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Should I wait for TomTom to go on sale and forget Navigon?

rocknblogger

rocknblogger

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 2, 2011
2,346
481
New Jersey
I've been patiently waiting for a sale on Navigon or TomTom and now that Navigon has released version 2.0 it's also on sale. But after reading all the negative comments concerning the update it sounds like I should just wait for TomTom to go on sale.

To be honest I was all set to buy Navigon based on past reviews but seems like the new version isn't all that much better and there's a lot of confusion about the $19.99 map update. Is it lifetime or every two years?

Also I see a red flag based on the fact that those who bought Navigon earlier versions, bought it with the understanding that they would get lifetime map updates. Now these same people have to buy the updates.

If you still believe in Navigon and still think it's better than TomTom convince me that I should still buy it.
 
i have not tried tom tom, but i love navigon. i havent had the chance to use 2.0 in the wild, but the layout is nice. i am used to the old layout so i prefer that for the time being, but once i get used to the new one i will adapt.

2.0 didnt bring "new features" like smaller revisions did, but i think its a great app as a whole. i only need 2 states installed which saves me a lot of space. i think people are very happy with navigon and i would definitely recommend it!
 
Ive been shopping for a Navigation App for a while but was surprised that even as apps with easy access to the internet that these companies still nickel and dime you with things like subscriptions, map updates, paid traffic etc. So since Apple seems to be on the brink of making their own nav software then I decided to look at cheaper options and was surprised by two FREE apps.

Waze and Mapquest. Both of these are free but offer voice turn by turn and traffic with no extra fees. I'm not sure if a power user would be satisfied but for a casual user then these are fantastic and worth checking out before plunking down money on the paid apps.
 
I use TomTom and love it. While I have not used Navigon and can't compare the two, everything I have read suggests TomTom has slightly better maps and routes while Navigon has a better UI. But, even if the maps are about on par, TomTom updates their app once every 3 months or so and includes updated maps for free each time. Also, TomTom allows users to make corrections to the maps from their phones. These corrections are then uploaded to TomTom and the pushed out to everyone else in a daily update. So really, you get free new maps almost every day with TomTom.

I'd say go with TomTom. I have yet to be disappointed with my purchase. For reference, the sale price seems to be about $35 for the whole USA version. I'd bet it will go on sale right after Thanksgiving so try to wait until then.
 
I purchased TomTom last year around this time I believe. I ended up getting a refund. Maybe it improved by now. I know they released an update shortly after I was refunded that supposedly fixed my concerns. Mainly traffic and a routing issue.

I never liked navigon
 
rocknblogger said:
I've been patiently waiting for a sale on Navigon or TomTom and now that Navigon has released version 2.0 it's also on sale. But after reading all the negative comments concerning the update it sounds like I should just wait for TomTom to go on sale.

To be honest I was all set to buy Navigon based on past reviews but seems like the new version isn't all that much better and there's a lot of confusion about the $19.99 map update. Is it lifetime or every two years?

Also I see a red flag based on the fact that those who bought Navigon earlier versions, bought it with the understanding that they would get lifetime map updates. Now these same people have to buy the updates.

If you still believe in Navigon and still think it's better than TomTom convince me that I should still buy it.
Click to expand...

I thought the $19.99 updates were for there quarterly "fresh" updates to the maps...

I've been using Navigon since it was released, and I love it. I really like how they changed it up with 2.0 to allow the user to download the maps that are needed, not all. I only need two states right now, but when I take the fam on vacation, it is good to know I can download the others when needed.

I have never used TomTom so I can't say which one is better...
 
I am thinking of moving to Tom-Tom myself. Looks like it's improved a lot since they first released the app and the traffic seems to be included in the price. I just need to do a little research and see if turn-by-turn list is included, Navigon appears to have removed that feature from routing on the 2.0 version... at least I can't find it.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I think I'm going to wait and see if TomTom goes on sale after Thanksgiving or around Christmas. I just keep reading more and more negative comments about the 2.0 update.

I'm also not in a huge rush since my wife still has an EVO with free Google nav and since we would be together on any long trips we're good to go. But also I believe Apple is preparing to launch their own navigation app or more likely bake it into iOS6.

I decided to give GPS Drive ($.99) and $9.99 for the first year of voice a try. I figure between that and Waze I should be okay until there's either a good discount on TomTom or maybe even until Apple releases their version.

BTW if you've tried Waze did you get voice to turn by turn to work? It doesn't seem to want to work for me. It also feels more like a fun thing than a serious nav app but that could just be my perception of it.

Once again, thank you all for replying with good well thought out comments :)
 
If you look it up on AppShopper, you will see how often it goes on sale.
 
MacDevil7334 said:
It goes on sale 3-4 times a year. I got my copy when it was on sale for $35 down from $50.
Click to expand...


Interesting. Is that the American one? I've looked out for the Euro on but it has never been as low as Navigon.


Just had a look in appshopper and yes it has had several price drops. They are nowhere near the Navigon price drops. I think I got Navigon for €15.
 
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Navigon - FreshMaps - you have to pay for map updates, but its something like $CA15 for 4 quarterly updates over a 3 year period. Thats just over $1 for every map update, not too bad IMO. So 4 * 3 = 12 map updates over the duration.

I read some of the Navigon reviews yesterday - most of them were nothing but whinning - and misunderstandings about the new map subscription ( Fresh Maps ). I expect the map server was overloaded, hence issues with not being able to connect to navigon servers to get maps.

Is the "Panorama View 3D" in app purchase worth while?

TomTom - yes, it goes on sale too... see appshopper link for TT history:
http://appshopper.com/navigation/tomtom-us-canada
 
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rocknblogger said:
Should I wait for TomTom to go on sale and forget Navigon?
Click to expand...
rocknblogger said:
If you still believe in Navigon and still think it's better than TomTom convince me that I should still buy it.
Click to expand...
Making the call is your job -- not anyone else's. I went ahead and purchased Navigon 2.0. Do whatever works for you.

urkel said:
Ive been shopping for a Navigation App for a while but was surprised that even as apps with easy access to the internet
Click to expand...
If you're ok with streaming maps then by all means go with it. Just don't assume that your preference is universal. There are plenty that need and/or want locally stored map data. Data coverage isn't always available/affordable.

Stella said:
I read some of the Navigon reviews yesterday - most of them were nothing but whinning - and misunderstandings about the new map subscription ( Fresh Maps ). I expect the map server was uploaded, hence issues with not being able to connect to navigon servers.
Click to expand...
You definitely have to read between the lines with reviews.
 
For version 2.0 it is mentioned:
Free map update for all.
Fresh Maps XL provides quarterly map updates for at least two years for a onetime fee.
What's the difference between the two?
 
Last summer, I bought TomTom for about $35. I was patient and just waited till it was on sale. I would not pay for it at a higher price. I prefer TomTom over Navigon especially since Navigon will start charging for updates.
 
thatdrewguy said:
For version 2.0 it is mentioned:
Free map update for all.
Fresh Maps XL provides quarterly map updates for at least two years for a onetime fee.
What's the difference between the two?
Click to expand...

Here is my understanding

For mobile devices, maps are updated for free yearly. The freshmaps is a 15 dollar service to get updated maps quarterly for the lifetime of the app. The 2 years is for dedicated devices from what I gather and not phones
 
Some info from Navigon:

What is the difference between NAVIGON Fresh and NAVIGON FreshMaps?

NAVIGON Fresh is a software utility for Windows-based PCs that allows you to manage your NAVIGON PND. NAVIGON FreshMaps is a subscription based service that updates your PND’s map twelve times over the course of a three year period. New data for NAVIGON FreshMaps is downloaded and installed via the FreshMaps utility.
Click to expand...

What's confusing is that the in-app purchase calls it "FreshMaps XL", and makes no mention of how long the updates will last. The in-app description only says:

Update your NAVIGON app every 3 months -- with the latest map updates from the experts
Click to expand...
 
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rocknblogger said:
I've been patiently waiting for a sale on Navigon or TomTom and now that Navigon has released version 2.0 it's also on sale. But after reading all the negative comments concerning the update it sounds like I should just wait for TomTom to go on sale.

To be honest I was all set to buy Navigon based on past reviews but seems like the new version isn't all that much better and there's a lot of confusion about the $19.99 map update. Is it lifetime or every two years?

Also I see a red flag based on the fact that those who bought Navigon earlier versions, bought it with the understanding that they would get lifetime map updates. Now these same people have to buy the updates.

If you still believe in Navigon and still think it's better than TomTom convince me that I should still buy it.
Click to expand...

You should consider Garmin. They own Navigon now, but their app is leaps and bounds better and personally I like the interface better than TomTom too.
 
rocknblogger said:
I've been patiently waiting for a sale on Navigon or TomTom and now that Navigon has released version 2.0 it's also on sale. But after reading all the negative comments concerning the update it sounds like I should just wait for TomTom to go on sale.
Click to expand...

I am a long time Copilot user and like it - they have regularly updated maps for free over the 2 years I have owned it and at around $15 it's cheap as well.

They have a 30 day trial (Copilot Directions) version so you can try it out and see if it fits your needs.
 
"Is the "Panorama View 3D" in app purchase worth while?"

I'm not a fan: you can't have North Up with Panorama View 3D. Also, i haven't noticed much difference in the generally flat area where I use it most. When we have driven in the mountains I expect it would look considerably better but I don't know because my wife prefers North Up and she is navigating!:)
 
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