vineyarder

Since numerous DCs have homes in Tuscany, I am hoping that someone can help me out with a question about GPS units... I am going to the PE home in Tuscany (near Cortona) this summer, and I am trying to decide whether to get the Tom-Tom 920 or the Garmin Nuvi 370. Has anyone used either of these GPS units in Tuscany, and what was your experience? I have heard from someone that the Tom-Tom 920 worked great in Tuscany, but if the Garmin performs well in Tuscany, I'd prefer to get that unit as I prefer the functionality of the Garmin for everyday use in the US... Anyone have any experience here?

Steamboat Bill

According to Amazon

Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: TomTom 920 vs Garmin Nuvi 370

T. Samuelson says:
I've been doing a little research on both systems, but would really appreciate reviews from people that can offer a comparison. I have narrowed it down to the TT 920 and GN 370 since I need the European maps. I also prefer to have the feature where the system speaks the name of the street and not just the distance. All input is welcome!

Monica from Philly says:
They are not even in the same class. The 920 blows away the 370.

Amazonian says:
The 920 does not have maps of Greece or Mexico available. Partial support for Greece is standard on the 370. This is a very big disappointment for 920 users... why have Croatia, but not Greece? Makes no sense?

Gary Anderson says:
The TomTom 920 is a far superior product. Far more feature rich. I highly recommend it.

Amazonian says:
To expand on this a little more... You said you need European maps. Be very careful in comparing the 920 and the 370 if that is your primary consideration. I have found it a bit hard to figure out which maps are complete for both units based on the mfrs literature and suspect that is why you are posting here.

I haven't used the 370 but I have used the 360 in the US. I also have a 920. The 920 speaks the turns sooner than the 360. I assume the 370 will be more like the 360. I found that travelling with the 360 was a challenge at times because by the time the voice guidance told me to turn, it was too late to get in the proper lane. Comparing the 3X0 to the X20, the 3x0 is easier to learn, but the x20 is easier to use. The x20 has more customizable options that make the product easier to use across the wide range of things you want a navigator to do, voice response, remote control, ability to delete route segments, set up itnineraries, convert favorites to POI'S, the list goes on and on of the x20's. But the Nuvi's are much easier to learn because they don't have the advanced feature set.

There really is no right answer. Compare first of all the places in Europe you will travel to, try to determine which unit has the best map/poi support. That's your first criterion. don't listen to vague generalities like "TT blows Garmin away", it does, but not in Greece, for example, and perhaps not in other places you may be visiting, or the converse may be true.

You can also buy Euro maps for other Garmin units, although the packaging of the 370 is very nice. I really liked the Nuvi 360, I'd expect the 370 to be a great unit if it has the right maps.

N. Williams says:
Amazonian,

No matter how you slice and dice it, the 920 blows away the 370. HOWEVER, having said that it does not mean it is better in every conceivable way.

The initial question was generic, so I gave a generic answer.

The poster perhaps wanted to visit POLAND above all other Euro countries and so Garmin 370 would be useless there. TT does not support Greece and is a major omission, especially as TA (the map supplier) covers Greece (51% of the roads) and MioMap Europe has it. Croatia is a hot tourist destination now, so I can see why they are covered.

In any case, a visit to the TT and Garmin websites will tell you what countries are covered in their various flavours of Euro map offerings.

MOST people want to visit the big five: UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and both units would cover them. Heck, even Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Ireland, Switz and Scandinavia are universally covered by the big boys.

Steamboat Bill

Here is a review from TomTom GO 920T vs Garmin Nuvi 770

There are a TON of comments here.

TomTom GO 920T vs Garmin Nuvi 770 -- NaviGadget

# Fletch Says:
What about the fact that TomTom’s routing engine stinks compared to Garmin’s? Or that TomTom’s interface is harder to use than Garmin’s? Also, you didn’t mention Garmin’s neat new features on the nuvi 700’s, like remembering where you parked your car. I’ve tested the TomTom GO 720, and it was lousy at basic routing and navigation. Even the $200 Magellan Maestro 3100 is better.

# marco Says:
770 can calculate altitude (in real time), 920 no
770 support text-to-speech for speaking street names, 920 no.
770 has more POI than 920.
In europe TMC has to be paid only in france, in Italy it’s free so the difference is null.
770 can store Waypoints, 920 no.
The 920’s dead reckoning is a very helpful function but with a vehicles speed sensor it should be better…
770 has a new function to locate autovelox (cyclops).
I don’t know which unit is better, depends from the use.
For me, 770 is a little more “professional” than 920, but tomtom now in italy is sold much more of the others, is much more “fashionable”.

(Sorry for my bad english)

jerseydevil Says:
The biggest difference hasn’t even been mentioned - the Garmin can upload topographical maps. This is essential if you are off road, on the trail etc.

Jim Says:
This is the worst review I have ever seen. It is like compairing to speakers both the same size both and similar build and saying the one for 12 dollars is a much better deal than the one for 400.00 without ever listening to them.
If you are not going to try them out don’t pull one out of your hat and say it is the winner.

There is no compairison. Garmin is a clear winner and always will be. Until other companies can make a GPS that does not require you to know the Zip Code or City that the address is in Garmin is untouchable. I have yet to figure why the first thing all GPS devices ask for except Garmin is the City or Zip Code. I drive everyday with a GPS and I have people tell me the address is in Seattle when it is actually in Renton or other city along the edge of Seattle. Without this feature your GPS is a big paper weight and you might as well buy a Thomas Guide or other type of paper map.

For those of you that actually need to figure out where you need to go, Look at Garmin. I have owned both and like I said there is no compairison. The money you save between the two if you buy the TomTom will be spent on gas, stress and appologies for being late or in the wrong city 40 minutes from where you really need to be.

Galen Says:
I’ve had a couple of Tom Toms and have just ordered a 920T. I love the things. I visit 10 to 12 locations daily to do audits and it has reduced my preparation time by hours. Touch in address and 99% of the time just follow directions. I just hope I never have to choose between my Tom Tom and my wife because I don’t know where she’d go.

coupable Says:
i tried garmin nuvi 660 for more than a week, i did not like it so i returned it back and get my money back. few days… i bought tomtom go 920T…guess what? i liked it.
here are some differences:
- tomtom does show you which way goes a one-way street, garmin does not.
- tomtom gives you the option to set the choice to avoid toll routes for every trip, with garmin once you set that option it will be applied for all your trips.
- on tomtom the way the map is scrolled and the vehicle icon is moving while you drive are better than on garmin.
- tomtom shows on the status bar the street name you driving on, garmin does not.
- garmin shows on top of screen the name of the next street you will cross, tomtom does not.
- on tomtom you can select the POIs you like to be shown on screen, on garmin you can’t and they appear only on zoom-in mode.

Kagehitokiri

ill bet you can get a pretty thorough answer in the tech forum at flyertalk

3DH

We used my TomTom Go 700 in Tuscany this September... it worked great! I did have to purchase the Western Europe maps, and had initial concerns since I had read that coverage in Italy wasn't 100%. However, we had no problems with it, and were able to successfully navigate everywhere we went, including a tiny village with a great winery that I can recommend: Castello di Fonterutoli.

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"Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

Kagehitokiri

great info!

vineyarder

Thanks for all the help! Got some feedback at FlyerTalk as well (I had no idea that they had a technology forum!)...

Kagehitokiri

not a perfect answer at FT, im amazed!

3DH

...depends on who you ask! Many of those folks are pretty sure of themselves -- just ask 'em!

__________________
"Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!