520T, 720T with US Maps - or something else? (and swap maps?

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

Hi all

Some helpful advice if you would. We are selling our car which had a Ford DVD Sat Nav in it. Our new car does not have this so I want to buy a unit. I am probably going to go with a Tom Tom and like the 720 or 520 both T versions.

One thing i will want to buy extra for it is the US maps which you can get from the Tom Tom web site for 35GBP at the moment. This is a lot cheaper then buying the 920 which has them built in.

My question is though ...

How do you get the US maps on the 520 or 720? when i have changed the model for which I am purchasing these maps from the Tom Tom website it dramatically changes the downloaded file size from like 930MB for the 520 to like 1750MB for the 720.

What extra are you getting on the 720?

Also, do I have to uninstall the UK maps?

Sorry if this is a daft question but I do not seem to find the answer on the Tom Tom web site.

Thanks again
Craig

DennisN · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

When comparing the prices, consider you will probably also need to buy an SD card, AT LEAST 2GB size - most people would advise you to get at least 4GB and many are getting the 8GB ones. So add that to the cost of the model you are getting in addition to the extra price of the map/s.

The 920/920T has extra features for its cost too - EPT for navigating inside tunnels, they say (certainly mine comes on as soon as the roof passes overhead, but I have not yet been through a long enough tunnel to decide how good it is). And a Bluetooth remote control which finds much favour with me (the only way you can get one at present is with the 920. It's predecessor wireless version for earlier models was £30).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

DennisN · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I forgot to answer the other questions.

720 has Western European street mapping, 520 only has one region. You can navigate all over UK and Europe streets without changing or installing any maps. The 920 has Western and Central Europe - supposedly greater coverage of Europe (more countries) than the 720. You've already seen the mapping offers on the TT website - If you select one, it tells you what countries it covers.
Installing new maps can happen automatically providing you have enough space on your device. They are only available by download, so Broadband is essential.
You would not uninstall the UK map - a menu option is to switch maps, so you choose the North America map when you need to.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

Hi Dennis

Thanks for the full answers

So if I priced up a 520T with 2gb SD and US maps and see if thats worth it over the 920T.

The only tunnel I will be going through is at Dartford Smile

Thanks very much for your help.

Are there are models maybe from Garmin or someone that I should consider?

Cheers
Craig

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

OK, done the sums....

920T is £286 from Halfords
520T, plus 4GB SD and US Maps is 176+14+35=£225

So£60 quid difference.

Question is are the added features worth £60? Is there any sites that compare all the features? I would have hoped the TomTom one would do it like Nokia does with its mobiles

Thanks

DennisN · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

Hoppy · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:54 am Post subject:

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

a-ha so I have bought the 520t for 176 (-£7 from quid co) and am now after the 4GB SD and the US Maps.

I was thinking of buying the maps for the 720 and not the 520 because they are twice as large a download and therefore have more stuff on them.

Any idea if that will work?

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

Hi Andy

Thanks. It says the coverage ios the same so its either compression or one has more extras than the other.....

I suppose I could buy the 720 maps and if they do not work then say opps,. i meant to get the 520 ones maybe. I don't really know if they will allow it.

I tried to find a number to call Tom Tom but they look like its in the Netherlands.

Thanks again
craig

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I just checked again and the coverage maps do look exactly the same don't they.
So, yes its as others have said, less off-road detail like lakes etc and less curves on roads.

For future info the UK "support" number is:

0845 161 0009

Monday - Friday: 08:00 to 20:00 GMT
(every first Tuesday of the month: 09:00 to 20:00 GMT)

Not sure if this is ACTUALLY in the UK as the FAX number they give is a DUTCH number:

FAX - 0031 208 501 072

..and they usually speak "double Dutch" anyway! Wink

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

thanks again.

I think i will try and call them

Cheers

DennisN · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

disney_cjd · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 54

thats pretty harsh isnt it

Well I have called TOm Tom and they told me to email via the web which I have done. So far all they have said is the size is due to the internal memeory of the machines 720 having 2 gb and the 520 only 1 gig. so I asked them if i bought a 4 gig SDHC class 6 card coudl I buy the big one and they have not replied yet.

I dont want to buy the worng one but then if the others have more detail and they will work then i will get those

thanks
Craig

DennisN · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject:

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