Garmin VS Tomtom VS Magellan – What is The Best ?

When it comes to GPS systems, everyone has their personal favorite. With so many brands out there, it can be tough for a first-time buyer to decide what they’re looking for. In this article, we are going to discuss Garmin vs TomTom vs Magellan to help you decide what it is you’re looking for. Everyone has their own features they need, and it’s next to impossible for us to tell you what is ‘best’. A lot of how well your GPS works depends on your location, so it’s always a good idea to do a bit of research and ask a lot of questions before making your final selection.

If you are going to be using your GPS system in Europe, TomTom is said to be the best as far as maps are concerned. The accuracy is amazing there compared to Garmin and Magellan. However, if you are located in the United States, Garmin and Magellan are your best bets for the most accurate and complete map information. Now, we’re not saying all three couldn’t work for you because it depends on where you are located exactly but as a whole; that should give you some insight.

Depending on your budget, you may want to select Garmin. Garmin is known to give you the most for your money. This is not always the case though; because there are plenty of great deals out there. Again, research is extremely important. Garmin and TomTom give you free updates for life, without you needing to pay for individual maps. This may be something of interest to you as well if you don’t want to pay for map updates with Magellan, which can get a bit pricey.

If you don’t consider yourself to be very tech savvy or if you are looking to purchase a GPS system for the very first time, you may want to consider Garmin. Garmin is the most popular GPS system and much of that has to do with its simplicity. Many Garmin models allow you to select multiple destinations and offer you up to date traffic information as well as lane assists; which helps you know which lane you need to be in. The menus are quick and easy to maneuver through.

Many people enjoy Magellan if they are operators of large trucks. The CoPilot function is a big hit; as is the reversing camera jack, that helps you safely back up. This device also comes with lane assist, allowing you to select multiple destinations and help you find the most cost effective and quickest routes. Just like the Garmin. You can create bookmarks so you can quickly and easily get to your favorite hot spots in the area; whether that is your favorite store, restaurant etc.

Another thing to keep in mind is the voices. Many people who do not speak English as their first language have a tough time understanding Garmin and prefer the voices of the TomTom or Magellan. Your best bet is to go online or go into a store in your area that has GPS systems on display so you can hear the voices and see if there is a problem with any of them for your needs.

Many customers of Magellan love their AAA Roadside Assistance. Especially if you already have AAA, this is something you may want to think about. There is also an AAA TourBook Guide included; which gives you local information on where you can spend the night, tourist attractions, get gas and more. (These things are included in all of the most recent Magellan GPS models)

As far as route calculation, Garmin is loved by customers. Not that Magellan and TomTom are bad; they just take a little bit longer to recalculate if a change needs to be made. Garmin probably works the hardest to get you to your destination quickest and without using too much gas.

TomTom shines when it comes to avoiding situations and saving time. There are millions of Points of Interest and the ability to plan your trip in the quickest way possible, so you can spend less time on the road. Information can easily be sent to the company, if you come across something that isn’t correct along your route. TomTom is a bit expensive but it has a lot of great safety features like locating the nearest fire stations, hospitals and so forth.

At the end of the day, the final decision is yours. Make a list of the features you must have and don’t be afraid to ask many questions when you are selecting a GPS system. There are many people who swear by one GPS and can’t stand another; while the next person could feel the exact opposite. Our hope is that we’ve made your GPS shopping journey a little easier.