GJH
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- Aug 20, 2007
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As we possess both devices I decided to use our recent three week trip to Lincolnshire & East Anglia (knowing that we would be using a mixture of roads) to compare their performance. Not a fully scientific test, more a hands-on user experience.
Software.
The two devices, not surprisingly, have differences in the user setup options and the map displays. Both are reasonably easy to use with the degree of learning that would be expected with a tool of this type.
The Garmin tends to use smaller roads more readily than the Noza Tec, a factor which is probably due to the fact that the Noza Tec software has overriding defaults rather than using the vehicle dimensions input. I had noticed on a previous trip that it ignored a perfectly usable road with a 7.5 tonne weight limit even though the vehicle profile weight was 3.5 tonnes. It appears that the Garmin, being a Camper edition, is more accurately oriented to leisure vehicles and the actual dimensions input.
Having said that, both devices route via roads which might be uncomfortable for some drivers. They will use bus routes (which are obviously wide enough for a motorhome) but some bus routes in more rural areas run along narrow roads which can be a challenge especially when vehicles are parked at the roadside and/or large oncoming vehicles are met. It is always a good idea, in an unfamiliar area, to do a bit of preparation and checking in advance if possible (using the Philip's Navigator Camping and Caravanning Atlas or Google Maps for instance).
The projected arrival time displayed by the Noza Tec tended to be more accurate than that of the Garmin. That is something which seems peculiar to Garmin devices as I had noticed a similar “optimism” with a previously owned car sat nav.
Both devices offer free lifetime map updates but experience has shown that the Noza Tec ones are not 100% reliable (something being explored with the supplier). The Garmin also offers lifetime traffic reports.
Hardware.
The Garmin has a screen which is more readable in bright sunlight, presumably the result of specific design rather than use of a general purpose tablet as with the Noza Tec.
The Noza Tec is much slower in picking up satellites than the Garmin.
Conclusion.
To an extent it is a matter of personal preference as both devices are perfectly usable if their peculiarities (or features) are taken into account. The Noza Tec certainly wins on price. The Garmin is rather less value if one has to pay the RRP rather than a much lower offer price.
As we have invested in both devices then it does come down to personal choice in our case and we will be using the Garmin as first choice.
Software.
The two devices, not surprisingly, have differences in the user setup options and the map displays. Both are reasonably easy to use with the degree of learning that would be expected with a tool of this type.
The Garmin tends to use smaller roads more readily than the Noza Tec, a factor which is probably due to the fact that the Noza Tec software has overriding defaults rather than using the vehicle dimensions input. I had noticed on a previous trip that it ignored a perfectly usable road with a 7.5 tonne weight limit even though the vehicle profile weight was 3.5 tonnes. It appears that the Garmin, being a Camper edition, is more accurately oriented to leisure vehicles and the actual dimensions input.
Having said that, both devices route via roads which might be uncomfortable for some drivers. They will use bus routes (which are obviously wide enough for a motorhome) but some bus routes in more rural areas run along narrow roads which can be a challenge especially when vehicles are parked at the roadside and/or large oncoming vehicles are met. It is always a good idea, in an unfamiliar area, to do a bit of preparation and checking in advance if possible (using the Philip's Navigator Camping and Caravanning Atlas or Google Maps for instance).
The projected arrival time displayed by the Noza Tec tended to be more accurate than that of the Garmin. That is something which seems peculiar to Garmin devices as I had noticed a similar “optimism” with a previously owned car sat nav.
Both devices offer free lifetime map updates but experience has shown that the Noza Tec ones are not 100% reliable (something being explored with the supplier). The Garmin also offers lifetime traffic reports.
Hardware.
The Garmin has a screen which is more readable in bright sunlight, presumably the result of specific design rather than use of a general purpose tablet as with the Noza Tec.
The Noza Tec is much slower in picking up satellites than the Garmin.
Conclusion.
To an extent it is a matter of personal preference as both devices are perfectly usable if their peculiarities (or features) are taken into account. The Noza Tec certainly wins on price. The Garmin is rather less value if one has to pay the RRP rather than a much lower offer price.
As we have invested in both devices then it does come down to personal choice in our case and we will be using the Garmin as first choice.
