TomTom or Navigon?

[ItsPretzelTime]

I'm thinking of purchasing a navigation app, since its a big cost (for me) and cannot decide between Navigon and the TomTom Version (both for western-europe) and reviews are giving me mixed opinions.

Thoughts?

Price/quality?
Updates?
Correct maps?

 

[MacDawg]

I use Navigon and have been pleased with the performance

 

[Hmac]

MotionX Drive and MotionX Drive HD for iPad. Vastly superior to Navigon, no experience with TomTom.

 

[ericrwalker]

You should have a poll, and have people vote. Then ask if they have used, one or both.

Perfect reason for Apple to allow App testing before buying.

 

[tjb1]

Mapquest is nice and free

Adding "relevant" information...

I have used TomTom, over-priced but it works just fine for what I used it for. MotionX Drive did seem a little too overly complicated with tons of menus and different selections. Myself, I look for an app to get me to my destination...I dont need ways to play music in the app or all the other garbage, just point A to B.

 

[ericrwalker]

Mapquest is nice and free

He asked about TomTom and Navigon.

 

[Dokk]

Navigon -- love that app.

 

[thelatinist]

I test drove both back in the early days and found Navigon much easier to use and more reliable. It's got some great features, and it gives excellent voice directions including street names, e.g., "In one quarter mile turn right onto Maple Street." I've never regretted purchasing it.

Navigon's maps seem very reliable, although sometimes it reads street names of roads that are never referenced by name in real life; often I didn't even know they had names, since they're always referred to by route number and don't even have street signs.

 

[sidewinder]

Navigon! I love it.....even my wife can use it.

S-

 

[hexonxonx]

I've tried both and always keep coming back to TomTom. Both apps have almost the same features these days and unfortunately, you can't try before you buy.

The two most negative features that Navigon has for me is that the maps often have this ugly olive green background which makes reading the text difficult. Also, I like a GPS app that displays most if not all street names and Navigon doesn't do that. There are times when I don't have a route planned but being able to read the street names helps me find a street in heavy snow or rain when the street signs are hard to read. Navigon does a great job of showing POIs on the maps.

Tomtom does display every single street name and the text is easy to read and the background colors are easy to change with 5-6 different color combos. I used TomTom to get me to the Apple store today even though I had been there several times in the past. I liked the lane guidance and the spoken directions seemed easier to understand then in Navigon.

I have three navigation apps installed on my phone, Navigon, TomTom and Garmin U.S.A. All three have maps stored on the device so no need to have a good 3G signal along your way.

 

[ericrwalker]

Navigon has merged with Garmin correct? Might be worth it to wait until they release some updates soon.

Didn't they release some preview of what's coming out with Navigon soon?

 

[Diode]

I've tried both and always keep coming back to TomTom. Both apps have almost the same features these days and unfortunately, you can't try before you buy.

Agree with the above - just recently tried Navigon after leaving it off my phone for a year or so and can't wait to switch back to TomTom (I own both). TomTom just works better for me.....

 

[EricJD]

CoPilot Live is also a great alternative.

 

[Pete the Geek]

Do either of these apps work when you are out of 3G and wifi range? Can you load the maps for later use when out of range?

 

[hexonxonx]

Do either of these apps work when you are out of 3G and wifi range? Can you load the maps for later use when out of range?

Yes, no 3G is needed, maps are on board the device.

 

[fishepa]

I like Navigon.

 

[cruisencode]

I use TomTom and it works great for me.

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Navigon has merged with Garmin correct? Might be worth it to wait until they release some updates soon.

Didn't they release some preview of what's coming out with Navigon soon?

Navigon announced their 2.0 version with some new features. They also mentioned a one-time fee for map updates.

Source: http://www.macworld.com/article/162...ed_map_management_interface_for_gps_apps.html

 

[Stampyhead]

I use Tom Tom Western Europe here in the UK and it works great. There are only 2 times that I can think of out of the hundreds of times I have used it that messed up or tried to send me the wrong way, but the map data is being updated all the time and these problems get fixed. You won't go wrong with Tom Tom WE.

 

[Randman]

Haven't used TT but love Navigon. Updates regualrly as well and new features added each time. Works well in sync with other apps. I have BT in my car stereo so I love the iPod integration within the app.

 

[wacky4alanis]

I like the Tom Tom app, but I've never tried Navigon, so I can't compare them. There were a few weeks after iOS 5 came out that my traffic subscription didn't work, but they eventually fixed it and gave me a 30-day extension.

 

[iMrNiceGuy0023]

I have both, TomTom pulls up POI better than Navigon

But I tend to use Navigon more

 

[aajeev]

I have three navigation apps installed on my phone, Navigon, TomTom and Garmin U.S.A. All three have maps stored on the device so no need to have a good 3G signal along your way.

This was a very welcomed side affect of these app. The last time I was lost in the mountains without cell signal. Totally saves the day...

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I choose Navigon, TomTom is good too and cheaper but takes too long to reroute if you go off course. Navigon is near flawless for me, worth every penny.

 

[DirtySocks85]

I chose Navigon over Tom Tom based on price (I got Navigon on a 50% off sale), and I haven't regretted the decision. I'm not entirely certain how the two apps stack up against each other, since I've never used the Tom Tom app, but I never liked their stand alone navigation units' UI.

The only complaint I've ever had about Navigon is that it sometimes tends to overheat my iPhone to the point that I get the excessive heat warning, particularly on hot summer days. I know that part of that is probably from putting the phone up in the windshield, but I also know that I can feel the phone getting hotter if I leave it sitting in the cup holder running Navigon. I'm not sure if Tom Tom has similar issues.

 

[malnar]

Magellan. I've used TomTom, Navigon, Garmin, and Magellan, and that's the one that gets everything as close to right as apparently possible (though I have not used the new maps-on-board Garmin since I'm not sinking any more money in this greedy, nasty company after that little surprise app this summer. It gets pretty good reviews, that's all I can say.) If you deal with traffic issues, Magellan is absolutely vigilant about offering alternate routes. It is constantly finding me new ways around slow traffic but, like all GPS traffic systems, you have to know whether it's truly a benefit or not. But none of the others are anywhere near as proactive as Magellan's app is.