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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
 Posted - 16 avr. 2008 : 03:14:29
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UPDATE (06/12/08) A detailed summary of our trip and our feelings about these 2 devices, along with which one you maybe happier with, is now available in the ARTICLES SECTION of the Portal at http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=251
ROAD TESTING - Garmin Nuvi 780 vs TomTom 930T
MSN, Navteq, SiRFinstantFixII <--> RDS TMC, TeleAtlas with IQR, SiRFinstantFixI, ALG
 
 In early May my wife and I are embarking on an 8000 mile road trip which will take us from the Pacific Northwest of the US to Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, Charleston SC, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque NM, Seattle WA and back to our home on Vancouver Island in Canada.
We have obtained a TomTom 930T for this trip and hopefully will also be able to test the new Tomtom 930 and a Garmin Nuvi 760 connected to an MSN traffic receiver, which effectively turns it into a 780. What this will allow us to do is to give these units a month long, 8000 mile road test comparison through some of the most and least populated regions of the US. As our trip progresses we will be updating this forum with our findings as we compare these units.
What we would like to do is to answer any questions you folks may have concerning how these units compare in a real world situation. Briefly, and without making this post any longer than needed, our current plan is to be looking at things like:
- Ease of Use - Menus choices and layout, Configurability, ease of route creation, etc.
- Quality of Maps - including route calculation accuracy, poi database, etc.
- Screen - ease of viewing, night viewing, information on the screen, etc.
- Sound/Voice Quality - ease of hearing voice instructions, quality of TTS voices, speaker quality for MP3 and Audiobook listening, etc.
- Bluetooth performance - ease of use, voice quality, features supported, etc.
- Traffic - comparing the TMC traffic receiver and MSN Direct.
- Miscellaneous Items - features available on one unit but not the other, are they useful, etc.
What we are looking for now, and as we travel, is input from you on things that you would like us to compare between the Nuvi 760/80 and the TomTom Go 930. Just post your questions to this thread. We will be checking it daily as we travel and will post a reply as quickly as possible.
UPDATE May 1/08 The TomTom 930 arrived today so it has replaced the 920T we were going to use originally. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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Edited by - NanaimoRick on 13 juin 2008 15:31:53
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Grampa 2007
5 Posts |
Posted - 26 avr. 2008 : 18:24:40
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Good luck on you expedition. Let us know how much gasoline/diesel prices fluctuate on your trip. It will be interesting to read about your experiences with the GPSRs. I have the Nuvi 780 and love it.
The MSN subscription is nice. I don't know it is worth renewing for a year or for the max length. I notice it takes awhile for it to connect and give current information. Let us know if you experience the same.
Have a great trip/vacation.
Ray |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 26 avr. 2008 : 18:41:37
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Thanks Ray, we are looking forward to the trip.
So far I'm finding your experience with the MSN Receiver about the same as ours. We live in an area where there is only minimal coverage and most of the data collected is for Vancouver and Victoria BC. It does take a while to activate the subscription and to update the information but will hold off comment until we are in areas where both the coverage and content are better than we get here in the "sticks". |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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hotpot
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2008 : 02:12:25
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| it would be great if you can post a short video clip of these units working side by side so we can compare the TTS. Have a good trip! |
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gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2008 : 02:41:29
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| One possible issue to check is how far you can set a location off-road on the 930 and still be able to route back to that position. It may have changed from previous models. I suspect that as soon as the vehicle icon has left the mapped road, that you will not be able to set location and route back to that spot. If so, off-road, perhaps parking lot location mark has been reduced to as little as 50 ft from a mapped road in some circumstances. |
Garmin 1695 / 760 / 255 / Navigon for Android / Navigon 8100T / Garmin Dakota 10 / Geomate |
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gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2008 : 02:44:27
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| NanaimoRick, I meant to suggest that some of the Mad Maps may really add to your travel experiences with the nuvi. You might check them out at Garmin. Most are very inexpensive. |
Garmin 1695 / 760 / 255 / Navigon for Android / Navigon 8100T / Garmin Dakota 10 / Geomate |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2008 : 05:30:36
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quote:
Originally posted by hotpot
it would be great if you can post a short video clip of these units working side by side so we can compare the TTS. Have a good trip!
My camera will take video clips so I'll see if I can do this as we travel. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2008 : 05:35:39
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quote:
Originally posted by gatorguy
One possible issue to check is how far you can set a location off-road on the 930 and still be able to route back to that position. It may have changed from previous models. I suspect that as soon as the vehicle icon has left the mapped road, that you will not be able to set location and route back to that spot. If so, off-road, perhaps parking lot location mark has been reduced to as little as 50 ft from a mapped road in some circumstances.
Will certainly look in to this. Have not attempted to set a location that is off a mapped road yet. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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gemro311
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - 02 mai 2008 : 19:49:15
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| It would be intersting to see how closely gas prices compare on the Tom Tom and MSN Direct . The only thing holding me back on using TOMTOM full time is the Plus services not being available on my Verizon Phone. I have the TMC receiver, but is such a PIA to hook up. Have a safe and great trip. |
Nuvi 1450LMT/Droid Charge w/Google Maps |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 02 mai 2008 : 20:17:26
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I'll be able to report on the MSN Direct gas pricing but I don't think I can with the 920T or 930. As I understand it this requires a GPRS / Bluetooth enabled cellphone which isn't a problem but since I will be "Roaming" for about 90% of this trip I don't think I can afford the costs I'd rackup on my phone bill especially since gas prices have gone up a ton since we put this trip together  .
If I'm mistaken about how weather and gas prices are received on the TomTom please let me know. I'm learning as we go here. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 05 mai 2008 : 03:02:57
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Well this has been our first full day on the road (600+ miles) with the TomTom 930 and Nuvi 780 both fired up and ready to go. Our route took us from Vancouver BC to Missoula Montana, the major roads were I-5, I-405 (to and around Seattle) and I-90(to Missoula). For your information the 930 has the lastest available version of the TeleAtlas maps (V800.1727) and the Nuvi has City Navigator North America NT V2009 installed.
First let me say that both these units provided excellent directions overall but I do have some comments both good and bad to make about both:
- I inputted a preplanned itinerary in both units and initially the TomTom calculated an ETA which was 8 minutes longer than the Nuvi. No big deal on a 600 mile trip so I didn't really pay much attention to what roads the 2 units had calculated us to use. It wasn't unit we were east of Seattle on I-90 that the difference in the 2 routes became apparent. The TomTom was using the new IQroutes feature so I was surprised when the instruction had me to exit I-90 (a 6 lane expressway) onto a 2 lane road and through mountain country and eventually back on to I-90. Since I was already on I-90 doing 70 MPH I saw no point in following the 930's instructions. The TomTom continued to recalculate the route asking that I exit the expressway for the next 3 exits unit I asked it to recalculate the original route (an option on the 930) and it finally produced the same route as the Nuvi had originally calculated.
- Both units provide speed limit information on screen. The TomTom has a great feature which also shows your actual speed compared to the limit and if you configure the unit properly will give you a warning signal if you are exceeding speed limit by, I believe, more than 5MPH. The speed limit for the most part was excellent with the screen showing the correct number within a few seconds of the limit changing. We notice that the Nuvi was a bit more up to date and that the TomTom missed 2 or 3 changes in limit speed that the 780 got.
- Since we came through Seattle early on a Sunday morning I didn't expect much in the way of traffic reports. The TomTom uses a TMC receiver while the 780 uses MSN Direct. Both reported possible delays in a construction zone around Bellvue Washington which wasn't really a factor on a Sunday. The TomTom kept repeating the delay notification, while the Nuvi made a single warning only.
- TTS on both units was good. It is going to take a couple of days to get used to the 2 giving the same direction in different ways and voices. More on this in future updates.
More tomorrow as we put on another 600 miles. Any questions of comments please post here. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
Posted - 05 mai 2008 : 20:55:15
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Excellent, feels like being with you on the road ! I'll post a news item on the portal later on. If you get a chance, a "picture of the day" would be great.
Odd that the 930T tried to take you off of a highway, was it a big hit in mileage to stay on? It's a bit like for traffic comparisons, ideally you'd have two cars travelling together to be able to take the two different routes! |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 06 mai 2008 : 03:05:41
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Day 2 and another 600+ miles under our belts. Today's route was all on I-90 from Missoula Montana to Spearfish South Dakota. For those that know the area you know that you need a GPS like you need a 3rd foot but what the heck, we had them both on anyway.
This day was for the most part all mountain and high prairie. No traffic data, no MSN updates other than around Billings Montana and all on one highway, so not much to report. Both units continued to work well with one very weird exception:
- Traveling southeast of Billings on I-90 the Nuvi 780 decided it wanted us to take a 2 lane road running through open prairie with few if any towns on it but indeed ending at our destination of Spearfish. Looking at a paper map this looked like it maybe the shorter route but according to Streets & Trips it was about 50 miles longer than our I-90 route, the speed limit lower, and we didn't know if we'd find a gas station or not we said no thanks. The TomTom today was happy to keep us on the Interstate.
- one other comment, on a day like this you appreciate the MP3 player and the Audible player on both units. Sure helps pass the hours as radio stations are few and far between.
@gpspassion
Thanks, and I'll post pictures starting tomorrow. There was no big hit on the weird routing yesterday, in fact our original route was about 60 miles shorter. But since the Nuvi did the same thing today I guess it's a tie for now |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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Edited by - NanaimoRick on 06 mai 2008 04:30:22 |
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paulkbiba
USA
5064 Posts |
Posted - 06 mai 2008 : 06:45:23
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Absolutely fascinating. Keep up the good work!!!!
By the way, that's why I would never give up my XM Radio. Makes life bearable in areas like this - NPR, jazz, rock, old time radio shows, news. My advice is for you to pick up an inexpensive one and you won't regret it. I've got one in both cars and on my motorcycle. |
Don't forget the GPSPassion Club! |
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SergZak
USA
1761 Posts |
Posted - 06 mai 2008 : 14:17:25
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Thanks for the info and the trip updates, Rick. Looking forward to your final conclusion between the units.
Above all, enjoy your trip. It will be over before you know it! |
nüvi 3490LMT, nüvi 3790LMT, nüvi 765T, nüvi 855, nüvi 760, nüvi 750 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7393 Posts |
Posted - 07 mai 2008 : 02:25:47
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Thanks guys. Paul, your right that the satellite radio would have been the answer for us but I think one more toy would be my last as far as my wife is concerned
 
Day 3 saw us leave Spearfish SD and land in Sioux City Iowa, a trip of 480 miles. As you can see from the above photos the day started out clear and beautiful. It turned quickly into a day of severe thunderstorms, hail, and severe winds. Welcome to spring in the US heartland.
Both units calculated the same route this morning which is really no surprise as there are not a lot of choices in this part of the world. Both units worked well with one minor exception. The TomTom, for the first time, had trouble with displaying the speed limit. A number of times the 930 displayed the limit as 10 MPH less than the posted speed. This may have been an issue of having old data as I think the last time we drove through South Dakota the limit in I-90 was 65 and now it's 75 (but my memory isn't what it used to be). In one other case the TomTom did not display the limit which I took to mean it didn't have the data for that particular area. Anyway the Nuvi was dead on for the whole trip.
Didn't pass through an area today that had any MSN or TMC traffic data available. MSN did post a weather warning for the thunderstorms we drove through from it's Sioux Falls SD coverage area. MSN displays a lightning icon on the map screen. Pressing this brings up a list of areas under the weather warning. Selecting one of these presents a map showing your route with the warning areas in yellow(warning)and red(watch):
Thought I'd talk a little about the user interface on the 2 units. Obviously we know the Nuvi very well and are just learning about what the TomTom can do but the more we use these units the more certain features become highlighted. There are many postings in the Nuvi forum about the "dumbed down" interface. I was never on the same side as those that posted about how they would like to be able to show this or that on the map screen of the Nuvi. We were happy with what we saw. That was until we started using this 930.
Having the speed limit and your actual speed on the map screen is just great. Having the speed limit on the map screen of the Nuvi and then having to press the screen to see what speed your actually traveling is pretty dumb.
The TomTom can display the miles to your destination on the map screen. The Nuvi only the miles to the next turn. We find we are more interested in the miles to destination.
In support of the Nuvi you can see a list of the turns on your route by pressing the top of the map screen. On the TomTom this list is a few screen taps away, the number depending on how you have set up the options on the unit.
The map detail on the TomTom often provides more information than the Nuvi. In particular, the 930 showed the Exit # and name of the cross road for every interstate exit we passed today. The Nuvi showed the interchange fine but rarely any data about it or the road it lead to. On the other hand, the Nuvi often displayed roads around the route we were on (no names, just the road displayed) but the TomTom displayed nothing but the road we were on.
Tomorrow we are off to Michigan City Indiana so we should get our first traffic data as we pass through the Chicago area. |
Rick James - Nuvi Forum Moderator
Nuvi 350 - Nuvi 760 - Nuvi 1695LM - Nuvi 3790LMT (with ecoRoutes HD) - Nuvi 2460LMT - Nuvi 3597LMTHD (with ecoRoutes HD) also TomTom 540S for side by side comparison >> Here <<
2010 Golf Wagon 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
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Edited by - NanaimoRick on 05 juin 2008 19:08:08 |
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[TOPIC] Road Testing the Nuvi 780 & TomTom 930T
