Update now or wait?

[prdfy]

Just got my TomTom 550M yesterday. If I update now, does it count against the 4 free map updates per year or is this just a general software update?

Is there any website that has thew release schedule for the map updates?

 

[dhn]

V860 was just released a week ago. So, use the LMG to get that one.

Normally, maps are released about every 3 months (give or take a day or so...)

Thus, expect 865 in Feb 2011, 870 in May 2011, 875 in August 2011 and 880 in Nov 2011.

 

[prdfy]

Thanks. Regarding the updates, does the 4 free updates per year start when you register or is just a normal calendar year for everyone? So for example, if I update today, when the next update is released in February will my map update count will be at 4 again?

 

[canderson]

Thanks. Regarding the updates, does the 4 free updates per year start when you register or is just a normal calendar year for everyone? So for example, if I update today, when the next update is released in February will my map update count will be at 4 again?

What it actually means is that you get all of the four updates that TomTom issues each year. Doesn't matter when you do your updates - each of the new quarterly maps during the course of the year will be offered to you as they become available. So grab 860 now, and you'll be offered a new one every quarter.

 

[ApK]

You lucky folks with the 'M' models get lifetime maps, so it doesn't matter when you upgrade or if you ever use your LMG.

In my case, though, I'm waiting till December to upgrade to 860 and to buy my next year of map service, because I would not want my year to expire before next winter's map comes out, if it were to come out, say, on November 30th.

I tried to get clarification on the "4 per year" issues from Tomtom support, but as usual, they were pretty useless. The person I spoke to seemed to have a really hard time understanding how to count to '4.' It was like talking to Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel and having him just keep saying "But this one goes to eleven."

 

[canderson]

I tried to get clarification on the "4 per year" issues from Tomtom support, but as usual, they were pretty useless.

Could be they are too close to the subject and don't understand the question. Since they release 4 updates per year worldwide, you get 4 updates per year with the subscription plan or the "M" plan.

If you have the LMG on a new non-"M" unit, then yes, it makes sense to purchase a subscription only after you have executed your LMG with the best timing possible. The only way to game that system is if your 30 days will take you into a new map update soon, and we can pretty well guess when that will be for you here. Anyone just purchasing a unit is way too far from the next release, and should just go ahead and grab the LMG for 860 now.

The "4 per year" subscription begins with whatever map is next, so if you get 860 now, any subscription would start with the next (865) map update, but why send them money early?

 

[ApK]

The "4 per year" subscription begins with whatever map is next, so if you get 860 now, any subscription would start with the next (865) map update

That seems very reasonable, and it's what I'd have expected the service to be. Unfortunately, that is the one scenario I could NOT get the rep to confirm....in the case of reasonable vs. what the corporate types will actually do, I'll err on the side of caution.

My own particular scenario, if anyone is curious, is I have the 855 map and no subscription. I was holding out for another 6-for-the-price-4 sale.

I WANT the 860 sooner rather than later, because they finally fixed some streets in my area, and if I get the subscription, the current map gets added on for $9 or so for now. I don't want the price of getting current to go up on me.
Problem is, the TT rep insists that the add-on upgrade to the current map could count as one of the 4 should my 1-year elapse before next winter's map comes out. this made utterly no sense, but that's what he said. And even he suggested I wait a little while. So I'm waiting. Better safe than sorry. Upgraded my wife's TM model in the meantime...

 

[dhn]

Understand that there are two components to the subscription cost: 1) the cost to get to the most current map (the older your existing map, the more the cost to reach the current' level) and 2) the cost of 4 map updates from the 'current'.

 

[ApK]

Understand that there are two components to the subscription cost: 1) the cost to get to the most current map (the older your existing map, the more the cost to reach the current' level) and 2) the cost of 4 map updates from the 'current'.

Yes, but follow:

My case: I pay the $9 upgrade to the current map, and I pay $40 or whatever for a 1 year sub. How many maps do I get?
860 and four more? 860 and three more? 860 and however many more come out before my one year is up?

What if I already had 860 on my device? How many maps would I get if I just bought the sub for the same $40 or whatever? Would I get a different number of maps for the $40 than if I paid an upgrade fee for the current map at the same time?

I couldn't get consistent answers from the rep.

ApK

 

[dhn]

If you paid to get to 860 then you get 4 more.

If you already had 860 and paid fo a year's subscription, you still get 4 more.

 

[ApK]

If you paid to get to 860 then you get 4 more.

If you already had 860 and paid fo a year's subscription, you still get 4 more.

You're probably right. If only the TT rep would have given that straightforward an answer
I'm still waiting till next week just in case Beside, maybe they'll go on sale....