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There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
Looking to upgrade my GPS. Any feed back on the Tom Tom Rider?
- Thread starter Capt John
- Start date
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
bone crusher
Alignment Specialist
buy a garmin...great product...best customer service, hands down...nothing even close! Get the zumo 550, 660, or new 665...
Firefly
Active member
:agree:+2
widowmaker2011
Member
Hi Capt. You asked if anyone had the Tom Tom and their take on that unit and then you just see a link to garmin website or post that says "buy a Garmin". :hun: While Garmin makes a great unit , that wasn't your question was it. :roflblack:
Any how I'll try and answer rather than direct. I have both a Garmin 550 and a TomTom Rider 2 and have experience with both. The Tom Tom lives on my Yamaha Royal Star Venture after 2 years on my first Spyder and The Garmin is on our 2nd Spyder. Sometimes the Yamaha stays in Florida so we added the Garmin for the Spyder.
The Tom Tom has a great interface and the screen is great even in direct sunlight. I have used it for trips covering 8-9000 miles almost all of NY , NH , ME , Quebec, CA and PA and 2 trips from NY to FL. It did an awesome job with routing. I like the dock and charging dock. Its been drowned in horrible storms a few times and never missed a beat. The computer interface is satisfactory (if you use it) but not great for setting up waypoints etc. Once you master it its fine , but Tom Tom is not known for great directions in this area. I have my blackberry and both our scala rider 2 headsets synced and they work flawlessly I bought it new for 399.99 at Best Buy. It can be found online for 375 now. It comes with one bluetooth headset, this is a huge plus .
The Garmin also has a very good interface, I have some issues with screen glare but not horrible. The computer interface is easier to use than the Tom Tom.
Blue tooth connectivity is fine. Support from Garmin is top notch , I had a defective lcd and they replaced it no questions and painlessly. (I don't know about Tom Tom , the unit has not had any issues requiring support). I paid 600 for the garmin.
If you had to rate both I would give the Garmin the nod by a hair in some areas and the Tom Tom the nod in some areas. I don't think you can go wrong with either. That being said there is about a $ 200 price difference. Your call.
Last edited:
bone crusher
Alignment Specialist
Hi Capt. You asked if anyone had the Tom Tom and their take on that unit and then you just see a link to garmin website or post that says "buy a Garmin". :hun: While Garmin makes a great unit , that wasn't your question was it. :roflblack:
Any how I'll try and answer rather than direct. I have both a Garmin 550 and a TomTom Rider 2 and have experience with both. The Tom Tom lives on my Yamaha Royal Star Venture after 2 years on my first Spyder and The Garmin is on our 2nd Spyder. Sometimes the Yamaha stays in Florida so we added the Garmin for the Spyder.
The Tom Tom has a great interface and the screen is great even in direct sunlight. I have used it for trips covering 8-9000 miles almost all of NY , NH , ME , Quebec, CA and PA and 2 trips from NY to FL. It did an awesome job with routing. I like the dock and charging dock. Its been drowned in horrible storms a few times and never missed a beat. The computer interface is satisfactory (if you use it) but not great for setting up waypoints etc. Once you master it its fine , but Tom Tom is not known for great directions in this area. I have my blackberry and both our scala rider 2 headsets synced and they work flawlessly I bought it new for 399.99 at Best Buy. It can be found online for 375 now. It comes with one bluetooth headset, this is a huge plus .
The Garmin also has a very good interface, I have some issues with screen glare but not horrible. The computer interface is easier to use than the Tom Tom.
Blue tooth connectivity is fine. Support from Garmin is top notch , I had a defective lcd and they replaced it no questions and painlessly. (I don't know about Tom Tom , the unit has not had any issues requiring support). I paid 600 for the garmin.
If you had to rate both I would give the Garmin the nod by a hair in some areas and the Tom Tom the nod in some areas. I don't think you can go wrong with either. That being said there is about a $ 200 price difference. Your call.
Thank you for your review...you confirmed what we've all commented on in tons of other posts...the Tom Tom is a good product, no question...for that matter, I have a magellan and like it when I travel, but the garmin's interface is top notch and the customer service simply cannot be beat by anyone...
widowmaker2011
Member
Agreed and I understand the loyalty of some to Garmin based upon customer service but that wasn't his question. Too often I am at fault for the same type of posting (giving an opinion that has nothing to do with the question) and I'm just trying to keep the post on topic. :2thumbs:
Hi Capt. You asked if anyone had the Tom Tom and their take on that unit and then you just see a link to garmin website or post that says "buy a Garmin". :hun: While Garmin makes a great unit , that wasn't your question was it. :roflblack:
Any how I'll try and answer rather than direct. I have both a Garmin 550 and a TomTom Rider 2 and have experience with both. The Tom Tom lives on my Yamaha Royal Star Venture after 2 years on my first Spyder and The Garmin is on our 2nd Spyder. Sometimes the Yamaha stays in Florida so we added the Garmin for the Spyder.
The Tom Tom has a great interface and the screen is great even in direct sunlight. I have used it for trips covering 8-9000 miles almost all of NY , NH , ME , Quebec, CA and PA and 2 trips from NY to FL. It did an awesome job with routing. I like the dock and charging dock. Its been drowned in horrible storms a few times and never missed a beat. The computer interface is satisfactory (if you use it) but not great for setting up waypoints etc. Once you master it its fine , but Tom Tom is not known for great directions in this area. I have my blackberry and both our scala rider 2 headsets synced and they work flawlessly I bought it new for 399.99 at Best Buy. It can be found online for 375 now. It comes with one bluetooth headset, this is a huge plus .
The Garmin also has a very good interface, I have some issues with screen glare but not horrible. The computer interface is easier to use than the Tom Tom.
Blue tooth connectivity is fine. Support from Garmin is top notch , I had a defective lcd and they replaced it no questions and painlessly. (I don't know about Tom Tom , the unit has not had any issues requiring support). I paid 600 for the garmin.
If you had to rate both I would give the Garmin the nod by a hair in some areas and the Tom Tom the nod in some areas. I don't think you can go wrong with either. That being said there is about a $ 200 price difference. Your call.
Thanks for the feedback. Price does play a big part in my decision. Rider for $375 or Zumo 665 for $999. I still weighing my decision and I appreciate all the feedback.
John,
Let me know when you head this way and I'll try to schedule a few days off. I need a break! I'v only had 4 days off in the last 45 days. These 12 hour days get old fast. I need some more ryding time!
Not sure if you can still find a Garmin GPSmap 478. They were originally about a grand but now MSRP is $799 and they are strongly discounted. They come with an automotive and marine mode (all US charts included). The nice thing is that the extra cost Garmin 30 xm antenna not only picks up all the XM channels, it can provide (for an additional fee, of course) up to date weather data including radar overlay. It lacks touchscreen and it is a little more cumbersome but I still like it.
It is to be replaced by the GPSmap 640 with an MSRP of $1200. While it has a bigger, nicer display and is touch screen, it displays the weather overlay in marine mode only. Not in Street mode. That disqualifies it for me.
When I get to see the new 665, I may break down and buy it for the Spyder and also use it on my old Excursion. The 478 will be relegated to simply marine use.
PS I also found that the Garmin 30 XM antenna, if you already have one, will work on the new machines in lieu of buying the Garmin 40 antenna.
It is to be replaced by the GPSmap 640 with an MSRP of $1200. While it has a bigger, nicer display and is touch screen, it displays the weather overlay in marine mode only. Not in Street mode. That disqualifies it for me.
When I get to see the new 665, I may break down and buy it for the Spyder and also use it on my old Excursion. The 478 will be relegated to simply marine use.
PS I also found that the Garmin 30 XM antenna, if you already have one, will work on the new machines in lieu of buying the Garmin 40 antenna.
dltang
Very Handy Member
Hey Capt. John,
If you have an iPhone, the TomTom is available as a download GPS on your iphone. I have a different GPS I downloaded that works quite well. The TomTom wasn't available at the time. I haven't really looked at it but thought I would pass that on to you. I have a ram mount for my iphone both dry and an aqua box. Have used my iphone as my GPS, tunes, and phone all while riding my spyder with much success. Good luck in whatever decision you make.
If you have an iPhone, the TomTom is available as a download GPS on your iphone. I have a different GPS I downloaded that works quite well. The TomTom wasn't available at the time. I haven't really looked at it but thought I would pass that on to you. I have a ram mount for my iphone both dry and an aqua box. Have used my iphone as my GPS, tunes, and phone all while riding my spyder with much success. Good luck in whatever decision you make.
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