No it doesn't. Sure you can insert a via point into a route, but try doing that while you are on a route.Originally Posted by RadarKid
Trust me, the detour functionality on the Nuvis (except the Nuvi 5000) is pathetic to say the least.
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Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
No it doesn't. Sure you can insert a via point into a route, but try doing that while you are on a route.
Trust me, the detour functionality on the Nuvis (except the Nuvi 5000) is pathetic to say the least.
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
Never had a problem. Perfect example was an accident on the highway where a tanker truck rolled over. I hit detour, it routed me off the next exit, and back onto Rt 95 2 miles down. Completely avoided the standstill.
Other times I've inserted a destination point while driving (to avoid construction) without a problem as well. Maybe you just don't have enough experience using your unit.
TomToms are pathetic
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
Not that there is any correlation to the V1, but the Garmin units sure are sweet.
Why not go to the store (Circuity City, Best Buy, etc.) to play and see what appeals to you? The Garmin interface is most excellent.
Enjoy.
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
x2. I've been very vocal on just how pathetic tele-atlas is in the United States. It's a god damn joke of a product. I've owned the TT 720, 920T, & 930T and you couldn't pay me enough money to put one of those pieces of shat in my car and expect to get some where within a reasonable time table.
Further more any company that treats you like a criminal *tom tom* shouldn't be getting anyones business. If you buy the 920T or 930T they are supposed to give you a year of free map updates. That only applies if you are willing to scan your receipt or fax them.. *who the fck since 1985 owns a fax machine*? Furthermore why should anyone have to prove dick to them.
It's also pretty sad that I had to change out my 920T 4 god damn times just to get a working one from Best Buy. 0
If TomTom opened a US based operation I'd take a dump on their lawn.
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
nomore55 is right. There's nothing like messing with the units yourself to get a feel of what you prefer. Keep in mind the preferences of those who have used both, and returned units for "better" ones.
When you mess with them, at least for a while - disable the GPS so that its in DEMO mode where it'll appear to be driving the route you put in. The car will move along the route, and act as though it would if you were actually moving.
Pay attention to
USER INTERFACE (which keyboards you like best, and ease of navigating through the screens)
SCREEN SIZE (does it fit where you need it to? is it big enough for you to read easily? do you prefer a wide screen with full QWERTY?)
COVERAGE (in what countries do you need to use it?)
STORAGE SPACE FOR FAVORITES (how many do you need?)
NUMBER OF SATELLITES IT USES (how fast it reconnects in many situations where its been off for an extended period, or started up in a new location)
VOLUME (is it loud enough for your hearing? does it have an external jack for an earpiece?)
AUDIO CLARITY (is it clear enough for you to understand? there are different voices to select within settings that sound different)
VIDEO CLARITY (how is the resolution, and brightness?)
DOES IT DO TEXT TO SPEECH (reading the names of the streets you're turning on, and if you want/need that feature)
HOW SMOOTH ARE MOVEMENTS (are the movements little jumps of the screen? or does it flow like its driving across the map? This is hard to get an accurate idea of without USING it real time. Just make sure you have a return period to exchange it if you find something better)
DOES IT DO BLUETOOTH (do you have any preference for this feature?)
DOES IT HOLD EXTERNAL MEMORY (do you need it?)
DOES IT HAVE PICTURE VIEWER (do you need it?)
DOES IT DO MP3 PLAYBACK? (do you need it?)
My opinion is stick with GARMIN or MAGELLAN.
MAGELLANS biggest plus over a GARMIN (and I prefer GARMIN) is the fact that its QWERTY dims out letters that you don't need while typing)
Last edited by RadarKid; 11-07-2008 at 02:51 PM.
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
Such passion!I luv it.
Yeah, I hear a lot of complaints about Tele-Atlas. I guess it's the Achilles' Heel of Tom Tom. Too bad, I believe it's a very good device otherwise. OTOH, the NAVTEQ set up appears to be near perfection (for USA users).
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
I have both a Nuvi 760 and a TomTom 930 (I'm a gadget nerd what can I say). I've also previously used other units from both manufacturers. I agree TeleAtlas maps definitely used to be awful, however I've found recently they are getting better. If you use Google maps, you are using TeleAtlas. Take a look at maps.google.com for your neighborhood... thats pretty much what you get on an updated Tomtom.
Both my Nuvi and my Tomtom have the most up to date maps, however the TomTom has many more of the more recently built developments. I think that Garmin actually uses older NavTeq maps than the current ones on say maps.yahoo.com
In my area I've found that both units route well, sometimes one will pick a route I prefer over another but both units get me to where I want to be.
As to the Detour function. Thanks Radar, but I DO know how to use the unit. In fact I've had numerous discussions asking for advice etc on a dedicated GPS forum and people have had the same problems as I.
The Garmin Detour function will skip the next Road Segment. That is all it does. So, in many situations it works fine, but other times it can be a nightmare.
A few years ago, I encountered a closed highway in phoenix. There was absolutely no way to make my Nuvi 350 (at the time) detour around the thing. No combination of hitting detour button would avoid that highway.
With the newer Nuvi 760 I am now able to plan my route better by adding via points on the roads I want to travel on. If you know the exact route you want to take, and you can spend the time to sit down and force the GPS to take that route by inserting via points, then the Garmin is fine. In situations where you very quickly need to avoid a specific road or some such other units are better suited. Navigons and Magellans as far as I know have this functionality. Even the Garmin Nuvi 5000 has this, why don't the 7xx or 8xx series?
Also, its taken Garmin forever to add a next turn arrow to the interface. Finally now they are doing it on the newer units. That has been bothering me from Day 1.
When people ask for my advice I always say: For beginners I recommend Garmin. They are easy to use have great interface and are rock solid. However for advanced GPS users or Techie types, many prefer TomToms.
PS. If you go for a Garmin make sure you go for one who's model# ends in 5. These are the newer units, all of which feature a next turn indicator and also a faster processor.
Last edited by lordhamster; 11-10-2008 at 08:50 AM. Reason: can't spell
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
i would listen to hamster on this
oddly enough, Hello hamster, i was not aware you visited this forum aswell
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
hey Kayrac! Nice to see you here. Yeah I used to post in this forum quite often, but lately I've been so busy with things I've just not had the time.i would listen to hamster on this
oddly enough, Hello hamster, i was not aware you visited this forum aswell
Last edited by lordhamster; 11-10-2008 at 09:54 AM.
Re: First time GPS buyer needs advice
The biggest downfall of the Nuvi's has hamster said is the detour feature. I had the 350 some where in hell NJ when the road just randomly closed. So my only choice was to drive on random roads until the GPS could divert me around that closed road. man I was pissed.
but from the thousands of miles I've logged that's been the garmins only fault. you would think they could update that feature by now.
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