Navi App (Sygic, Navigon, TomTom) Comparo by LA Times

[ddrueckhammer]

^
If you want to see a funny example of KT's voice, watch Season 4, Episode 1 "Cindy Plumb" of Nip/Tuck. The show is graphic for those that don't know, but the basic synopsis of that episode is that KT is a sex line operator who comes in to get a "voice lift" from the plastic surgeons who the show is about... Pretty funny.

 

[jcde7ago]

You're right, that is useful. Hopefully Navigon adds that. But how you cast the way that Navigon makes up for the GPS lag inherent on the iPhone is ridiculous. Fact is, it's more indicative of your current location that TomTom. Period.

While the street names could be clearer, I don't think they are illegible. The Maps on TomTom look archaic and the movement is horribly choppy. I prefer the Navigon voice to the robotic TomTom voice that interrupts my music abruptly every 3 minutes.

Maybe that's the main advantage for you.

This comparison makes no sense unless you assume that Navigon's map updates will be more costly than TomTom's. There is no evidence of this.

Lol MBHockey, I think someone finally sees eye-to-eye with me in regards to Navigon's performance over TomTom.

I mean, really, in their current states, A LOT tips the scales toward Navigon, NOT just price but overall features as well. What TomTom has essentially that people call "features" isn't really added functionality - they're minor "cosmetic" options.

For example:

Navigon has:
- Lane Assist Pro. This FEATURE actually helps you, with arrows, audible indications and an overhead sign to stay in the right lane when you're driving.

- Reality View Pro. This FEATURE actually helps you when driving around unfamiliar territories, as you can clearly see on the map what certain junctions are looking/going to look like, which overhead signs are where and more importantly, WHERE YOU NEED TO BE to get to your destination, all in real time. TomTom just tells you to "keep left." That's cool, until I hit a 6-lane junction.

-Audible warnings when speeding AND spoken HIGHWAY names. That is a FEATURE.

TomTom has:
- Optional map colors. SLIGHTLY more legible street names, if your vision happens to be around 10/20 (in which case you should think about investing in glasses or contacts and not which GPS app to buy - you might never make it to your destination). This "feature" doesn't really help me at all.

-Crisp menus. Again, no help whatsoever.

-"Keep to the Left!" (Whaa..bu...WHICH LEFT TOMTOM, WHICH LEFT?!?! There are SIX LANES MERGING!!!).

-IQRoutes - most people don't understand that the concept of IQRoutes is finding the FASTEST route to your destination. Navigon has this. In fact, they have about FOUR options, including Fast (same as IQRoutes) and Optimal. You can even change these individual options to avoid toll roads, residential areas, etc. This is not a feature when both apps have them. These are options. TomTom just chose to name it "IQRoutes" instead of coming out and naming it, "the system by which we find you the fastest route to your destination, despite what most people assume to be the concept of a GPS in the first place."

The only thing TomTom has over Navigon currently is that it has a step by step route summary, which is helpful. But we can give Navigon a break with this, cause it is accurate with regards to your location so when you approach exits and junctions, it tells you right up until the exit itself where to go, which means you wouldn't need to fiddle with the app instead of taking your eyes off the road to look at step by step instructions. After all, if you were going to rely on seeing a step by step list, use the GOOGLE MAPS APP and just MEMORIZE YOUR EXITS!

Pretty sure that there is nothing TomTom has that Navigon doesn't. Those claiming that TomTom's maps are "Newer and better" should provide proof of that or traverse every road in the world with both apps before claiming otherwise. And with regards to POI's - both are the same. No GPS app is EVER going to have EVERY POI in EVERY town and city in EVERY country in the world. There are POIs that both have and some that one and the other lack. And if people are going to throw out that TomTom has more "routing options/features" - then please, list them. Navigon has pretty much every option possible to get somewhere, including options for every method of transportation, options for every kind of road to use or avoid, etc...as an owner of both, there are clearly so many things Navigon already has that TomTom lacks, and with the impending 1.2 update among us, it is going to take quite a HUGE update and drop in price from TomTom to even compete.

Also, if anyone is going to argue that TomTom can offer a low pricing scheme with future map updates, I don't see why Navigon can't do the same - let's not forget that Navigon hit the market first with its current low price, then chose to extend the low-price cutoff till the end of this month. For all we know, they could choose to extend that again.

Bottom line: in their current states, Navigon is heads and shoulders above TomTom in every way possible. I deem myself a fairly rational and reasonable person, and again as I own both apps, it would be tremendously hard for me to recommend that someone spend $30 more for an app that does a lot less than its cheaper competitor that does a lot more (and has promised to do even more). Dont' waste your time and money if you're looking to buy one of these apps - buy Navigon now, and hope that TomTom quits tripping over themselves and quits relying on their brand name popularity to actually bring out a reasonably priced and worthwhile product.

 

[jacobgaul]

ive tried them all, and by far navigon is my top pick.. tomtom is a SERIOUS JOKE what are they thinking?! im glad i paid for navigon im also glad i didnt pay for the other ones )

 

[ddrueckhammer]

Whatever. Lane assist is stupid. It only helps a bit on big freeways and you shouldn't be taking your eyes off of the road to figure out what lane you should be in anyway. TTS will make this feature moot. It is far from the make or break it feature that some people tout it as just because they are trying to justify their purchase.

Reality view is totally eye candy. I'm sorry but it doesn't help you find exits any more than the overhead or 3D views.

Here you go:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/767546/


Navigon uses 2008/2009 maps and TomTom uses Q1 2009 maps. I have tested the two side by side in my area and TomTom has more newer streets and POIs. Also, I find it interesting that for my area at least, Google maps uses Tele Atlas maps. Is this true for all Google maps?

And IQ Routes is not the same as the "Fastest Route" option. If you turn IQRoutes off, you will notice that the "fastest route" option still exists. Hum, how could that be? Well, IQRoutes takes historical user traffic data and uses it to help formulate the fastest route. So in urban areas where traffic jams frequently occur on certain roads at certain times, it will know that and plan accordingly. The "fastest route" option would get you stuck right in the middle of the jam. It isn't live traffic but you don't have to have a subscription either...

BTW, most of Navigon's physical units charge about 69 Euros or $100/year for European map upgrades but 129 Euros or $183 for NA maps! TomTom generally charges $70 for a single upgrade or $40/year for 4 quarterly updates. I'm not saying Navigon won't offer cheap maps for the App store, but it looks like TomTom has priced map upgrades cheaper on other devices in the past.

In the end, if you totally ignore the interface and advanced routing features like advanced planning, routing by putting markers on the map, alternative routes, avoidance, etc then yes Navigon has the advantage. They do anyway because of price, but to say that the TomTom app is not a good app is ridiculous. It works very well and has some advantages over Navigon that some people are unwilling to acknowledge.

 

[Pika]

Navigon

I've had Navigon for a week now and have used it on a number of small trips. I must say I am very impressed with the functionality, screen layout, maps and voice directions, The voice itself is pleasant and easy to listen to. The routes to. The routes have been accurate most of the time and the re-routing calculation is super fast on my iPhone 3GS. Having used a Magellan and Garmin GPS in the past, I'm pleased that this unit does almost everything they do for lot less and i like having everything in one unit. I look forward to future updates.

Pros:
- Accurate maps onboard.
- Great functionality, easy to use.
- Great POI database.
- Nice Voice.
- Quick re-routing calculations.
- Super easy to use.

Cons:
- Slow initial start-up
- Satellite acquisition seems slow sometimes.
- No test to speech yet for street names and such but it's coming soon...

My wish list for future upgrades:
- Text to speech
- Automatic switch to night mode depending on clock or iPhone brightness sensor.
- Voice packs (I'd spend extra for some celebrity voices)

Well worth the price. If you been holding out like i was, now is the time while it's on sale.

TomTom

As excited I was, got disappointed by the fact that my address show up one corner later although I live in a very popular area west of MTL and my house was build 37 years ago!!! Plus it insists that this street is only one way.

I just find it hard to believe, and wonder what other map error will i get since no other map or GPS I've used ever had a problem. Some of the American voices will announce in miles although the units are set to KM.

When reaching destination it doesn't say on which side of the street it is. No screen to show you your altitude above sea level. To be fair I only had it for a a day, so apart from the initial disappointment it looks OK, of course some will complain about not having text to speech, but even when i had that feature it was so annoying having to listen to those French MTL streets pronounced wrong with a robot sound.

I love the brows map since it is fast and show you all POI you can zoom in and out so easily it is excellent, but if you find a point of interest lets say a restaurant icon its a bit tricky to click it and when you do you get the pop up name, now unlike in Google maps when the happens you can just click the name and you'll get the address, here you have to precisely click the tiny blue arrow on the right side of the name then you'll get an option page so that you can navigate to it or add it to your favorite ect... but still won't tell you the address just the name and the ability to call them, maybe then you can ask them about the address.

I have a Magellan, a Garmin, and I tried the Navigon demo, this looks promising and will do a fine job, but until they add traffic fix a few things and add more options.

Pros
- iPhone 3GS runs this app very smoothly (i find it even runs more smooth then standalone GPS unit)
- Map and GPS reader smoothly and it's pretty accurate
- TomTom lives up to it's name when it comes to GPS navigation

Cons:
- Be aware that this app kills your battery very fast.
- No traffic and other fuctions available
- Complex app... it feels like a Maze.
- Navigon is more responsive and more elegant then this.

 

[m3coolpix]

Whatever. Lane assist is stupid. It only helps a bit on big freeways and you shouldn't be taking your eyes off of the road to figure out what lane you should be in anyway. TTS will make this feature moot. It is far from the make or break it feature that some people tout it as just because they are trying to justify their purchase.

Reality view is totally eye candy. I'm sorry but it doesn't help you find exits any more than the overhead or 3D views.

Here you go:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/767546/


Navigon uses 2008/2009 maps and TomTom uses Q1 2009 maps. I have tested the two side by side in my area and TomTom has more newer streets and POIs. Also, I find it interesting that for my area at least, Google maps uses Tele Atlas maps. Is this true for all Google maps?

And IQ Routes is not the same as the "Fastest Route" option. If you turn IQRoutes off, you will notice that the "fastest route" option still exists. Hum, how could that be? Well, IQRoutes takes historical user traffic data and uses it to help formulate the fastest route. So in urban areas where traffic jams frequently occur on certain roads at certain times, it will know that and plan accordingly. The "fastest route" option would get you stuck right in the middle of the jam. It isn't live traffic but you don't have to have a subscription either...

BTW, most of Navigon's physical units charge about 69 Euros or $100/year for European map upgrades but 129 Euros or $183 for NA maps! TomTom generally charges $70 for a single upgrade or $40/year for 4 quarterly updates. I'm not saying Navigon won't offer cheap maps for the App store, but it looks like TomTom has priced map upgrades cheaper on other devices in the past.

In the end, if you totally ignore the interface and advanced routing features like advanced planning, routing by putting markers on the map, alternative routes, avoidance, etc then yes Navigon has the advantage. They do anyway because of price, but to say that the TomTom app is not a good app is ridiculous. It works very well and has some advantages over Navigon that some people are unwilling to acknowledge.

OK. So, because Navigon users see the features (you called stupid, moot, eye candy, whatever) as real features, and you see the real features of TomTom that Navigon users think are (insert your above descriptive choices here), you are willing to dismiss the entire Navigon user group?

I don't get it. We should just all give in to TomTom? You've obviously found the best software that works for you, and you are doing the exact same thing, justifying your purchase. Doesn't mean everyone is going to agree.

It's definitely sparked pretty lively debate, I think.

And, if someone is following the link to the app comparison, be sure to click the link below the chart to get to the LIVE data. The OP of that thread posted the chart in a static form that is now outdated for a couple of points.

 

[jcde7ago]

Whatever. Lane assist is stupid. It only helps a bit on big freeways and you shouldn't be taking your eyes off of the road to figure out what lane you should be in anyway. TTS will make this feature moot. It is far from the make or break it feature that some people tout it as just because they are trying to justify their purchase.

Reality view is totally eye candy. I'm sorry but it doesn't help you find exits any more than the overhead or 3D views.

Here you go:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/767546/


Navigon uses 2008/2009 maps and TomTom uses Q1 2009 maps. I have tested the two side by side in my area and TomTom has more newer streets and POIs. Also, I find it interesting that for my area at least, Google maps uses Tele Atlas maps. Is this true for all Google maps?

And IQ Routes is not the same as the "Fastest Route" option. If you turn IQRoutes off, you will notice that the "fastest route" option still exists. Hum, how could that be? Well, IQRoutes takes historical user traffic data and uses it to help formulate the fastest route. So in urban areas where traffic jams frequently occur on certain roads at certain times, it will know that and plan accordingly. The "fastest route" option would get you stuck right in the middle of the jam. It isn't live traffic but you don't have to have a subscription either...

BTW, most of Navigon's physical units charge about 69 Euros or $100/year for European map upgrades but 129 Euros or $183 for NA maps! TomTom generally charges $70 for a single upgrade or $40/year for 4 quarterly updates. I'm not saying Navigon won't offer cheap maps for the App store, but it looks like TomTom has priced map upgrades cheaper on other devices in the past.

In the end, if you totally ignore the interface and advanced routing features like advanced planning, routing by putting markers on the map, alternative routes, avoidance, etc then yes Navigon has the advantage. They do anyway because of price, but to say that the TomTom app is not a good app is ridiculous. It works very well and has some advantages over Navigon that some people are unwilling to acknowledge.

Lol. Okay, just go ahead and dismiss Lane Assist and Reality View as "stupid" and "eye candy." Their whole purpose is on FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS! And yes, believe it or not, they help tremendously. If you lived in the Bay Area and knew some of the freeway junctions here, you would begin to realize how imperative it is to know EXACTLY which lane you're supposed to be in when so many lanes from so many freeways all merge and then split all within 1 mile. I don't have time to switch to an overhead view to look at what lane i am supposed to be in - with Navigon, I just glance and I know right away. But I digress, since i am using it to "justify my purchase" much like people who bought TomTom use "IQRoutes and color options on their maps" to justify THEIR purchase.

And supposedly, TTS will make the above features moot. Okay, except that it's been confirmed that Navigon users will be getting it in the next update, while TomTom is still dragging its feet.

And I guess, even though I live in an upper-middle class California town, there aren't exactly THOUSANDS of new streets and POI's opening in my area to warrant a huge difference between Q1 2009 maps and late 2008/Early 2009 maps.

And despite what you might say, i've used IQRoutes and Navigon on the same routes and - SURPRISE! They used the exact same routes to get me to my destination in the middle of rush hour traffic. I mean, historical traffic data or not, there are never going to be more than 2-3 actual ways to get to a place. IQRoutes is a load of bull to say the least, and far less helpful than something like Reality View or Lane Assist.

And finally, as for the map pricing scheme, the AppStore model is a completely different model than selling proprietary hardware based apps in the market - so really, to bring up any comparisons in this area is ignorant at best. I mean, TomTom sells a hardware GPS unit for 100$ - why would they charge the same for an app, then expect you to buy a mount for it? This actually works AGAINST TomTom.

For the record, Navigon also has advanced planning, avoidance, etc...i don't get what your point is. Relying on the UI as a selling point is foolish when such a thing is extremely relative to each person's personal preference. What there is no getting around is the helpfulness of actual features - not cosmetic differences. But feel free to keep touting that TomTom is on par with Navigon, especially when so many people on this forum and others have voiced otherwise BY FAR.

 

[Pika]

And, if someone is following the link to the app comparison, be sure to click the link below the chart to get to the LIVE data. The OP of that thread posted the chart in a static form that is now outdated for a couple of points.

I've updated the chart.

 

[SpaceKitty]

To me , Navigon will useable once the make the text size readable and they get rid of that awful olive green background that hurts my eyes when I try to read that already microprint.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

To me , Navigon will useable once the make the text size readable and they get rid of that awful olive green background that hurts my eyes when I try to read that already microprint.

Amen.

@JCDE7AGO

I'm not saying that lane assist isn't useful but it isn't the end all be all. I went through the "Golden Glades" interchange north of Miami

which is supposedly one of the more complex interchanges in the country with 5 highways coming together and had no problem navigating with only TomTom. (Yes, I did change roads) If the vocal prompt says "keep left" and "exit motorway in 400 yards" then I keep to the furthest left lane for exiting possible. There are these things on the roads called signs that help with the rest.

Now "reality view" IMO is just a bullet point for the sake of having it. Why would I need a "reality view" when I can just look out the window and see "reality". The exits would have to be practically on top of each other to be that confusing and TomTom will say take the first or second exit if it is. I was actually really impressed when this happened once to me. If it is that confusing I don't want to be staring at a map while going 70 mph. That is just dangerous.

IDK, even with the terrible housing market there were still new neighborhoods here and there are definitely new POIs since 2008.

If there is no other option, IQRoutes does send you on the same route as fastest, but to say that it is useless is naive. Yesterday, it took me on a different route than I am used to and I checked the route and it was a little different than "fastest". Now, this was in the suburbs so I'm not sure if it really sped things up that much, but apparently it thought one of the roads in the "fastest" route would have traffic at that time.

I would be very surprised if TTS didn't come to TomTom as well. How can you say they are dragging their feet when the app was just released a couple of days ago? There are some companies out there who keep mum about future updates until they are ready to announce them. I'm sure you don't know anything about that though.

You obviously haven't used TomTom that much if you think that the routing options are the same. Navigon is very basic by comparison. They can add those features though in updates.

I see no reason why looking at historical pricing for map updates from the two companies is an unreasonable method of predicting what they might charge. TomTom already makes software for other PDAs/phones so I see no reason why their pricing scheme would change and Navigon might not charge the same as map upgrades for their handhelds but I'm not sure why they wouldn't. I agree that the TomTom mount seems like it is going to be too expensive in combination with the app but we don't know the pricing yet and compared to ther vehicle mounts it probably won't be too bad. For instance ProClip has an adjustable "pass through" connection holder for $80 which will let you either charge or connect to the stereo but I''m pretty sure not both. So it doesn't seem like it will be that bad unless compared to other stand alone GPS units.

I think alot of the people saying that Navigon is FAR better than TomTom either A. haven't used both apps, or B. made of their mind based on price before TomTom was even released. There are things that could improve with TomTom (the same goes for Navigon) for sure but the app hasn't even been out a week and many are ready to dismiss it even though it is a very solid app.

You say that relying on UI as a selling point is foolish, even though "reality view" and "lane assist" are UI features. Classic.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

@Pika

It is unfortunate that TomTom has your address in the wrong spot. I noticed a couple of buildings in a rural area I went to were off by about 100 yards. I went into google maps and noticed that they were off there too so I guess it was a problem on Tele Atlas. I'm sure there are errors in Navteqs maps too though. In both TomTom and Navigon, you can adjust your route directly on the map so if something is a bit off you just drag the cursor/stick pin to where it should be. I think they should make a feature where you can report a map as incorrect (in app) though to help improve them more quickly.

Both apps are good and have strong points but it is frustrating to see people ganging up on TomTom when it was just released and is a pretty solid app. Its not like Navigon hasn't improved since version 1.0. TomTom is late to the party but most likely because they are developing hardware too... TomTom is too expensive at $99 and so will Navigon be in a couple of weeks when the sale ends.

I really don't think that the features some are touting as make or break it for Navigon are that big of a deal especially when they dismiss routing features for TomTom.

 

[Tiffy]

Can someone give a link to the voice everyone keeps saying the Navigon lady sounds like? I find it really amusing that 1) i actually like the voice and 2) i seem to be the only one

I do like the voice also. I find it not very nice but easy to understand and not aggressive. Navigon is a german company so I guess it corresponds to german tastes... (I am half german). An idea for the marketing departments of GPS makers : organize a poll to know what kind of voice the customers would like !

 

[Tiffy]

Navigon & Tomtom seem more or less equivalent

There is a natural behavior which is to say that what I bought is better, but the more I read the forums, the more it seems that TomTom & Navigon are more or less equivalent.
First, the most important thing : if you just need to go from point A to point B (I imagine this is the case 99% of the time), they both guide you efficiently. It seems difficult to say that Navteq maps are better or worst than the ones of TeleAtlas. I think you know that it is impossible for these 2 companies to update all the world every 3 months. They proceed area per area, and take into account the remarks of the users. So one area can be more up to date on Navteq, and another more up to date on TeleAtlas.

For the other functions, it seems that on TomTom you have more options to tweak the route and IQ routes, but on Navigon you have a nicer/more efficient view of the intersections (and some options to tweak the route also). Regarding the colors, some prefer Navigon, some prefer TomTom... Same for the organization of the menus.

It seems very difficult to say that one is better than the other. It depends on what you expect from your GPS, what your tastes are and how much money you are ready to spend. TomTom should release a test version of its application so that users could make their mind before buying.

On the french AppStore, TomTom is rated 3 stars and a half, Navigon 4 stars. But when I read the commentaries, it appears that lots of people gave 4/5 stars to Navigon because it works well, and lots of people gave 3/4 stars to TomTom because they expected TomTom to release a far better product (not because it doesn't work well). So again, it seems difficult to judge...

 

[ddrueckhammer]

There is a natural behavior which is to say that what I bought is better, but the more I read the forums, the more it seems that TomTom & Navigon are more or less equivalent.
First, the most important thing : if you just need to go from point A to point B (I imagine this is the case 99% of the time), they both guide you efficiently. It seems difficult to say that Navteq maps are better or worst than the ones of TeleAtlas. I think you know that it is impossible for these 2 companies to update all the world every 3 months. They proceed area per area, and take into account the remarks of the users. So one area can be more up to date on Navteq, and another more up to date on TeleAtlas.

For the other functions, it seems that on TomTom you have more options to tweak the route and IQ routes, but on Navigon you have a nicer/more efficient view of the intersections (and some options to tweak the route also). Regarding the colors, some prefer Navigon, some prefer TomTom... Same for the organization of the menus.

It seems very difficult to say that one is better than the other. It depends on what you expect from your GPS, what your tastes are and how much money you are ready to spend. TomTom should release a test version of its application so that users could make their mind before buying.

On the french AppStore, TomTom is rated 3 stars and a half, Navigon 4 stars. But when I read the commentaries, it appears that lots of people gave 4/5 stars to Navigon because it works well, and lots of people gave 3/4 stars to TomTom because they expected TomTom to release a far better product (not because it doesn't work well). So again, it seems difficult to judge...

Good points. I'm not trying to dog on Navigon. Navigon is a very solid apps but it has its cons just like the competition. I have used both apps side by side and I agree that many users expected 1.0 to be perfect with TomTom whereas they are more forgiving with Navigon. It could be because of price or because of reputation, but it is what it is.

 

[jcde7ago]

Amen.

@JCDE7AGO

I'm not saying that lane assist isn't useful but it isn't the end all be all. I went through the "Golden Glades" interchange north of Miami

[pic]

which is supposedly one of the more complex interchanges in the country with 5 highways coming together and had no problem navigating with only TomTom. (Yes, I did change roads) If the vocal prompt says "keep left" and "exit motorway in 400 yards" then I keep to the furthest left lane for exiting possible. There are these things on the roads called signs that help with the rest.

Now "reality view" IMO is just a bullet point for the sake of having it. Why would I need a "reality view" when I can just look out the window and see "reality". The exits would have to be practically on top of each other to be that confusing and TomTom will say take the first or second exit if it is. I was actually really impressed when this happened once to me. If it is that confusing I don't want to be staring at a map while going 70 mph. That is just dangerous.

IDK, even with the terrible housing market there were still new neighborhoods here and there are definitely new POIs since 2008.

If there is no other option, IQRoutes does send you on the same route as fastest, but to say that it is useless is naive. Yesterday, it took me on a different route than I am used to and I checked the route and it was a little different than "fastest". Now, this was in the suburbs so I'm not sure if it really sped things up that much, but apparently it thought one of the roads in the "fastest" route would have traffic at that time.

I would be very surprised if TTS didn't come to TomTom as well. How can you say they are dragging their feet when the app was just released a couple of days ago? There are some companies out there who keep mum about future updates until they are ready to announce them. I'm sure you don't know anything about that though.

You obviously haven't used TomTom that much if you think that the routing options are the same. Navigon is very basic by comparison. They can add those features though in updates.

I see no reason why looking at historical pricing for map updates from the two companies is an unreasonable method of predicting what they might charge. TomTom already makes software for other PDAs/phones so I see no reason why their pricing scheme would change and Navigon might not charge the same as map upgrades for their handhelds but I'm not sure why they wouldn't. I agree that the TomTom mount seems like it is going to be too expensive in combination with the app but we don't know the pricing yet and compared to ther vehicle mounts it probably won't be too bad. For instance ProClip has an adjustable "pass through" connection holder for $80 which will let you either charge or connect to the stereo but I''m pretty sure not both. So it doesn't seem like it will be that bad unless compared to other stand alone GPS units.

I think alot of the people saying that Navigon is FAR better than TomTom either A. haven't used both apps, or B. made of their mind based on price before TomTom was even released. There are things that could improve with TomTom (the same goes for Navigon) for sure but the app hasn't even been out a week and many are ready to dismiss it even though it is a very solid app.

You say that relying on UI as a selling point is foolish, even though "reality view" and "lane assist" are UI features. Classic.

The funny thing is you make a lot of assumptions about both Navigon and TomTom, when really, you have no solid evidence to prove that the other product isn't the exact same way.

In your opinion, Reality View and Lane Assist are useless, and you use your interchange, ONE example, as your primary example in proving a point. But this does not apply to EVERY case. Here in California, some of the freeways merge and with a lot of lanes, and sometimes you can't tell whether only the right most lane is exiting or if both lanes are exiting at times, and vice versa with the left lanes. This creates a LOT of last second lane changing, thus creating a ton of traffic. With Reality View and Lane Assist, you can see the configuration of the highway overhead signs with the lanes and know way in advance, before the highway even splits/merges, where you're supposed to be. If you didn't find it useful, then you didn't find it useful, but I doubt this goes for a majority of people who will actually use their GPS to travel outside of familiar territory.

And as for your absolute love of IQRoutes, all i'll say in regards to that is, predicting traffic is like predicting the future; most of the time, it's not possible (there are obvious instances when this is possible of course, like me knowing that soon, i am eventually going to have to go to bed). What happens when there's a 4 car pileup in one of the so-called "IQRoutes" that you're taking? And my point still stands; there are normally only going to be 2-3 different ways to get to a place; a freeway, or through suburbia. Obviously, if it's rush hour, you're probably going to take a side street or go through the suburbs, and if so, there's only going to be a couple of ways to do it. I don't really need IQRoutes to teach me the logic in which route to take in that case. I am glad you enjoy this "feature," but i am willing to bet that 9.9 times out of 10, both Navigon and TomTom will use the same fastest routes every time. It certainly has been the case for me.

And another thing you assume is with the POI's and the maps; you keep on insinuating that TomTom's maps are heads and shoulders above Navigon's, yet for the life of me I can't find some POI's on TomTom's that I can find on Navigon (and vice versa). Also, a freeway on ramp that has been closed near my house and can no longer be taken still shows as the "fastest" on-ramp to go on when leaving my house with TomTom, but Navigon actually has this fixed and no longer sees that on-ramp as being active. How do you explain that? Again, no app will ever have every POI and every new road available, please quit using this to tout that TomTom's maps are in someway "superior." Both have their shortcomings.

As for TTS, when I said TomTom was dragging their feet, obviously it was because they lost a ton of money throwing their app out late, and now, other apps (not just Navigon) are already more full-featured than their app and are already taking steps to promise customers EVEN MORE features in their updates, meaning that TomTom has a LONG WAY to catch up. And saying that they focused on the hardware aspect of it isn't an excuse for why their software is lacking; for as big a company as TomTom is, and for as much profit as they make, you really think that only one small team focused strictly on both hardware and software instead of devoting manpower to both aspects of their product? I am sure you don't know anything about that though.

Would you like me to assume some more like you on future pricing schemes when it comes to maps and mounts? I think it's funny that you try to take every edge possible with TomTom; from insinuating in past posts that Navigon might have more expensive maps (even though there really isn't any proof of this, a LOT of companies abandon normal marketing models when it comes to the iPhone) to using one of the more expensive mounts to justify a point (I can list a $22.00 mount from a respectable company that has a dock, charger etc.). I am not ignorant enough to use future happenings as a selling point when really, I have NO IDEA what's going to happen when it comes to map pricing or mounts.

It's so funny that you equate Navigon to being "very basic" when I haven't been able to find one aspect of TomTom that Navigon doesn't do better with or is not up to par with. I honestly haven't gotten u-turned ten times in a row with Navigon through the middle of downtown SF while TomTom got me safely there avoiding all the traffic (is that even possible in a lot of places?) so it can't be THAT complicated. Again, both apps use the same fastest route 99% of the time. And Lane Assist and Reality View aren't "UI" options; those are features. They assist you when it's relevant, they are not part of the menu or the "UI" which by the way since you don't seem to know stands for "User Interface."

Bottom line is, anyone in their right mind can see that, in their current states, Navigon is far and away the better app right now. TomTom, aside from its name, has NOTHING going for it that would make any sane person invest $100 on it when they could spend $70 and get more. People aren't more "forgiving" with Navigon when it far outperforms what's currently out there. IF anything, if people didn't have a psychosomatic inclination to believe that TomTom was a superior product mostly due to the name, it would probably have an even LOWER review than it currently has compared to Navigon. There's a reason more people are siding with Navigon (again, currently) and it's because they have a superior product. From a consumer standpoint, this is the best position to be in, as you hope that both companies will compete until their products are on par with each other; but from a buyer's standpoint right now, there is no way I could even attempt to convince someone that TomTom is worth choosing over Navigon. I'll say it again; functionality > cosmetics when it comes to my GPS app every day of the week.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

I'm not going to respond to any more of your condescending nonsense. You apparently have a superiority complex, so there you have it. You have won. Navigon is superior. Have a cookie. Personally, having used both side by side for several days. It isn't my opinion that it is superior at all. I have provided more than enough support for my viewpoint but I can see you aren't going to concede anything. They are equal if anything.

 

[SpaceKitty]

How superior is Navigon when the text on screen (street names) is so small that it can barely be read? How superior is it when the map background changes to that olive green color and that just makes the map unbearable.

I'm not the only one complaining about these two. If they fixed these two problems, it would be perfect. Till then I'm using TomTom for the most part.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

How superior is Navigon when the text on screen (street names) is so small that it can barely be read? How superior is it when the map background changes to that olive green color and that just makes the map unbearable.

I'm not the only one complaining about these two. If they fixed these two problems, it would be perfect. Till then I'm using TomTom for the most part.

Add the other features that TomTom has over Navigon that I outlined already and I call them equal.

 

[SpaceKitty]

Add the other features that TomTom has over Navigon that I outlined already and I call them equal.

I'm not doubting that. The more I use TomTom, the more I prefer to use it. Navigon just needs some work, ok they both need some work but TomTom for me is usable NOW while I can't use Navigon due to the problems I mentioned above.

 

[Tiffy]

In fact the problem is not with the GPS App...

I don't know if Navigon is better than TomTom, but I am sure that the guy who designed the Golden Glades interchange should be jailed ! What do they smoke in Miami ?

 

[ddrueckhammer]

I don't know if Navigon is better than TomTom, but I am sure that the guy who designed the Golden Glades interchange should be jailed ! What do they smoke in Miami ?

They don't smoke they snort...

 

[m3coolpix]

You say that relying on UI as a selling point is foolish, even though "reality view" and "lane assist" are UI features. Classic.

You consistently and repeatedly dismiss features that are important to you aren't important to others. Foolish. Classic.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

You consistently and repeatedly dismiss features that are important to you aren't important to others. Foolish. Classic.

I made my point clear. I said that lane assist isn't completely useless. Putting it on a pedestal as a major reason choosing Navigon is ridiculous though as it isn't that big of a deal.

I stand by my statements on reality view though. It is truly just a feature for the sake of having features.

If some people already chose Navigon based on price and they need to justify that decision by placing certain features on a pedestal fine, but IMO those features are not more useful than the numerous feature whether they be functional or superficial that I already outlined.

 

[m3coolpix]

I made my point clear. I said that lane assist isn't completely useless. Putting it on a pedestal as a major reason choosing Navigon is ridiculous though as it isn't that big of a deal.

I stand by my statements on reality view though. It is truly just a feature for the sake of having features.

If some people already chose Navigon based on price and they need to justify that decision by placing certain features on a pedestal fine, but IMO those features are not more useful than the numerous feature whether they be functional or superficial that I already outlined.

We've both made our points, and we're going in circles...

The bottom line is this.....it's a free market.

TomTom hasn't sold me (and others). That is their fault, not mine (and not yours). Same goes for Navigon and to your argument. Yes, I realize you bought both, but read on....

TomTom, IMO, may have a huge name in the business, but that doesn't mean that they can make me spend my $ just for that fact to 'check out' their feature set. They wanted to play in the App Store, and that's the way it works.

Their feature set as presented (current and future), via marketing, UI, pricing and everything related to the app is from intelligent management, sales, marketing as well as hard working R&D employees. It hasn't made me spend my $$. And that is what matters in the whole scheme of things.

I've done my research on what's available. I chose to buy Navigon. IF TomTom was available at the time, it still would've been second to me.

OTOH, everything that was available at the time when Navigon was released on the App Store MADE me spend the money and support it. Their management, sales & marketing and R&D did the job, and they're continuing to release new information about updates on the way.

TomTom has to surpass that now, to get my $$, which I will gladly spend, when they get there, in my opinion (which I completely understand that you have yours which I respectively disagree with).

That we differ with opinions on features that important to each of us, doesn't mask the fact that both are valid points.

Peace out...

 

[sleeks]

I just used navigon for a twelve hour trip. Within major cities, I found reality view helpful, mainly when there were multiple exits one after the other. Out on the open road, it isn't really necessary as there are usually just two roads coming together and it's easy enough to follow the signs. In the major cities, I would glance at the phone to check the reality view and be on my way.

You may think it's junk, but I like it.

I don't have tomtom as it wasn't available prior to my trip and have no reason to buy it since I bought navigon. Based on all the reviews, each app is better than the other on some points an worse on others. Neither stand head and shoulders above the other one. Just my opinion.