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WoodGlue's avatar
WoodGlue
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013

Excellent Christmas Gift

Just thought I'd give a huge shout out to the newish Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV Specific GPS Unit!

More about the specifics here:

Tom Tom Via 1605M RV GPS

I've had mine for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly. They're about $149.00 compared to the Garmin which is going for $399.00 at Amazon.

I own the Garmin as well (RV 760LMT) and did extensive side by side testing on my dashboard. I found the routes that Tom Tom led me down are better than the Garmin, as the Garmin led me down 2 unsuitable roads while in the RV mode. It's a good thing that I wasn't pulling the trailer at these times otherwise I would have been in a quandary. Not good at all.

The TomTom also allows end users to make and submit road conditions changes (under construction, temporarily blocked roads, etc) and you can update your unit with these updates as soon as they're verified.

I tested heavily along the Los Angeles 405 freeway corridor which is a major freeway undergoing ramp closures and ramp re-openings, heavy construction, etc and the Tom Tom performed flawlessly. I can't say the same thing for the Garmin.

The Tom Tom also offers lifetime Traffic updates as long as you use a mobile charger that has the traffic module.

TomTom Charger

So, if Santa Claus needs something for an RV family member or a gift for yourself, I'd consider the Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV.

WoodGlue
Seeking Advice
  • Bucky_Badger's avatar
    Bucky_Badger
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    WoodGlue wrote:
    Just thought I'd give a huge shout out to the newish Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV Specific GPS Unit!

    More about the specifics here:

    Tom Tom Via 1605M RV GPS

    I've had mine for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly. They're about $149.00 compared to the Garmin which is going for $399.00 at Amazon.

    I own the Garmin as well (RV 760LMT) and did extensive side by side testing on my dashboard. I found the routes that Tom Tom led me down are better than the Garmin, as the Garmin led me down 2 unsuitable roads while in the RV mode. It's a good thing that I wasn't pulling the trailer at these times otherwise I would have been in a quandary. Not good at all.

    The TomTom also allows end users to make and submit road conditions changes (under construction, temporarily blocked roads, etc) and you can update your unit with these updates as soon as they're verified.

    I tested heavily along the Los Angeles 405 freeway corridor which is a major freeway undergoing ramp closures and ramp re-openings, heavy construction, etc and the Tom Tom performed flawlessly. I can't say the same thing for the Garmin.

    The Tom Tom also offers lifetime Traffic updates as long as you use a mobile charger that has the traffic module.

    TomTom Charger

    So, if Santa Claus needs something for an RV family member or a gift for yourself, I'd consider the Tom Tom VIA 1605M RV.

    WoodGlue


    The Garmin camera input makes it worth it if you use one. Put one in the tom tom and watch the price go up...You are not comparing apples to apples
  • camperpaul's avatar
    camperpaul
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    WoodGlue wrote:
    Camperpaul, any reason why?

    WoodGlue

    During my tenure as a campground host at Illinois Beach SP, I was getting five to ten phone calls per week from people wanting to know how to get to the campground from the Nuclear Power Plant.

    For some strange reason these people sounded like they were very scared.
    Maybe their fear was caused by the two Jarheads standing in front of the RVs with machine guns (the plant was on lock-down due to 9-11).

    With only 24 ft between the curbs there is no easy way to turn a MH around, especially if you have a toad.

    To add insult to injury, the Zion PD would issue a ticket to the driver of the MH for driving on Shiloh Boulevard.

    The Tom-Tom routing data is not the only one with this defect.

    If you want to test your GPS receiver, have it route you to

    Illinois Beach State Park Campground.

    If it shows the entrance to be on Wadsworth Road, there is no problem but if it shows the entrance to be on Shiloh Boulevard the error still exists.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Dec 05, 2013
    I got my navigation system here for a LOT less than you guys are paying.

    I also have 2 nav programs on my Samsung S4 that help as a back up. Not sure why I would need either a Tom-Tom or a Garmin.
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Dec 05, 2013
    Well, Woodglue, I am listening...

    I bought a Garmin 3790LMT, thinking it was the latest greatest bestest everythingest. This thing has been a total PITA from the word go.
    I had to take it back not once, not twice, not 3 times, but 4 times and exchange it before I got one that actually worked. They have a good warranty and they need it.

    My Garmin has been a real pain all along. It CONSTANTLY tells me to drive one street parallel to a main route, going down back alleys and narrow side streets instead of the main street.

    I find the Garmin has the most ridiculously programmed routes. It will tell me to drive 10 miles up a road, crank a U turn and come back the same ten miles and turn left. Why can't it just tell me to turn right at XX road instead?

    I bought the top of the line Garmin thinking I was buying the best, but such is not the case. The Garmin is a piece of junk........

    I had a cheapo Magellen before the Garmin. It was way better for 1/4 the price.

    I won't buy another Garmin. They are a totally useless POS!!
  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    Well then! That bucket of oily rags would be great as fire starters!
  • camperpaul's avatar
    camperpaul
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    Based on my prior experiences, I wouldn't give you a bucket of oily rags for a Tom-Tom

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