Tom Tom announcement today re no more map updates

takman

VoucherMan wrote: »

Some of us still prefer the 'older' tech. I much prefer the satnav that can be mounted somewhere on the windscreen and just does the job it was designed for. Not that I've ever tried it with my phone, I don't see the point. There are probably still a few of us out there without monthly smartphone bills, or even smartphones, so for us the mapping software wouldn't be free.

That said, I've no desire to upgrade as my Garmin still works just fine, apart from the odd nag when I turn it on about not being updated since 2011.

The real benefit of using something like google maps is that it will accurately give you an estimated time based on current traffic and will reroute you so that your always on the fastest route. For me if the satnav just shows you the fastest route but doesn't take into account of traffic then it's not very useful because i always look at the route beforehand so i know where i'm going anyway.

chrisw

rbell2603 wrote: »

I've just seen that news article, and the model I bought only last summer (Start 25) is indeed on the 'list of doom'.

I'm not clear on how much longer this SatNav will last in a useful working condition. Will it be OK but the maps will just get out of date over time (not a disaster, but certainly not what I thought I'd bought)? Will it just stop working the next time there's a software glitch?

I wondered whether I can reject back to the retailer (Halfords) on the basis that it has not - in the form it was designed to - lasted a 'reasonable length of time'.

Any other views welcome...

You might or might not be ok. It’s only models starting with a particular serial number code which designates the memory capacity.

For the Start 25, it’s those with a serial number beginning with BK.

https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/obsolete-products/

molerat

The problem with Google maps is that I cannot get the whole of UK on one map so cannot plan a full route from N Scotland to S England.

dipsomaniac

takman wrote: »

The real benefit of using something like google maps is that it will accurately give you an estimated time based on current traffic and will reroute you so that your always on the fastest route. For me if the satnav just shows you the fastest route but doesn't take into account of traffic then it's not very useful because i always look at the route beforehand so i know where i'm going anyway.

good point. google maps is probably more accurate at showing real time traffic jams as they have more users than any other navigation system

rmg1

I had this issue a few months ago. I went to update my TomTom Start (can't remember which one but I've had it a while).
I'm now in the market for a new satnav(an actual device rather than a mobile app).

Any suggestions (preferably with free updates)?

takman

dipsomaniac wrote: »

good point. google maps is probably more accurate at showing real time traffic jams as they have more users than any other navigation system

You also don't need to be using google maps for them to collect your data. By default Android phones have location turned on and this data is sent to google. So this gives them a massive amount of data when you consider how many people use Android phones which makes the traffic data and arrival times very accurate.

If you have an Android phone and haven't changed the default settings you can log in to your google account and see everywhere your phone has been and when since you have go it.

molerat wrote: »

The problem with Google maps is that I cannot get the whole of UK on one map so cannot plan a full route from N Scotland to S England.

I don't see why you would need the entire route on one map. On a long distance journey you would normally use the motorway and it's usually pretty easy to get to the motorway using signposts (if you don't know how already) and then following signs to the area your destination is in. It's usually only the last step of the journey that needs the map.

bob_a_builder

If you have an Android phone and haven't changed the default settings you can log in to your google account and see everywhere your phone has been and when since you have go it.

Or if you have any phone with Google Maps installed
just go to Google Maps on either your phone or PC , and look at "Your Timeline"

J_B

takman wrote: »

The real benefit of using something like google maps ............

I had to visit two different supermarkets out of town on two consecutive days in the bad snowy weather in December.
Google maps managed to take me to the 'back door' of both places!!
:mad:

giraffe69

I can understand people being annoyed by TomTom ending updates particularly when they are being mealy-mouthed about what precisely "Lifetime" actually means but the days of standalone Satnavs are coming to an end. TomTom's sales are sharply down and the feeling is that it is yesterday's technology. Some will have in car Satnav and others will use their smartphone as data plans get cheaper or data can be download by wifi will get ever more popular.
I find Google Maps very much better than my previous Satnav for accurate traffic info and routing. Less good for actually staying upright and stuck to the windscreen!

takman

J_B wrote: »

I had to visit two different supermarkets out of town on two consecutive days in the bad snowy weather in December.
Google maps managed to take me to the 'back door' of both places!!
:mad:

Well the back entrance is usually pretty close to the front so it shouldn't have been much of a problem . But yes some places can be in slightly the wrong place on the map (occasionally completely in the wrong place!).

But as it's online it's always updated so your much more likely to find a place than on a traditional stand alone navigation unit. Plus you have the benefit of satellite view and street view to confirm a place or to go to somewhere out of the way.