I have never owned or used in-car sat-nav. Now I am contemplating one.
The TomTom is generally impressive with its screen displays, BUT!
There are too many customer reviews being very critical of the TomTom
software/map online upgrade facility. People have lost their maps
during the upgrade. This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb
RAM and thus the old data was erased and no new data copied down. A
number of customers had the same problem, so it wasn't an isolated
case.

Others have reported many different problems with the software. That
the device can take ages to find a signal, for example, that the
upgrade process wouldn't work with Internet Explorer 9, only 8.

All in all, the reviews I've read over the past few days suggest I'd
be crazy to buy a TomTom. Perhaps Garmin is better? (Although I do
prefer the TomTom display.)

Comments?

MM

On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:33:38 +0000, MM <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:


>
>Comments?
>
>MM

Try reading the Garmin reviews, they are no better, perhaps even
worse.

I own both and prefer the TomTom, never had any bother with it.
If you lose the maps it is easy to go into your TomTom account and
download them again, and of course you should have a full backup on
your computer before trying to upgrade.

Had my GO910 since UK release (4 yrs?). Apart from frying the pcb (dodgy TT
or PC mount - pcb, disc and mount replaced FOC under warranty) no problems.
It has a 20GB disc and, currently, near 2.4 GB Europe map. Any TT that
has/can use an >= 4GB SD card should be problem-free.

"MM" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have never owned or used in-car sat-nav. Now I am contemplating one.
> The TomTom is generally impressive with its screen displays, BUT!
> There are too many customer reviews being very critical of the TomTom
> software/map online upgrade facility. People have lost their maps
> during the upgrade. This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb
> RAM and thus the old data was erased and no new data copied down. A
> number of customers had the same problem, so it wasn't an isolated
> case.
>
> Others have reported many different problems with the software. That
> the device can take ages to find a signal, for example, that the
> upgrade process wouldn't work with Internet Explorer 9, only 8.
>
> All in all, the reviews I've read over the past few days suggest I'd
> be crazy to buy a TomTom. Perhaps Garmin is better? (Although I do
> prefer the TomTom display.)
>
> Comments?
>
> MM

On Tue, 8 Nov 2011 12:29:49 -0000, "Keith"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Had my GO910 since UK release (4 yrs?). Apart from frying the pcb (dodgy TT
>or PC mount - pcb, disc and mount replaced FOC under warranty) no problems.
>It has a 20GB disc and, currently, near 2.4 GB Europe map. Any TT that
>has/can use an >= 4GB SD card should be problem-free.
>
>"MM" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>>I have never owned or used in-car sat-nav. Now I am contemplating one.
>> The TomTom is generally impressive with its screen displays, BUT!
>> There are too many customer reviews being very critical of the TomTom
>> software/map online upgrade facility. People have lost their maps
>> during the upgrade. This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb
>> RAM and thus the old data was erased and no new data copied down. A
>> number of customers had the same problem, so it wasn't an isolated
>> case.
>>
>> Others have reported many different problems with the software. That
>> the device can take ages to find a signal, for example, that the
>> upgrade process wouldn't work with Internet Explorer 9, only 8.
>>
>> All in all, the reviews I've read over the past few days suggest I'd
>> be crazy to buy a TomTom. Perhaps Garmin is better? (Although I do
>> prefer the TomTom display.)
>>
>> Comments?
>>
>> MM
>

Sounds reassuring. When you say "it has a 20GB disc", is that the
Garmin device itself? How on earth does a 20GB disc fit into one?!!

Thanks.

MM

On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:53:41 +0000, artleknock
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:33:38 +0000, MM <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Comments?
>>
>>MM
>
>Try reading the Garmin reviews, they are no better, perhaps even
>worse.
>
>I own both and prefer the TomTom, never had any bother with it.
>If you lose the maps it is easy to go into your TomTom account and
>download them again, and of course you should have a full backup on
>your computer before trying to upgrade.

If it's that straightforward (making a PC backup and/or downloading
again) I can't understand why such (extrapolating) a number of people
have such problems? Several have simply returned their TomToms to
Amazon for a refund. Perhaps they are complete virgins in respect of
electronic gizmos?

That said, I've just been in Halfords and the sat-nav adviser said he
preferred Garmin. Then I popped into Nationwide and the adviser there
(I was applying for an account) said hers was a Garmin, too. My bro
also has only had Garmin and finds it excellent.

And yet, back in Halfords just now, I still liked the look of the
TomTom better!

MM

On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:33:38 +0000, MM wrote:

> People have lost their maps during the upgrade.
> This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb RAM and thus the old
> data was erased and no new data copied down.

When I tried to update my TomTom One XL's W.Europe map recently,
I was told the new map exceeded the 1GB memory.
Happily, I already had a 2GB SD card containing Europe & Africa, so I
just popped that in and the update was successful.

During the download (which is initially to computer hard drive), TomTom
Home twice lost contact with the server, but I was pleased to find that
- after re-starting the update - it seamlessly continued from where
the break occurred.

The new W.Europe map includes the A3 Hindhead tunnel, which opened at
the end of July.
--
/\/\aurice
(Replace "nomail.afraid" by "bcs" to reply by email)

On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:36:44 +0000, Maurice Batey
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:33:38 +0000, MM wrote:
>
>> People have lost their maps during the upgrade.
>> This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb RAM and thus the old
>> data was erased and no new data copied down.
>
> When I tried to update my TomTom One XL's W.Europe map recently,
>I was told the new map exceeded the 1GB memory.
> Happily, I already had a 2GB SD card containing Europe & Africa, so I
>just popped that in and the update was successful.
>
>During the download (which is initially to computer hard drive), TomTom
>Home twice lost contact with the server, but I was pleased to find that
>- after re-starting the update - it seamlessly continued from where
>the break occurred.
>
>The new W.Europe map includes the A3 Hindhead tunnel, which opened at
>the end of July.

I have the One XL with 2Gb card as well. I have had no problems with
the quarterly map updates, except that it loses all saved addresses on
update. Never considered getting a newer model as mine does all I
want, including screaming at me to slow down if I exceed the speed
limit (I have three points for doing 35 in a 30 limit four years ago).

On 08/11/2011 07:33, MM wrote:
> I have never owned or used in-car sat-nav. Now I am contemplating one.
> The TomTom is generally impressive with its screen displays, BUT!
> There are too many customer reviews being very critical of the TomTom
> software/map online upgrade facility. People have lost their maps
> during the upgrade. This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb
> RAM and thus the old data was erased and no new data copied down. A
> number of customers had the same problem, so it wasn't an isolated
> case.
>
> Others have reported many different problems with the software. That
> the device can take ages to find a signal, for example, that the
> upgrade process wouldn't work with Internet Explorer 9, only 8.
>
> All in all, the reviews I've read over the past few days suggest I'd
> be crazy to buy a TomTom. Perhaps Garmin is better? (Although I do
> prefer the TomTom display.)
>
> Comments?
>
> MM
I've got Tomtom, and while it's generally reliable when it goes wrong at
update time it's a pig to sort out. Best bet is to make a copy of the
original SD card and run with that, keeping the original safe as an
ultimate back-up. After many updates it can be a good idea to run Tt's
clear flash utility as that seems to help installs. Updating with the
card direct in a PC also seems to work better than with the device on a
USB lead. I've had my One v2 for around 5 years and had to do a couple
of total rebuilds in that time

On Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:30:58 +0000, artleknock
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:36:44 +0000, Maurice Batey
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:33:38 +0000, MM wrote:
>>
>>> People have lost their maps during the upgrade.
>>> This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb RAM and thus the old
>>> data was erased and no new data copied down.
>>
>> When I tried to update my TomTom One XL's W.Europe map recently,
>>I was told the new map exceeded the 1GB memory.
>> Happily, I already had a 2GB SD card containing Europe & Africa, so I
>>just popped that in and the update was successful.
>>
>>During the download (which is initially to computer hard drive), TomTom
>>Home twice lost contact with the server, but I was pleased to find that
>>- after re-starting the update - it seamlessly continued from where
>>the break occurred.
>>
>>The new W.Europe map includes the A3 Hindhead tunnel, which opened at
>>the end of July.
>
>I have the One XL with 2Gb card as well. I have had no problems with
>the quarterly map updates, except that it loses all saved addresses on
>update. Never considered getting a newer model as mine does all I
>want, including screaming at me to slow down if I exceed the speed
>limit (I have three points for doing 35 in a 30 limit four years ago).

Ah, now THAT is an interesting comment, because one key reason for
thinking of buying a sat nav is for that very purpose, namely being
warned when one exceeds the speed limit. Luckily (I've been driving
for 47 years), I have not yet been blitzed (well, I have, but never
received anything from the cops), but in a strange neighbourhood in
busy traffic it's easy to overlook one of these ruddy cameras and your
speed can easily creep up to 35 before you know it.

So how well does the speeding alert work? Pretty reliable? Or only
major roads? Only near speed cameras etc?

Thanks!

MM

On Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:12:39 +0000, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>On 08/11/2011 07:33, MM wrote:
>> I have never owned or used in-car sat-nav. Now I am contemplating one.
>> The TomTom is generally impressive with its screen displays, BUT!
>> There are too many customer reviews being very critical of the TomTom
>> software/map online upgrade facility. People have lost their maps
>> during the upgrade. This was because the new map data exceeded the 2gb
>> RAM and thus the old data was erased and no new data copied down. A
>> number of customers had the same problem, so it wasn't an isolated
>> case.
>>
>> Others have reported many different problems with the software. That
>> the device can take ages to find a signal, for example, that the
>> upgrade process wouldn't work with Internet Explorer 9, only 8.
>>
>> All in all, the reviews I've read over the past few days suggest I'd
>> be crazy to buy a TomTom. Perhaps Garmin is better? (Although I do
>> prefer the TomTom display.)
>>
>> Comments?
>>
>> MM
>I've got Tomtom, and while it's generally reliable when it goes wrong at
>update time it's a pig to sort out. Best bet is to make a copy of the
>original SD card and run with that, keeping the original safe as an
>ultimate back-up. After many updates it can be a good idea to run Tt's
>clear flash utility as that seems to help installs. Updating with the
>card direct in a PC also seems to work better than with the device on a
>USB lead. I've had my One v2 for around 5 years and had to do a couple
>of total rebuilds in that time

In that vein I have received the following reply from TomTom Customer
Care as a result of my presales enquiries:

"Regarding your second e-mail, please note that our newer devices use
MyTomTom to update, and that older devices such as the XL IQ2 use
TomTom HOME. Therefore the upgrade process will be slightly different
depending on which program is used. With regards to updating maps, if
there is not enough space on the memory of the device, and if it does
not support the use of a memory card slot, then the existing map will
need to be moved to the computer to allow the new map to be installed.
In MyTomTom this is an automatic process, and the original map can
easily be re-added back onto the device.

With regards to MyTomTom, please note that this software has undergone
several upgrades in functionality since its initial release, and that
it will be continued to be updated with improved functionality and
performance. Please also refer to this FAQ for a list of changes in
MyTomTom since its initial release: Answer Title: Devices connecting
to MyTomTom
Answer Link:
http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/ans...ail/a_id/12566

With regards to Internet Explorer 9, this is unfortunately due to
inconsistencies with Java, so for the time being we advise using
either a different version of Internet Explorer, or a different
browser e.g. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox etc."

So maybe the upgrade will go more smoothly with the latest models.

MM