2 - EQUIPMENT: GPS with robust air. The size is perfect to show a readable way without obscuring visibility if placed in a lower corner.
The battery is OK, but on a long drive predict the cable.
The touch screen has a sharp definition and it is responsive to finger (even with gloves). Big advantage: it is dull, without glass surface, eliminating glare that are sure in the cockpit. Brightness provides excellent readability, except in very strong sunlight where it becomes limit.
The collet lock with suction cup mounting system inspires confidence. In use it holds well on the curvature of the glass. The ball allows to orient as desired. Downside: a separate support would have been more to remove the GPS maintaining its position on the windscreen. There is a bit painful, it is necessary to reposition it each time we prevail to avoid it being stolen ...
The antenna acquires satellites quickly and positioning is of good accuracy, even under heavy cloud cover and storm therefore. Position breaks are rare, even in speed. The investment is rather just over the map, which will avoid missing an exit.
Overall a very positive report on the hardware. Unfortunately the sequel is less flattering ...
3 - LINK & USB UPDATE: Connecting to a computer to download requires MyDrive Connect software and to MyTomTom to register with an e-mail address. Then we associate the GPS account to benefit cards "for life". Therefore, the USB connection works by launching MyDrive, which then redirects to a webpage Site TomTom. Be careful if you use ad-blocking plug-ins, flash or a firewall, it will disable or set them for this website, otherwise the GPS will not be detected. From there, the updates can be performed: internal software, card, danger zones. The data is first loaded into the cache on the computer, but it is not possible to interrupt a download to resume later. They are then transferred to the GPS.
TomTom servers rowed at the time of operation, I got taken up several times before achieving it. When the site crashed, the link with MyDrive Connect was broken and we had to disconnect and reconnect the GPS every time. With humor, each error redirected to the list of other brand products, if in the meantime we would want to buy another device ... Finally, to send an email to technical support, they had to rummage between site links, as the main link pointed to a magnificent: javascript: void (0). In short, if you are in a weak peak servers, we begin the registration experience with a bitter taste in the mouth.
Big negative: the Europe update takes 5 GB in one gulp. If one is traveling or with limited access, it would have been desirable to download the countries a choice that offers Garmin full download or a selection of each country pending a faster connection. There, it will be all or nothing.
In the end, the system looks like Garmin but less reliable and less flexible. When the servers run it rolls when they row randomly could use some work ... Too bad.
4 - MAPS: On my journeys tested (300-400 km of road), the main axes were generally reliable: departmental, highways, urban roads. The campaign secondary roads are more random. The speed limit information is also fantastic, but on this point we must recognize that the constant changes to make a little note with the radars do not facilitate the maintenance of the cards.
Overall, no problem to make a journey from A to B, why the GPS does the job.
5 - DANGER ZONES: Three months are offered. The verdict will be fast, it sucks. Between 50% and 75% are missing. On the indicated rare, 25% to 50% are totally false. Zero, pathetic, useless. To disable and especially not subscribe, it provides an annoyance than anything else.
6 - Software: The system is a bit slow, with blows. In probable cause, 3D buildings, the most beautiful effect for screenshots or give the appearance of a flight simulator, but consumes resources when information tributary, especially in town.
Ergonomics is variable: some operations are easier, some very limited options. The backup destinations is average. It is imperative to program their route before departure, and not to touch anything then.
If we turn from A to B route planned, the calculation of a new route is sometimes convoluted. Sometimes it is better to stop, repeat and validate a path firsthand not to make detours.
The directions indicated by the microphone are understandable and usually arrive on time. It is a great help to not miss an intersection and keep his attention focused on the road.
6 - ADVANCED FEATURES: Do not look, there is none.
Moreover, it is impossible to install the POIs ... on a 2014 unit at 170 euros. It was the joke of the day.
Forget professional use of this device for marking steps, but also an advanced use, you use programmeriez tourism sites to visit (besides no additional guide is available) and of course the addition of zones Danger customized. In fact any score on a card that gives acclaim to a modern GPS is here discarded.
After a ride on the manufacturer's forum, presumably function is promised for over a year without result. At last a kind of cloud is announced (worst system to store their private data, and making prisoner of a web site) no date of availability.
CONCLUSION:
- The equipment is good.
- The update system is poor and random delays servers are making updates a game of Russian roulette if one is pressed.
- The maps are accurate for the main axes.
- Danger areas are absolutely not reliable.
- The route calculation and monitoring in real time route are generally efficient, but recalculation is not always optimized.
- The software is average in terms of ergonomics, with some lags in town.
- It becomes crap in terms of advanced features. The lack of customization of the screen immediately accessible database of personal destinations and especially adding POIs are unacceptable on such equipment.
In the end, this GPS will only be useful for calculating a basic route, NOTHING MORE! I do not recommend this equipment. Too bad, the material is good, but the flanged software side and, in view of the replies on the official forum, a service in step with customer expectations ruin the product. Garmin has the failure to pay all services, but at least it works much better.
UPDATE: -1 star for the update supposed to manage POI: it's really making fun of the world, according to what I had sensed in the discussion related to this criticism: management only through a ultra cloud closed (Apple syndrome ...), bugs (after more than a year of waiting ...), inability to manage POI and rank in the GPS is supposed to be a standalone device (the developers at Tomtom imagine it hangs his PC to the windscreen ...) and the best for last, unable to view the POI on the map (this is pitiful ...). All electronic devices that I use, I have never seen such a contemptuous brand for its customers. And if it makes you feel better, it's the same routine with the iPad and Android versions of their GPS. To avoid like the plague.
