TomTom map pain

[blouis79]

Got a new XL340 (2GB), reported by Home as XL340?S IQ Routes. Wanted to add maps of europe, but the recommended ones are a fraction too large to fit as well as existing home country map. Thought I could get a map with slightly less features for a different model, but Home wouldn't let me download it after purchase. Had to get tech support change my purchase to a marginally bigger map which will not fit without deleting existing map. They said I could put the original map back on but nowhere could I find out how via TomTom tech support web site. Presumably this will have to be done manually via either a restored backup of a Windows Explorer file copy.

So my questions:
1. Although TomTom won't let me download them, are maps compatible with more than one TomTom model? Or have they locked them to specific model numbers to try to stem piracy? It would be nice to have the option to load up maps with less detail that actually fit on the TomTom. Given a choice, I'd rather TomTom let me but a map of any size with or without features. Surely they could sue some other method of piracy protection to lock them to the specific machine or owner after purchase.
2. Why can't Home let me *change* between maps I legally own (bought)? It lets me remove things but not add them from the computer. So looks like this has to be done with Windows Explorer.
3. Why does Home bother letting me copy files from TomTom to Computer if I can't copy them back to TomTom using Home?
4. Why can't Home let me backup and restore more than one configuration with the different country maps since it won't let me buy the slightly smaller one that could peacefully coexist within my 2GB?

So frustrating.....

 

[dhn]

Home is a dumb piece of software. That probably is the answer for all your questions .........

Because your model does not have a sd card slot, you will, as you've surmised, have to move the existing map to the computer using Explorer to make room for the new purchased map.

In the 'old days' (a couple of years ago) you could fool Home into obtaining a map not meant for your device but no longer. However, Home still screws up occasionally and offers a map too large for your device.

 

[blouis79]

I guess it is moot if TomTom won't let me buy a map for a different TomTom model than mine. Is there any way we can actually buy a map of a size we want rather than what TomTom wants to sell? Or would that cause problems?

I can do the copying stuff. robocopy.exe (MIcrosoft) works fine from command prompt.

TomTom USB port speed seems glacially slow. One good reason to get one wtih a card slot, since can bypass the device USB interface using a card reader.

 

[dhn]

Nope.Can't buy a map for a model other than your own.