Garmin or TomTom?

[ViviTheMage]

I want to get one here in Minnesota. I have a friend who loves his Garmin streetpilot c550.

What I want is :

free map updates
traffic receiver (to give me new routes if traffic is heavy in an area)
removable (to carry around when I am in the woods)
12volt cigarette adapter to power it.
touchscreen = MUST
I dont NEED bluetooth, my phone is bluetooth, but I dont see what it really does to pay the extra for that.

What model should I get of Garmin or TomTom? I have not really heard much about the other brands, I am thinking 250-350$ if possible.

 

[FoBoT]

garmin for two reasons

they are local here in KC
the tomtom, suesue, bobbob, scottscott, commercials are driving me insane

 

[BrokenVisage]

lol, ScottScott do I turn here?

 

[Bootprint]

Forget about the free map updates.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Forget about the free map updates.

how is the up to date traffic stuff? that sounds like a huge ++.

 

[trmiv]

You're not going to get free map updates.

I can't comment on the TomTom's, but I'm very very happy with my Garmin Nuvi 350.

 

[Specop 007]

Garmin. I mean....Dude....Its Garmin.......

 

[Captante]

Garmin makes some very nice units, but I prefer Magellan to both of them.

 

[ultimatebob]

Free map updates for any GPS would be cool. Sounds like a good open source project.

 

[jemcam]

I guess I'm the only one who likes Tomtom. I've had Tomtom5 for my Dell Axim for about 2 years now and I love it!

 

[Fritzo]

My co-worker's mother works for Garmin, and the inside word is Garmin is preparing a lawsuit against TomTom for stealing their patents.

 

[Audiotherapy]

Navtek maps(garmin) > teleatlas(tomtom) for US at least

 

[swtethan]

mikemike

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Captante
Garmin makes some very nice units, but I prefer Magellan to both of them.

My Magellan sucks....their support isn't very good either. I was mad because they don't make half of their units or their software and the support folks don't know anything. I'm hoping one day I'll figure out how to hack my Roadmate and actually make it useful again. I've driven out of my way too many times because the maps aren't accurate. I was trying to find businesses on the map that didn't exist in real life.

Hopefully Garmin or TomTom have more accurate maps.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
My co-worker's mother works for Garmin, and the inside word is Garmin is preparing a lawsuit against TomTom for stealing their patents.

Oooh, time for a little insider trading action! Sweet...

 

[Dacalo]

I did some extensive research when I was looking for a GPS a few months ago. I ended up getting in-dash car unit from Alpine, but I found that:

- All of Garmin units use NavTeq maps, which are more accurate in North America but poor in Europe.

-Majority of TomTom units use TeleAtlas map data, which are less accurate than NavTeq in North America but much better in Europe.

-Some units of TomTom show unstableness, i.e. freezing and not turning on.

-Garmin's interface and menu options tends to be simpler than TomTom units, which could be a plus or minus depending on your needs. I played with my friend's Garmin C320 (?) and I was impressed. The interface looks a bit dated but it was very user friendly.

 

[ViviTheMage]

What Garmin unit should I get within the 250-350 price range?

 

[UNCjigga]

Meh, I like my TomTom Go 300, but then again that's the only one I've used. I'd say go play with each in a store (if u can) and see which interface you like better. Also, I'm pretty sure the North America maps on my TomTom are from NavTeq, but I could be wrong. I think it tells me in the 'Help' section so I'll check it out when I'm back in the car.

Oh and for free map updates, your best (and only?) choice would be VZNavigator from Verizon Wireless on a LG enV phone. I was turned off by GPS phones initially, but after using the enV for a month I was surprised at how usable it was in-car (and its just as accurate as a standalone GPS but much faster at getting a signal). Verizon updates POI and map data on their servers every 30 days I think. They'll probably have updated software with traffic info sometime next year.

 

[shortspanishguy]

I love my Garmin Nuvi 660.

 

[LS20]

both are good but you wont get traffic with neither for 350$. though since you cant get any TT for 350$, go with garmin

 

[Thraxen]

I still use good old Rand McNally.

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: Thraxen
I still use good old Rand McNally.

i tried that but navigating DC and Baltimore was too hard while driving.

 

[ViviTheMage]

What if I bumped my price range to 400-500?

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
What if I bumped my price range to 400-500?

Garmin Nuvi 350, no doubt. Got mine for $488 from amazon two weeks ago. Of course it's only $449 now (isn't that always the way?)

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Thraxen
I still use good old Rand McNally.

i tried that but navigating DC and Baltimore was too hard while driving.

duh:
2 hands on map, kee on steering wheel... standard dc driving

and look up once in a while to see the road (optional)

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I want to get one here in Minnesota. I have a friend who loves his Garmin streetpilot c550.

What I want is :

free map updates
traffic receiver (to give me new routes if traffic is heavy in an area)
removable (to carry around when I am in the woods)
12volt cigarette adapter to power it.
touchscreen = MUST
I dont NEED bluetooth, my phone is bluetooth, but I dont see what it really does to pay the extra for that.

What model should I get of Garmin or TomTom? I have not really heard much about the other brands, I am thinking 250-350$ if possible.

"traffic receiver (to give me new routes if traffic is heavy in an area) "

this exists?! omg.. which unit has it!??! and is it free or subscription?