Mobility Site - View Single Post - Pros and Cons of Major PPC GPS Systems from Users

axjax · 03-01-07, 10:30 AM

Here's my experience:

Dell Axim X51v ROM A06 w/Globalsat Bluetooth BT-338 GPS 2GB Lexar CF

Both TT5 and Mapopolis v.3.27 worked great for the past year or so. I have some issues with both, but in general... I was happy.

Upgraded ROM to A12 around January 15, 2007

About two weeks after this is when I started to experience problems. It was sporadic then I could not get any satellite readings at all so at this moment I am using paper maps. But with regard to the TomTom5, here's my overview:

PROS:

3D Mapping is both "entertaining" and useful... I seldom switch over to 2D.
Map action is very smooth flowing on the road.
Color options are very good.
Voice commands are clear and very understandable throu the Axim's speaker.
I like the idea that I can load the entire Mid-Atlantic region onto my CF card and plug in just about anywhere in that area and get exceptional directions to the final location... or at least very, very close to it.

CONS:

As noted by many people, TT's maps are not 100% accurate... I think they are 3-5 years old.
They should offer a "Route Reversal" feature so that when you take a 2 hour drive to a location and have to go back to your previous starting point... you just punch one button.
Occassionally, directions will be given that ignore an obvious route (i.e. a ramp that has two directions) and you are directed to go hundreds of yards off course to make U-Turn to head back into the correct direction. This could be a by-product of how old their maps are.
TomTom does not offer purchasers the option of a first-year free upgrade with reagrd to maps or software. If you followed their plan, you'd be investing hundreds of dollars a year in "upgrades".

Bottom Line:
Sorry, but as much as I like TomTom... I would not buy it again. Mapopolis is a much better choice if you can live with 2D. I have not yet reinstalled Mapopolis since flashing my ROM... and I might consider upgrading to the newer version. Thats if I can get the Axim to see my GPS again. If I can't, I'll sell off everything on eBay and get a dedicated portable GPS and be done with it.

03-01-07, 10:30 AM	#48 (permalink)
axjax Aximsite Minor League Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western MASS Posts: 146 Device: Motorola Carrier: Verizon Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's my experience: Dell Axim X51v ROM A06 w/Globalsat Bluetooth BT-338 GPS 2GB Lexar CF Both TT5 and Mapopolis v.3.27 worked great for the past year or so. I have some issues with both, but in general... I was happy. Upgraded ROM to A12 around January 15, 2007 About two weeks after this is when I started to experience problems. It was sporadic then I could not get any satellite readings at all so at this moment I am using paper maps. But with regard to the TomTom5, here's my overview: PROS: 3D Mapping is both "entertaining" and useful... I seldom switch over to 2D. Map action is very smooth flowing on the road. Color options are very good. Voice commands are clear and very understandable throu the Axim's speaker. I like the idea that I can load the entire Mid-Atlantic region onto my CF card and plug in just about anywhere in that area and get exceptional directions to the final location... or at least very, very close to it. CONS: As noted by many people, TT's maps are not 100% accurate... I think they are 3-5 years old. They should offer a "Route Reversal" feature so that when you take a 2 hour drive to a location and have to go back to your previous starting point... you just punch one button. Occassionally, directions will be given that ignore an obvious route (i.e. a ramp that has two directions) and you are directed to go hundreds of yards off course to make U-Turn to head back into the correct direction. This could be a by-product of how old their maps are. TomTom does not offer purchasers the option of a first-year free upgrade with reagrd to maps or software. If you followed their plan, you'd be investing hundreds of dollars a year in "upgrades". Bottom Line: Sorry, but as much as I like TomTom... I would *not* buy it again. Mapopolis is a much better choice if you can live with 2D. I have not yet reinstalled Mapopolis since flashing my ROM... and I might consider upgrading to the newer version. Thats if I can get the Axim to see my GPS again. If I can't, I'll sell off everything on eBay and get a dedicated portable GPS and be done with it. __________________ AxJax To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. • Axim X51v • 2GB Lexar 80X CF • GlobalSat BT-338 GPS • TomTom5 • Mapopolis v.3.27 "If God really wanted us to compute, we'd have memory slots in our heads"