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MLabo
Canada
20 Posts |
 Posted - 15 janv. 2010 : 00:40:12
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@NanaimoRick
You are absolutely right that "overcowding" of the B&W POI icons on the screen is not good at all and you have to limit the information displayed to what is most important to you. I found that downloading custom POI libraries with colourful icons helps tremedously. It alows me to easily identify McDonalds, Tim Horrtons, Banks I am used to, Shell gas stations, etc. Collections are available through the TomTom site or, for example, from this site:
http://www.poi-factory.com/
Icons have to be instaled in addition to POI libraries. I would go to the "Icon" section first, as you can get matched Icon-POI pairs there... Unfrotunately, I have observed some of the icon locations to be as inaccuarte as the default TomTom POI icons. Another problem is that by installing certain collections you may end up with two icons per certain POIs, i.e. with a "generic" icon and a "custom", fro teh same POI. This could make the overcrowding even worse, in some cases. I am still experimentimng woth a proper mix here ... |
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cleo43
Canada
149 Posts |
Posted - 15 janv. 2010 : 04:39:40
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quote:
The TomTom has no satellite screen like the Nuvi does although there maybe 3rd party applications for this.
Touch the satellite bars, you will get the satellite screen. |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 15 janv. 2010 : 04:44:46
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| Great news, thanks. Would have never though of tapping the satellite bars that appear on the screen that shows your route summary map but it is there. |
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
7386 Posts |
Posted - 16 janv. 2010 : 02:02:14
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We were out for a really fun drive today. If anyone is ever in the low desert around Palm Springs please take a couple of hours to take this trip along the Pine to Palms Highway:
We used the raw logging ability of the Nuvi 1490 to create the log files for this trip and then grouped the various legs together using the 'logs to Google Earth facility' at GPSvisualizer ( http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth ) to create the total trip as shown above.
For us the top of the world was pretty near this location (6014 feet) that my wife spotted on the Nuvi and yes that is snow above the shoulder of the road:
Here is a picture of part of the trip as we descended from the ponderosa pine forests of the San Bernardino National Forest to the palms of the Coachella Valley in Palm Desert, and it is a very fun road to drive:
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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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MLabo
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 18 janv. 2010 : 14:31:32
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Rick, you do a pretty nice job with the sat. photo/mapping & markups :)
As for me, I have settled for the 540S, and have been pretty happy since. Despite the fact that the customization potential is not really as substantial as it seams at first, TT does alow me to play with its unit a little bit more than Garmin does, and I have decided it was more important to me than the smooth graphics on the 1490T :)
Both units are definitely very capable, each in a slightly different way though. I still admire the graphics and the lightning speed of the route recalculaton on 1490T. I did not clock it, but highly subjectively it appears to be in most cases on the order of 2-3 seconds, vs. Tom Tom's , which may take 5-6 seconds. It may seem like a small difference, but in a dense urban blok grid layout, it gives you some extra time to react to the unexpected. But well... in all honesty, the TomTom's performance here is also quite acceptable.
This morning my TT suddenly lost all GPS signal in the middle of a country road, with no line of site obstructions. Not sure why and I did not have enough time on my way to work to see if / how soon it recovered. We have had some pretty dense for here this morning, but it shoud not matter, or does it?
I have also found that loading certain POI libraries, especially the "unofficial" ones, may lead to system instablity. For example, I recommend you stay away from the Shell USA package, which causes mots other POIs not to be displayed at all.
I have added or corrected a few maximum road speeds, added a few POIs and inserted a roundabout (or rotary as TT calls it) using the POI managment tool and map share. I liked it. Some changes are effective on my unit immediately, others (like the rotary inserions) will have to be investigated and "officially" released by TT wih the next map update.
I did finds something odd though.. My unit seems to have the previous release maps,and yet HOME keeps telling me my maps are up to date. I am waiting for TT's customer supoprt to get back to me on that... I would like to update the maps within my 30 day grace period...
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Edited by - MLabo on 18 janv. 2010 14:34:30 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 02:37:45
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Just had to share these pictures of the sunset tonight. It has been a wild day with lots of wind and rain in Southern California but the sun showed off through a hole in the clouds just as it set tonight. As you'll see it looks more like a fire than it does the a setting sun:
Sorry no comparison information today. The weather was to bad to get out.
@MLabo
Thanks for your update. I agree, some of the unofficial POIs are a bit of a problem, put also find that POIs as a whole are not as accurate on the TomTom as on the Nuvi. This was also the case with our last comparison between the Nuvi 780 and the TomTom 930.
I'm having my own problems with TomTom and map updates. I got an e-mail the other day offering me their Map Update Service (4 updates for $39.80US). While nowhere as good as Garmin's nuMaps Lifetime deal for around $100 it is still a fairly good offer. My problem started when I went to order the Service. It requires that you attach the 540s to your PC and then when you click on the link in the e-mail, your TomTom Home software fires up. The Home software is supposed to offer you the Map Update Service for the advertised price but it my case it was coming up with a price of 39.80 Euros instead of Dollars.
After a couple of calls to TomTom support it was first determined that I'd registered the 540 using my Canadian address and this offer would only work properly for US addresses. I then went into the Home software and changed my address and location to the US. At that point I could get the Service offer to come up in US Dollars but not $39.80. It was coming up as $52 dollars and a few cents. At this point TomTom support attempted to make some changes at their end but couldn't because their 'purchase' system was down (just my luck).
So where I stand now is I have to phone them back tomorrow and we'll see what happens.
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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 19 janv. 2010 03:32:52 |
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BabyDoc
USA
220 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 16:42:02
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| Sunday night, I happened to tune into the QVC Shopping network which was presenting the TomTom 540S for sale. (They were selling it for $156 including a case) The TomTom sales representative, who was showing the 540S, claimed that TomTom updated their maps more often than any other GPS, implying that your new TomTom was going to be up to date when you get it. From your experience with other TomToms, how often does TomTom update the maps vs Garmin. Does TomTom offer a free update like Garmin does just in case your new GPS doesn't have the latest maps? |
Using Garmin Nuvi 1490T - Firmware 3.90 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 16:55:17
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TomTom has this policy about maps for a newly purchased unit:
"If we release a new map within 30 days of you first using your new TomTom device, you can download that new map FREE!* That's our Latest Map Guarantee."
Although different wording this is basically the same, although not as as good as, the offer from Garmin's which allows one free update withing 60 days of first using your Nuvi.
TomTom also offers what they call their "Map Update Service" which is one update per quarter for a year (4 updates) for what is currently on sale for $39.80. Garmin counters with their nuMaps service which is lifetime updates for around $100. Their update policy states "up to 4 times a year" which isn't really quarterly but so far as been pretty near that.
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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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BabyDoc
USA
220 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 18:48:11
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You have to figure that for the cost of 3 years of updates with the TomTom, about $120, you can get the LifeTime Updates with the Garmin, retail $119 on Garmin's website.
The catch with Garmin is how they define "LifeTime", which means for as long as NavTeq provides Garmin with maps for your model. You're probably safe getting upgrades for 3 years with the Garmin, but I just wonder how long Navteq and Garmin will support older models, since the LifeTime concept is fairly new.
In any case, most people who are that obsessive about getting frequent new map upgrades will probably want to get a new GPS in a few years. Then the so called "Lifetime" cost difference between Garmin upgrades and the 3 years cost upgrade costs for the TomTom become negligible. However, Garmin LifeTime maps are discounted. For example, I WAS able to purchase my Garmin LifeTime Upgrade for only $79 on Amazon over the holidays. (Now the price is up again there to $95). I haven't shopped TomTom upgrades and whether they too may be available for less than on TomTom's website. But if TT maps aren't discounted, and you CAN get the LifeTime Garmin upgrades at a discount like I got, then Garmin upgrades become a much better deal, even if you only keep your GPS 3 years.
BTW, with regard to LifeTime map updates, Garmin is very good about transferring those updates to a replacement unit, should your 1490T fail and need to be replaced. In fact, you don't have to return the unit to Garmin to get them to transfer your LifeTime maps or Xplorer maps to your replacement GPS. However, you need to contact Garmin customer service before you return it to a dealer. [I recently returned my 1490T to Costco after speaking with Garmin customer support who suggested I probably had a defective unit (it turns out I didn't - see my thread about Xplorer and Toronto). The Garmin rep reset the maps for the new unit even before the exchange. I just needed to register the new unit. ]
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Using Garmin Nuvi 1490T - Firmware 3.90 |
Edited by - BabyDoc on 19 janv. 2010 19:15:50 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 19:04:14
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Turns out the $39.80 price for 4 quarterly updates from TomTom is for US maps only. To get this offer for a model like the XXL540s it cost $52.80 which will give you 4 updates for US, Canada and Mexico which are the maps that come preinstalled on the 540s.
If my math is correct getting lifetime maps for the Nuvi from Amazon today would be about $95 over 2 years (1 x $95), while assuming the price from TomTom remains the same as it is today, their 2 year price would be 2 x $52.80 or $105.60. Three years on the Nuvi remains $95 while the TomTom price would be $158.60, IF the price doesn't change from today's sale price.
Since this really isn't the place for discussing map pricing I think we have pretty much figured out the 'comparison' numbers and can get back to talking about the 2 units and how they perform.
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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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BabyDoc
USA
220 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 19:29:33
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Actually, having up to date maps is one key to a GPS's performance, don't you think? If you don't have a good map, there is no way you are going to be happy with how the GPS performs, no matter how good the hardware.
Although you are comparing these GPS units today, both with new maps, how well these GPS's compare in the future may be affected by how up to date you keep the maps. If you can more easily afford to keep your Garmin current than the TT, in the long run, you might be better off with Garmin.
However, I guess it is a mute point, if you are going to keep either unit upgraded, regardless of the cost.
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Using Garmin Nuvi 1490T - Firmware 3.90 |
Edited by - BabyDoc on 19 janv. 2010 20:00:51 |
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quartzster
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 20:19:51
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Sorry Rick for continuing the map thing but maybe this will put it to bed...
One last thing about the maps...I just hate to see
a lack of info...potentially steer folks in the one
direction or the other....
quote:
January 7, 2010
TomTom today announces Lifetime Map Updates for North America. Customers to automatically receive all updates as they become available.TomTom today at CES announces that it will offer Lifetime Map Updates in North America. This feature allows customers to automatically receive map updates as they become available. It will be incorporated into a range of products in 2010.
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Edited by - quartzster on 19 janv. 2010 20:20:58 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 19 janv. 2010 : 20:29:13
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| Thanks. It will be interesting to see when this becomes available. |
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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MLabo
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 20 janv. 2010 : 15:24:34
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According to TT's tech support, it "just so happens" that sometimes you receive no message of a map update being available, although your map is already obsolete and you are still within the 30 day post-activation period. The tech uppoort is somewhat hard to reach. Especially by email. By phone, once you get to talk to them, they are not bad and appear to be located in North America. After emailing them a copy of my purchase receipt, they were supposed to make both maps (N. America and Europe) available for download via HOME. They in fact did, but just the N. America... Not sure if they forgot about Europe, or what. I had to email them again asking for this to be fixed and still waiting for an answer.
The lesson learned: if you have just purchased an XXL 540S, do not trust HOME when it tells you that you already have the latest map release available. If you ar at the release 835 level, be aware that an 840 is already out there and call TomTom.
For comparison, all my previous map updates with Garmin went quite smoothly... |
Edited by - MLabo on 20 janv. 2010 15:32:38 |
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NanaimoRick
Canada
7386 Posts |
Posted - 21 janv. 2010 : 01:02:30
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Will it ever quit raining in Southern California?
Got an e-mail from TomTom today. There is a new 540s, this one called XXL 540s World Traveler. Looks like the only difference between this one and the one we are using for our comparison is that the new model comes with US, Canada, Mexico and Europe maps while ours has US, Canada, and Mexico only.
Although I can't say for sure the World Traveler may have more storage space to hold the Europe maps as there is not a lot of free space on our 540, actually less than 100Mb (see earlier posts). |
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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[TOPIC] Road Testing the Nuvi 1490T & TomTom 540S
