Should I buy a new TomTom?

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

I have used TTs quite successfully over the last 5 years or so ranging from a One thru the 520 and more recently a 540. The feature I value most on the 540 is the LIVE traffic which I believe to have improved over time and whilst not perfect still seems to outperform anything else. Very close behind is the PGPSW speed camera database which has saved my skin more than once Very Happy

I now have a chance to sell my 540 and am considering my options. However reading the reviews of the Via and 1000 series models it seems as if I could be buying into a whole heap of problems, many of which don't seem to have been sorted or have they? Reading the most recent posts some people seem to be happy, others don't.

I don't require FM / Bluetooth capability - just a decent Satnav with good traffic warnings and the ability to embed the speed camera database. I also want European maps this time.

I am considering the Via 120 Live or the TT 1000.

However, are there any Garmins or Navigons I should also consider, they seem to have some nice features but I am concerned about their traffic management capabilities.

My budget is £200 plus or minus £20 or so

Your comments would be welcomed, thanks.

MrT · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:25 am Post subject:

Unless you want European maps, there is probably little reason to move from the 540 (assuming it still works OK) until something that does more, does it better and does it reliably comes along. At the moment I am not sure that such a device exists.

Likewise I would like something better to replace the 940, but at the moment the only benefit I would get would be a bigger screen and faster calculations, then there are the drawbacks, well discussed on these forums.
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Drivelux

IanS100 · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:36 pm Post subject:

I'm in the same camp as MrT, I'd love a bigger screen with better graphics & faster calculations & if TomTom had released a finished product with the 1000, without all the problems & draw backs I'd have one gracing my dashboard now. As it is, my 550 will continue to do most of the things I want while I wait for the next TomTom model which is probably waiting in the wings somewhere and will hopefully address some of the shortcomings of the latest 1000 range, although I'm not holding my breath for that!!

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1936

Being a TT man, this hurts, but Garmin are getting good reviews at the moment. Darren & MaFt have favourably reviewed both the Nuvi 2360 & 3760 (its a 3790 without Voice Command) in these forums. Amazon.uk have them (and the 3790) for sale at your price range. They may be a bit over specd for you needs, but hey!

Pop over to the Garmin Forums to get a "feel" for these units.

Although I do not know him, forum member M8TJT strikes me as a sensible person and he raves about iGO, maybe worth a consideration? but I find their website sparse to say the least.

But I agree with MrT & IanS100, if your 540 is working Ok, hang on to it for a bit longer.
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Garmin Nuvi 2599
Android with CamerAlert, OsmAnd+, Waze & TT Europe.
TomTom GO 730, GO 930, GO 940 & Rider2.
SatMap Active 10 & 20.

M8TJT · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:04 pm Post subject:

MaFt · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:22 pm Post subject:

In TomTom's favour:
TT's IQ routing does seem to knock spots off the competition, and the speed of the routing calculation on the Go1000/5 and Via models is astounding, compared to the older models.

IF ONLY TomTom would produce a genuinely full-featured model with the Go1000 engine inside (basically a Go940 on steroids!) it would be a world beater.

technik · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:57 am Post subject:

I am happy with my GO 1000.

OK, it still has a few functions missing such as mapshare, but as a satnav it's been very reliable with no rebooting issues that previous models suffer from.
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GO 620, Tomtom Android EU,
Garmin 2548LMT-D; 2599LMT-D

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

Thanks for the various feedback. I do need the European maps so eventually invested in a Via 125 Live from Halfords. At a price of £199 plus £20 cash back it seemed a pretty good deal. As much as I liked the 1000 range I couldn't personally justify the extra £70

Now all I need to do is get the PGPS World cameras loaded. That should be fun Laughing

mccririck · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:13 pm Post subject:

How did they manage to release the 1000 with so many problems? I mean - no mapshare??? What are they on?

Andy_P · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject:

My guess is money problems.....
They needed to get SOMETHING new out on the streets, and the bean-counters overruled the engineers who said it wasn't ready.

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

OK, so an update on the first 24 hours.......

Looks to be a nice piece of kit, not sure why they had to go and design the USB connection in the way they did since it seems there are not yet any chargers on the market that will fit into the recess..... not the end of the world.

Usual issues on connecting - required an OS update which then hung half way through with stern comments not to disconnect the unit from the PC. Cue a 30 minute call to TomTom who talked me through the necessary steps to reinstall so that now I do have an option to Add Shared POIs....

Now it seems that I require a map update but it's not loading either through my PC or another PC in the household so the call is outstanding. Have to say though that the TT rep was very helpful, pleasant etc. and more than a little frustrated himself.

Will leave trying to install the PGPSW camera d/base until the new map issue is resolved.

All in all, a fairly typical first 24 hrs with a new TT Wink

DennisN · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:45 am Post subject:

mccririck · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject:

It must cost them a fortune employing all the technical support staff to talk people through set-ups.

technik · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject:

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