TomTom's Grandfather Policy?

[DennisCooper]

Hi all,

I've had a little trawl through the search feature but it seems there's not really much officially from TomTom for what I'd like. Also, I think the 'making' V7 from other devices install and work on the Orbit2 is too convoluted for me as I don't have time to faff about.

If I buy TomTom V6 and the USA/Canada maps from TomTom themselves, does anyone know about their grandfathering policy ? this means if I buy this V6 and they announce V7 inc usa/canada maps say in 2 weeks time, would I get sent the latest version ?

I just don't really fancy paying and then TomTom announcing the latest release 2 minutes later!

So is there any indication of a likely release date for Navigator V7 from TomTom for use on the Orbit 2 yet!?!

Also, whats the difference in buying the USA & Canada map and then the regional versions? are the regional versions more detailed? or is it just a size of map issue? if it's just map file size issue, then it's no problem to me as I have an 8GB card in my device.

Cheers, Dennis, West London UK!

[sonus]

If I buy TomTom V6 and the USA/Canada maps from TomTom themselves, does anyone know about their grandfathering policy ? this means if I buy this V6 and they announce V7 inc usa/canada maps say in 2 weeks time, would I get sent the latest version ?


I have no idea, most software manufacturers offer some sort of grandfathering which could be in the form of a free update or a discount on the newer software. But, there's really no point in guessing. Try calling them (and speaking to more than just one person if neccessary)


So is there any indication of a likely release date for Navigator V7 from TomTom for use on the Orbit 2 yet!?!


Again, no idea. I have heard rumors that TT7 will only be available as oem software for specific devices. But it seems silly that they would go this route, as there is less money in going this route. I would guess that they'll be releasing it soon, as it seems to be finished.


Also, whats the difference in buying the USA & Canada map and then the regional versions? are the regional versions more detailed? or is it just a size of map issue? if it's just map file size issue, then it's no problem to me as I have an 8GB card in my device.


No difference, just size/price, and convenience if you are traveling between regions. I don't think that you can route between regions that are not purchased together as a unit.

In reference to your dilema, could you get buy with the free city map that comes with TomTom6 on the Cruise until there is any new info on TT7? Or could you get by using Googlemaps/Livesearch until then?

[Philip]

I have heard rumors that TT7 will only be available as oem software for specific devices. But it seems silly that they would go this route, as there is less money in going this route. I would guess that they'll be releasing it soon, as it seems to be finishedTomTom have been hit so badly by software piracy that they are very unlikely to release TT7 (apart form OEM versions).

Looks like the software pirates have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. I wonder how many more software developers will stop producing new products because of the losses due to piracy?

[sonus]

TomTom have been hit so badly by software piracy that they are very unlikely to release TT7 (apart form OEM versions).

Looks like the software pirates have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. I wonder how many more software developers will stop producing new products because of the losses due to piracy?

I'm not dening that they've been hit hard by piracy, but I don't think ony offering it as oem will solve their problem. If anything it will perpetuate the problem, as even less people will be able to get it through legitamate venues.

The ways to lessen piracy are to reduce prices, increase availability, and/or increase their software protection against cracking.

[bulukaki]

hi,

I have the SD card version of TomTom 6 that came with my polaris (well I assume it is because it is offered at the place I bought it from). I don't think you can upgrade or update it. the reason I said that, is because I was looking for another region's map from Garmin and they said anything put in SD card is not update-able or upgrade-able since it is made per order. some features are available if compared to the one that comes with the GPS hardware. once you set it up, that's it. my seller says that I have to uninstall the program and reinstall it again if I want to change the voice.

[sonus]

hi,

I have the SD card version of TomTom 6 that came with my polaris (well I assume it is because it is offered at the place I bought it from). I don't think you can upgrade or update it. the reason I said that, is because I was looking for another region's map from Garmin and they said anything put in SD card is not update-able or upgrade-able since it is made per order. some features are available if compared to the one that comes with the GPS hardware. once you set it up, that's it. my seller says that I have to uninstall the program and reinstall it again if I want to change the voice.

Why would you look for TomTom maps on Garmin's website? I don't have the SD version, I have the software version of TomTom, but I can't imagine that the SD version is not updateable. Start your TomTom software on the phone, goto TomTom Plus and try either downlaoding a map update, or a a voice there.

[robtang]

Some dealers are actually shipping "trial" versions of tomtom6 on a sd card with full country maps (rather then just a city map) usually just for the price of the SD card, this version doesn't work with any Tomtom plus services and you cant add extra maps etc. The proper version everything works.

As for grandfarthering tomtom has never grandfartherd any previous version so dont expect it for 6->7, then again its probably a bad idea to expect a proper version 7 at all.

To be honest if it wasn't for GPS smartphones tomtom would have abandoned the PDA version ages ago, whats the point when you're making tons more money on the PNA/PND market ? and OEM installation is a no brainer too, its a guaranteed sale when the pda version is really targeted at the people who are most likely to priate it.

[---Alex---]

TomTom have been hit so badly by software piracy that they are very unlikely to release TT7 (apart form OEM versions).

Looks like the software pirates have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. I wonder how many more software developers will stop producing new products because of the losses due to piracy?
I have communicated several times with Tomtom about a newer version software and maps. Never received an indication. And then to discover that it is available as OEM only. There is no way that you can buy it, only pre-installed on the HTC Diamond. You can only buy V6 for the PDA, whith maps that are out of date. Instead of pirates killing the goose I strongly believe that Tomtom killed their goose.

[bulukaki]

Why would you look for TomTom maps on Garmin's website? I don't have the SD version, I have the software version of TomTom, but I can't imagine that the SD version is not updateable. Start your TomTom software on the phone, goto TomTom Plus and try either downlaoding a map update, or a a voice there.

uhm... I didn't explain myself clearly. the other region's map I was looking for is the South East Asia region. TomTom didn't have it, only Garmin has it. that's why I was at the Garmin website and when I called them inquiring about whether the SD card version can be updated or not, that was their answer... "anything we put on SD card is made per order and the only thing you can update is the map that comes in your phone or the one you buy in DVD"

so, no, I didn't look for a TomTom's map in Garmin's website :o ...sorry for the mistake in the wording.

and as far as the SD card version, I asked the seller about it and he said it's a 1 time deal, you buy it, you own it until it broke :) there is nothing you can do to it.

[Nils8]

DO NOT BUY V6 MAPS! You will loose your money!

Sorry for shouting but I tomtom made me mad. Bought Europe v 6.75 which was not discounted in contrast to v7 maps for my Orbit2 only to hear afterwards from the support that there will be NO update from tomtom6 to 7 or any discount on the maps. The v6 europe map also has fewer countries included than the v7 version. They suggested me to buy the full version of v7 when it eventually comes out.

So TomTom forced me to buy an older map with less content for more money without offering any update/upgrade path. Money lost. Consumer angered.

Also the new version of TomTom Home is NOT working with TomTom 6. So you have to get the outdated one. That also means no map share and less voices and POI's to choose from.

Better grab a TomTom7.cab and get a v7 map. People have reported that this combination works. The recent version of TomTom Home seems to work with that for the most part. Map Share works (with my v6 map). Putting on some extra stuff like voices doesn't. At least for me.

Or if you are in the market for a navigation software anyhow consider getting something else with a good policy on updates and maps.

TomTom support also sucks as a rule of thumb.

Of course the software itself works well.


P.S.

As for regional vs. bigger maps: I think it's just the map size in mb. I can't see a difference between the german map in the europe pack vs. the germany-austria-swiss pack. In most cases you will be better of buying the larger map pack as they are much cheaper than adding each country/region individually. Also this way path finding across borders will work better. I have seen no major problem performance wise with the complete western europe map vs. the smaller one on my polaris.

[robtang]

Garmin's map system is actually quite nice, its broken down into much smaller sections than a whole country and you can just upload the relevent maps rather then keeping a massive map pack on your gps system. and you can always update the SD version, the problem is getting hold of the maps in the first place...

Just to further the tomtom thing its also questionable to buy V7 maps (if you really must have the latest maps) as tomtom are actually moving onto V8 maps and software soon (for PNAs), which are obviously not compatiable with navigator 7.