Is it time to replace my SatNav?

Nagme

Its a TomTom One which we have had for about 6 years, but it's not updating properly. Not from a technical point of view, but it just doesn't seem to know about some roads that have been in place for years!

Is it just me?

I tried my iphone google map app as a sat nav today, but found the screen wasn't big enough for my liking.

londonTiger

does it have lifetime map updates?

Nagme

No, I don't think that was available when it was bought. I've done the free updates though.

Richard53

The 'free updates' might well be just the user-generated updates that Tomtom encourage you to contribute, which will be nothing like as comprehensive as a proper map update (which will cost you money). I paid for a proper update with my Tomtom (GO720, 8 years old) and it had a local bypass on it that wasn't even finished yet, so official updates are fairly comprehensive.


Beware - purchasing and downloading an updated map from Tomtom will wipe all your favourites unless you back them up and re-install afterwards, something that TT for some reason don't tell you beforehand.

molerat

Map updates are paid for and UK&I is [STRIKE]£44.95[/STRIKE] 40% discounted at £26.97 so a new unit will work out cheaper in the long run.

Nagme

Thanks Richard, just been on TomTom website, looks like £26.97 for a year's updated maps across 4 updates.

(PS three wheels moves the family)

Nagme

Thanks Molerat also for the info.

I think we'll do our research before spending; now I know the free updates are not really enough.

molerat

The downside of the new 2013 models is that you can not run third party POIs (such as PGPSW speed camera) and the new interface is not as intuitive as the old classic.

Richard53

Nagme wrote: »

Thanks Richard, just been on TomTom website, looks like £26.97 for a year's updated maps across 4 updates.

(PS three wheels moves the family)

I assume that UK/RoI only. I paid for the same update for Western Europe maps and it was about £80. You can get a new unit (perhaps a rather basic one) for not much more than that, as molerat says.


BTW, love the quote. There's a sidecar in my future, one day.

dacouch

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tomtom-xxl-classic-series-nav-5-inch-screen-with-uk-ireland-maps-was-89-now-69-59-1948842

Nagme

Thanks for all the advice guys; I have learnt that the big spend really is keeping the maps up to date.

With this in mind I have bought A Garmin Nuvi 52LM which has free lifetime maps. I got it from Argos as it was reduced to £99.99, used a £6 money off voucher, and my nectar points - total cash paid £63.99.

I plugged it in for the drive home - the big screen makes such a difference and I'm looking forward to testing it on the roads that my old one never knew existed!