SPV C500: TomTom or CoPilot?

c500pete · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 14

Hi all,

I've read all of the reviews on each, but is there a like for like comparison in a single review? I've avoided posting to try and learn as much as I can before bothering you, but I still have a few unanswered questions.

I'm trying to answer:

1) When the products are activated, does the activation tie the software to a single device? Obviously EULA applies and it will only be installed on one device at a time, but nice to know upgrade paths / restrictions if I choose to change my number or handset.

2) CoPilot is more expensive than TomTom, is the extra cost just in the difference in GPS module performance. IS this extra cost worth it?

3) With, for example, roundabouts (UK), do the maps accurately reflect the actual layout of the road. The screenshots I've seen don't seem to suggest this, yet I have found on previous in car sat nav devices, the road layout to a tricky junction is key in its presentation.

4) The POI is important to me (safety camera database). I know CP comes with it pre-installed, but the update process seems a pain. TT seems better in this respect.

I'm currently swaying towards TT (based on cost and ease of use). Is there anything else that justifies the extra cost of CP that I may have missed?

Thanks all.

Pete

Skippy · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: SPV C500: TomTom or CoPilot?

I only have CoPilot 5 Smartphone so I can't answer your TT questions but here goes with the CoPilot related answers:

c500pete · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 14

Thanks Skippy.

That is a very useful summary of features, but more importantly bugs. I am always very wary of any software or hardware that doesn't perform as it should, as I always make the most out of the features available. If they don't work, I'll throw it away. But I hate wasting money too, and it would seem that CoPilot would be a waste of money until the faults are fixed.

Can anyone suggest if there are similar useability issues with TomTom, which is looking favourable at the moment?

Cheers,
Pete

Skippy · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

Also check out http://www.mapopolis.com/ there is demo version (beta, but stable) for the Smartphone which is worth a look. You can try it without a GPS receiver if you don't already have one.
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c500pete · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 14

Forgive me, but I've been unable to locate a thread with TomTom bugs listed. Would anyone know (or has maybe authored) of such a thread on this board to help me make my decision?

Thanks
Pete

gripp · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:06 am Post subject:

My experience after running CoPilot5 on a Mitac 168 for a couple of months are:

- Speed cameras for some strange reason are seldom announced on return journeys!
- Updating the POI files is a bit fiddly as they have to be loaded into the desktop version, then the entire map has to be downloaded to the SD card. Using a dedicated card reader rather than Active Synch only takes a few minutes though.
- the favourites file often gets deleted for no apparent reason...so keep a master copy available
- the desktop module contains maps for the whole of Europe and allows route planning with more fine tuning than is possible on the PDA. Any route can be saved on the destop and downloaded in to the PDA
- the dalek, robotic voice is a bit quirky with some of its pronounciations, but I like the fact it announces road names and numbers

I bought CP soley based on the glowing review on this site, though I wonder if TT would not have been a better choice. However, the ability to plan all routes (and generally play around) on the desktop is a feature I value greatly, and one which I believe is not available in TT.
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Nokia E65 & TT Nav6

c500pete · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 14

Thanks for the tips. I want to order one or the other today. Are there any other inputs from people out there?

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