europe.
I have never seen a Magellan navigation device.
It depends on what you want. I have my GPS on at all times (even if I know the way). It warns me of traffic jams, I know what time I will arrive, it warns me of speed camera's and mobile speed traps. So I want it to do a lot. If you just want to use it occasionally then probably just about any device will work.
Level42:
--- Quote from: patrickl on December 27, 2008, 06:53:55 pm ---TomTom can be configured to your wishes better, but some see this as a problem and claim that they rather not have the option of tweaking the device. Never understood that one.
--- End quote ---
Pat, as long as I keep seeing countless people driving at night with their TomTom set on daylight colors and brightness (i.e. they are too STUPID to actually find the nightview option, which doesn't blind you when driving in the dark) I can understand that.
The TomTom is like the iPod under the MP3 players. It works straight away, and if you have more than one braincell you're able to operate it without any manual reading within seconds....
I've read that they didn't use the best maps for the US and that might be hindering them, but I used my TomTom when I was in the US and it worked absolutely fine.
O, and don't forget that it's not a US product. That's pretty important :)
But I did see them on display at some locations when I was overthere and they're not doing bad. Guess the weak dollar is not helping TomTom now.......
shmokes:
I'm under the impression that Garmin units are generally reviewed better than Tomtom units in the U.S. That could be nonsense, but it's the general impression I've got in my head.
patrickl:
--- Quote from: shmokes on December 28, 2008, 09:49:14 pm ---I'm under the impression that Garmin units are generally reviewed better than Tomtom units in the U.S. That could be nonsense, but it's the general impression I've got in my head.
--- End quote ---
It's probably mostly what you are used too. TomTom has been market leader here since they started and Garmin has been so in the US. Garmin always has been quick to follow all of TomTom's innovations so there isn't much between these units either. I'd also guess the exchange rate is working against TomTom, but that would be the same in europe and here Garmin devices still get rated significantly lower than TomTom.
DaOld Man:
My son got me a TomTom and I like it.
Only tested it out on a known route but it is pretty neat. Cant wait to take it on vacation. :)
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