TomTom or Garmin?

[nX07]

I need to choose between a TomTom One 3rd edition and a Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS,

Basically, I don't really mind the models and features, I generally just want the best maps and POI between the services. Furthermore, does either of them have free maps? I know TomTom doesn't really offer free maps, but I heard Garmin does. Is this true?

[racedude]

Yep :) I have a garmin NUVI 680 and I love it, the maps are 3d also. Im not sure about TomTom but I know Garmin has one of the best TTS functions so instead of it saying turn right in 500 yards (do you really know what 500 yards is without looking at the display?) it can say turn right on east eighty-sixth street.

[MrKuro]

I got a tomtom one today on boxing day ... not bad so far, seems to track the car, and give appropriate directions/speed/time. its my first gps, so i have nothing to compare it too.

[brandnewfantx]

TomTom +1 Very user friendly

[bits]

I have a TomTom One 2nd edition.

note the 3rd edition has the sd card slot removed and no bluetooth for downloading live data via your mobile phones data service(traffic, weather, speed camera's etc)

TomTom has:

-a huge userbase and plenty of user created tools and POI files(location depends ofcourse)

-fairly flexible software to allow said programs to do things

-the ability to alter maps on the unit and get alterations from other users and tomtom

-good support for old models(when yours gets old they'll still release maps and software updates)

[Premgenius]

TomTom is the no. 1 GPS

[HilariousNinja]

Tom Tom seems to be the easiest to use as you can simply turn it on and go. I'm not too fond of the Garmin but it does have North American mapping and of course the free maps.

[UnaBonger]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 360 and absolutely love it!

[peacemf]

i have the TOMTOM one, TOMTOM GO, and TOMTOM go 920 .

I had the Sony one, which sucked sooooo bad!

the TOMTOM's are the best, soo easy to use, even my parents (60+ of age) can use it without asking "what do i do now?"

Havent used the Garmin, but if i were you i'd go to tomtom. Its easy and it doesnt get stuck (the Sony one locked up on a trip, had to restart but scared everybody since we were doing 100 and were coming up a turn)....etc...

[kombolcha]

i hate tomtom, maybe because my 910 sucks so much..

I love the nuvi though.. i'd even pick Magellan over tomtom..

[L3thal Veteran]

I've had the Nuvi 350 for over a year and it is awesome. I would go with Garmin, hands down.

[Echilon]

It's personal preference really. I prefer TomTom due to their user friendliness. As far as I know, there's no Yoda voice for the Garmin.

[Joel]

The thing that bugs me about the TomTom unit I have is that it can't seem to believe when you deviate from the chosen course. I've taken exits that weren't part of the route and the map display showed me driving along its route, even though I had curved right in the turn and everything. I find it does a much better job tracking where I am when I don't use the navigation feature, which of course defeats the purpose of the unit.

[Hierophant]

Wait - theres a Yoda voice for the TomTom Text-to-Speech?!

Download and install I must.

[NY1]

I've tried almost every GPS brand on the market (Tomtom, Garmin, Navigon, HP... others..)

My favorite is Tomtom. They have the best user interface and virtually unlimited customizability.

edit - didn't notice this thread was several months old.

[CHALE]

I have the Garmin 250 and I just love it. It works great.

[Hierophant]

I've tried almost every GPS brand on the market (Tomtom, Garmin, Navigon, HP... others..)

My favorite is Tomtom. They have the best user interface and virtually unlimited customizability.

edit - didn't notice this thread was several months old.

Yeah I was looking for some hacks for text to speech and noticed this thread mentioned the Yoda voice.

Thats totally what I'm searching for now. I agree with the usability of the TomToms.

[Sammyinnit]

I've just joined the TomTom Club. I hope it was worth the spend ;).

Arrives tuesday. Let's hope it doesnt get lost in the post. LOL.

Sorry, that was a poor attempt at humor, I know.

[Hierophant]

I've just joined the TomTom Club. I hope it was worth the spend ;).

Arrives tuesday. Let's hope it doesnt get lost in the post. LOL.

Sorry, that was a poor attempt at humor, I know.

Haha, nice. Hopefully it navigated to your door safely. Did you actually get a XLS with text to speech?

I've had great experiences with that model, but hows yours going?

[Scraggles]

I know this thread is extremely old, but thats how I roll..

I thought I'd never pick up a GPS unit as I use my phone for it most of the time.

I just grabbed a Tom Tom XL 340 yesterday for 100$ at Target. I couldn't be happier. It had all the necessary accessories that I'd want (usb charger, car charger, window and dash mounts) right in the box.

Got in my car, opened it up, plugged it in, and turned it on. it was extremely easy to figure out, and I managed to have it giving me directions home within 3 minutes and that was WITH the initial set-up.

[+Elі Subscriber²]

I just grabbed a Tom Tom XL 340 yesterday for 100$ at Target. I couldn't be happier. It had all the necessary accessories that I'd want (usb charger, car charger, window and dash mounts) right in the box.

Got in my car, opened it up, plugged it in, and turned it on. it was extremely easy to figure out, and I managed to have it giving me directions home within 3 minutes and that was WITH the initial set-up.

So you recommend this item? I'm also thinking of buying a GPS but not sure what to get, don't want to spend too much money on it either, that seems like a good price.

[emzino]

I find the GUI of the Garmin to much nicer than TomTom. It's clean, easy to read and very user friendly.

Couldn't say the same about TomTom...

[Scraggles]

So you recommend this item? I'm also thinking of buying a GPS but not sure what to get, don't want to spend too much money on it either, that seems like a good price.

Absolutely. I was using my iPhone gps and it works well, but this works better. I wasn't going to get one but target was clearing them out to prepare for black Friday. They had some for even cheaper. I haven't even had it for 24 hours, or a long trip, but around town it has been extremely accurate.

Go check em out. Target had em on display to play around with. I was basically going for either gramin or Tom Tom and the Tom ton just happened to be the best bang for the buck. As an initial review I would definitely say at least go check em out.

[stereopixels]

I've not really used a Garmin other than a quick look at some display models, but I've owned a TomTom for a few years now and it's brilliant -easy to use, pretty customisable, and most importantly, has always guided me where I need to go without issue.

[Scraggles]

Yeah. One awesome feature is the voices. I've got homer Simpson giving me directions now lol. You can change your splash screen and car icon too. I managed to find an 06 civic the same color as mine. So my icon is the exact car as mine rather than a simple blue arrow.