Updating my Tom Tom

geek84

Hi Folks

I bought a Tom Tom One about 3 years ago. Is it necessary to 'update' it every now and again, because of route changes (new roads being built every now & again) etc?

If so, how do I go about updating my Tom Tom? The cd that was provided with it does not seem to work properly.

Thanks in advance for your response.

jayme1

it is only necessary if you personally come accross these road changes.
personally I have never updated my (at least 5 years old) tomtom and it still works fine.

to do it download tomtom home from tomtoms website and install it, then connect your tomtom to your computer with the usb cable it came with, then navigate to update maps and it will cost you about £40 :eek:
you may get a speed camera update for free though

but since the tomtom start is only about £100 perhaps it would be better investing in a whole new device with the latest maps and newer features rater than spending money on your old device.

DatabaseError

my tt one is also 3 or 4 years old, last year I did pay the £40 for updates as I was getting fed up with one-way town/city centres changing, and the map not being updated to show. As I relied on the sat-nav for my job it was well worth it (which reminds me, gonna plug it in as there's probably a new map waiting for me)

geek84

Hi

Thanks for your reply. My Tom Tom is only 3 years old and I have never updated it.

However, I have tried to update it in the past by going to tomtom home, then navigating to update maps. However, when I go to the checkout till to pay for the approx £40, the message says that there is an error. I have tried this on a number of occasions, so I don't think that the fault is with my internet connection. What do you think?

This may sound like a silly question, but does the device pick up signals to give you the correct directions when there are road changes?

Thanks

kwikbreaks

geek84 wrote: »

This may sound like a silly question, but does the device pick up signals to give you the correct directions when there are road changes?

No. All the satellite signals provide is a means for the TomTom to compute its position. That position is then shown on the installed map. Directions are created based on the map only. Wrong info on the map = wrong directions.

TomTom Live versions use a GPRS connection to get information about traffic conditions/delays and can plan the route with least delays at the time.

Some can use free traffic data from the RDS broadcasts on FM radio using a plugin device but most reviews suggest that mechanism isn't very reliable.

bengalknights

You may want to run the software updates to get the better looking screen as for maps its upto you if your planning a long trip then update it but if its only used now and then not really any point running the update unless you know the road has changed at which point you can actually compare against google maps to see any differences.

wonka

I've still got a 4 year old TomTom ONE, and still working perfectly, although I gave it to the wife. I use TomTom on the iPhone now.

If you update the TomTom software through TomTom Home, you will pick up the 'MapShare' feature. This allows you to download map changes / map corrections from other TomTom users who've shared them.

KillerWatt

geek84 wrote: »

If so, how do I go about updating my Tom Tom?

Go to the TomTom website, download & install the latest version of TomTom Home software, connect your TomTom to your PC via the supplied USB cable, and the hand holding wizard will do the rest.

I have a bit of an aversion to relying on manufacturer software for updates, etc - so I personally use pocketgpsworld for my TomTom updates.