musings about new firmware

[glen_s]

Hi all, been awhile since I visited this board. .

Anyway, while I have been a lot happier TT (go 720) owner since they finally got Alberta maps current, I just was wondering about a couple of things related to firmware upgrades. I plug my TT in to my PC every time a new map comes out since I got the 18 month subscription, and usually get a firmware upgrade at the same time. A few things I have noticed:

My favorites always vanish after these upgrades, is there a folder I can just get them from an older backup to restore them?

The newest firmware now shows, when I am approaching a major exit on a freeway, a big popup schematic showing me which lane or off ramp to take. IMHO this is a crappy feature and I'd like to get rid of it if possible. In fact, I can see people getting sent the wrong way because of it. For example, say I am driving on a road where I want to turn left and the interchange has an overpass so I am not crossing traffic (freeways), this usually required you take the 2nd off ramp, going under the overpass then looping around and crossing it. Previous to latest firmware, it showed very clearly what you needed to do, highlighing your route and showing you making your loop and going on your way. Now though, a big intrusive schematic pops up with a big flashing arrow screaming at me to take the next off ramp! The worst part is it does NOT differentiate between the 1st and 2nd off ramp, and basically tells you to take the next available off ramp. If one was not familiar with this, I can see how you'd take the first one instead of the one you want, sending you the wrong way! This is a useless feature IMO and I wish I could turn it off, but I can't see where I can. Just leave my live map on please, I don't need big popup schematics telling me to turn!

The other thing I noticed was, that when I pair my cell for hands free, I can no longer use FM at the same time. Is this the way it is now, or is there a tweak or work around?

thanks!

 

[canderson]

Anyway, while I have been a lot happier TT (go 720) owner since they finally got Alberta maps current, I just was wondering about a couple of things related to firmware upgrades. I plug my TT in to my PC every time a new map comes out since I got the 18 month subscription, and usually get a firmware upgrade at the same time.

There hasn't been a new firmware version offered for the 720 in a couple of years. You should be at 8.351 if you have the most current.

My favorites always vanish after these upgrades, is there a folder I can just get them from an older backup to restore them?

Yes. Back up the mapsettings.cfg file just before you update your map, and copy it back to your unit after updating the map. You may find it necessary to then edit a favorite using Home to keep from having boot issues, but that's all.

The newest firmware now shows, when I am approaching a major exit on a freeway, a big popup schematic showing me which lane or off ramp to take. IMHO this is a crappy feature and I'd like to get rid of it if possible.

It's called "Reality View", and you have an option to turn it off.

Change preferences
Hide lane images

The other thing I noticed was, that when I pair my cell for hands free, I can no longer use FM at the same time. Is this the way it is now, or is there a tweak or work around?

8.350/8.351 (vs. 8.302) did some strange things to use of the FM modulator. Were you using it for music, directions, or both? You'll only be able to use FM for navigation if you are ALSO using it for mp3.

 

[glen_s]

Thanks for the answers!

I bought my 18 mo map upgrade package < 2years ago, and I thought for sure that it has upgraded the firmware at least twice since then, but I could be mistaken. Good to know about where to find how to get rid of that annoying screen, that will be the first thing I do when I get back to my truck.

On the FM, what I was wondering was having the hands free conversation over the FM, is this not possible?

thanks again for your help!

 

[mikealder]

To use the FM Tx option you need to have the mp3 player working at the same time, some stupid EU directive. The easy way around this if you don't want music playing is to creatre a silent mp3 track and set that playing with the repeat track set, this way you will get nothing but the navigation instructions over the FM - Mike

 

[canderson]

On the FM, what I was wondering was having the hands free conversation over the FM, is this not possible?

No, TomTom does not permit handsfree phone conversations to be transmitted via the FM modulator. I would imagine they were somewhat concerned that the guy in the car next to you was eavesdropping on your conversation.