Tom Tom v Garmin

[silverweed]

I’ll say straight away im not interested in phone satnav. The display is far too small for me and difficult to focus on quickly with varie focal glasses. I like to have a satnav going as a sort of security blanket when I’m driving. My last one was a garmin which I loved but had issues that it crashed in hot weather. It was About 12 years old but still ok. Stupidly I left it under the seat when I sold my car so I’m in the market for a new one. I was thinking of getting a camper one but not necessarily. I loved the very easy lane assist of Garmin, is Tomtoms version just as good? I would like to add the ponts of interest, which one is this easier for this. Do I need a computer to update them. Which do you prefer and why?

 

[Boris7]

I use TomTom on my phone, but link it to a car play head unit in all my vehicles so only 1 subscription. It’s great and works exactly like the normal TomTom units.

POIs are easy to install and lane assist etc very good.

If you don’t have a CarPlay (or android play) it’s easy to connect to a small cheap screen.

 

[oppy]

I use a Garmin camper satnag in the 'van, as well as being a super guide it is also a speedo in line of sight. We also use Garmin in the car too

 

[RichardHelen262]

I think it is what you are used to, i have always used tomtom without any issues.
I did once try garmin and couldn’t get along with it, but I am sure it will be the same for garmin users,they are going to favour garmin

 

[edina]

I have garmin in the car and tom tom camper in the van. Both good, but tom tom is slower on voice commands and I cannot upload pois on this latest version. I don’t know if it’s possible to upload pois to the garmin.

 

[silverweed]

From what I’ve read both can download poi but I suppose it’s about mode specific research so probably some can and some cant

 

[korky]

Used Garmin for years. Never bothered with the camper versions.

 

[Tezza33]

From what I’ve read both can download poi but I suppose it’s about mode specific research so probably some can and some cant

New versions of TomTom do not accept 3rd party POI's, earlier versions didn't accept them at first until TomTom brought out an upgrade but they are saying that there will not be an upgrade on the new versions

 

[wildebus]

I think it is what you are used to, i have always used tomtom without any issues.
I did once try garmin and couldn’t get along with it, but I am sure it will be the same for garmin users,they are going to favour garmin

I would go along with this comment. Once you get used to one system, the others don't seem to 'feel' right.

I am a Garmin user and much prefer that interface to the other options around. In fact just yesterday I got my old Garmin Nuvi out that I bought 13 years ago and connected it up to Garmin Express to do a map update in readiness to use on a road trip this week in the car (The Garmin Camper that replaced it is pretty well hard-wired in the Motorhome so stays in there).
I still have a TomTom I bought in 2007 but while I thnk that still works I don't think it can be updated and I never really liked the interface.
The Google Maps navigation is a good option and if you have a tablet with GPS, that is a good big screen free navigation option

 

[mark61]

As already mentioned by Boris, I think phone plus CarPlay/android auto with head set is a good way to go. Then choose from a number of sat nav’s.
I don’t have a preference, all have pros and cons.
There is a reasonable argument to be made for not relying on one device though.

 

[bartman]

I have a Garmin Camper, which is ok but what annoys me is that despite putting in the dimensions including the weight of the motorhome as under 3.05 tonnes, it gives me the speed limits of goods vehicles.
Bearing in mind the ridiculous cost of the Garmin, if buying again I would probably go for a tablet with a suitable sized screen and use an app on there

 

[Tezza33]

TomTom Go app is good but unfortunately, it doesn't allow POI's, you only need one account though and you can put it on multiple devices so for £13.99 you have a fully up to date satnav

GO Navigation | TomTom

GPS app, a route planner with live traffic & speed camera alerts. Turn your phone into a TomTom device.

www.tomtom.com

Or for £55.99 there is a truck version, you can input size and weight with this version

GO Navigation | TomTom

GPS app, a route planner with live traffic & speed camera alerts. Turn your phone into a TomTom device.

www.tomtom.com

 

[alwaysared]

I use a Garmin Camper and if you use the Garmin Drive app on you phone you can use Google maps to plan or search for places and send the route to the satnav. You can also use what3words to find places then again send it to the satnav. You maybe able to do the same with a TomTom but I had a nightmare with the TomTom motorbike one which actually spoilt our France trip on the bike, they did refund my money and I got a Garmin Zumo instead which was much better so I swore then never to use TomTom again

Just to add not all Garmins are compatible with the Drive app but most if the current models are but you should check first.

Regards,
Del

 

[alwaysared]

"if buying again I would probably go for a tablet with a suitable sized screen and use an app on there"

I did try that with various apps but never really found one good enough when using them offline which was a shame really because online they were all pretty good

Regards,
Del

 

[wildebus]

As already mentioned by Boris, I think phone plus CarPlay/android auto with head set is a good way to go. Then choose from a number of sat nav’s.
I don’t have a preference, all have pros and cons.
There is a reasonable argument to be made for not relying on one device though.

View attachment 145460

I've spotted a gap top-left there you could use?

 

[Robmac]

I've spotted a gap top-left there you could use?

And then where's the TV gonna go??

He do like to keep up with his soaps whilst he's driving.

 

[TJBi]

<snip>
The Google Maps navigation is a good option and if you have a tablet with GPS, that is a good big screen free navigation option

But is Google Maps capable of routeing based on vehicle weight/dimensions? I use it in the car but use CoPilot in the motorhome (on an Android head unit).

 

[alwaysared]

But is Google Maps capable of routeing based on vehicle weight/dimensions?

No
The ones that I found when testing a tablet were:
Magic Earth - Free
CoPilot - Paid for
My Route App Paid for
but a free account gives you limited map options, but if paid for then you get to choose from a whole list of maps including Google, Here (Garmin), TomTom, Michelin plus more. I use this to plan trips as I prefer to use a laptop to plan rather than a phone or tablet and you can export your routes to your Garmin or TomTom satnav or use their navigation app, again paid for.

Regards,
Del

 

[chrishunter]

It`s a garmin for me ,as recommended by my son who`s a long distance lorry driver. I use the garmin on a long run and local i use my iphone it tells me what the traffics like and it`s charging.

 

[Wooie1958]

Had both over the years and IMHO the Garmin Camper was much more user friendly and accurate.