Question:

We purchased a decent TomTom GPS. Why is TomTom charging when they promised free maps from the community?

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We bought a TomTom 720 in early 2008. They promoted themselves at the time as a company that one wouldn't need to buy maps from because of their community..........lately all I see is offers to have to purchase their maps and the community that is free even looks like it will become a paid service. Does anyone that's a devout TomTom-ite know what is going on? It looks like bait and switch under an awful sweet name (TomTom). As long as the community updates work, there would be no great need to buy a whole new set of maps each year ---that was our hope.

Any insight appreciated.

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You need to understand the difference between buying a map and getting free mapshare map corrections.

TomTom is releasing new maps about 4 times a year now.  A small number of tomtom units, mostly GO 920's, have the promotion code for free maps for one year.  But most just have the latest map guarantee, which allows you to update your pre-installed map to the newest map available, within the first 30 days.  After the one year or 30 days, the new map versions would not be free.

For each map version that is released, mapshare map corrections are always free.  Mapshare is the service that allows users to report corrections and download corrections that other users have reported.  The map will stop getting those corrections one year after it was released.  Certain corrections like missing streets will probably not ever come through mapshare.

Hope that clarifies it.  Feel free to e-mail me.
Report (0) (0) |   earlier
I had a TomTom and it worked great.  Unfortunately they built a whole bunch of new developments and the system needed to be updated after a year.  WE could've used the original ones for average purposes but my business is installing real estate sign POSTS so I decided to upgrade.  It is especially useful when I get to areas where there are unmarked dirt roads.  But it was stolen last year and I have made do without it since and I'm doing fine by punching my destination into Google before I leave.

I think my next will be a Garmin.  If you get the TomTom updates early they are only $40 or you can get a Thomas Guide for $25 and not need to even buy a TomTom.  Most of the realty agents use Thomas Guides.

Even with updates it doesn't guarantee that the construction companies will not build more houses and install new roads.

You can't stop progress so you have to choose what works best for you.  I'm happy with Thomas Guide but it is more work and it's harder to read and it doesn't talk to you but it's only $24.95 but that is PER COUNTY.  If you are traveling Tom Tom is still cheaper.

:-)

Peace
Report (0) (0) |   earlier
My girls dad just got one. You need to use a promotional code that came with it to get it free.
Report (0) (0) | earlier