Garmin vs. TomTom

Garmin vs. TomTom - an epic battle

For the longest time, I used TomTom GPS units.  What I loved about them is that you could make corrections to the maps.  Some of those changes (like correcting turn restrictions, changing speed limits, etc.) could be made immediately effective, while other changes (like adding new road segments) wouldn't show up on the map, but the modifications would be communicated to TomTom's office each time you connected the unit to your computer.  Another thing I liked about TomTom is the relative accuracy of the street name pronunciations.

Unfortunately, with the introduction of "hands-free" driving laws, I was forced to switch to Garmin, which had the ability to listen to my spoken commands and start navigation without me ever needing to touch the unit.  Garmin's pronunciation of street names is passable, but can be annoying.  I happen to live on a street whose name it does not pronounce properly, so I am annoyed daily.

Even more annoying is the lack of correction capabilities.  You cannot make changes to anything on the device other than points of interest.  If a speed limit or even a traffic routing is incorrect, there's nothing I can do about it.

By far the most annoying part of the Garmin, however, is that map updates, despite being posted quarterly, don't seem to update roads in my city with any regularity.  For example, there's an exit on one of the local highways that has been in existence for about 10 years.  I think it only appeared on Garmin's last update following a half-dozen emails from me over the years to the company.  And there's another system of highways that has been under construction for the past four years.  Portions of the highway have been open to motorists for quite some time, while the remaining portion was just recently opened.  None of these roadways are on my Garmin device.

TomTom, on the other hand, delivered an update today which includes the complete new highway.

I cannot afford to buy even the least expensive voice-activated TomTom.  Meanwhile, my voice-activated Garmin cost me less than $150.00.  If TomTom were to come up with an affordable voice-activated unit, I would switch back in a heartbeat.

So, come on, TomTom.  Win me back.  I'm ready when you are.