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TomTom for iPhone Review

Posted By Mr.Gadget Published in iPhone

Sep

TomTom for iPhone - Welcome Screen

Mid-August this year, I was elated to hear that Tomtom had finally released a version of their award winning GPS software for the iPhone. Days before I was tempted to purchase and download the two main turn-by-turn GPS apps that were available via the Australia AppStore – Navigon Mobile Navigator and Sygic Mobile Maps. Even though Tomtom for iPhone is slightly more expensive I am very pleased that I did not succumb and am very pleased with my purchase.

Is TomTom for iPhone worth the money when Google Maps is free?

TomTom for iPhone - Street Map While Google Maps suffices as a very rudimentary form of 2D navigation on the iPhone, it is not a full-blooded turn-by-turn GPS app like Tomtom. There have been countless times where I have taken the wrong turn because I couldn’t orient my mind around the non-forward-facing 2D Google Map. Google have of course attempted to fix this with the new direction oriented arrow but it’s still not perfect. Tomtom for iPhone does exactly what it is known to do – provides a simple-to-use turn-by-turn navigation experience. So yes, Tomtom for iPhone in my opinion is worth the $99.

Accuracy of Tomtom iPhone Maps

In my last couple of weeks of testing, I’ve travelled approximately 1000km and had zero issues with the accuracy of TomTom maps. The only issue I’ve encounted is when driving in the middle of Melbourne CBD, the GPS signal weakens and the app grinds to try to work out where it is. Thankfully, there have been no disastrous outcomes and most of the time it finds itself again in a couple of seconds. Must be all the high rise buildings blocking the GPS view?

Tomtom iPhone Interface

Tomtom for iPhone - Menu Options As expected, the TomTom iPhone app feels like a satnav app – it provides intelligent turn-by-turn display and voice instructions. The menus are intuitive and functions can be easily triggered by finger-touch i.e. there are no annoying tiny buttons. It was easy to change from 2D to 3D maps, however my only gripe here was that you couldn’t pinch-and-zoom the navigation screen, as touching it would take you back to the main menu. There are however, zoom-in and zoom-out buttons if you need to use them.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Overall well worth the AU$99.95 for the app (which is still cheaper than buying a dedicated SatNav / GPS unit). If you tend to drive a lot, especially in new territories, forget Google Maps and get TomTom for the iPhone today!

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Tags: iphone gps apps, iphone gps software, iPhone Tomtom, Tomtom for iPhone, Tomtom gps iphone

13 Responses to “TomTom for iPhone Review”

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David Tran Says, in 9-23-2009 at 17:03:29

Given that Navigon would have the features of their world-wide versions for the Australian map, I personally think Navigon is the way to go; especially with the lane assistant feature.

And it looks nicer too.

Ashish Kalmegh Says, in 9-24-2009 at 04:34:03

Nice illustration .
But I think google maps is easy to use and free too

Mr.Gadget Says, in 9-24-2009 at 11:06:59

Haven’t tried Navigon so can’t really say which is the better of the two. But I can say that I’m lovin’ TomTom on iPhone!

palah Says, in 9-24-2009 at 15:58:57

…Arnold you must use…. as iPhone is finally getting real world features with Tom Tom… had a laugh while in Melb with two passengers using iPhones following the blue ball on google maps and still getting lost…had to pull out my Garmin XT enabled i900 which voice directed to destination first time…also Tom Tom (or voice enabled direction software)is heaps safer driving than with google maps

Mr.Gadget Says, in 9-24-2009 at 22:38:02

Google maps is terrible for navigation. Yes I agree that TomTom is a lot safer on the road!

Is that enough to sway you over to the good side?

palah Says, in 9-25-2009 at 14:10:13

Good side …umm… let me know when can remove the battery or insert an sd card and get flash support on browser…:) currenty use Garmin XT on my Touch Pro 2 and it finds a lock within 5 – 10 secs can be directed to a bank, petrol station (brand of choosing) nearest fast food etc … so will wait for iPhone 6 … it may do what i require by then

Mr.Gadget Says, in 9-25-2009 at 16:51:44

iPhone 6?! Ha!

palah Says, in 9-25-2009 at 18:44:38

whats so funny? they need to milk you iguys for all your iworth …. iP 4 = Flash support and a larger glowing Apple logo on back plus an update of UI… iP 5 BT transfer & SD card slot & Apple logo in middle of screen … iP 6 = Removeable battery & removal of Apple icon on front

Mr.Gadget Says, in 9-26-2009 at 16:46:18

Some of those things you mentioned would actually be handy to me…e.g. Larger Glowing Apple Logo…

iPhone for free Says, in 9-30-2009 at 21:05:37

How accurate is GPS here in oz? I just moved here from the UK, and whereas we had a postcode allocated to every road, here you seem to use a postcode for a whole suberb! So how does it work here?

Mr.Gadget Says, in 10-1-2009 at 11:00:01

If you’re talking about this TomTom app, yes it works and is accurate. Not sure what benefit there is to having a postcode allocated to every road

Hope you’re stay so far has been enjoyable

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