Map Share vs. Map updates??

[jefferis]

Hi folks. I use my TomTom one about 5 times a year for long distance travel. I'm not in a major city. I think I'm rarely in need of map updates, since the major Interstates in the US don't change and because AFAIK the maps are not updated for construction blockages and delays...
But I am subscribed to Map Share. SO my questions are: what is the difference between the shared maps which could be fairly current and a map update for $40?
Can you get by with just the shared corrections, since they probably eventually have the real road changes anyway?

Thanks
Jeff

 

[canderson]

One shortcoming is that MapShare does not permit the addition of roads. So if new pavement has been added since your last map, MapShare isn't going to reflect those.

In addition, what MapShare corrections occur are entirely arbitrary, based mostly on whether a TomTom user has a) been where you are, and b) took the time to make an appropriate correction.

But for the kind of driving you're talking about, you are probably in good shape. Something might get missed, true, but you will probably do just fine with the maps you've got for the kind of driving you describe.

 

[dhn]

Map share changes apply to a specific map. Some changes you make can be seen immediately on your map, many can't. When you get a map update, there is no guarantee that any changes you made (or others did) on a previous map will even be implemented on a newer one.

So, the decision has to be made as to whether you are having problems having good routing implemented with your current map for the areas you drive in; after all, one change that CANNOT be made using mapshares is the addition of new roads.

Therefore, if there have been lots of those in your area and your current map doesn't show them, you may wish to update your map and hope some of the new roads are implemented in the new map.

If you go to google maps for an area, an inclusion of a new road in a certain area often means that same new road will appear in the next TT map update. But even that is not 100% guarantee.

So, bottom line: if you're happy with the map you have and it fits your needs quite nicely, then you needn't rush to have the 'latest and greatest'. Having said that, though, a feature such as IQ2 routing is only available with maps 815+.

So, no right answer, I'm afraid.

 

[jefferis]

What is IQ2 routing and 815+ ? My map for the One 3rd Edition is 5 quarters old... I have not subscribed to a realtime city service...

Also, for map share corrections, to make them, is it automatic when you go a different route than the Tom prescribed route, and then log in and update your Tom with the software? I don't see a manual way to make user corrections...

Jeff

 

[sageuvagony]

TomTom should get with the program and just let us preview the map before we download them. Garmin does this. You can litterally preview the map before you decide to purchase it from their website. I went to their website to see how much a map would cost, and was surprised to see a "preview map" feature on their site. You have access to the entire map.

Sure we can use google maps for TomTom, but that's not something that works 100%. There are a bit of differences at times. Blahhh

Perhaps we should ALL email TomTom and suggest that we be able to preview the map before we purchase.

 

[Uncle Tom]

Not trying to high-jack this thread from the original posters question, but feel this question could fit... From my understanding that changes made with my current version of maps "could" then be implemented with the next map release. What happens if I'm 2 versions back and still make changes with the older version? Will these changes still be released in the next map version even though I'm already 2 versions back (assuming those changes didn't take place with the in-between versions)?

 

[dhn]

Not necessarily. Once a map is one year old, you no longer get mapshares for that map.

You can't assume changes incorporated in an older map will get implemented in a new one. Having said that, TT said that 830 was the first map to incorporate (verified) changes provided by users in the map data.

 

[Uncle Tom]

Not necessarily. Once a map is one year old, you no longer get mapshares for that map.

You can't assume changes incorporated in an older map will get implemented in a new one. Having said that, TT said that 830 was the first map to incorporate (verified) changes provided by users in the map data.

Oh yes, thats right.. Boy they sure got ya in the $$. Although tt has the best upgrade packages out there and another reason for me purchasing tt product.

 

[dhn]

Well, TT doesn't have the best (Garmin for some models has a flat rate to cover upgrades for life) but TT's is pretty good and sure a heck of a lot better than when it was about $100 US for just one map.

 

[CynicX]

Two things I'd like to mention here.

First, I've seen roads literally removed off the map with a mapshare update (not map update) from the map.

ex: Woodholme Way, Elkton, MD used to connect to Old Elk Neck Rd, Elkton, MD. It tried to have me take that route through roads that didnt exist. I closed the road on my GPS and it was grayed out (actually violet and white stripes) meaning it was wrong and it was avoided. Weeks later it wasnt even there anymore and it was before my May update (first update)...

Secondly, Google Maps can and is usually more inaccurate then our TomTom's with the latest maps.

ex: Same area as before, Wild Laural Ct across Woodholme Way on the Northeast side according to Googlemaps is Wild Laural Ct. Those of us with a updated map of 830 can see that is actually Ground Pine Path. Ground Pine Path is the accurate road name (I've been there).

Side note that most of that area had "Unnamed Roads", I went through and labeled all the roads in that area. Now they are in Tomtom and Googlemaps. Thank me later...

 

[sageuvagony]

You know what's weird though? I was at my friends house earlier this week, and around her complex, my map kept showing "unnamed road" (as current road and next turn), but would actually SPEAK out the real names of the road (such as orange grove drive). I've never seen that happen before.

Ohh and another thing, I mentioned earlier in this thread that we should be able to preview. I just realized that we have the TomTom Route Planner. I could only assume that they use the TomTom latest map for the route planner, no?

 

[CynicX]

Oops I forgot my point...

Anyway, if you want to look at new maps you'd be better off going with Digital Mapping & Navigation Solutions- Tele Atlas > report map changes and browsing the map...

The only thing that really pisses me off about teleatlas.com is you sometimes cant zoom in far enough to see the name of a road. Serious, how stupid is that? How are you supposed to change a map if you cant even see the damn thing...

ex: same area. Ground Pine Path, Elkton, MD is ON teleatlas map (you can search it) but when looking at it you cant zoom in too see it being labeled on the road. I didnt play around with it too much but it wasnt easily visible anyway...

 

[mvl]

The teleatlas mapinsight site was transitioned to the route planner server a few months ago. If you look at the bitmaps it pulls down, they are from routes.tomtom.com. Mapinsight used to be a way to see changes about 3 months before tomtom gets it, but no longer. routes.tomtom.com is usually updated a few weeks after the map release.

The route planner at routes.tomtom.com is now at the 830 map level. It happenned a few weeks ago. I found a physical change from 825 to 830, and just noticed it flipped over.