TomTom vs Garmin

[MikeS]

Hi folks, can anyone tell me which sat nav IS the better or is it a matter of taste. I have read conflicting reports on the: Garmin zumo and the TomTom. I look forward to reading any answers. Mike.

[Moorso]

Hi Mike

I cannot give you a comparative view, but can tell you about the TomTom (Rider 40) that I have.

The TomTom device is chunky (in a good way) and one of the main reasons I got it was for the free lifetime Europe maps (I am unsure if Garmin do the same).

The TomTom easily interfaces with my laptop at home and I use 'Tyre' to compile pre-palned routes (Tyre is also used by Garmin, so there is cross-over there).

The TomTom has a clear and easy to use/understand display, as well as nighttime colours which I have found useful on the bike. The feature[s] I liked on the TomTom was the ability to specify a twisty route or very twisty route or simply the quickest (usually main roads), so there's scope there. It also has a sloped/hills/mountains option.

I would, though, say that these sorts of things are now, in my opinion, like most modern 'adventure' type bikes. The performance now is pretty level, it comes down to personal choice and which interface agrees with you.

[misterlaffer]

Hi folks, can anyone tell me which sat nav IS the better or is it a matter of taste. I have read conflicting reports on the: Garmin zumo and the TomTom. I look forward to reading any answers. Mike.

I have owned the previous incarnation of the TomTom Rider (Urban variety) for about 5 years and on the whole been very happy with it. That said, many people swear by the Garmin's - but from what I have read it's mostly about personal taste, and it's what you get used to using (route planning software, screen layout etc). Each solution requires a certain amount of user understanding too, it's a fallacy you can just switch on, load a route and go for a trouble free ride as you need to learn how to operate the thing first e.g how to 'kill or skip' waypoints, how to load a new itinery, how to plot and download a route etc etc.

I too would like an answer to this from someone who has actually owned and used both systems (new TomTom vs one of the Garmins).

[Sleepy]

I've never used a Tom Tom GPS, but others in work have, and they seem to work perfectly well, plotting a route from A to B, as good as the Garmin units I used.

The main reason I prefer Garmin is the availability of Garmin's own off line mapping program, enabling me to create my own routes, no matter how complicated they are.

[Tourider]

Traditionally Tom Tom were the most user friendly, you could pick it up and intuitively select a route from day one. Tom Tom displays were always better too. Garmin used to score highly on off-line route planning. I've now got the new Tom Tom 400 and think they've improved on all their traditional strengths and have really caught up in the clever, off-line planning area but they're that close it's still down to personal choice between Garmin and Tom Tom.

[scutty]

TomTom for the road - Garmin for the adventure

(fancy way of saying I think Garmin is better for offroad)

[MikeS]

Many thanks for your replys, I feel I need one after my lasts trips riding through over seas big towns and cities!!

[bimota]

hi,
i had a TOMTOM rider 2nd edition, was awfull, sold it and now have a GARMIN 390LM what a difference.

my 2 pence worth.

Rob

[Alan29]

Can't do a comparison, but the Zumo 390LM has seen me on many trips home and abroad.
Superb bit of kit.

[herman]

I run two, tomtom for roads and Garmin for trails. I find the garmins need some time to get used to and navigate around but once up and running are very good.