My Mom called me to ask if I'd update her TomTom for her - there are some new roads/closed roads near where she lives and the TomTom keeps trying to make her drive through Jersey Barriers and into houses.
So, I downloaded the TomTom Home software and plugged her TomTome One, version 3, into my laptop.
No problem, they synced right up, and it did a free OS upgrade to the TomTom.
Then it says that the map is out of date (no shit) and offers to update the map. HOWEVER, it's more than one year old so the map updates are no longer free.
OK, I'll hit the hip for dear old Mom.
Except, the Map Update is $39.95 to bring it up to the latest map, AND you have to purchase the one-year Map Update package for another $39.95. $79.90 just to update the freaking maps? Are you kidding?
Both Wal*Mart and Best Buy have several GPS units for under $100. However, Mom is 75 and "understands" how to operate this unit.
Any ideas?
Thanks;
LW
TomTom One (V3) Map Update: Rip-Off or Planned Obsolescence?
Buy the map off the website, it is 47.95 for USA/Canada with the 40% "New Year" savings discount. You don't need to subscribe to any map update service, although someone wanting quarterly updates may find that to be a better deal.
Hopefully the new maps have the road changes in place, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Residential areas seem to be the worse, if ever updated.
Hopefully the new maps have the road changes in place, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Residential areas seem to be the worse, if ever updated.
I'd update it to make it simpler for her. I've been handling the affairs for my 85-yo grandmother for a few months and went back to just-as-expensive but less-content cable over digital for her because of the confusion over how to turn each on, which remote to use, etc. and someone else "helping" by repeatedly changing batteries "because they must be dead."
I don't see where it's making you get the update package. If you attempt to purchase a year long map update subscription, they make you buy the most recent map to start. However, if you attempt to buy a single map (go to Maps, then Single Map Download) you can buy the most updated map for $47.95, as Justin noted.
Jeremy
Jeremy
In the TomTom Home program it only gives the option for upgrade/subscription.
I'll have to look closer. But, $50 for a map update? Doesn't that seem a bit pricey to anyone else?
If you already own the map and the GPS, an update shouldn't be more than, say, $20. Not when you can buy a brand new unit with the proper map and brandy new features for under $100.
I'll have to look closer. But, $50 for a map update? Doesn't that seem a bit pricey to anyone else?
If you already own the map and the GPS, an update shouldn't be more than, say, $20. Not when you can buy a brand new unit with the proper map and brandy new features for under $100.
-
grahamular
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
http://hothardware.com/News/TomTom-To-O ... p-Updates/
Might want to hold off entirely and wait for that to come to pass if you haven't done anything yet.
Might want to hold off entirely and wait for that to come to pass if you haven't done anything yet.
Nice catch. I haven't done anything yet - haven't gotten back up to her house yet (she lives about 70 miles from me).Jeremy wrote:http://hothardware.com/News/TomTom-To-O ... p-Updates/
Might want to hold off entirely and wait for that to come to pass if you haven't done anything yet.
-
C.R. Krieger
- Posts: 14507
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Halfway up the left side of Lake Michigan
- Contact:
The Jaguar DVDs went for over $400, last time I checked.Geerhed wrote:In the TomTom Home program it only gives the option for upgrade/subscription.
I'll have to look closer. But, $50 for a map update? Doesn't that seem a bit pricey to anyone else?
The simplest answer is, don't update them. Let Mom know that, yes, she can ignore the directions and drive off in another direction when the road's closed. Assuming the address you want to reach was on the map in the first place, it will recalculate the route as you drive and you'll get there from another direction. That nice lady (or gentleman) in the GPS will never get impatient and say, "Screw you! Ignore my directions and I won't give you any more!"
My very first experience with a nav system went this way. It told me to turn left out of the parking lot onto a street that had a 4' brick median in the middle. I turned right. The nice lady told me to make three lefts and a right to get back on course. No problem. Therein lies the value of these things. Otherwise, you just have a computerized talking map. Get Mom to understand this and she'll worry a lot less.