Tomtom 500 or 5000

[Firebird]

Hi all,

Ready to buy a new TT.

Not sure just which one.

500 needs a data connection, from a smart phone,
for traffic monitoring,
I have unlimited data.

or the 5000 which has built-in traffic

There is quite a difference in price.

Which do you suggest.

[DennisN]

I THINK (not sure) the 500 using your phone connection will use whatever SIM you have - 3G or 4G, whereas the 5000 uses TomTom's own 2G SIM, so is less stable and suffers perhaps from line congestion.

Have you read all the comments on the lack of features in the new models?
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[Firebird]

Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the reply.
I have read bits about the limitations on the newer systems.
It does worry me, but what else is there, as good as the Tomtom?
I did think about the 820 or the 825.
Are there others which can support traffic(via Smartphonedata ),
and life time maps?

[DennisN]

Sorry, I have to leave that to someone else- I won't touch the new ones because they are so much less featured, so I can't recommend any.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[xtraseller]

I prefer the non-SIM versions, because of speed of first update (often just a few seconds) and coverage will typically be best possible because we do (should) have chosen the best coverage operator within the areas we normally are, where as the built in unit is stuck with one carrier

It eats up a negligible amount of your data each month but make sure you have tethering option included within your bundle

An alternative is the more recent Garmins which include Bluetooth Smartlink for traffic data from your phone (limited to Android and IOs) but doesn't need tethering (as goes through an App which then transmits its data to the unit - hence a more restricted usage - I prefer Windows Phone - but this works well to)
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TomTom Go Live 6100, 600
Garmin DriveLux 50, D-Smart 70, NuviCam, 3598, 2699, 2798
Mio Navman 695
Nexus 6p, Apple iPhone 6sPlus and Microsoft Lumia 950xl running TomTom, Garmin, CoPilot, Navigon, Sygic, Here Drive, Google, Waze, MS Maps

[archchancellor]

I bought the 500 a few months ago - for me the traffic is essential, and I was finding my previous TOMTOM with built-in SIM was dropping the connection too frequently.

Sad that the new 500 doesn't allow me to put cameras on it, but in every other respect (interface, speed, reliability, traffic) it's light-years ahead. Connection to TT servers is rock-solid, pairs with my phone in seconds. I now have cameralert on a cheap Android phone I bought specifically for the purpose - does the job just fine, although I don't find it a particularly refined piece of s/w.

Given the experience with TT built-in SIMS, I'd say go for the 500. Cheaper and better.

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