I Have Had It With TomTom

[jvanhengel]

I Will Never Buy Another Product From TomTom.
I believe they make a good product, but their support is the most unresponsive I have ever had to deal with.
I bought a Go 720 because I liked the feature list, even though I live about 5 miles from Garmin. I wanted to use it with my phone for weather and traffic.

I have a Palm Treo 700p with Sprint which is not on their list. However I found a how to guide on how to set it up and patch the phone for tethered modem access. TomTom would not sell me a subscription for US traffic but they did give me 3 mo. free trial. About halfway through the trial my traffic quit. I believe it was the phone glitched from the tether patch. So I reinstall the phone software and had sprint add the actual phone as modem plan to my phone.
I reconnected with the 720 and everything was working except the traffic.
I can get weather, download voices, download gpsfixes, etc.
But when I access traffice I get a red screen with error 1506.

Searching the web indicates that this is a problem with TomTom's website and my subscription.
They had me hard boot my 720 and reinstall everything.
It went back to the way it was, everything works but the error on traffic.
Traffic did work originally.

They said that since my phone is not on there list they will not help me troubleshoot the issue. I spoke to a supervisor who was very rude.

"Your phone is not on our compatibility list. We have no obligation to help you make it work with our equipment"

My wife was going to get a TomTom for her car on her birthday.
TomTom does not seem to want the business in the United States.
I have made 4 calls to TomTom since I bought it. I had one good experience and 3 really poor ones by people who must be reading from a script because the don't seem to know squat about the units.
"Hi I'm here to offer you super excellent service" "May I put you on hold for 2 to 3 mins while I lookup how to turn it on?"

I realize I am venting here. When you spent this kind of money on a product you expect the support to be helpful. If my cable service or cell phone service was this bad I would have switched in a heartbeat.

Garmin and TomTom appear to have roughly the same features. My Garmin Fishfinder was top notch, but I had to go for the TomTom because I thought I would like it better. I never had to deal with Garmin's support so I can't say if it is better.
But TomTom has told me in very straight language that they do not want to help me and they do not want my business.

I am somewhat knocked back as I have never had a company so clearly say that they don't care about me as a customer.

Oh well, I have said my piece.
Now I have to build an ebay ad to sell this one and buy a Garmin Nuvi.

 

[a720user]

I have a Palm Treo 700p with Sprint which is not on their list.

Good luck with that Nuvi. I had one. It's like trying to paint a picture with a 4" brush.

 

[nino2469]

so your mad at TomTom because you are trying to make a phone that is not supported by them work?

 

[a720user]

I bought a Go 720 because I liked the feature list

I was less than helpful earlier - why don't you flea-bay your phone instead.

I'm using a Treo 680 and enjoying a technological nirvana at the moment. Got the phone recently because my Samsung wasn't TT friendly.

Get a different phone, but don't get a nuvi thinking you'll be happy, the ui is simple to put it kindly.

 

[Agent777]

I have a Palm Treo 700p with Sprint which is not on their list. However I found a how to guide on how to set it up and patch the phone for tethered modem access. QUOTE]

Will you please post the link? Thanks

 

[77jimmy]

I have had the same issue with my blackberry pearl which is also not on the list. Traffic was working fine for 6 months (with the help of forums like this one) and then the new 8.01 update screwed something up. Called customer service and found it is very hit or miss. Once I got the script reader and was put on hold for every question the next I got an operator who was on the ball. She attached an earlier version of the software and I reverted back and for right now everything is working. You have a lot of homers on this site, I mean it is the TomTom forums, but unless the Nuvi is going to offer something above and beyond the 720 don't cut off you nose to spite your face. Honestly I think the biggest problem with TomTom right now is that they were a European company and typically they have much more state of the art phones and equipment over there. I think once they catch up to the American market and realize we are on the ass end of the technological spectrum you will start to see the support for our devices. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jvanhengel]

I have a Palm Treo 700p with Sprint which is not on their list. However I found a how to guide on how to set it up and patch the phone for tethered modem access. QUOTE]

Will you please post the link? Thanks

Here you go.
http://vocaro.com/trevor/treo-dun/#install_hack

 

[tomtomknoitall]

listen

Check it dude


ok home boi is right this is an European base company but its not because america is so behind in technology which we are dont get me wrong.... but think about it sprint, nextel, and verizon all have thier own navigation devices
wether its from v cast to w.e sprint calls thiers they are not going to want to work with another navigation device thats like telling tomtom here take my customers when they can just close the comunication portals between the tomtom device and the cell phone so that will make u want to use sprints or verizons services therefore giving them more money towards thier own pocket

really u cant think about it as a customer prospective but more of a bussiness if u were in the same shoes would u make the same decision be real with yourself...

 

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

I Will Never Buy Another Product From TomTom.
I believe they make a good product, but their support is the most unresponsive I have ever had to deal with.
I bought a Go 720 because I liked the feature list, even though I live about 5 miles from Garmin. I wanted to use it with my phone for weather and traffic.

I have a Palm Treo 700p with Sprint which is not on their list. However I found a how to guide on how to set it up and patch the phone for tethered modem access. TomTom would not sell me a subscription for US traffic but they did give me 3 mo. free trial. About halfway through the trial my traffic quit. I believe it was the phone glitched from the tether patch. So I reinstall the phone software and had sprint add the actual phone as modem plan to my phone.
I reconnected with the 720 and everything was working except the traffic.
I can get weather, download voices, download gpsfixes, etc.
But when I access traffice I get a red screen with error 1506.

Searching the web indicates that this is a problem with TomTom's website and my subscription.
They had me hard boot my 720 and reinstall everything.
It went back to the way it was, everything works but the error on traffic.
Traffic did work originally.

They said that since my phone is not on there list they will not help me troubleshoot the issue. I spoke to a supervisor who was very rude.

"Your phone is not on our compatibility list. We have no obligation to help you make it work with our equipment"

My wife was going to get a TomTom for her car on her birthday.
TomTom does not seem to want the business in the United States.
I have made 4 calls to TomTom since I bought it. I had one good experience and 3 really poor ones by people who must be reading from a script because the don't seem to know squat about the units.
"Hi I'm here to offer you super excellent service" "May I put you on hold for 2 to 3 mins while I lookup how to turn it on?"

I realize I am venting here. When you spent this kind of money on a product you expect the support to be helpful. If my cable service or cell phone service was this bad I would have switched in a heartbeat.

Garmin and TomTom appear to have roughly the same features. My Garmin Fishfinder was top notch, but I had to go for the TomTom because I thought I would like it better. I never had to deal with Garmin's support so I can't say if it is better.
But TomTom has told me in very straight language that they do not want to help me and they do not want my business.

I am somewhat knocked back as I have never had a company so clearly say that they don't care about me as a customer.

Oh well, I have said my piece.
Now I have to build an ebay ad to sell this one and buy a Garmin Nuvi.

Please do not interpret this response as an excuse for poor service, or please don't peg me as an apologist for TomTom --- I am not.

I will say this, however.

The entire world, with the EXCEPTION of the US, is on the GSM mobil phone standard... (GSM = Global System Mobile)

The US, within its borders, has, probably, a half dozen, or more, individual, proprietary, systems competing with one another.

As you probably know, TomTom has European origins. Thus, their hardware/software was designed to be compatible, primarily, with GSM systems.

Getting a non-GSM phone to interface with their system is probably pot-luck, at best. It appears that many have it working. I could well imagine that TomTom will not invest a tremendous amount of money/time to address 6+ proprietary US systems to work with their product when the rest of the world addresses one standard. Economically and business-wise, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Having read numerous German reviews on MANY GPS systems, TomTom is rarely lower than the top two, regardless of model.

My (GSM, T-Mobile) phone is not on their list either. Connected and integrated seamlessly. An accident? Not likely.

I WILL say, that TomTom could be a little more forthcoming about what I have described above. This, I grant you.

I have called TomTom 3-4 times, and have always been satisfied with the response. Doesn't mean you won't get a "joker" out of the deck every now-and-then. Almost every company I have ever dealt with has their moments, regardless of their reputation.

I will also say, calling with a chip on your shoulder, probably isn't ever going to be productive, regardless of the vendor.

I recommend you buy what makes you happy. I know numerous folks that started with a competitor's product, and ended up with TomTom, ALL of them saying the TT was superior. But, in the end, you have to be happy with what you have.

Best of luck with whatever product you end up purchasing.

AS mentioned above... I'd be looking to get a new phone before ditching the TT. New Cell phones are often free with a contract. I recommend T-Mobile for GSM (there are probably a few other American GSM providers, I am just not familair with them). If you ever travel outside of the US, you will come to understand the (many) benefits of GSM. It is, indeed, in my opinion, a far superior standard, regardless of the US vendors out there. Not saying they're BAD...I just find GSM w WHOLE lot better.

 

[Arno]

The entire world, with the EXCEPTION of the US, is on the GSM mobile phone standard... (GSM = Global System Mobile)

That is a VHS : Betamax question.
Like Betamax CDMA it the superior system but like VHS, GSM has a much larger user base.

My (GSM, T-Mobile) phone is not on their list either. Connected and integrated seamlessly. An accident? Not likely.

Neither is mt LG SCH-U510 CDMA on the Telus system
Yet it and my 930 had no problems syncing (and I know nothing about blue tooth).

Not saying they're BAD...I just find GSM w WHOLE lot better.

What precisely makes it "a WHOLE lot better".

 

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

That is a VHS : Betamax question.
Like Betamax CDMA it the superior system but like VHS, GSM has a much larger user base.

Neither is mt LG SCH-U510 CDMA on the Telus system
Yet it and my 930 had no problems syncing (and I know nothing about blue tooth).

What precisely makes it "a WHOLE lot better".

Yet it and my 930 had no problems syncing

Like i said, many have non-GSM that connect seamlessly. If you have built your architecture around GSM to begin with, it is not surprising that non-GSM MAY be a little more touchy in connecting with the unit, and have some units that won't do it well.

What precisely makes it "a WHOLE lot better"

I find the integration and ability to connect, worldwide, better and with fewer issues. Just my experience... that's all. The global system is well integrated via GSM... it's just a true fact. Doesn't mean it's better.

Don't get me wrong... wasn't knocking either one. Just stating direct experiences I have had.

Your Beta vs VHS is a great parallel. Although Beta was better in many respects, the standard with the bigger following won.

 

[Arno]

If you have built your architecture around GSM to begin with, it is not surprising that non-GSM MAY be a little more touchy in connecting with the unit, and have some units that won't do it well.

My guess is that this may have been a problem in the past when the adherence to Bluetooh protocols were not too stringent.
Just checking I see that my phone (8 months old) and the 930 synced with the HFP protocol. I 'presume' that syncing of Bluetooth enabled equipment will become transparent to users henceforth.

I find the integration and ability to connect, worldwide, better and with fewer issues. Just my experience... that's all. The global system is well integrated via GSM... it's just a true fact.

As we both said, GSM is the dominant system. According to a recent newspaper article, even though G4 'supposedly' will unify the systems, Bell Canada and Telus are thinking about switching to GSM now because the leading edge CDMA phones are more expensive and don't become available until well after introduced on the competitors GSM system.

Main reason for my reply is to alert others that, according to that article it should be made sure to get the four frequency phone and not just the local two frequency one. (System/country details.)

 

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

My guess is that this may have been a problem in the past when the adherence to Bluetooh protocols were not too stringent.
Just checking I see that my phone (8 months old) and the 930 synced with the HFP protocol. I 'presume' that syncing of Bluetooth enabled equipment will become transparent to users henceforth.

As we both said, GSM is the dominant system. According to a recent newspaper article, even though G4 'supposedly' will unify the systems, Bell Canada and Telus are thinking about switching to GSM now because the leading edge CDMA phones are more expensive and don't become available until well after introduced on the competitors GSM system.

Main reason for my reply is to alert others that, according to that article it should be made sure to get the four frequency phone and not just the local two frequency one. (System/country details.)

exactly right... quad band...

 

[ChillyCat]

Now I have to build an ebay ad to sell this one and buy a Garmin Nuvi.

You get rid of it yet ??

I've got a friend who's looking to sell a "brand new" n?vi 670. Possibly ya'll could manage a trade ??

PM me if you're interested.

 

[Robm]

I think the point of his argument is principle...Tom Tom is not noted for their great customer service...especially for US customers...maybe I am wrong but I have had similar experience. TT customer support, although they may not support the phone, could offer a hand in getting it connected. I have called other companies for assistance on interfacing products with other systems and although they did not support it, they did help. It is called keeping your customer base happy. Agreed, the easy way out is to say we dont support it is their anything else we can do for you...they other is to say we dont support it but I can give you some tips to try that may work but I/we make no guarantees.

Just my opinion