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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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Garmin vs Tomtom
I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime
map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone have any experience with both units that can state a preference. Also, I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business. |
#2
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Garmin vs Tomtom
wrote in message
... I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone have any experience with both units that can state a preference? Also, I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business. Actually, the "lifetime update" (for Garmin) applies only until the hardware becomes obsolete, or the map data is supplied in a form that the unit can't handle. This could be one years, or 20 years. I have the Garmin 3790, which I got on sale at Costco. Terrific product, but the software has some surprising rough edges that should have been "sanded down" years ago. I suspect the TomTom isn't much better or worse. One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount, which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.) |
#3
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Garmin vs Tomtom
On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote: wrote in message ... I see advertisements for Garmin and TomTom GPS units, with lifetime map updates and same size 5" screens for the same prices. Does anyone have any experience with both units that can state a preference? Also, I wonder how the companies behind the units are set financially, a lifetime update is meaningless if the company goes out of business. Actually, the "lifetime update" (for Garmin) applies only until the hardware becomes obsolete, or the map data is supplied in a form that the unit can't handle. This could be one years, or 20 years. I have the Garmin 3790, which I got on sale at Costco. Terrific product, but the software has some surprising rough edges that should have been "sanded down" years ago. I suspect the TomTom isn't much better or worse. One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount, which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.) I'm happy with my Garmin 765T. They put out map updates about four times per year and the updates do seem worthwhile. For example, many more limited access highway intersections now have what they call "photo real" views of the layout with signage, ramps, overpasses, and your intended lane(s) marked. It's parameterized, I'm sure, but it does a remarkable job. I'd guess it's three years old by now but. Just loaded the last 2011 update a couple of weeks ago. WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style. Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps. -- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA |
#4
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Garmin vs Tomtom
On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb
wrote: On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck" wrote: One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount, which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.) WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style. Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps. Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't work. It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place? As for having something loose in the car. I have to bat apples away from my face after they get loose from a shopping bag on the passenger seat and start bounding around inside the car. -- Peter Hill Spamtrap reply domain as per NNTP-Posting-Host in header Can of worms - what every fisherman wants. Can of worms - what every PC owner gets! |
#5
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Garmin vs Tomtom
"Peter Hill" wrote in message
... On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb wrote: On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck" wrote: One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount, which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.) WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style. Keeps in reach for Bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps. Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't work. So does mine, and the mount works perfectly. It doesn't have suction feet. It's a bean bag with a rough rubber sole. It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place? Friction between the rubber bottom and the dash. |
#6
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Garmin vs Tomtom
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#7
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Garmin vs Tomtom
On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:39:19 +0000, Peter Hill
wrote: On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:47 -0500, Rich Webb wrote: On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:31:10 -0800, "William Sommerwerck" wrote: One of the things I like about Garmin is the optional "beanbag" dash mount, which for most (but not all) users works much better than the windshield suction cup. (I don't know if there's a comparable mount for the TomTom.) WRT mounts, I'm sold on the "sit on the dash with non-slip feet" style. Keeps in reach for bluetooth (phone) or to check the traffic maps. Wouldn't do for me. My dash has a grain effect so suction feet don't work. It also has a sloping dash. What holds the bean bag in place? Here also, the usual pebble-grain vinyl. Mine is an older model of this https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=63953 that I used with an older Garmin. The feet bottoms have the soft, high-friction stuff that looks sort of like velvet; I believe that a similar material is used as a drawer liner. No suction, just friction. It *will* slide off given enough acceleration or, I suppose, if I tried jumping the Snake River Canyon but in normal driving it just sits in place quite nicely. -- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA |
#9
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Garmin vs Tomtom
On 11/25/2011 5:40 AM, Bruce Esquibel wrote:
Keep in mind the usefulness of stand-alone gps units is in a decline with the advent of the cell phones and tables that have gps in them. That's like saying screwdrivers and knives are in decline because of Swiss Army knives. I doubt if either company is going to tank soon, but it's sort of like being in the horseshoe business with Ford building the model T plant down the road. Stand along GPS/mapping units aren't in the same category as buggy whips. They certainly do a better job at being GPS units then the try to do everything under the sun iPads. Jeff -- "Everything from Crackers to Coffins" |
#10
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Garmin vs Tomtom
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