920 vs. 930

[Larry Laffer]

I have looked on the Tomtom site and don't see TOO much difference between the two. Even the 720 does not seem too far off as far as the GPS usage. I know the 900 series have a few more bells and whistles... at a price.

I have been reading here about traffic and the RDS TMC traffic systems. From what I can gather there is no "free ride" to get traffic info although some say that TT traffic is free. Would anyone be kind enough to set me straight on this info??

Also, would you suggest buying the 720, 920 or 930??

Thanks guys and girls!

 

[Gilbert]

It is very difficult to make suggestions without knowing more about your usage and where you live and travel to.

I know people who live in North America but spend 20% of their time in Europe and for whom the 930 with its NA and Europe maps is rather usefull. Others barely get out of their home state/province but live in large cities with long commute drives for whom having traffic data seems to be a big help. Then there are others who drive mostly in their home towns but can travel across NA once in a while and wish their maps to be as detailed as possible for whom the 720 is ideal.

What is barely known from outsiders is that there are other differences between the maps and included POIs on ONE and GO (720/920/930) models. The 720 shows more map details than any ONE models who all use the same USA and Canada map. The maps for the 720 and 920 are identical but the 920 offers a more complete set of POI. If you live in a small city and don't drive often in major cities, expect to be disappointed by the new x30 models that offer IQ routing and Advanced Lane Guidance. Both x20 and x30 use the same integrated chipset so the hardware is very similar apart from the speaker, mounting and colour.

 

[Larry Laffer]

Hi Gilbert...

Thanks for your detailed reply. I am in Rhode Island where we are usually not too far from anything, LOL. Never have gone to Europe but it is a possibility. We take several weeks vacation during the year and have taken my wifes Garmin, which is OK but I prefer Tomtom, especially when the Garmin could not get me to a town that has been established in Florida since the 60's. I have a 130s that I bought a few weeks ago and is still returnable under the 30 day contract at the store. I have a repair business so I travel around the state frequently and have sometimes put in addresses of locations that I know but this unit issometimes slightly to very (1/2 mile ) off. Thats pretty far. I will say the Garmin seems to have better accuracy. I do like the TTS option and want to get a unit that has it. It appears to me that you are partial to the 720. I guess my real bottomline question is... Should I buy a *20 or a * 30 model?? I see a few used units for sale here so that may be an option also.I hope others will give some input also.
Thanks again.

It is very difficult to make suggestions without knowing more about your usage and where you live and travel to.

I know people who live in North America but spend 20% of their time in Europe and for whom the 930 with its NA and Europe maps is rather usefull. Others barely get out of their home state/province but live in large cities with long commute drives for whom having traffic data seems to be a big help. Then there are others who drive mostly in their home towns but can travel across NA once in a while and wish their maps to be as detailed as possible for whom the 720 is ideal.

What is barely known from outsiders is that there are other differences between the maps and included POIs on ONE and GO (720/920/930) models. The 720 shows more map details than any ONE models who all use the same USA and Canada map. The maps for the 720 and 920 are identical but the 920 offers a more complete set of POI. If you live in a small city and don't drive often in major cities, expect to be disappointed by the new x30 models that offer IQ routing and Advanced Lane Guidance. Both x20 and x30 use the same integrated chipset so the hardware is very similar apart from the speaker, mounting and colour.

 

[Gilbert]

Hi Gilbert...

Thanks for your detailed reply. I am in Rhode Island where we are usually not too far from anything, LOL. Never have gone to Europe but it is a possibility. We take several weeks vacation during the year and have taken my wifes Garmin, which is OK but I prefer Tomtom, especially when the Garmin could not get me to a town that has been established in Florida since the 60's. I have a 130s that I bought a few weeks ago and is still returnable under the 30 day contract at the store. I have a repair business so I travel around the state frequently and have sometimes put in addresses of locations that I know but this unit issometimes slightly to very (1/2 mile ) off. Thats pretty far. I will say the Garmin seems to have better accuracy. I do like the TTS option and want to get a unit that has it. It appears to me that you are partial to the 720. I guess my real bottomline question is... Should I buy a *20 or a * 30 model?? I see a few used units for sale here so that may be an option also.I hope others will give some input also.
Thanks again.

I'm surprised that the FL city is missing. Maybe it is there under another name... Maps are not perfect and the coverage varies widely between both NavTeq and Tele Atlas (the latter being the map provider to TT). One advantage to Tele Atlas is their quarterly update policy vs NavTeq yearly policy. You have a 30 day map update policy on the TT if bought from an approved dealer. As for address accuracy, it has long been discussed and a problem when the road is rather long between intersections because it works similar to this method: a road has an address range, say 400 adresses for the block and they are split evenly over the block length which does not always correspond to reality. My home shows 4 buildings South of where it actually is. There is no way this will change in the near future.

As fro the x20 vs x30 question, they are very similar hardware wise with the same integrated chipset. The change is in speaker, mounting and colour. The software is where the big change has happened with IQ routing and Advanced Lane Guidance. Briefly, IQ routing will modify routing according to workdays vs weekends in large cities and ALG will show the right lane to use on large multilane highways with, in some instances, a static image of the highway. I doubt you have much use of it in Rhode Island... At the present, it is more for the very large cities of NY, LA, SF, Chicago, DC etc. I'd look at deals on the GO 720 because dealers need to clear inventory for new x30s. If you expect to go to Europe within the year, you could look for a 920 since it provides maps for both WCE and NA keeping in mind the WCE map would cost you around 100-140$ to add it to the 720 which would then need an SD card to hold it. I've seen mention of 920 being 20$ more than 720 but did not see that particular deal as I'm not looking to buy one presently.

 

[Larry Laffer]

Good Enough

I'll take a look around for a good deal locally or see if Radio Shack is having any upcoming specials. Thanks so much for the info. I see a 930 and a 720 for sale on the forum. Perhaps I'll look into those!

I'm surprised that the FL city is missing. Maybe it is there under another name... Maps are not perfect and the coverage varies widely between both NavTeq and Tele Atlas (the latter being the map provider to TT). One advantage to Tele Atlas is their quarterly update policy vs NavTeq yearly policy. You have a 30 day map update policy on the TT if bought from an approved dealer. As for address accuracy, it has long been discussed and a problem when the road is rather long between intersections because it works similar to this method: a road has an address range, say 400 adresses for the block and they are split evenly over the block length which does not always correspond to reality. My home shows 4 buildings South of where it actually is. There is no way this will change in the near future.

As fro the x20 vs x30 question, they are very similar hardware wise with the same integrated chipset. The change is in speaker, mounting and colour. The software is where the big change has happened with IQ routing and Advanced Lane Guidance. Briefly, IQ routing will modify routing according to workdays vs weekends in large cities and ALG will show the right lane to use on large multilane highways with, in some instances, a static image of the highway. I doubt you have much use of it in Rhode Island... At the present, it is more for the very large cities of NY, LA, SF, Chicago, DC etc. I'd look at deals on the GO 720 because dealers need to clear inventory for new x30s. If you expect to go to Europe within the year, you could look for a 920 since it provides maps for both WCE and NA keeping in mind the WCE map would cost you around 100-140$ to add it to the 720 which would then need an SD card to hold it. I've seen mention of 920 being 20$ more than 720 but did not see that particular deal as I'm not looking to buy one presently.

 

[Michael Quinlan]

The software is where the big change has happened with IQ routing and Advanced Lane Guidance. Briefly, IQ routing will modify routing according to workdays vs weekends in large cities and ALG will show the right lane to use on large multilane highways with, in some instances, a static image of the highway.

I have to disagree with regard to the IQ Routing. It applies anywhere where they have sufficient data. That doesn't mean they have sufficient data near you or me, but it's not specifically limited to certain geographic areas.

In testing IQ Routing on a specific route, I did get a warning telling me that there was insufficient data to use IQ Routing in "New Jersey" - a rather broad statement. However, I only got the warning once, and calculated many routes using IQ Routing both before and after getting the warning, and confirmed on some that the IQ Routes and non-IQ Routes are different.

 

[Gilbert]

I have to disagree with regard to the IQ Routing. It applies anywhere where they have sufficient data. That doesn't mean they have sufficient data near you or me, but it's not specifically limited to certain geographic areas.

In testing IQ Routing on a specific route, I did get a warning telling me that there was insufficient data to use IQ Routing in "New Jersey" - a rather broad statement. However, I only got the warning once, and calculated many routes using IQ Routing both before and after getting the warning, and confirmed on some that the IQ Routes and non-IQ Routes are different.

You are right in saying where they have sufficient data. OTOH, from what I have observed, the sufficient data is likely to be in the larger cities where they have enough TT users to gather the needed data. I also, when I wrote the message, was trying to lower the readers expectations on what they will experience. IOW, on TT's marketing site, you get the impression it is near perfect solution. Then you realise the IQ routing does not take into account the hours of travel and that using the highway at 2:00 am is the same as 2:00 pm on a weekday... You also read that users have a hard time finding a highway which shows a single ALG or reality view (that static image to accompany ALG). IQ routing i a step in the right direction but will need a lot of refinement before it meets the real needs of drivers wherever they live.

 

[GarCor]

I have looked on the Tomtom site and don't see TOO much difference between the two. Even the 720 does not seem too far off as far as the GPS usage. I know the 900 series have a few more bells and whistles... at a price.

I have been reading here about traffic and the RDS TMC traffic systems. From what I can gather there is no "free ride" to get traffic info although some say that TT traffic is free. Would anyone be kind enough to set me straight on this info??

Also, would you suggest buying the 720, 920 or 930??

Thanks guys and girls!

For what it is worth I personally would opt for the 920 or 930 over the 720 or 730 if the price were right.
I have the 920 and one of the features that I find very handy is the remote and I don't believe the 720 0r 730 has it.

You might say why would you want a remote?

Well here is my experience with it; my wife and I just made a 5500 KL trip from Florida to Nova Scotia Via Ontario with a side trip to Northern Ontario. My wife was able to sit back with the remote and choose the different routes poi etc. etc. with the remote.

If you or (highly recommended co-pilot) try operating your GPS while traveling down the Hwy at 60- 70 MPH and you are trying to touch the screen even with a stylus and you are jiggling around it is hard to do.

Choosing the correct feature or spelling the correct name with touching the screen while moving is difficult and can be dangerous where as the remote is very simple.

 

[Michael Quinlan]

You are right in saying where they have sufficient data. OTOH, from what I have observed, the sufficient data is likely to be in the larger cities where they have enough TT users to gather the needed data. I also, when I wrote the message, was trying to lower the readers expectations on what they will experience. IOW, on TT's marketing site, you get the impression it is near perfect solution. Then you realise the IQ routing does not take into account the hours of travel and that using the highway at 2:00 am is the same as 2:00 pm on a weekday... You also read that users have a hard time finding a highway which shows a single ALG or reality view (that static image to accompany ALG). IQ routing i a step in the right direction but will need a lot of refinement before it meets the real needs of drivers wherever they live.

I certainly understand wanting to present a more realistic view of the new features. In my area I find the 920 generates pessimistic travel times. However, with IQ Routes I get travel times that are almost dead-on accurate - assuming no traffic. I don't think IQ Routes is intended as a substitute for traffic services, though it could be very useful in that regard if they would incorporate things like time of day, seasonal conditions, etc.

I also find that ALG arrows appear quite a bit on limited-access highways, where I think they're intended to be used, but I have yet to see a static image.

 

[Gilbert]

I certainly understand wanting to present a more realistic view of the new features. In my area I find the 920 generates pessimistic travel times. However, with IQ Routes I get travel times that are almost dead-on accurate - assuming no traffic. I don't think IQ Routes is intended as a substitute for traffic services, though it could be very useful in that regard if they would incorporate things like time of day, seasonal conditions, etc.

I also find that ALG arrows appear quite a bit on limited-access highways, where I think they're intended to be used, but I have yet to see a static image.

I've been driving for over 40 years in the same city... I also lived in Ottawa for a couple of years at the beginning of my computer career. In Montreal, there are not many, if any, alternate routes I could use with a definite advantage when conditions are bad. When there is an accident on the main highway, you often might as well stay on the highway as the towing might be near to his pickup car. If there is a snowstorm, it is the first road to be cleared.

When I get on the local highway and the traffic slows to a crawl, my wife urges me to get off the highway. I tell her to note the time and imagine getting off the highway where we have to contend with the unsynchronised traffic lights. It most often turns out the slow highway is faster than getting onto the slow side roads... We probably have the worst unsynchronised traffic lights of North America and the city streets have so many pot holes you can't enjoy listening to music! Unless I really have to use the car, I refrain using it during rush hours and snowstorms. I save a lot of time and gas that way! This sums up my own IQ routing and have a hard time imagining how TT could better it...

 

[Michael Quinlan]

IQ Routing should evolve into something that you're doing in your own head eventually, if enough data is gathered. I agree though that if the alternative to the highway is local signalized roads, and unsynchronized signals at that, the highway is still probably your best bet. In my area though, there are often alternate highway routes that can be used. Sometimes traffic jams are so bad that routing around the jam, and the jammed side roads, is your best bet.

This is the problem with traffic services - they have data for only the major roads, and any re-routing assumes that any unmonitored roads are traffic-free, which is rarely the case for local roads surrounding a traffic jam.

 

[SW Explorer]

How exactly does IQ routing work? Does the unit offer you a choice of the regular route or the IQ route? Does IQ routing have to be turned either on or off, or does the unit offer both for you to choose from?

 

[Michael Quinlan]

How exactly does IQ routing work? Does the unit offer you a choice of the regular route or the IQ route? Does IQ routing have to be turned either on or off, or does the unit offer both for you to choose from?

IQ Routing is turned on/off as a preference, unlike toll avoidance which can be set to prompt you on a per-route basis. So you don't get to see a side-by-side comparison or quickly turn it on/off to see how it affects your route.

 

[SoulDad]

i have purchased/installed 930 north america maps on my 920. iq and lane guidence work well.

 

[mrlong]

Remote

I can vouch for the convenience and safety of the remote on the 920. I do driveaway work (vehicle re-locating) and cover 10,000 miles in a month when I'm busy. The remote is bluetooth and needn't be pointed at the unit. You don't need to have your face and concentration in the screen to do any changes or look ups, and you can keep your concentration on your driving a lot easier. I would have purchased a Garmin unit in they'd have kept the remotes on them, but I'm glad I got the TomTom as the remote is bluetooth and helps tremendously. Although the traffic thing is a good idea, I find I don't have much use for it. It has hardly any coverage in Canada and I live in the west where there is none. It's helped me out once in Toronto where I passed over my usual route to see the traffic at a stand still, but there seems to be very limited coverage in Montreal - maybe only on the island? Seems that the updates aren't often enough and usually the traffic is gone, or there is new traffic it doesn't know about yet when you get to a point. I'll only renew my subscription if they have it monthly and cheaply. I find Garmin has much better and more POIs, and I carry one just in case I need to find something. All in all I'm glad I bought the 920 and glad I took my 720 back after trying it for a while, even though I paid $600 for the 920 at the time.

 

[Buddharay]

How exactly does IQ routing work? Does the unit offer you a choice of the regular route or the IQ route? Does IQ routing have to be turned either on or off, or does the unit offer both for you to choose from?

it calculates the time of arrival based on actual average speeds, instead of speed limits. for example, i live in northern va - there are highways that the speed limit is high, but they're always jammed up. iq routes would help find the actual quickest route.

 

[equlizer]

still as of now IQ routes is not a big deal. The more people that use it and in your area, the better it will be.

and as for the 920\930 debate, they are the exact same units 10000% (cept for color) End of debate.