change TomTom software on PDA

Posted by: Phil Sparks on 02 April 2007

about 18 months ago I bought a Mio PDA with built in GPS receiver and TomTom Navigator 5 to go with it. It works really well and is especially helpful when driving round unfamiar foreign cities.

However I've noticed of late that, there are new roads and junctions that aren't on my maps. TomTom want £100 for new maps - there is NO discount for upgrades.

I think as the most well know name in GPS TomTom have no incentive to keep existing customers sweet. This has really hacked me off and I was wondering if any of the alternative packages (Garmin etc?) are any good and/or treat their customers better? Anyone got any experience.

Phil

Posted on: 02 April 2007 by gone

I'm in the same boat. I upgraded my TomTom maps, because of a voucher in the box, and now my speed (ahem, safety) cameras POI add-in doesn't work. It seems I have to pay TomTom for an upgrade.
I've heard the Navman products are reasonable, but I guess most of these products need subscription/upgrade income to keep the companies in business. But not to have a lower-cost upgrade policy for existing customers is a bit alienating to say the least

Posted on: 02 April 2007 by AL4N

not that i'm saying you should do it, but...you could always get safety cameras and POI add-in upgrades from E-bay, but like i said i wouldn't recomend it.

Posted on: 03 April 2007 by Rasher

I've got the same thing with Navman, except that a new set of maps and software upgrade is more like £179.
I just look at road signs when I get to new layouts, and my position on screen goes cross-country

Posted on: 03 April 2007 by Phil Sparks

thanks guys - it seems that TomTom have us over a barrel. I guess we just have to wait until most people have a SatNav then TT will have to change their business model to increase the uptake of upgrades and make these more attractive to existing users.

Incidentally I called the retailer where I bought the software from originally (globalpositioningsystems.co.uk - really great BTW) and they confirmed that I wasn't missing a trick. They rated TomTom as still the best package for a PDA but pointed out that the maps, even on the most recent version, will still be a year or two out of date due to the time lag in porting them over to the software package.

Guess I'll just stick with what I've got for another year or 2

Phil