Satnav software for Macs? (TomTom/Garmin)

[Suitor_Stu]

I'm looking to buy a bike specific satnav for my GS, the main selling point would be that you can mark waypoints on a computer at home and then upload to the device (have a car one I use occasionally, but the battery life is shocking, plus you can't do the plan the route before you go thing - oh and if it rains, it's buggered!).

Have been reading up on the pros and cons of the Garmin Zumo 660 vs the TomTom Urban Rider (here and on other forums) and although I think the Garmin seems to win on 2 big points (powered cradle and waypoint software straight out of the box as far as I can see). I can't help, however, but be tempted by the TomTom Rider's cheaper price...even more so that using Tesco's latest clubcard voucher exchange thing I can get a brand new 'Europe' version of the rider for £160.

My main question is from what I have read on this forum that the standard software for the TomTom doesn't really do the whole custom route thing straight out of the box and that using TYRE is better. Problem being that I use a Mac, so this is unsupported.

Does anyone have any experience (namely with the TomTom) and macs? Or would the consensus being that the Garmin would be better suited for my situation and that if price was a concern I would be better off with perhaps the 220.

Any opinions appreciated!

Cheers,
Stu

[calyx]

Tomtom works with google maps. Just install the tomtom software. Plan your route on google maps and click send. Select "tomtom" and send.

Works well with my tomtom one but I prefer android apps to be honest. These apps give you 0-60, 0-30, 0-100 times, average speed, top speed, idle time, downhill/uphill distance covered, 1/4 mile, track your route which you can import to google earth etc etc...
And off course there are decent navigation apps on the market for free. (well, they aren't free but you know...)
____________________
Boris - London

[crazyjoyce]

zumo 660 hands down. i was in the same position leaning towards the tom tom, and eager mate got one and right away didnt get on with it...

so i got the 660. amazing bit of kit. link it up to autocom or a scala rider thing and you've got music, handsfree phone, and gps.

660 will use garmin BaseCamp on a mac, its really easy to use, covers whatever area you buy maps for, (standard is UK, and standard europe)

really good bit of kit, you can get the newer model i think now which is like a 670(?) and has a built in radio

yeah its expensive but i couldnt be without it now!

[Suitor_Stu]

By android aps do you mean for your or can you get a gps to run android too? If it's just for the phone then its pretty much useless-where I live you're lucky if you can get a phone signal let alone a decent data connection so it has to be a dedicated gps unit.

I do think I'm swaying towards the garmin, it's just that even with the vouchers for tesco it's still double the price of the tomtom...

[iooi]

[Suitor_Stu]