TOMTOM GO OR GARMIN C320

nazimyounis · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject: TOMTOM GO OR GARMIN C320

Hi Guys,
I need some advice, I am thinking of getting a Sat Nav system for my cousin. Can you tell me which device is better

TOMTOM Go 500 or Garmin StreetPilot C320

When I say better I mean the quality of the unit as well as maps and routing.

As always thanks in advance
_________________
TomTom ONE V2 (GB) Downloaded Europe Maps
Transcend 2GB Hi-Speed 150X SD card

ex - TOMTOM Nokia N95
ex - TOMTOM GO 700
ex - TOMTOM Navigator 5 on XDA IIi
ex - TOMTOM Navigator 3 on XDA II
ex - TOMTOM Navigator 3 on XDA

rossb · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:11 am Post subject:

The C320 has the better Navteq maps. It also has the European maps to street level included on CD. The GO 500 only has "major roads" of Europe, but UK to street level.

I havent seen a tomtom being used. The two units are physically very similar. Both seem to have good stereo sound, 3D graphics.

The tomtom has traffic information, but from comments on the forum, it is not that great(due to poor information supplied to tomtom).

Darren · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:35 am Post subject:

Spoken like a C320 owner!

I've got a C330 and GO 500 in front of me here. They are almost identical in size.

Firstly the C320 is a better match to the GO300 as it has UK Mapping only ands cost is similar.

The C330 is a match for the GO700 and again costs are similar.

Maps. Forget what you read, Navteq and TeleAtlas are as close as can be. I have two identical systems here for testing that use the same software but one has Navteq and the other TeleAtlas map data. Each has errors and in general are as good as each other overall. I've always claimed the Navteq/TeleAtlas debate was just hype and tests back this up.

Operation. Garmin have done a good job, its easy to use and has a nice bright display, slightly crisper than the GO. There is less scope for customisation of the C320 and it lacks 7 Digit PostCodes, Bluetooth handsfree and Traffic. I use Traffic regularly as I travel the M25 for my sins and whilst not perfect it has saved my bacon on many occasions.

The C330 has Europe wide mapping to street level, the GO700 has the same coverage

If I were buying? I'd get the GO700 if I needed Europe coverage, it has a 2.5GB HDD and a remote. If I didn't need that detail I'd get the 500 and save £150.

The Garmin's a good start but it doesn't have the wide user base, customisation and other features that make the GO stand out.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

Garmin c320 is easier to use with a slightly better build quality and definitely better customer support. Garmin has also recently introduced POI customisation and Postcode support will soon be available. This is in addition to that face that it has europe wide coverage as a standard.

Darren · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject:

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

Jaz666 · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:19 am Post subject:

It's the C310 which is UK and Eire only.

As a retailer, the way I measure which is best is by the amount of returns.
If you saw the mountain of faulty Tom Toms (original and new models) sitting at our head office you'd have a heart attack!

Skippy · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject:

jd2005 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 13, 2005 Posts: 6

Skippy,
Yes - Navteq are streets ahead of TeleAltas! I have both a Navman 520 with SmartSt 2005 and a Garmin c320. In general the main urban areas are mapped and there is not much between them. Once you get out of the cities though the Navman is pretty much useless. The Garmin with V7 of City Select has considerable more coverage but still has some way to go. I am looking forward to V8 of City Select. I also heard that Navteq plan to have the whole of Ireland mapped by the end of the year.

	PocketGPS
	Web