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NAVIGON Routing vs. TOMTOM Routing

P

prominence

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 31, 2008
175
4
Hey All-

I have owned Navigon since its launch and while I love the app and find it more visually appealing than TomTom, the routes it gives me are routes that as a local I would not usually take, or take about 5-10 minutes more than what I would normally choose. Also, once I begin the route, if I cancel and then re-enter the same address, it may give me a different way to go that is not the same as before, or will take longer. This is a total deal-breaker for me and makes me distrust Navigon.

I am considering taking the plunge and buying TomTom because I am looking for a product that has superior routing. Though it lacks live traffic (at least for now), IQ Routes and its routing in general may be better - which is why I have created this post.

For those of you who own TomTom or Navigon, what are you impressions on its routing options and what it gives you? I am especially interested in TomTom and its route options and how IQ Routes makes the product worth the price.

Other features aside, I am looking to compare ONLY their routing capabilities against one another.

So TomTom/Navgion users - which gives better routes in your opinion and why? (Especially would like to hear from people who own both applications).
 
TomTom by far gives you the best routing instructions. It's exactly the route I would take where as Navigon will give me weird routing instructions even though it will get you to your desired destination.
 
All depends how you have navigon set up. If you tell it to use all road avalible then it's great if you limit it then you run into issues with extented routes.

I have tomtom and it's god awful. Gps drops out alot and it's slow as hell if you decide to change routes to avoid traffic.
 
Though TomRom has IQ routes, I honestly don't see a difference in routing quality between the two. Neither use the routes a local would use all or even most of the time, but neither did my TomTom standalone. Routing differences between the two are something I've been paying attention to, and I'd have to call it a tie. It's possible that more extensive testing would find the clear overal winner regarding routing, but I doubt one would beat the other by very much. If you already own Navigon and you buy TomTom solely to get better routing, you'll be disappointed with your purchase.
 
I accidentally left Navigon on "bike" preferences for a few days. Took me on some nice scenic routes :cool:

Of course, the ETA is always many, many hours since it was estimating for a bike's speed. I noticed that, and switched it back. Saved a couple minutes on normal routes...
 
I personally own both Navigon and tomtom. I can tell you from experience that tomtom gives much better routes. Navigon's maps also seem to be more outdated than tomtom's. On one trip Navigon told me to turn down at least 3 roads that didn't even exist anymore.

Although Navigon's screen offers more graphics and information I actually found this to be somewhat of a distraction. I found myself having to take more time to figure out what was actually on the screen. This is where the simpler UI of tomtom has the advantage in my opinion. When you are driving you can't really afford to take a lot of time trying to figure out what's on the screen.

I must say that Navigon definitely has the advantage when it comes to text to voice. Tomtom recently updated their app to include this feature but it falls way short of Navigon's implementation. I was very disappointed with this update due to the fact that you must use a computer voice in order to use this feature. At times it sounded as if tomtom simply threw in a random sound file here and there.

I really did like the lane assist addition to tomtom. I love how it shows a graphical representation of the road and which lane you should be in on the screen. Tomom did a very good job with this implementation.

If the most important feature to you is a fancy UI and text to speech then the Navigon is for you. If you are more concerned with better routes and more updated maps then tomtom is the app you should choose.
 
Well, i'd personally tell you to go buy a stand-alone unit that you can return if you don't like the routing. :D

Certain maps are going to be stronger in certain areas. I have a built in unit in my Van, last friday I went *my* way on a drive, adding 16 miles, but if i had gone their way.... the traffic this time of year would have added an hour. So i got to travel 55-75 the whole way instead of 25....

But given the WHY you are dissatisfied i'd say go with something you can return (unless you have the money to burn).
 
prominence said:
Hey All-

I have owned Navigon since its launch and while I love the app and find it more visually appealing than TomTom, the routes it gives me are routes that as a local I would not usually take, or take about 5-10 minutes more than what I would normally choose. Also, once I begin the route, if I cancel and then re-enter the same address, it may give me a different way to go that is not the same as before, or will take longer. This is a total deal-breaker for me and makes me distrust Navigon.

I am considering taking the plunge and buying TomTom because I am looking for a product that has superior routing. Though it lacks live traffic (at least for now), IQ Routes and its routing in general may be better - which is why I have created this post.

For those of you who own TomTom or Navigon, what are you impressions on its routing options and what it gives you? I am especially interested in TomTom and its route options and how IQ Routes makes the product worth the price.

Other features aside, I am looking to compare ONLY their routing capabilities against one another.

So TomTom/Navgion users - which gives better routes in your opinion and why? (Especially would like to hear from people who own both applications).
Click to expand...

Fully agree here. Navigons routing system is abysmal. It takes me on routes that make absolutely no sense and this is with all the toll settings and such set properly.

Navigon really came out ahead in the beginning with the features but TomTom is pretty close now, and the superior GPS.
 
strike1555 said:
Fully agree here. Navigons routing system is abysmal. It takes me on routes that make absolutely no sense and this is with all the toll settings and such set properly.

Navigon really came out ahead in the beginning with the features but TomTom is pretty close now, and the superior GPS.
Click to expand...

My experience is completely the opposite. Navigon routing is just more straight forward and now with Live Traffic far better then TomTom's. Regarding the GPS reception both of them can fully use the TomTom car kit and without it Navigon is better (you really need the car kit with TomTom). BTW. Regarding the map info TomTom's POI database is just pathetic when compared with Navigon's.
 
I have not used TomTom and use Navigon...with that said...

Here is Chicago Navigon does a good job with routing. It is not always the route I would choose, even with Traffic considerations in place. However, the routes it comes up with are viable. When I choose a different route it because I want a different route or because I know certain streets even though they are flagged as congested are in reality not. This is a common problem in Chicago with all traffic apps, not just Navigon.
 
Set Navigon's routing to fastest and cut out toll roads and ferries. I find its routing to be right on the money. With all GPS systems you have to tweak the settings to get the best routes.
 
I've got both and TomTom seems to do a better job sans traffic info. It will be interesting to see how it does if/when it adds live traffic. It tells me to go different ways on different days/times. I never really mapped it out though to figure out what it's doing and whether it's correct.

NAVIGON as an "optimum" routing system. IIRC I didn't really care for it. You may want to try it or switch to fastest.

With that said, TomTom always does this really weird thing on one stretch of highway were it wants me to leave then reenter the highway.
 
I have TomTom and it's been great at routing. In fact I have used it in familiar areas to see if there is a faster route then the one I normally take. On one trek across town, it helped me cut about 7 minutes off by detouring me on to a highway that was parallel to the road I usually take. The distance was much longer but the highway made up for it in a big way. It never crossed my mind to take that route because it was so out of the way.
 
i have had the tomtom app since it came out and have had no problems at all. every route i have "tested", just because i know which way i would take, it has displayed that route. i drive 2-4 hours a day being a road service tech. you all say navigon is great, but it routes me in ways i wouldnt take? whats the point of using it then?
 
I have Navigon and prefer my 7 year old car gps. Navigon hardly ever takes me the same way and if I miss a turn (because navigon either wanted me to go the long way, or it is too slow at giving the next turn and it is too late) it constantly calculates and tells me to take the next left over and over trying to get me to turn around when it should just recalculate and take me the next direct route without having to make so many turns.

I also wonder if their next turn notification is speed based. If it is not they should add that as a feature. The faster you are driving the sooner it should start speaking the next turn. I find myself always at or past the turn before it is finished with the spoken directions.
 
jamesarm97 said:
I have Navigon and prefer my 7 year old car gps. Navigon hardly ever takes me the same way and if I miss a turn (because navigon either wanted me to go the long way, or it is too slow at giving the next turn and it is too late) it constantly calculates and tells me to take the next left over and over trying to get me to turn around when it should just recalculate and take me the next direct route without having to make so many turns.

I also wonder if their next turn notification is speed based. If it is not they should add that as a feature. The faster you are driving the sooner it should start speaking the next turn. I find myself always at or past the turn before it is finished with the spoken directions.
Click to expand...

Tomtom's is speed based. when your driving around in the city you get your turn warning 400-600 yards in advance. when driving down the highway you get your first warining for and exit 2 mile before. driving in the country 55-60MPH you are warned at 800 yards.
 
eagleis said:
I have TomTom and it's been great at routing. In fact I have used it in familiar areas to see if there is a faster route then the one I normally take. On one trek across town, it helped me cut about 7 minutes off by detouring me on to a highway that was parallel to the road I usually take. The distance was much longer but the highway made up for it in a big way. It never crossed my mind to take that route because it was so out of the way.
Click to expand...

So my question to you would be, after paying $70 for Navgion and $20 for its live traffic, would TomTom be worth the $99 because of its routing? Do you believe its routing is that superior to be worth $99?
 
prominence said:
So my question to you would be, after paying $70 for Navgion and $20 for its live traffic, would TomTom be worth the $99 because of its routing? Do you believe its routing is that superior to be worth $99?
Click to expand...

navigon is $70 PLUS another $20 for live traffic? is live traffic that important? cant, if you get stuck in traffic, just get off the road and allow the gps to recalculater? for $9 more imo having routes that normal people use and really are the fastest, why not!
 
jutte64 said:
navigon is $70 PLUS another $20 for live traffic? is live traffic that important? cant, if you get stuck in traffic, just get off the road and allow the gps to recalculater? for $9 more imo having routes that normal people use and really are the fastest, why not!
Click to expand...

Yeah paid $90.00 total
 
So far, I've been disappointed in the traffic feature on Navigon. Waste of $20 (oh yeah, they said that $20 was the special price till it went up to $25....then they drop it to $15). By me (Chicago suburbs) it only shows traffic on the interstates and nothing near me on state highways or US highways that have major construction backups.

Yesterday I bought TomTom (I know...extra money spent) and so far it seems pretty good with v1.2 since it also has TTS and can pick from the contact list. It has better accuracy on the time to the destination too (with just a couple of short runs so far).
 
prominence said:
Hey All-

I have owned Navigon since its launch and while I love the app and find it more visually appealing than TomTom, the routes it gives me are routes that as a local I would not usually take, or take about 5-10 minutes more than what I would normally choose. Also, once I begin the route, if I cancel and then re-enter the same address, it may give me a different way to go that is not the same as before, or will take longer. This is a total deal-breaker for me and makes me distrust Navigon.
Click to expand...

You will distrust all navigation systems then. Generally, a local will determine routes better than navigation software will. There are so many factors that TomTom and Navigon just can't take into account (even though they are improving all the time). You can ask 1000 people which gives better routes and probably half will say Navigon and the other half TomTom. The reason is, it really depends on your location. Some places Navigon will produce better routes and other places TomTom will.
 
dmk1974 said:
So far, I've been disappointed in the traffic feature on Navigon. Waste of $20 (oh yeah, they said that $20 was the special price till it went up to $25....then they drop it to $15). By me (Chicago suburbs) it only shows traffic on the interstates and nothing near me on state highways or US highways that have major construction backups.

Yesterday I bought TomTom (I know...extra money spent) and so far it seems pretty good with v1.2 since it also has TTS and can pick from the contact list. It has better accuracy on the time to the destination too (with just a couple of short runs so far).
Click to expand...

Wow I am considering doing the exact same thing! I am taking off on a road-trip tonight from Columbus, OH to (Lincoln Park) Chicago, IL for Thanksgiving, and wondering if I need IQRoutes to give me some help, as I am doubtful of Navigon since it sucks at routing here in Columbus and Live Traffic isn't much of a help.

Is TomTom worth the $100 since you already paid for Navigon? I don't wanna buy and then regret it. What features are better in TomTom than Navigon, in your opinion?
 
prominence said:
So my question to you would be, after paying $70 for Navgion and $20 for its live traffic, would TomTom be worth the $99 because of its routing? Do you believe its routing is that superior to be worth $99?
Click to expand...

There is some misinformation in this thread and some clear over-bias. I have 4 GPS apps (TT, Navigon, Magellan, and GMAP - all North Amer. based). Have used TT and Nav extensively and the others less so). The routing on TT and Nav is very hard to compare as many times i get the same route, sometimes i get diff routes, and sometimes both take me in very odd directions. There is absolutely NO WAY someone can tell you one is clearly superior. Its just not true. One may be better than the other but the inconsistency would mean it will vary from customer to customer depending on location and where you use it. Having said that (curb your enthusiasm? anyone?), TT offers tremendous advantage for on the fly routing that none of the other apps offer. The ability to choose parts of a route to avoid (after youo have the directions, it gives you a list of the instructions -something nav does not do-and you can pick any part of the route to avoid, the ability to use the "Travel Via" feature which lets you tell TT to use a road or highway in its route calculation (great for those shortcuts you know about), and some of the new features added around choosing a point on a map to get directions to (very very cumbersome on the Nav) are extremely handy features which i personally value very highly. Lastly, they both recalculate very very quickly so there is no issue there.

Dropping another $100 on a nav app is probably silly but if you are that dissatisfied with Navigon, TT is prob the way to go (magellan and GMAPS are ok but both have there issues and i think both are 3 and 4 to these apps). But just do not expect it to be dramatically different from its core capability of routing. Personally like the TT interface better, especially since the updates which allows you to get rid of the GPS lag which I hated.
 
dhy8386 said:
There is some misinformation in this thread and some clear over-bias. I have 4 GPS apps (TT, Navigon, Magellan, and GMAP - all North Amer. based). Have used TT and Nav extensively and the others less so). The routing on TT and Nav is very hard to compare as many times i get the same route, sometimes i get diff routes, and sometimes both take me in very odd directions. There is absolutely NO WAY someone can tell you one is clearly superior. Its just not true. One may be better than the other but the inconsistency would mean it will vary from customer to customer depending on location and where you use it. Having said that (curb your enthusiasm? anyone?), TT offers tremendous advantage for on the fly routing that none of the other apps offer. The ability to choose parts of a route to avoid (after youo have the directions, it gives you a list of the instructions -something nav does not do-and you can pick any part of the route to avoid, the ability to use the "Travel Via" feature which lets you tell TT to use a road or highway in its route calculation (great for those shortcuts you know about), and some of the new features added around choosing a point on a map to get directions to (very very cumbersome on the Nav) are extremely handy features which i personally value very highly. Lastly, they both recalculate very very quickly so there is no issue there.

Dropping another $100 on a nav app is probably silly but if you are that dissatisfied with Navigon, TT is prob the way to go (magellan and GMAPS are ok but both have there issues and i think both are 3 and 4 to these apps). But just do not expect it to be dramatically different from its core capability of routing. Personally like the TT interface better, especially since the updates which allows you to get rid of the GPS lag which I hated.
Click to expand...

How highly would you value TT IQRoutes? - That would be the sole reason for buying. I don't hate TT's interface UI, but it seems more "kid like" and not as "sleek" as Navigon's. However a NAVIGATION device should do just that -- navigate well! And with Navigon lacking anything similar to IQRoutes, and their presence in the U.S. only based on software now, I am leaning more toward TT for the future of what will win this battle.

When I go to TomTom's web-based route planner, it calculates the same route I would take myself, making me trust TT much more than Navigon.

My issue is that Navigon will route different ways from the same point A to point B if I cancel the route then click calculate again, and I haven't done anything to route profile. It seems also not very user-friendly in my mind, and with that being that, there is no manual to explain anything - touch and explore is fine, but annoying when you want to know what something is for from a manual definition.
 
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