TomTom and Garmin are the best GPS devices available in the market. These both offer top-of-the-line GPS services for navigation and tracking systems, which are now available on the Play Store and App Store.
Undoubtedly Garmin is the most GPS device selling company. Garmin is a name of quality itself as it is user-friendly and provides accurate information.
While on the other hand, TomTom devices are still considered the best-selling GPS device in the market as a rival to Garmin. These devices are really good in terms of features, price, the accuracy of routing, and they stand near to Garmin. Moreover, it has a very responsive screen that makes the font easier to browse when you are on the move.
Garmin and TomTom offer many devices to suit every budget out there. For a complete comparison, we have listed the best GPS device that both companies have to offer.
Top Garmin And TomTom Devices
We have listed below some of the best GPS devices from both TomTom and Garmin that you can find on the market today.
1. Garmin Zumo 595LM
Pros
- Sunlight-readable display
- Dual-orientation touchscreen
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Rugged
- Glove-friendly screen
- Waterproof
- Lifetime map updates
Cons
- The screen’s brightness is too low to be read in sunlight.
The motorcycle GPS navigator Garmin Zumo 595LM is wind resistant, works well on rugged and uneven roads, has a bright display, shows lifetime maps, has an MP3 player or music control on the screen of a compatible smartphone, and warns the driver when approaching sharp turns, animal crossings, or nearby high-speed cameras and red lights.
With Bluetooth, you can make and receive calls while placing your hands on the handle. In addition, 595LM also has an amazing 5-inch display and real-time tracks, which your friends can use to track your live location.
It displays mobile notifications like text messages so that you can stay in touch on the go. An onboard computer with a digital fuel gauge is part of the standard equipment of the Zumo 595LM, so you can easily estimate how many kilometers you can travel before the fuel runs out.
Zumo’s sturdy structure can withstand the effects of fuel vapor, ultraviolet rays, heavy rain, and many other weather conditions.
Features
- Display: Comes with a 5-inch and a dual orientation touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and offers sunlight-readable display.
- Media Player: This GPS system also contains an MP3 player with an IPod and Pandora & Spotify Music compatibility that allows us to control the music on the screen display.
- Rugged: It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV Rays and harsh weather and to cruise & adventure riding alike.
- Bluetooth Compatibility: Compatible with Bluetooth for hands-free calling and you can get notified of every notification from your smart phone.
- Rider Alerts: Get alarmed by this GPS whenever there’s a sharp curve or turn on the road.
- Dimensions: 1.3 x 5.87 x 3.83 inches
Zumo 595LM is one of the top-rated products with all the features you need when you are on the go. This GPS device is specially made for adventurists.
2. Garmin zūmo XT
Pros
- Sunlight-readable display
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Rugged
- Glove-friendly screen
- Lasting power
- Waterproof
- Lifetime map updates
- Birdseye satellite imagery
Cons
- Keyboard is too small i.e. doesn’t work well.
The powerful off-road motorcycle navigator Zumo XT is designed for adventure rides. It has a 5.5-inch super bright screen that is gloves friendly and water-resistant. It can hold out against all-weather, high temperatures, and quivering.
It has a powerful battery that can last up to 3.5 hours at 100% backlight brightness, up to 6 hours at normal settings, or you can plug it into a constant power source for a longer adventure.
Prepare an adventurous route with turning instructions to turn off highway navigation and terrain maps or bird’s eye satellite imagery guide; with no required subscription.
Rider alerts can help you prepare for sharp turns and level intersections. Use Garmin Explore to manage and view routes, routes, and waypoints on the navigator, mobile phone, and computer.
Connect it to a compatible Satellite Communicator for interactive emergency calls, two-way communication, and live location sharing.
Use the track recorder to record your route and save or share for upcoming adventures. Access real-time traffic and weather information through the Garmin Drive app, share routes with other passengers, and receive phone notifications.
Features
- Display: Comes with a 5.5” inches and a dual orientation touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and water resistant.
- Battery: It has a powerful battery that lasts up to 3.5 hours at 100% backlight brightness & 6 hours at normal settings.
- Garmin Explorer: Use Garmin Explore to manage and view routes, routes, and waypoints on the navigator, mobile phone, and computer.
- Rugged: It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV Rays and harsh weather and to cruise & adventure riding alike.
- Preloaded Online/Offline Maps: Now you can enjoy an adventurous ride with Garmin’s preloaded online and offline maps.
- Rider Alerts: Get alarmed by this GPS whenever there’s a sharp curve or turn on the road.
- Dimensions: 1.3 x 5.87 x 3.83 inches
The Garmin Zumo XT motorcycle GPS is a navigator with excellent resolution: two-wheeled parts: lightweight, a very bright display, and new exciting features perfect for an off-road enthusiast. It is an ideal GPS device.
3. TomTom via 1525SE
Pros
- 5-inch display screen
- Sunlight-readable display
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Lasting power
- Waterproof
- Advanced lane guidance
- Birdseye satellite imagery
Cons
- Doesn’t show time or MPH on the display screen.
TomTom VIA 1525M is one of the company’s most popular units. It provides easy and reliable essential navigation and lifetime map updates.
You can easily find your destination by using the search menu or touching a point on the map to find your destination easily. Lane Assistant helps you gear up for exits and marks the correct lane for your planned route.
This device has GPS in it with which you can stay up-to-date about the maps. You can make rides off road or on road with the help of this device. It helps you get through the hilly and rough routes. It keeps the rider updated about all the current updates and alerts. It quickly gives an alert about the safety cameras and any sharp edge nearby.
The TomTom rider GPS has a quad-core processor which enhances the GPS speed fivefold. This processor runs the commands simultaneously, doubling the overall processing speed.
Its screen displays 800 x 480 pixels resulting in a sharpened image as other units in this price range; however, it is a resisting touch screen. Its battery offers up to 1 hr. of operation without needing to be plugged in.
Features
- Battery: Its battery offers up to 1 hr. of operation without needing to be plugged in.
- Garmin Explorer: Use Garmin Explore to manage and view routes, routes, and waypoints on the navigator, mobile phone, and computer.
- Preloaded Online/Offline Maps: Now you can enjoy an adventurous ride with Garmin’s preloaded online and offline maps.
- Rider Alerts: Get alarmed by this GPS whenever there’s a sharp curve or turn on the road.
- Voice Instructions: This unit comes with voice instructions for up to 30 different languages.
- Free Software Updates: Now you can easily update the software by just connecting the device with the computer.
- A Complete Kit: It comes with a complete kit of car charger and USB cable.
Via 1525 is ideal for riders who are looking for intuitive and user-friendly navigation. It provides easy and reliable essential navigation and lifetime map updates. An all-rounder at this price rate is a must-have.
4. TomTom Rider 550
Pros
- Sunlight-readable display
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Switch b/w Portrait & Landscape
- Waterproof
Cons
- MyDrive app is not available for some countries.
TomTom Rider 550 is a dedicated GPS for motorcycles. The GPS of this device has a quick and easy way to get maps, quick camera alerts, and other real-time service updates. It is waterproof and powered by the bike through its mount.
The screen type is a capacitive, glove-friendly, sun-readable screen, and the screen resolution is 480 x 272 WQVGA. The battery is a lithium-ion battery.
The rider 550 motorcycle GPS has an ipx7 certified weatherproof design. Even when wearing gloves, the capacitive touch screen can still be controlled.
The quad-core TomTom Rider GPS processor executes commands at once, speeding the overall processing and increasing the speed of GPS startup by five times.
It has an inbuilt special RAM mount that secures the GPS of the motorcycle. The easy-to-install mount guard and standard configuration of TomTom Rider prevent drops and vibrations.
With the bright, sunlight-readable 4.3-inch GPS display, you can seamlessly switch between portrait and landscape to see more of the road ahead.
Features
- Display: The screen type is a capacitive, glove-friendly, sun-readable screen, and the screen resolution is 480 x 272 WQVGA.
- Quad-Core Processor: The quad-core TomTom Rider GPS processor executes commands at once, speeding the overall processing and increasing the speed of GPS startup by five times.
- User-Friendly: The easy-to-install mount guard and standard configuration of TomTom Rider prevent drops and vibrations.
- Rugged: It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV Rays and harsh weather and to cruise & adventure riding alike.
- Switch b/w Portrait & Landscape: With the bright, sunlight-readable 4.3-inch GPS display, you can seamlessly switch between portrait and landscape to see more of the road ahead.
- Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.2 x 3.5 inches
The Rider 550 is a handy navigation device that is more adaptable to the harsh conditions on your motorcycle than a fragile mobile phone. Any adventurist should have this GPS device.
5. Garmin Zumo LMT-S 396 Motorcycle GPS
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sunlight-readable display
- Dual-orientation touchscreen
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Rugged
- Glove-friendly screen
- Waterproof
Cons
- Battery backup is not good
This GPS comes with a five-inch and dual-orientation touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and offers a sunlight-readable display. The sunlight-readability lets you read even in the sunlight. This GPS works for any road and rider.
This product offers hand-free control and voice-control directions that catches our voice VIA Bluetooth connection technology.
Zumo 396 LMT-S offers us access to real-time weather and traffic data through the Smartphone Link2 app with lifetime map updates 4. This GPS also contains an MP3 player with an iPod and Pandora compatibility that allows us to control the music on the screen display.
This GPS will help you find your way out when you are lost, and it will record routes that are new to you so that you can easily find that road again when you want to ride and explore new ways.
This product is compatible with tire-pressure monitor system VI. It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV rays, harsh weather, and cruise & adventure riding alike.
Now you can ride your favorite twisty by setting Zumo 396 LMT-S to steer to winding rides. Zumo590LM also offers you to download and view 3-D Terrain detail.
Features
- Display: Comes with a 5-inch and dual-orientation touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and offers a sunlight-readable display.
- Media Player: This GPS also contains an MP3 player with an iPod and Pandora compatibility that allows us to control the music on the screen display.
- Rugged: It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV rays, harsh weather, and cruise & adventure riding alike.
- Weather & Traffic: Zumo 396 offers us access to real-time weather and traffic data through the Smartphone Link2 app with lifetime map updates
- Dimensions: 4.94 x 0.98 x 3.38 inches
This all-Terrain motorcycle GPS autopilot is designed to help riders easily venture on and off the beaten path. Moreover, the Zumo XT touchscreen presents a new ultra-bright 5″5-inch touchscreen with an HD resolution new technology.
6. TomTom Comfort 6
Pros
- 6-inch display screen
- Ideal for every rider and road
- Durable
- Wi-Fi updates
- Waterproof
Cons
- Bluetooth incompatible.
For a good trip, it is quite important to have a GPS navigation device, as the way can be long and twisty. So for such a thing you might need all the required things along to make your ride safe and easy.
TomTom comfort 6 Motorcycle GPS Navigation device is one of the latest devices in the market. We highly recommend you this as it has a weatherproof design and capacitive touchscreen which can be controlled even with your gloves on.
This device has GPS in it with which you can stay up-to-date about the maps. You can make rides off road or on road with the help of this device. It helps you get through the hilly and rough routes. It keeps the rider updated about all the current updates and alerts. It quickly gives an alert about the safety cameras and any sharp edge nearby.
The TomTom rider GPS has a quad-core processor which enhances the GPS speed fivefold. This processor runs the commands simultaneously, doubling the overall processing speed.
Moreover, this device has a 6” display, which is bright and sunlight readable. It swiftly shifts between landscape and portrait mode. The smart screen of the TomTom rider GPS lets you see more of the road ahead with the visible display.
Features
- Display: Comes with a 6-inch and a dual orientation touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and offers sunlight-readable display.
- Voice Recognition Software: It is also compatible with the Siri voice recognition software and the Google now services.
- Rugged: It is Rough and tough enough to endure fuel spills, UV Rays and harsh weather and to cruise & adventure riding alike.
- Wireless Connectivity: Wireless connectivity allows you to get regular updates on new software. You don’t need a pc for this.
With Wi-Fi service, fast updates, and mobile notifications, and being lightweight. The conveniences of TomTom have everything you need to stay focused and keep in touch, which makes it a really good buy.
Buying Guide
User-friendly interface
Before buying a GPS for your motorcycle, you should consider if its interface easy or not. Most GPS comes with a difficult-to-use interface that many people find hard to operate. Make sure the GPS has a good and easy interface that will make it easy to use.
Durability
The Durability of a Motorcycle GPS is an important factor to consider before buying if the GPS is strong enough to stay on the motorcycle under heavy weather conditions and be strong enough to survive all the bumps. Its grip must be strong as well. Most of the GPS usually falls apart from the motorcycles just after some first few rides.
Size
The GPS should always have a big screen within a small body. Most of the GPS are chunky and still don’t provide a suitable amount of information. Garmin device has much better dimensions to it.
Touchscreen
Touchscreens now a day on GPS are necessary so that the riders don’t have to spend time with it while on the road. GPS touchscreen should have easier usage and accessibility. Ensure the touchscreen of your desired GPS is a response, or it will be a distraction for you on the road.
Battery life
Battery life is one of the most important factors for a GPS. The GPS requires a good battery life if you are planning long rides. Ensure that the GPS does have a charger with it before buying.
Water resistance
As motorcycles don’t have any roof, the GPS is usually placed outside. In this situation, they must be resistant to rain and other snowy conditions. They must be sealed perfectly.
Price
You will find many affordable GPS in the market. Make sure you don’t go for the cheap ones as they lack water resistance and a good battery life that makes them not worth the money.
FAQs
Which GPS has a better interface TomTom or Garmin?
Both GPS systems provide a good interface to the user. However, TomTom’s interface provides a variety of useful options available in the interface and still provides with all these it provides an easy to use interface than Garmin’s GPS.
Who has a better battery life in both of these devices?
Both manufacturers make top-of-the-line GPS devices available in the market. So their battery life should not be that much of an issue to the user GPS installed in the cars usually do not require a battery as they run on the car’s energy. But In the case of a motorcycle, Garmin provides a better battery life than any other GPS device available in the market.
Which one of the devices consists of better quality?
These both consist of a good shape and a great quality in them. Both are made up of good materials to don’t fall off the spot after a few rides and bumps. However, Garmin’s GPS consists of better sleek dimensions than Tom-tom’s.
Which one is more budget-friendly among Tom-tom and Garmin?
The Garmin zūmo 396 is a more budget-friendly device among these. Having Multi features, good durability, big screen size, and good quality make it a top-rated budget-friendly GPS device on the market.
Conclusion
GPS has made quite a significant positive influence on our society. It helps people navigate around, helping them reach their destination around the globe to track an athlete’s distance covered on the field. It also act like an anti-thief device for automobiles for the thief recovery trackers and sends your live location to the people you desire to meet.
It is not surprising in the future if GPS technology is going to be implemented across every electronic device available. If it is constantly upgrading, it will do a lot more than only tracking and navigation.
