“life” of Tom Tom sat navs

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Like others I find Google Maps excellent for in car use. It will connect my phone to the car’s computer and display system, and operate with voice controls such as “Hey Google, navigate to nearest filling station”.

However, for my old camper-van it is a bit dangerous as it doesn’t take height into account when planning routes. For that I have a Garmin Camper GPS which came with lifetime map updates about ten years ago.  I just updated the maps this morning and it still worked so hoping they don’t follow Tomtom!

Russell

[Oldiron]

On Oldiron Said:

On John Doe 2 Said:

I use Apple maps…….I am still not sure though if it is illegal to use a phone as a SatNav while being the driver of the car

I was assured by a traffic policeman friend that if you set it up and turn on before you leave it is a satnav.  As long as you do not makes calls or texts while driving it is ok to use as a satnav. The same rules as phones apply ie do not touch or alter settings whilst driving.

 

Interesting. And I suppose that if you were stopped and questioned; you could ask the traffic Cop to check the call log and message log to confirm that you had not been using the phone as a phone.

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Slightly deviating from the main thread – but still relevant – what about ‘satnavs’ built in to cars. My VW (about 3 years old) has one, like most do these days, and appears to work fine – but I’ve never been able to find out how (or if) these get updated, nothing in the user manual. Seems to work perfectly well, but these days I don’t travel as far & wide so haven’t run into any issues with the routes etc. to date

Just wondered if someone might know?

Mike

[Oldiron]

On Oldiron Said:

On John Doe 2 Said:

I use Apple maps, and my car has a very handy phoned-sized pull-out tray/drawer, on which the phone can rest at a near perfect viewing position whilst giving me navigation. I have even drilled a hole in the base of the tray so I can have the charging lead plugged-in while the phone is working.

 

I am still not sure though if it is illegal to use a phone as a SatNav while being the driver of the car ? Could one be fined and receive licence points for doing so ?

I was assured by a traffic policeman friend that if you set it up and turn on before you leave it is a satnav.  …

The ‘set it up’ includes a need for the phone in satnav to be fixed to the dash where the driver can see it.  Using a phone or a satnav with it balanced on a knee, or hand-held,  isn’t OK, because that distracts the driver.   Nothing complicated, needed the holder is just a frame with a rubber sucker!

Dave

 

 

[NealebParticipant @nealeb]

Various posters have mentioned connecting their phone to the car on-board display via Android Auto or the Apple equivalent, so you get a decent size screen and the phone can stay somewhere unreachable so demonstrably not handheld. Can you then “drive” the GPS function via the car’s controls, or do you have to set up the destination and so on before you set off?

Although my car does support Android Auto, it also has a built-in GPS, so coming back to the recent question… The car came with a 3-year subscription to an over-the-air update service that gives me 6 updates – so, roughly 6 monthly. Once they stop, I might be back to Android Auto and Google Maps! That’s on an Audi, by the way, so not sure if it would apply to VW albeit almost the same company. I’m sure that every car company will have its own variation on this theme.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

The rule on phone use while driving is about using it HAND HELD. If it is a holder so you only need a finger to operate it it is legal. Holding a non-phone GNSS (sat nav) is illegal under the same law as using a phone:

https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

Interestingly I can use a hand-held microphone to talk on my amateur radio transceivers.

More interestingly, and news to me, is it is illegal for a passenger to LET tne driver use a handheld phone:
“(2) No person shall cause or permit any other person to drive a motor vehicle on a road while that other person is using—

(a)a hand-held mobile telephone;”

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695

Never heard of anyone getting done for it though. I think it is mainly intended for cases like employers effectively forcing use of a phone while driving.

Robert.

[Nealeb]

On Nealeb Said:

Various posters have mentioned connecting their phone to the car on-board display via Android Auto or the Apple equivalent, so you get a decent size screen and the phone can stay somewhere unreachable so demonstrably not handheld. Can you then “drive” the GPS function via the car’s controls, or do you have to set up the destination and so on before you set off?

Although my car does support Android Auto, it also has a built-in GPS, so coming back to the recent question… The car came with a 3-year subscription to an over-the-air update service that gives me 6 updates – so, roughly 6 monthly. Once they stop, I might be back to Android Auto and Google Maps! That’s on an Audi, by the way, so not sure if it would apply to VW albeit almost the same company. I’m sure that every car company will have its own variation on this theme.

Android auto (aa) allows you to set up the destination from the car screen, and even better by voice commands.  Just say hey google, then when it responds state the destination address.  You can also enable/disable voice guidance by asking it.  If the infotainment system supports android auto it works the same way irrespective of car model. Since starting to use aa on my golf I never now use the car’s own satnav.

[KEITH BEAUMONTParticipant @keithbeaumont45476]

I have just received a e- mail from  TomTom, Saying they have noticed I have been trying to update my now obsolete, Device and offering 25% reduction on purchase of a new one!

I have also just remembered that in October/23 I paid £24.00 for another year of Speed Camera updates, so they have caught me on that one too.

Keith.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

I will probably be using my Tom Tom in two weeks’ time so it will be interesting to see how “she” and I get on, in the light of the above discussion.

Luckily I could still find my destination by maps and memory although not very easily. I did up-date it a few months ago and don’t recollect too much difficulty, other than from MS WIN-11 trying to deny the outside electronic world exists, but I may try plugging it in to the PC and see what happens…

The more serious difficulty is that by very infrequent use its internal battery runs so flat it needs a couple of hundred miles to recharge and for the instrument to start. Probably worth me using it once every couple of weeks or so even on regular journeys, just to keep it charged. And to give the lady in the box a little exercise.

.

It is though a right so-and-so to use. Entering a new destination, which you’d imagine should be quick and simple, is the most awkward task going. It has no equivalent of “Enter”, and its programmer seems to think you only ever enter such information just as you set off. For you have to remember that at some point you select “Drive”, assuming you have remembered the correct sequence to reach that appearing on the screen. Make a mistake and you have to start all over again.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Although my old (By their standards) SAt nave now updates (“LIfe time updates”) I too have been rceeiving meaasages fro Tom Tom offering major discounts on a new device.

But why would i want life time updates  on worldwide maps, when i am never going to vist all those countyries.

Shades of “12 months free breakdown insurance” on a brand new car!

Howard

[KEITH BEAUMONT]

On KEITH BEAUMONT Said:

Dave, No problem with my PC. It is 3 years old.16 GB Ram ,64 bit, 1 Tbt SSD.

I have now found an anouncement from TOMTOM, undated, saying they  are to discontinue support of “Life ” map updates for older items that cannot handle more modern facilities. A long list contains both of my Sat Navs. They define “lifetime”as when they consider it has  reached the time they no longer support it. They note that in 2010, the  maps of Europe were1.6 GB and now are 6.5 GB. Both my units have only used 20% of installed memory, so  I cant see a problem there.

I think their method of cutting us off is very confusing and time wasting. If they can notify of an update,surely they can use the same system to say you are now not to receive any more updates.

Keith.

As I understand it, after it being optional Google now builds a database of maps for the area you usually drive in and if you plan a route it downloads the maps in advance.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The problem I have is that my car only lets the Satnav come through bluetooth if the radio is set to bluetooth media… which means I can’t listen to the radio or cds!

This means if bluetooth is on, the audio goes to the car system but doesn’t overide radio or cd, like a phone call does.

So I have to have bluetooth on if I want to use the phone and off to use the satnav.

If anyone has found a work around for this (android phone)…

Neil

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I guess you mean satnav voice guidance Neil?  What car, does it support Google Auto through a USB connection?

[KEITH BEAUMONTParticipant @keithbeaumont45476]

Having gone through all the hiatus with TomTom in early April deciding the “life” of my two units was at an end and would no longer be updated by them, I subsequently removed all the programmes  relating to TomTom.

Today I received an e-mail from them,saying my maps were overdue being updated and to click the link to start the update process. This I did. It then recognised that I did not have the necessary downloader,gave me another link to start that happening and the result is that I was then able to bring both sat navs up to date with latest maps and speed camera information. Result!  What all the previous was about, I have no idea, but If anyone else had the same treatment at that time, I suggest trying again to update,

Keith.

[Michael CallaghanParticipant @michaelcallaghan68621]

What Tom-Tom mean by life is not for ever, but for the time period they support the product. That time period depends on sales and issues far from what is seen has customer care

[Author]

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