Tomtom v Naxteq (in Europe)

Feedback I get from forums is that the TomTom map coverage is better than that of Navteq for Europe (UK here).

The Tomtom .FBL file is 115MB and the Navteq one is 84MB (both Q4 2012). Is this significant or simply down to better compression techniques.

I'd happily use TomTom but the addition files such as .FPA, .FDA and .FSP don't seem to be readily available (are they and if so where). Navteq have these files. Indeed are they a benefit?

I also use a Navteq .3DL file (Q3 2011) alongside a TomTom .3DL file (12 2012)

Any feedback would be gratefully received..

I've not used tomtom maps for a couple of editions, but I found tomtom maps were more accurate but Navteq maps had more roads, and were updated quicker.

This may not be the case now though.

In West Europe maps tomtom is the best, but in eastern europe map and more good that Navteq, because with more coverage.for example the Balkan countries.

Fatboyfun wrote:but Navteq maps had more roads

True ! Near my home (250 meters) Navteq shows a nameless street that is not there and (as long as I live there, 35 years) never was there. Besides, the house that is there (where the map shows a street) stood there long before I first ever came there. I could check where the nameless street ends but I believe there are houses too, and comparing the model in my mind, dating from the 1960-1970's.
So that is already one road NT knows where it is and TT does not

I also can testify that some years ago, my (at the time) very old TomTom maps knew streets my son's (then) recent Garmin with NT maps did not know at all.
And I do not think NT makes separate maps for the different GPS programs.