Simple question from a simple person!

womble08 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 11, 2009 Posts: 8

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.

Thanks

PaulB2005 · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject:

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...

austhorpe · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 26, 2004 Posts: 40

mikealder · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

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

womble08 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 11, 2009 Posts: 8

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.

mikealder · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

PaulB2005 · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

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