Tomtom or Garmin .... which is best?

[Deckhook]

Currently on the market for a new Satnav for holidays and I'm torn between both brands, in particular the Tomtom Go Live 1000 and the Garmin Nuvi 3760/3790. Being a Garmin man and unfamiliar with Tomtom products I am leaning a bit more towards them but I would love to hear some reasons either way as to which was both most reliable and had the best computer interface when downloading either updates or new maps.

 

[Cashmere]

Having used both, I find Garmin's UI easier to use. Though one cool feature about the tomtom's is that you can download some cool voices for directions (such as Darth Vader, Jeremy Clarkson, Ozzy,etc) which makes Nav a bit fun.

If price is not an issue I would def get the Garmin 3790.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Though one cool feature about the tomtom's is that you can download some cool voices for directions (such as Darth Vader, Jeremy Clarkson, Ozzy,etc)

That changes my vote to tomtom

 

[Cashmere]

That changes my vote to tomtom

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[mini_cooper4]

I love them all !!!!

 

[purplehenk]

TomTom, 'cause it's Dutch
Chauvinism

 

[Nexus]

I'm not sure if the Garmin has this but I know that the Tomtom has a built in sim card for Internet acsess. Which means you can search for a resturaunt and using google it will bring up all of the closest ones and show you the reviews for them. It can also do stuff like tell you the weather.

 

[330CIZHP]

I would go with Garmin.

 

[Deckhook]

The vote is going the way I thought it would, though I was hoping for more people to have experience of Tomtom to tell me whether it's as good a product as Garmin is because I have fell for the Tomtom TopGear Edition with Clarkie's voice doing the directions but have hit a brick wall with Tomtom support; basically I e-mail them to ask whether JC's voice was of the North American maps but on each reply back they just state that only the TopGear model has his voice. I sincerely hope all Dutch people aren't this thick and it's only Tomtom employees.

Does anyone here know whether Jeremey Clarkson's voice is included when you buy the North American maps?

P.S.
The other Garmin model I am considering is the 2460LT, seems to do everything that the 3790 does without being this slim or is that worng?

 

[Deckhook]

Those voices on the Tomtom got me thinking that maybe Clarkson's voice does happen on other maps.

 

[Cashmere]

Does anyone here know whether Jeremey Clarkson's voice is included when you buy the North American maps?

Not sure, but according to the list on TomTom's page,JC's voice is currently not available TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems
. The other important thing is that the voice customization only works with specific models so make sure you purchase the right model if you do wish to customize voices.

P.S.
The other Garmin model I am considering is the 2460LT, seems to do everything that the 3790 does without being this slim or is that worng?

The 2460LT is definitely a more 'value for money' unit. The 2460 LT doesnt have a multi touch screen like the 3760/3790, so when feeding a destination you would have to tap one letter at a time. With the 3760/3790 you can input the way you would text on a modern touch screen phone (afterall its built off a smartphone chassis), its also really sleek being the thinnest GPS atm but these benefits arent exactly deal breaking feature's, but good to have. On the flipside, the 2460LT has a bigger screen (5") vs 4.3". Hope this helps.

 

[Deckhook]

Not sure, but according to the list on TomTom's page,JC's voice is currently not available TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems
. The other important thing is that the voice customization only works with specific models so make sure you purchase the right model if you do wish to customize voices.

Can you explain what you mean here, I assumed that all the models offered the customised voices especially the top models. Also are you saying that JC's voice isnt available on other Tomtom sat navs which I believe is quite right according to the e-mail from Tomtom themselves or are you saying that the TopGear Edition isn't available because I can currently buy it locally.

The 2460LT is definitely a more 'value for money' unit. The 2460 LT doesnt have a multi touch screen like the 3760/3790, so when feeding a destination you would have to tap one letter at a time. With the 3760/3790 you can input the way you would text on a modern touch screen phone (afterall its built off a smartphone chassis), its also really sleek being the thinnest GPS atm but these benefits arent exactly deal breaking feature's, but good to have. On the flipside, the 2460LT has a bigger screen (5") vs 4.3". Hope this helps.

Neither it's thickness or the one button at a time wouldn't really bother me because you do your destination programming prior to moving off and an extra minute isn't a deal breaker when it's mainly used on holiday. I just want something reliable that won't breakdown (something you don't want in a strange country) but at the same time the other voices on the Tomtom could well make even those holiday journeys that bit more memorable.

 

[Cashmere]

Can you explain what you mean here, I assumed that all the models offered the customised voices especially the top models.

Which model tomtom model are you considering? According to the tomtom website:

Currently this functionality is not available for the TomTom GO 1000 series, GO LIVE 800 series, Start 20 series and all TomTom Via devices.

Also are you saying that JC's voice isnt available on other Tomtom sat navs which I believe is quite right according to the e-mail from Tomtom themselves or are you saying that the TopGear Edition isn't available because I can currently buy it locally.

If you wanted to get the unit specifically for Clarkson's voice then forget about it, seems like the deal between the BBC and Tomtom Backfired. See link below:

Top Gear: BBC forced to scrap Jeremy Clarkson satnav deal - Telegraph

 

[VroomVroom]

Garmin because I have never once got lost using mine, and I am awful with directions and following sat navs!

 

[LaArtist]

Just a tip: Get Ipad: jailbrake download Navigon for free, kicks ass ( does not need Sim ( Data ) )

Oh and then you get all that the ipad does as a bonus.. ( perfect companion for long toilet visits)

 

[mini_cooper4]

Oh and then you get all that the ipad does as a bonus.. ( perfect companion for long toilet visits)

 

[Deckhook]

I never questioned this but I know where TomTom is from but I'm unsure as to Garmin, is it an American brand?

 

[Cashmere]

I think Garmin was founded in Switzerland, all the units get manufactured in Taiwan. I always think of it to be more of a global brand. They also recently bought out German GPS company NAVIGON.

 

[Deckhook]

Called in you a local Hi-Fi shop that sells both Tomtom and Garmin. Well for me at least the Tomtom 1000 is a no go, it's a brilliant machine that does everything under the sun and much more than I would ever need but it biggest stumbling block for me is that the 1000 doesn't have a microSD card so you need to transfer your European maps from the unit to your computer before downloading the USA maps to it when I go on holiday, the unit can't hold both which sounds like to much hassle so I'll be getting the Garmin though not the 3790. Like the Tomtom it's loaded with tons of things I would never use or need so I was advised to consider either the 3710 if I wanted the ultra slim design or 2460 if I want the 5" screen and the thickness isn't an issue which it isn't.

I'll probably get the 2460 because I do like that big screen.

 

[q5s]

Never had a tomtom so can't compare but my latest garmin (3790) is the best garmin I had so far, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Deckhook don't be fooled by the 5" 2460 screen, it's only a third of the resolution of the 4.3" 3790 screen and it is not multitouch. Makes all the difference in the world. Seriously try both in the store before commiting.