Garmin vs TomTom for iPhone Comparison Video - App Review

Garmin StreetPilot vs TomTom USA for iPhone/iPod Touch is compared using two iPhone 4's, one with the Magellan Premium Car Kit and the other with the TomTom Car Kit. We test both GPS apps on the road and look at things such as TTS voice guidance and traffic.
Garmin StreetPilot (v6.5.3)
TomTom U.S.A. (v1.6)
Garmin StreetPilot is available in the App Store for $39.99
TomTom U.S.A. is available in the App Store for $49.99

[@teresahaldorson7363]

Thank you for your time and energy to create a side by side comparison. I appreciate your help!

[@Xeyad]

The fact that the Tom Tom saves the maps...I think it's the winner...I don't want to end up paying a lot of money to keep downloading data.. Thanks for the comparison...I learned a lot with this video :)

[@kmg501]

Even though this is a slightly old upload, it was very helpful for me. Thank you very much for taking the time and energy to provide this demonstration with commentary. It really is appreciated! -

[@qt247ha]

love this video better than the other ones, you were actually which one was talking initially!

[@AConfusedAnimator.]

Why was I obsessed with this video when I was 6

[@mo_chiptu]

So I wasn’t the only one???

[@VegasJPH]

I've had a Garmin handheld for years. I was never really impressed by TomTom's handhelds. But after watching this I may need to rethink it. TomTom iphone app FTW. Way more detail in the visual maps & way more detail with the audible speech too. Good vid!

[@Movingfrag]

Seems like Magellan kit is better - at least people say it's compatible with bumper and other cases, but the TomTom program is way faster in recalculating route than Garmin one. I think i'll stick with that combo - tomtom app on magellan stand. Thanks a bunch for informative review!

[@broderperdurabo]

I've used the Tomtom för many years now, and i realy like it.

[@AndyG-te5nm]

i bought a tomtom via 1550m I LOVED IT then i bought a tomtom GO 40S I FELL IN LOVE

[@RhombusGamez]

Me too

[@princessginwood1332]

I like the TomTom better! Thank you for this great comparison video!

[@bonniesulleza8374]

WOW!

[@NuRevu]

@iiiAwesome That is correct, you don't need data. There's even an option within the TomTom app to turn data off completely so that it doesn't attempt to access the data network at all (ie. traffic services will be disabled, etc.). Also, the complete maps are installed on the device.

[@andrewsketches]

Fantastic review. I've had the Navigon app for sometime now ($14.99). It's decent, but there's plenty of room for improvement. Either one of these would be a better choice, but the TomTom is just more appealing to me overall.

[@TGRRAG01]

terrific video. Direct and to the point. Fantastic job that made my iphone navigation choice easy.

[@Amdragfan2]

No problem. Happy to help. I use Waze every morning to drive since you never know what is happening on the road (before you drive or while you're driving) without it. It pretty much saved me from being late today since heavy rain here indirectly causes bad traffic. I just navigated around it with Waze and arrived at my destination with a few minutes to spare :D

[@NuRevu]

In the App Store it's called Garmin U.S.A., Garmin N. America, etc. You can tell that its the one by the size of the download. It'll be over a 1GB download whereas StreetPilot is less than 20MB since it doesn't install the maps. Each app has it's advantages, but in the end it's basically the same thing as far as what you see.

[@Gwks45]

Thanks for your suggestion! Waze is exactly what I was looking for...very user friendly, fast & fun, and with the little I've practiced so far, very accurate. Motion X didn't even get my current location right! It was off by several blocks! So glad I didn't spend the xtra 2.99/mo to try the voice navigation!

[@ShamsJuma]

Seems like the TomTom is better suited for the iPhone than the Garmin. Thanks for the review!

[@Y10Q]

Yes. GPS is always broadcasting your location. You don't need a SIM card or Verizon/ATT/Tmobile or any wifi service at all. GPS is communicating directly with satellites. The offline map is in full detail for 100 miles or so. The large map of the world is still zoomable and you can see your GPS signal on it. However you don't see all the small backroads. All the major roads in USA are visible from what I can see and zoom. Thats enough for me. I can certainly travel on that easily.

[@NuRevu]

Not all do. Garmin has a version that doesn't require data and TomTom doesn't and can even have data disabled as an option within the app. Easiest way to tell if the app installs all maps onto the device is the size of the download.

[@NuRevu]

Not necessarily. GPS systems are used more often than not to travel to areas you're unfamiliar with. Enough voice and visual prompt is provided in enough time to let you know exactly where you need to turn or exit. It just depends on which one you're most comfortable with using to guide you. Some prefer Garmin's layout over TomTom's because it may be easier to follow for them and vice versa, so it's really a personal preference.

[@obtrunco]

Very useful video, thanks! I'm liking the TOM TOM app better despite the additional fee you mentioned and like having offline maps. I prefer not worrying about data when abroad.

[@kalsapower]

Best app review I have seen in a long time. Thanks a lot. Did you pay for both apps. Im actually looking to get a free Navigation for my Iphone 4 white.

[@nguyencaodongnguyen0573]

2011: Garmin StreetPilot and TomTom U.S.A. released. 2018: 2 popular premium navigation app discontinued. NANI?????

[@WesSeid]

Point is, if I get off track in my six saved areas, I won't have guidance help, and if I am out of those six areas, I'm screwed other than maybe having a very general zoomed out map. (far as I know from the bit I've used Gmaps.) And yes, that's plenty for a lot of people. Alternatives include things like the free Navfree and CoPilot Standard. They have their quirks too, but, especially with CoPilot, you're guaranteed to have a solid map and POIs.

[@brendawalker4676]

I had a TomTom GPS years ago and it was very easy finding the streets. TomTom is acute with the directions/streets. It's better than the one in my car.

[@rally21art]

The new iphone ios6 software map is awesome. Do not need the GPS app anymore. It works only on 4s and 5.

[@AllThingsAviation]

so i have been using the tomtom for about a month and i realized that it takes a LONG time to recognize where you are when you plug the kit in to your car. for example last time you used the kit was yesturday at point "A" and today you're far away from point "A" but when you turn on the app with the kit plugged in it still reads that you're at point "A" instead of the current point you're at. give it a few tries plugging and unplugging the ipod for a few minutes it'll recognize where you are.

[@vjludovico]

Great review, wish more people made things as simple.

[@NuRevu]

@Dmachanic No, Garmin never made an iPhone car kit. You can pretty much use any nav app with any iPhone car kit it doesn't matter.

[@colonelbuckshot2914]

I bought an old TomTom XL on ebay for less than 10 bucks a couple of years ago, still works great.

[@dchawk81]

I use Sygic as my offline solution on Android. It's TomTom based and works rather well but integration with Google services is almost nonexistent. I don't subscribe to traffic updates. Online, I use Waze or Google Maps. They both work really well so far.

[@dolphinsattack]

The newer Garmin's allow you to download differernt cars, trucks, motorcycles in different colors off their website. It's a cool feature.

[@TheKORNKOBB]

FINALLY - I found "your" Comparison Video to be VERY HELPFUL ... I will be Buying the TOM TOM ! * FLORIDA - here I come! * ; P

[@Rubosu]

1 year i use garmin for international transport... Czech Republic - Norway, Sweden and this navigation is bullshit! Now i use Sygic od Tomtom and im happy now! :)

[@NuRevu]

I agree, the night colors with TomTom's app can make it difficult to follow. Not sure why the oversight by them.

[@megauploadjohn]

Great comparison. Thank you for it!

[@dankelly]

I've been a Garmin lover for a really long time, but after the last nav update it'd been giving me some screwy instructions, like the one@05:30. In many cases, I don't know the area, so I follow Garmin's instructions... only to find out that I could have just turned right - like the situation @05:30 Thanks for posting the side-by-side!

[@A1exRS]

Love this guy's Voice Thumbs UP!

[@saprater25]

Interesting. I actually prefer the Garmin visuals. My friend has a Mio and it does the same thing the Tom Tom does here...where slight bends in the road look more like actual turns.

[@Neodustin]

I had a Garmin years ago (ages before in had my iPhone) and found it cumbersome and awkward to use. As soon as TomTom released their iPhone app, I was blown away. Literally. I wouldn't consider anything else.

[@Y10Q]

Here is how it looks. I dont think you understand it. You can make 6 offline maps, but they don't have to be right next to each other. What I did was I made an offline map centered in Los Angeles. That way I can see every road in every direction for up to a 1500 miles. I then made another detailed map in Houston, TX. Another one in New York City, Chicago, Seattle and Miami. I got the entire country of USA, most of Mexico and Canada covered.

[@NuRevu]

You'd need to purchase TomTom Europe in the App Store as opposed to TomTom USA. It lists all of the countries that TomTom Europe includes in the App Store as well.

[@Y10Q]

No, I mean pretty much everywhere in USA. Every store, church, gas station, restaurant, even 95% of homes all have wifi. I live in sparsely populated community more like a very small town and yet everything is covered . You can't drive 10 seconds in any direction without getting a wifi signal. Sure if you go into the woods somewhere you don't have a connection, but you probably wouldn't have any cell connection either in that area. GPS would still work though. You don't need wifi or data for gps

[@darthblader2002]

The Garmin Streetpilot on the IPhone has the same features accept for the white arrows.

[@kidderlar5919]

Tom tom app downloads maps so don't need constant data , plus it's excellent and well worth paying for

[@NuRevu]

The shocks were made to be like that since it's technically a sports sedan. Luxury cars have softer shocks for comfort, sportier cars the exact opposite for performance.

[@jorge25262587]

Google Navigation the best!

[@WesSeid]

And for a little more on that, Navfree has nice enough voice direction, but some "50 miles from main cities" areas I've looked at the map can really be lacking other than main roads. And the POIs at least in the areas I'm familiar with are pretty bad. CoPilot standard I've read maybe uses older maps, but they look quite good overall to me, and the POIs I've looked for have been on par with the expensive nav programs.

[@stefanomarino4795]

It appears some of the comments are based on opinion and not the facts demo here. I notice some comments repeated over and over. I guess they are bored and have only one opinion. Driving and using the iPhone for directions is a good way to run into a tree when you get a call and answer even with bluetooth. Merry New Year.

[@DAGATHire]

That was a pretty dim witted comment friend. Indeed HAPPY new year.

[@Jamesgangcreative]

That's because the innerweb is ALL about opinions and what sometime thinks or feels or expresses and has nothing to do with anything other than their own opinions and feelings and beliefs.

[@DaveConrad3234]

Sounds like you need some new struts or something

[@subrjs]

It appears that camera is hand held. This will exagerate any uneveness in the ride. However, this is a US vehicle and will have far softer suspension than favoured in Europe. My Garmin Zumo screen mount has never fallen from the screen, even on the roughest roads.

[@inoregon]

I wish GPS apps had a way to balance time savings with distance. For example, two of this videos example routes have the driver getting on limited access roads to go 1.5 or fewer miles. I'm pretty sure there are surface streets I would choose with little time penalty instead of going on the freeway for such a short drive but on longer drives I would like to be routed on a limited access route if it saves a lot of time.

[@NuRevu]

@kizo13 Yes I have the Navigon app as well. Not sure you'd want it now however since the last update took away free maps for life, you'll now have to pay for map updates. The on-screen text in the map view with the Navigon app is way too small IMO if you have it mounted to your windshield. I personally like the TomTom app much better. Routing with the IQ routes, presentation, and options are better. When you consider TomTom still offers free map updates with their app, it tips the scale.

[@Y10Q]

GPS is free on every smartphone. With Google navigation, you dont need to pay anything. You just find a wifi connection so it downloads the route, and then GPS takes the rest. I haven't paid for data or anything for two years. I just use an old Motorola Droid and they are like $20 on Ebay

[@starassist1977]

tom tom was the clear winner in my opinion as well. and i was JUST about to go out and get the Garmin assuming it was the best. wow....glad i saw this first lol

[@SuperCuriouss]

the last line is important when driving in the country with no cell signal. also, just using the iPhone maps app in the city, it often loses direction - so perhaps the actual device (antennae) is better than just using the phone app ??? Still considering.

[@MMAExpertKnower]

I bought a tomtom long time and it didn't even work. I mean the thing didn't even turn on, and i bought it at bestbuy. So i'm skeptical. Just bought a garmin today. I like it better. The Garmin actually doesn't freezes and works like it's suppose to..

[@QQTrick1QQ]

@ 5:38 the Garmin does a loop around the block where Tom Tom just takes a right..I get this alot with a the Garmin 560 dezl along with "take a left", go 1/4 mile to hear, "make a U turn" to go back to route. Also routes me out a different way then I went in...I think she is a drinker and named her Sible..

[@TheExStig]

Watching that reminded me of the opening scene in the movie Airplane. Two voices competing against each other for delivering updates. I was waiting for the Garmin to say to the Tom Tom "I heard you sleep around you cow" and the Tom Tom replying "You've had three abortions ya bitch" Garmin - "At least I went to a qualified doctor" Tom Tom - "Are you talking about my Harry again?" Garmin - "Yes" Tom Tom - fuk off!

[@benandshandy]

In the UK the Garmin does not tell you about toll and congestion charges while the tomtom does.

[@tortolini47]

very good and thorough review! thanks

[@WesSeid]

Yes, but I still have to plan ahead for getting lost and download those areas ahead of time. Google only lets me save about a 50-mile radius per file. Now, that's not too bad, and I can have up to six of those, but if I'm off course I still don't have turn-by-turn guidance, and if I'm out of those six areas I'm screwed.

[@Hazara26]

I used Garmin for last 3 years, but when IS used TomTom I liked it. Garmin sucks and takes you to your destination from longer routes. What I hate the most about Garmin is when you want to set your address it ask the street or house number first and then the street name which is not the case with TomTom. So I say the Tom Tom is the winner.

[@timkim999]

THIS IS NOT REGULAR GPS BUT A IPHONE WITH A AUDIO GPS APP!

[@maxysurvivorsucks]

Not anymore, it used to. Now you download maps on the phone. You can choose whole map of US or regions only, for example, US NorthEast map.

[@TomZ23]

I don't understand why you would need the mounts GPS. Wouldn't it be easier to use the phone built-in GPS?

[@TheKORNKOBB]

I noted that NEITHER unit advised you ( that you went PAST " North Street " - at the very beginning of the Video - Shouldn't they advise you that you drove PAST the suggested route ????

[@NuRevu]

No it's not needed. Both apps will also work without an iPhone mount.

[@JonathanNYCity]

Wow! Thanks so much for this! Very helpful.

[@itsmonti1]

I like the Tom Tom better. Better details without any guess work.

[@NuRevu]

@AllThingsAviation You would just use pinch gestures to pan/zoom the map view.

[@mikemans2348]

I have a MIO 69070 which uses the same map SW as TOMTOM with the clear lane indicator with arrows, far superior at busy junctions.

[@teamsarcasm]

Just an observation.... in the description you said you used two Iphone 4S's. This video was post Jan. 2011, curiously the IPhone 4 S didnt get released till Oct 2011 ??

[@dhowser2008]

These apps for iPhone are far different than the physical devices. I know the Garmin works a lot differently at calling out the streets and directions than what I am seeing. I have a 3790LMT.

[@chowner]

This is also 17 years old

[@piotrcusworth2077]

Sorry for very late comments. I have used GARMIN for several years on, now a Garmin mobile machine and previously inside a Motorola Multi-media in car system. It is considerably superior to Tom Tom when the system is not an android phone. Garmin can accept detours and bear in mind that too many oe too frequently presented junction maps is a big distraction to the driver. The protocol is verbal instruction then screen leader arrows and only then look and 'study' at the maps directly. Are you able to repeat the test now with the relevant machines in place and not mobile phones?

[@bonovox86]

Great video! Because of this I bought Tom Tom car kit. Just to know, what car are you driving in the video?

[@kietasriesutaskietasriesut8856]

I'm used TomTom start 60- brilliant GPS! 6inch.

[@Tambo74]

+Dziuginta Stasiuliene I had to bin mines today all because the bit where you plug the micro usb charger into the back of the Sat Nav broke!! it was becoming looser and looser and the device kept losing power and being a taxi driver .. it really annoyed me.. i think it lasted me about 2 years although i will buy another Start 60 as it was a great Sat Nav and fast and easy to use.. Just beware though of that bit where you plug the micro USB cable into though as its not very strong.

[@kietasriesutaskietasriesut8856]

+Tambo74 my cable is very difficult to put in the time and perfectly.

[@webgpr]

Tambo74

[@WesSeid]

GPS kicked in now on the big map. Definitely not detailed at all, but at least is good for general directions. Funny though when I open the navigator program without data a very general map comes up, but then it rotates it 90 degrees and puts north pointing to the east until I turn on data. Anyway, just so people know, google isn't the only game in town when it comes to free offline map programs.

[@NZWolf]

Whatever you're driving, the suspension is too hard. That was a rough ride. Surprised the phones didn't dislodge from the windscreen.

[@dolphinsattack]

The TomTom is too hard and confusing to follow in night vision when the screen is all green. I find it difficult to know which lane to be in when all roads look the same and are the same color. The pink road on the Garmin stands out better and the little car icon I like better than TomTom's arrow.

[@harleymalta]

You can buy windscreen mounts from RAM MOUNTS....

[@TeksTherapy]

Great work!

[@initialsCKN]

hey dude! sweet video! so could you provide a summary of your tests and your verdict?

[@TommyCA-US]

Hello. Thanks for sharing this great vid. Which Tomtom model did you use for this test?

[@dbelanger7]

I prefer tomtom because u don't need data. All the maps are preloaded. So if your in another country or don't have data it could be very useful. And what if your driving long. I'm sure you dont wanna use data the whole time. Tomtom just uses the GPS signal (which is not data)

[@VitalieTM]

@Modestasgailius I bought TomTom Europe and I go from Italy to Germany without any problem - great navi app! With the TomTom Car Kit for iPhone it's the best navigation experience on iPhone!

[@fondoo]

hey, thanks for the review. im glad i purchased the tomtom app. though at times i lose gps signals. dont know if this is common with other iphone4s users

[@OffroadMXbohemia]

The only reason why people does not use TomTom more than Garmin, is that it is harder to crack.

[@dmp987654321]

this was great, when i started delivering meds at my pharmacy i had to self teach my Garmin to where my regular routes i already found that were more convenient. *if it matters my model was: Garmin nüvi 13000000000

[@Piccobow]

Great review!

[@WesSeid]

I don't know what's with mine then since if I try to zoom out further than about a 50-mile square it says the area is too big and won't let me save it. My GPS did kick in on the overall big map, must have been a temporary glitch before, and the big general map is enough to avoid dying in the middle of nowhere not knowing where a city is, but that and major highways is about all it shows.

[@amygips1030]

very useful, thanks for posting this.

[@rabbitfufu]

Is there a review of how impactful it is to have a GPS receiver in the phone mount? my car has a usb feed for music from phone to car stereo and would like a GPS mount that was a pass thru for iphone to the car (and not thru headphone jack)

[@terryyouth]

i have used garmin and like the way how it says 'continue for so&so miles and then turn/arrive' after a turn, so that you know you dont have to look at satnav for so much distance or a quick second turn. the maps on tomtom are bigger. but then i am speaking re your phones, also tomtom says bear left and at times turn left for similar bends/turns

[@kevtop351]

I can't rely on my traffic capable nuvi 1390 LMT to avoid massive traffic jams. The red warning indicator comes on 8 to 10 minutes while I'm stuck in traffic. No good!

[@itsmonti1]

The Tom Tom lady voice is right on the ball. The Garmin seems to be taking too many breaks.

[@denismunger9129]

I own both. The tom tom has superior text to speech ( very much better in french and spanish). But garmin provides better road trip planning. Tomtom allowed me to tour place i've never been that would have avoided if i could. The lifetime map subcription is a must. Le francais de garmin est si mauvais qu'il est quasiment inutilisable autrement qu'en anglais. Mais en anglais Garmin surpasse TomTom haut la main.

[@papagunz45]

nice comparison. Thanks.

[@dboucher26]

I've used both and TomTom was much better, smoother and more informative that Garmin.

[@sunnyrain3824]

Go with TomTom!!! You get the maps installed and its awesome I will never ho back to Garmin they dont even install the maps yet.

[@PrinceTLive]

I thought TomTom was better in both visual and audio instruction?

[@MacHamish]

Great info, helpful vid thank you.