TomTom free update was it a sales con?

[macabethiel]

I bought a Tom Tom GO 720 many years ago and registered the device for the warranty but never bothered with map updates as they were not free.

Although the unit is probably 12 years old and has had the plug repaired it works just fine for going to France etc. Today I had notification that no more updates are available and due to GPS WNRO my device will not be supported so I need to have the free updates as WNRO is rolled out after 6th April 2019.

I duly went for the last chance saloon update - now my device has stopped working as it says no maps found. As I have never had an update I have no backed up previous maps. The help link on my display is a dead end.

I did though get an offer of a couple of new TomTom models at a discounted price - a coincidence? I have a newer Garmin and Satnav in our Jeeps but feel well miffed.

 

[jims-terrano]

What’s GPS WNRO?

I have an old tomtom one and love the way it works but like yours no updates as it was bought in 2006. Just sits in glove box hardly used but when I want it just fires up and works.
Got a newer model about 3 years old. Works totally differ and hasn’t got points of interested that are as programmable like the one was. Horrible device lives in wifes draw in living room.

 

[macabethiel]

Hi Jim,

This is what it says in the e-mail I haven't a clue what it means by week number roll over.

One-time update for your device

This message is regarding your navigation device with serial number:

M67307B03865

Due to the upcoming WNRO on 6 April 2019, the performance of your device will be impacted.

While we no longer offer content and service updates for your device, we have made an update available that addresses the GPS Week Number Rollover (WNRO).

TO UPDATE: Connect your device to your computer. Click the ‘update now’ button for instructions​ on how to update your device.

Important note: When you connect your navigation device to your computer, you will see a pop-up stating that it is not possible to make the update. This is normally the case for devices for which we are no longer able to support, but as this is an external issue related to GPS WNRO, we are offering a software update. Close the pop-up and continue with the update.

I followed the instructions as they appeared.

 

[jims-terrano]

Oh right, bet mine won’t update. Suppose I’d better check the newer model first and ensure it’s updated. Then will have to see if my old tomtom one will update, to be honest that’s the one I’d love to update.

 

[macabethiel]

Map function restored - I think

Oh right, bet mine won’t update. Suppose I’d better check the newer model first and ensure it’s updated. Then will have to see if my old tomtom one will update, to be honest that’s the one I’d love to update.

Hi Jim,

If your device was registered and you have the same e-mail address you should get the e-mail all about it.
I have just spent an hour or mre with various options (re-set button did not change anything) and have managed to somehow install some maps so now it appears to be working again. I suspect that there was a backed up copy somewhere. It started to work again after I installed maps for the Netherlands! lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I asked on a Jeep Forum if the built in SatNav will be able to cope with this GPS issue, but like most posts, I never got a reply.

Basically, the GPS system is having it's own version of the Y2K bug, and the Date and Time stamp will revert to 00000 or what ever on April the 6th. Most older SatNavs will be affected, but it does not seem to have been widely publicised, considering how many people it will affect.

 

[macabethiel]

I asked on a Jeep Forum if the built in SatNav will be able to cope with this GPS issue, but like most posts, I never got a reply.

Basically, the GPS system is having it's own version of the Y2K bug, and the Date and Time stamp will revert to 00000 or what ever on April the 6th. Most older SatNavs will be affected, but it does not seem to have been widely publicised, considering how many people it will affect.

Yikes, I never thought about that messing up both of my in car SatNavs, I guess it will be a dealer update only if it's still a factory supported system. This link seems to say it might all be ok.

https://www.xyht.com/gnsslocation-tech/wnro/

 

[jims-terrano]

I’ve still got the email addresses from when I got it but that was a long time ago so no idea about registration, can’t imagine not but there were no updates with it either. I still have the original SD card as it was small so copied original to a bigger card so that i had space for more voices and points of interest. At the end of the day if it doesn’t work just hard lines nothing I can do just bin it.

 

[panelbeater]

i got a new tom tom 50 go,a few years ago about £120 ,reg it on line and updated it a few times a year free.the first thing to go wrong was the battery only lasting a few mins,i put up with this for a couple of years untill it kept craching on boot up even though it was on power.it also lost the speech side of it as well.
i bit the bullit and got a battery from flee b,managed to get it apart without damage and fitted new battery.
it booted without crashing and i put it on power to charge for a few hours.
but what prompted me to do this was an email saying it needed updating from tom tom but as it kept crashing i decided to new battery it.
now i connected to tom tom site and installed the update and now it works like new,i even have speach back so for under a tenner it is fully working unite.
i am pleasefd.

 

[macabethiel]

Fitting batteries etc

i got a new tom tom 50 go,a few years ago about £120 ,reg it on line and updated it a few times a year free.the first thing to go wrong was the battery only lasting a few mins,i put up with this for a couple of years untill it kept craching on boot up even though it was on power.it also lost the speech side of it as well.
i bit the bullit and got a battery from flee b,managed to get it apart without damage and fitted new battery.
it booted without crashing and i put it on power to charge for a few hours.
but what prompted me to do this was an email saying it needed updating from tom tom but as it kept crashing i decided to new battery it.
now i connected to tom tom site and installed the update and now it works like new,i even have speach back so for under a tenner it is fully working unite.
i am pleasefd.

Always good if you can fix it yourself. A few years back I put a new battery in the wifes Sony e-reader by following a U tube video. She has never used it though I read the free books. Read yesterday that e-books are finished / finishing ! Kindle stole the market I guess.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Yikes, I never thought about that messing up both of my in car SatNavs, I guess it will be a dealer update only if it's still a factory supported system. This link seems to say it might all be ok.

https://www.xyht.com/gnsslocation-tech/wnro/

Fingers crossed, I have just got the hang of aĺl the steering controls, would hate to loose their function fitting an aftermarket unit.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[macabethiel]

Fingers crossed, I have just got the hang of aĺl the steering controls, would hate to loose their function fitting an aftermarket unit.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I guess you mean those sneaky little buttons on the underside of the steering wheel hub - three on each side - both our Jeeps have them.

 

[jims-terrano]

This has prompted me to check updates on our newer tomtom, much as I don’t like the way it operates compared to older unit I know that we have it so better to keep it updated. Just taken ages to update, about 700mb so I’m guessing one of the updates would of been for this gps glitch.
Will take a look at my older tomtom one later and see if I can update it or if it is bound for the bin on Saturday.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I guess you mean those sneaky little buttons on the underside of the steering wheel hub - three on each side - both our Jeeps have them.

Thats the ones, the amount of times a good track would come on and instead of turning it up, I skipped it.. so frustrating... lol 1st world problems!!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[macabethiel]

The power of advertising & doubt !!

Well took stock regarding our loose SatNav units, one very old TomTom & a cheap and cheerful Garmin that I used for work.

The Boss offered to buy me a new Satnav for my birthday next month so this morning we purchased a TomTom GO 6200 the modern day equivalent of our old unit.

The loyalty deals offered by TomTom were worthless as the prices quoted were based on US prices, looked on Amazon but decided to buy local from Halfrauds. I have been pondering on a new Satnav for the last 6 months plus I had no idea what I wanted for my birthday.

 

[jims-terrano]

Sounds nice, you’ll have to let us know how you get on with it

 

[briggie]

I have a tom tom start 20 with free lifetime updates , ive just updated it no problem , had it about 5 years too

 

[macabethiel]

Sounds nice, you’ll have to let us know how you get on with it

Have so far just set it up not at present linking it to my phone, the menu is nothing like the old postcode entry system. There is a search window you just type what you know in the box and it seems to find the address a bit like google maps.

Instructions are not great - it assumes you know you can swipe across the screen to find all the icons. If you have a modern smart phone it is probably simple. I am still in the "Learning Dip" phase no sign of a Curve just yet - early days yet Jim.

Automatic updates via Wi-Fi is good so far.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Well the good news is my Jeep did not blow up and burst into flames, and thw satnav still works. Result. [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[macabethiel]

Well the good news is my Jeep did not blow up and burst into flames, and thw satnav still works. Result. [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thought the journey time might show you arriving before you left - back to the future style.lol