TomTom mobile App or hard product ??

[mark4217]

Hi all,

I have multiple trips booked this year in Europe, all of which require hire cars. The hire car Co's rental charges are more expensive than me going out any buying my own. So I am in the market looking up TomToms etc. I now notice TomTom have an App. I maybe a little old fashioned so I am leaning towards buying a unit at JB Hifi or the like.

Does anyone have any experience with the TomTom App. Any pro's Con's etc. I know I will need a mobile phone holder and charger unit to plug it into the cigarette lighter thingy. Is the App as good as the old fashion unit you buy and stick to your windscreen.

If anyone has other Apps they like and use, I'm all ears as I only know of TomTom but I know there are many other.

 

[waldo61]

I have used TomTom apps for North America and Europe on iPhone and iPad and have been happy with them. I have also been using the Here Maps app, originally owned by Nokia but recently sold to a consortium of European car makers. Here maps is free and specific country or region maps can also be downloaded free. It offers the option of operating offline, providing your phone or tablet has GPS. And it offers turn by turn directions. Worth checking out before spending lots of money on either TomTom app or device.

 

[mark4217]

Ok thanks. What's the app name "Here Maps" or just "Maps" . Cheers

 

[opusman]

If you have a smart phone why bother lugging a separate device around, all you need is a car mount and charger.

I wouldn't bother with TomTom, it's overpriced and underperforms. You can get world maps in something like Sygic for the same price as Australia only in TomTom.

 

[mark4217]

"Here" meaning the name or "Here" meaning in Australia.

 

[ksthommo]

I have the TomTom app on my Iphone, purchased a few countries, all went well.
Before you had to purchase one app for each country/region.

TomTom recently updated the apps to TomTom Go Mobile. They have given 3 years
free subscription to users who had previously paid for apps. Not sure what the cost
is for a new subscription. With this app you download what countries you require.

http://www.tomtom.com/en_au/drive/gps-navigation/go-mobile/

 

[mark4217]

The bulk of EU is $110 then option of East EU for $80 or thereabouts. What do you use to hold the phone on the windscreen? Cheers

 

[VPS]

Sygic is a good app and often have specials

 

[mark4217]

I have the TomTom app on my Iphone, purchased a few countries, all went well.
Before you had to purchase one app for each country/region.

TomTom recently updated the apps to TomTom Go Mobile. They have given 3 years
free subscription to users who had previously paid for apps. Not sure what the cost
is for a new subscription. With this app you download what countries you require.

http://www.tomtom.com/en_au/drive/gps-navigation/go-mobile/

The reviews on the go-mobile from your link gets very bad reviews.
Is this app different to the Tomtom Europe? Or are they one in the same?. Cheers

 

[RooFlyer]

Sygic is a good app and often have specials

And they use Tom Tom maps!

 

[ksthommo]

Can't comment as I haven't had a chance to play with the new app.
The user interface is completely different compared to the old app.
Yes the reviews aren't complimentary.

 

[straitman]

I like HERE Maps but have found they give some 'interesting' directions occasionally.

It got my daughter lost in Seville Spain and me lost in Lautoka Fiji.

 

[waldo61]

Ok thanks. What's the app name "Here Maps" or just "Maps" . Cheers

The app is called 'HERE Maps' by HERE Apps LLC
Once downloaded just download the maps you need. Includes search and travel options for driving, public transport and walking.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Both are fabulous - both are cough - no doubt you are as about confused as I get - try finding Moronis Bike Shop at 104 Mitchell St Bendigo - like they only been there 50 years - you'll be way up woop woop then think to yourself - really? Way out here?

 

[awkwardpaws]

Do you have an Android or an iOS device?

If you have an Android device (like I do), TomTom GoMobile app might be a good option.

I bought it end of last year when I was planning to go driving in NZ and the US West Coast and needed a flexible international GPS / navigation option. With the Android TomTom GoMobile app - you pay a yearly subscription (A$30 from memory) and that allows you to download any map in the world as you need them! An economical way if you are going to multiple places.

In contrast, I have heard that the TomTom GoMobile app on iOS is a separate payment for each map region - which could add up. So if you have Android - this might be a good option!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have iPhone - purchased TT years ago - uploaded new App couple weeks back - they do the job albeit with major deficiencies.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I like HERE Maps but have found they give some 'interesting' directions occasionally.

It got my daughter lost in Seville Spain and me lost in Lautoka Fiji.

LOL. That's right blame the machine!

And old saying, "Travellers are never lost, they just don't know where they are."

 

[marki]

LOL. That's right blame the machine!

And old saying, "Travellers are never lost, they just don't know where they are."

Like that Quote TMA

My personal experience is that of very much liking the stand alone product ie TOm Tom or Garmin.

They are made for travel and specific goal in mind. I don't get interrupted with the phone ringing or SMS and am more than able to connect it to the sim internet on my phone. Plus the stand alone comes with a proper mount.
The phone does not !

 

[SFSC]

I have an old Tomtom ONE XL which has served me well in AU and NZ over the last eight years with the occasional map upgrade. I have decided to take it on an upcoming trip to the UK in case we decide to hire a car. On previous trips I have been a bit more physically mobile and have mostly used public transport and walking to get around and navigated with an occasional peek at Google maps courtesy of giffgaff data on an old android phone.

I looked on eBay and was surprised that it was still possible to purchase maps cards for the old ONE XL. I purchased a 2016 UK-GB & Ireland SD card for ~AUD 41.00. The seller requested that I send them the device number (which can be obtained by interrogating the screen) so they could confirm compatibility before posting the card. The card arrived this week and when I slipped in the card and turned the GPS on, it came straight up us a UK GPS. I wasn't able to see my location here in au of course but was able to peruse a few GB location maps by entering the postcodes. So I'll be quite happy to have a GPS I'm familiar with and know the menu to use if I choose to do some driving.

 

[marki]

I have an old Tomtom ONE XL which has served me well in AU and NZ over the last eight years with the occasional map upgrade. I have decided to take it on an upcoming trip to the UK in case we decide to hire a car. On previous trips I have been a bit more physically mobile and have mostly used public transport and walking to get around and navigated with an occasional peek at Google maps courtesy of giffgaff data on an old android phone.

I looked on eBay and was surprised that it was still possible to purchase maps cards for the old ONE XL. I purchased a 2016 UK-GB & Ireland SD card for ~AUD 41.00. The seller requested that I send them the device number (which can be obtained by interrogating the screen) so they could confirm compatibility before posting the card. The card arrived this week and when I slipped in the card and turned the GPS on, it came straight up us a UK GPS. I wasn't able to see my location here in au of course but was able to peruse a few GB location maps by entering the postcodes. So I'll be quite happy to have a GPS I'm familiar with and know the menu to use if I choose to do some driving.

I guess the price is reasonable. I have also seen GPS units available at that price in the UK.