[Shop-talk] GPS experiences ?

[Karl Vacek]

Surely there are some experienced GPS users on this list.

I've got a Garmin 60C my sister gave me a year ago.  They could never get it
to load maps, and eventually they had them in their cars.  I got it working,
and use it to route myself on inspeection trips, where I need to photograph
the exterior of buildings and land.  It's far better than nothing, but overall
this unit is OK at best.  It's limited in memory (no slots), has a slooooow
processor, and it handles waypoints and re-routing poorly.  Based on this
quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment in
the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're the
leaders.

I currently have a chance to buy anything TomTom sells at an incredible
discount, but I don't know anyone who has one.  Seems to be a European brand.
The few American reviews I've found have been very positive, and they
advertise a user community to upgrade maps - but I have no idea if that's
really active and useful.

I'm interested in the 930T, for the traffic info it can potentially provide as
well as a faster processor, memory slot, and more user-friendliness than I get
with the Garmin.  It sounds like I'd need to link it in with my cell phone (my
service is Verizon) to obtain traffic info.  It's currently on sale for $450 -
with the additional discount off the sale price, I can get it for $270.

Anyone know about TomTom in general and this unit specifically ?  I'm
particularly interested in the traffic interface, as well as map upgrades.
And why it has such a weird name  ;-)

Thanks!
Karl