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womble08 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Apr 11, 2009 Posts: 8
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject: Simple question from a simple person! |
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I realise that my question may sound a bit simple – I’m planning on getting a Go720 – but one thing concerns me. I have only seen TomToms operating on displays in places like Halfords. I cannot help notice that the map lines – e.g the road you’re travelling, the sides are broken – they zig-zag (which I find irritating). I’m wondering if this is because those are probably running in Demo mode? Unfortunately I don’t know anyone with a TomTom to ask/see it in reality. I currently have a 4-year old Garmin Nuvi which shows map lines as true lines.
The other point I’d like to ask is, I’m reading various users comments – i.e. on various forums and there seem to be so many problems with TomTom per se. Is this how it really is? I’m not very savvy technically – so if it goes wrong, I’m basically stymied. And I see comments that TTs Customer services is not overly Customer Friendly.
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hi and welcome.
The zig-zags are caused by a lack of Anti-Aliasing on the TomTom models. As someone who recently switched from Garmin to TT it concerned me, however that concern disappeared soon after using the TT. It's a minor thing as you only look at the map briefly normally.
Compared to the Nuvi, yes the Nuvi is smoother but the TT as a unit is superior. If you can borrow a TT for a few days try one.
As for the Customer Support you'll always hear people complaining about TT's support because people rarely join or enter forums to say "TomTom / Garmin / Company X product support is the best". Not to say it never happens but most of the reports you see in forums are complaints or problems.
Looking back at my experience with Garmin over the last few years I'll say that my experiences with TT support so far have been good and much better than Garmin. However for everyone who says Garmin Support is better there will be someone thinks TT support is better. There is no real independent measure of Customer Support but with Garmin or TomTom you are dealing with the 2 biggest names so that should reassure you. You also have the wealth of knowledge on this forum too... |
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austhorpe Occasional Visitor
Joined: Nov 26, 2004 Posts: 40
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Simple question from a simple person! |
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womble08 wrote: | I realise that my question may sound a bit simple – I’m planning on getting a Go720 – but one thing concerns me. I have only seen TomToms operating on displays in places like Halfords. I cannot help notice that the map lines – e.g the road you’re travelling, the sides are broken – they zig-zag (which I find irritating). I’m wondering if this is because those are probably running in Demo mode? Unfortunately I don’t know anyone with a TomTom to ask/see it in reality. I currently have a 4-year old Garmin Nuvi which shows map lines as true lines.
The other point I’d like to ask is, I’m reading various users comments – i.e. on various forums and there seem to be so many problems with TomTom per se. Is this how it really is? I’m not very savvy technically – so if it goes wrong, I’m basically stymied. And I see comments that TTs Customer services is not overly Customer Friendly. |
I have been using TomTom for 5 years now, I have a 720, the concept is fantastic, however the execution is pretty poor.
For me things have not moved on much from my original Go 300, I mean that got me from A-B and so does this 720.
All the bells and whistles sound good but they often dont work or were poorly thought out.
An example voice control, brilliant I thought, however you have to press several buttons before you get to the voice bit, defeats the object somewhat! I have been reading on Amazon and a guy was moaning about the same thing with the new 740! so they still have not worked the irony out of the so called "Voice command and control"
I could go on, the best improvement from the old Go300 for me, the SiRF chipset, the satellite lock is near instant.
if you want to know more feel free to ask.
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:16 am Post subject: |
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The BT Remote offers the best method to get at the voice activated stuff, simply press the main center button on the remote for over a second and it is activated - Mike |
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womble08 Occasional Visitor
Joined: Apr 11, 2009 Posts: 8
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the contrasting replies! It’s certainly food for thought. Obviously the zig-zagging would be more noticeable to me as I was staring at the screen, whereas whilst driving you’d only glance at it. My one real area of concern now with the TomTom is that, to me, the screen seems overly cluttered – especially the lower quarter, but again, once you train yourself you’ll only glance at the parts relevant to you. Perhaps I’m guilty of being attracted by all the “bells and whistles” on the TomTom!
As to the point I made about “Customer Services” – that obviously appears worse than it really is as people complain quickly, but are slow to praise.
Think I’m going to ignore researching Sat Navs for a week or so – I’m probably suffering from a surfeit of them – that’s one trouble with the internet – there’s just too much information available!
Once again my thanks for the responses – I’ve got to give the matter more thought and not be confused by all the information! I’ve also got to think of what I actually need from a Sat Nav with the amount of driving I do. |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:16 am Post subject: |
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womble08 wrote: | As to the point I made about “Customer Services” – that obviously appears worse than it really is as people complain quickly, but are slow to praise. |
This is very true, people are quicker to complain than they are to offer praise, on the couple of occasions I have contacted TT CS they have responded with the correct answer and sorted out the issue in very little time, I guess with any help line a lot of the time it depends who answers the phone.
womble08 wrote: | Once again my thanks for the responses – I’ve got to give the matter more thought and not be confused by all the information! I’ve also got to think of what I actually need from a Sat Nav with the amount of driving I do. |
You really do need to work out what do you want from the device:
Basic Navigation for UK or full Western Europe
The ability to read out street names (TTS)
Lane Assistance
Hands Free for the phone
mp3 Player
FM Transmitter
Live services for HD Traffic/ Google search
Add to the list as you see fit, if you can come back and post with a requiremnets list then someone can point you at more specific devices from some of the hardware manufacturers - Mike |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | My one real area of concern now with the TomTom is that, to me, the screen seems overly cluttered – especially the lower quarter, |
You can switch off many of the items on display and even push it to the side.
I found my local Dixons (now Currys Digital) had a 540 on display which you could use in store. Or goto Halfords ask for a demo. |
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