A recent experience in the Rutherglen VIC area comparing an inbuilt Tomtom Carminat (Renault Megane) with the latest map offered in Jan 2020, and a years old Garmin 3597LMT with the most recent map (this quarter) went as follows.
A number of times the Tomtom would want to go left, the Garmin right. Having an idea where the destination was we were able to pick the one with a clue. The most impressive error was the Warrabilla Winery where the Garmin knew where it was and the Tomtom placed it 38km to the east of its actual location (while being it their carpark). The Tomtom also ‘misplaced’ numerous other POIs by a few km. Since the POIs had not moved since the last century the map date/version would be a poor excuse and no reason, especially when the Garmin map provider was atop of them all.
It would have been a more entertaining trip if we did not have the Garmin along as we would have spent untold time seeing the sites rather than getting to some destinations.
It might be the case their knowledge (accuracy of POI locations) might reverse in other locales but it highlights never to blindly trust them, especially at night and in places one is unfamiliar.
A good backup or primary are obviously the online realtime navigators assuming one has a mobile signal, or has downloaded its offline maps and the mobile GPS is on and locked.
