map prices are rediculous!

[d169stang]

I have had my TT920 since it first came out. I paid over $450 for this unit. I have loved it! Since new maps became available, I have had nothing but issues! Reboots/shuts off at random, takes forever to startup, takes forever to find a Satellite signal, etc.
What is rediculous is that to update the map in my 920, it costs $89. You can buy a NEW GPS for under $100 now.
I am very disappointed in the prices of the map updates...being so far out of line and the fact that my 920, coincidentally, has issues since new maps are available.

 

[d169stang]

To boot...I can activate the GPS service on my phone for much less than a map update!

 

[GarCor]

I Have had a 920 for 2 years now and like you had some issues with it but if you log on to TT home and get your latest application and gps fixes you should see a big improvement in your boot up etc etc.
As far as maps go if you want a new map you might be better off subscribing for the map up date service, not sure what that will cost you but you will get 4 new updates on you N/A map if that is where you are or EU if you are across the pond.

 

[eldorado]

I would agree with purchasing the map update service, I had avoided spending the money for new maps and when this offer came out I jumped on it, for me it has been great, my One XL Unit is almost three years old and with the new map updates (new one just today and this is my second one) the Unit is working just fine for what I need, even on the motorcycle..............

 

[cacherjoe]

I purchased the map update service. The service (4 updates) and the latest update was less than $100 all in. I think that's a pretty good deal. I got the update service only because I wanted to capture when my street showed up on the maps and I'm taking 2 long trips this year and wanted to make sure I'm up to date.

I had (and still do) had Garmin handheld units for years. The auto-routing maps for them run about $150 each.

My suggestion would be that if you are not taking any long trips where you feel you need the most up to date maps (like where you want to go is not showing on the map) or you are regularly going to places that are not showing on the map, then just don't update. Wait a few years and update then. Just because there is a new map, doesn't mean you have to get it.

My only complaint about TomTom is that they should have an interactive map on their web site so you can see if there are any new streets. Garmin has it and it was a deciding factor in me updating the maps a few years ago. I find TomTom maps update quickly. My street doesn't show up on the newest Garmin maps, and doesn't show up on Google or Yahoo maps either, but it is on my unit.

 

[gatorguy]

I had (and still do) had Garmin handheld units for years. The auto-routing maps for them run about $150 each..

Garmin's lifetime map update subscription is around $90 from several Garmin dealers.

 

[cacherjoe]

Sure but at least where I travel, Garmin is years behind. My street has been here for 2 years and there are 3 other streets that have been there as long as 2 years that are not on the maps. There are even sections of the TCH that have been there for years that are not showing. $90 is great if you get usable updates.

I was a garmin man and still am when it comes to the handhelds I use for caching but when it comes to driving, you can't beat TomTom maps.

 

[gatorguy]

Map quality does vary between regions. Here in Central Florida my Navteq maps are a bit more accurate and up-to-date. Some other areas are better mapped by TeleAtlas.

But I do expect TomTom to reduce their subscription prices before long. Neither TeleAtlas nor Navteq maps will be able to maintain the prices they currently ask much longer.

 

[mvl]

My only complaint about TomTom is that they should have an interactive map on their web site so you can see if there are any new streets. Garmin has it and it was a deciding factor in me updating the maps a few years ago. I find TomTom maps update quickly. My street doesn't show up on the newest Garmin maps, and doesn't show up on Google or Yahoo maps either, but it is on my unit.

Go to routes.tomtom.com for the latest map. It's usually only a few days late in getting the latest Tomtom map, although they are still on map 835 (the delay is loading 840 is longer than usual).

 

[cacherjoe]

Thanks. They must take a LONG time to update. The last time I looked, which wasn't that long ago, maybe a month or so, they still didn't have my street on there, but it has been on the last 2 map updates. I was thinking they were feeding this from Yahoo or Google maps.

J

 

[mvl]

Strange - it has new roads that were not in map 830. For every change I know about, that website matches map 835 perfectly.

Do you mind letting us know the street? I'd be curious to check it out...

 

[cacherjoe]

Wilderness Court, Moncton, NB

It's on the map now, wasn't a month or 2 ago, but has been on the maps on my unit for quite sometime. If you do look at the location, there was nothing between Evergreen/Twin Oaks to Evergreen/Ryan until recently.

 

[d169stang]

In order for me to get the map update service.....I still have to update/buy a new map before I can get the update service. It's rediculous! I travel a lot...working from Pittsburgh, PA to Omaha, NE. So, I'm in a lot of cities through out the MidWest. I went the "support" route on TT's website and was sent to follow up emails. 1. telling me what to do for my issues...which I've already done. They should look at previous call in's etc. to see the issues. 2. telling me that the "issue is resolved." Quickly......brush this one under the rug and maybe it'll go away.

 

[Kevets51]

They did that to me, too. $80+$40 subscription to get a new map. That's more than I paid for the thing.

 

[mvl]

Tomtom's announced that it'll be staring up lifetime map updates on certain new models in Q2-2010. No update on whether any old models will get this feature.

I agree, map prices are very expensive. Other than the high-end GO models, it's often better to just buy a new Tomtom rather than a map, you could always get a few bucks back by reselling the old Tomtom on craigslist.

 

[marksbg]

Just my 2 cents worth but I agree with you 100% and feel your pain, The Australian maps are incredibly incorrect. I've found creeks and driveways marked as roads, no through roads connected to other no through roads and non existent roads marked on my maps. I wasted 1/4 a tank of fuel one day just trying to get a few kilometers as I had to constantly back track due to going kilometers up roads to find them come to an end and have to turn around and head back. I was so angry I wanted to smash my unit on the ground and post the pieces back to TomTom with a not so nice note telling them where they could stuff it. I realize the maps are not perfect I know, I know. But that day was just beyond the joke. I personally feel both the map service and the maps are very much overpriced. If they want to charge those sort of prices they had better pull their finger out of their backside and do a much better job of it or I'll be retiring my unit quick smart and go back to buying map books like I have been for years with a much better result and a lot less headaches.

 

[bhl62]

I had map 840 (NA 2GB) from the LMG on my 740 and today when I fired up Home I was offered map 845 for $11.95 (85% discount) + $47.80 for the annual subscription. Much more reasonable than buying a single map each year.

 

[marksbg]

Half ya luck, I got my unit at Christmas (AUD$ 399), did the "Latest Maps Guarantee" to 840 they still want me to pay AUD$ 139.95 for 845. Not happening just that simple, for AUD$ 30 I can buy a new map book and without all the mistakes that come with TomTom maps, I can use the TomTom for basic stuff and for any important navigating use the book to plan out a route.

 

[affinity]

Half ya luck, I got my unit at Christmas (AUD$ 399), did the "Latest Maps Guarantee" to 840 they still want me to pay AUD$ 139.95 for 845. Not happening just that simple, for AUD$ 30 I can buy a new map book and without all the mistakes that come with TomTom maps, I can use the TomTom for basic stuff and for any important navigating use the book to plan out a route.

Yes we are screwed by TomTom is AU. I have a Go 930 and the map update price is also $AUD139.95 -- now the 930 comes with loads of maps, it would cost an absolute fortune to update them all.

And I can get a new GPS for about $25 more with the latest maps, not the 930, but a new one refurbished with 3 months warranty.

The map update pricing is absolutely ridiculous and it cannot be justified. At half the price, I'll consider it, but not at full AU price, it's just a joke.

 

[jacuba]

Map update problems.

I also have issues with what is actually updated with the quarterly map update. We recently traveled I-76 in Eastern CO and my 920 showed rest stops that had been abandoned for years and no longer exist...... I also have issues with downloading the large files every time. I connect my 920 to my pc and it shows that a new map is available. Since my 920 cannot hold both old and new maps I need to delete the old map from my unit. After doing so I go back to map updates and my map update does not show up. If I go to update maps the only update option is the one that I have to pay for. The last time this happened I contacted TT and we had to rename my TT home and download it again before my paid for update showed up again. Am I doing something wrong?