TomTom
I think it wouldn’t be too sweeping a statement to suggest that if we don’t personally own a TomTom satellite navigation system, we probably know someone who does.
TomTom quickly established itself very early on in the sat nav market. Offering customers access to the mapping system at a reasonably low cost over a span of around 10 years TomTom did very well for itself.
The decline of TomTom
Don’t get me wrong, TomTom as a company is still very much a going concern. It would, however, not be fair to suggest that the company has had it all its own way in recent years.
Having recently pulled out of the wearable and sports camera market, it’s all seen demand for its product drop. This is no doubt partly due to sat navs being a reasonable standard build-in addition to a car and also the rise of smartphones.
Likely based on this, TomTom has therefore announced that the following models are no longer going to receive updates or new maps.
Do I still get my free lifetime updates?
TomTom has said that they will continue to release updates for these models, but only those necessary to keep them running and connected to satellites.
The short answer is no. This in itself might seem like a contradiction. I mean, lifetime is lifetime surely? Well, no. It’s not. On their website, TomTom points out that ‘lifetime’ only refers to an acceptable lifespan of a product.
Incidentally, they also point out some discounts on models which are still supported. Not that they are drawing any comparison between the two decisions.
Therefore, despite the fact that you may have bought one of the above models only last Christmas, the model itself is now deemed passed its lifespan.
Why are they doing this?
The immediate conclusion is to sell more modern models. if your current model is no longer receiving map updates, it’s only a matter of time before it’s largely useless. Particularly if you regularly commute through cities whose infrastructure is always changing.
So, I think it’s a cynical move frankly, but what do you think? A necessary decision to move away from older designs? A cynical cash grab? – Let us know in the comments!
I have JUST paid for another 12 months of up dates on mine they should of said, they should of not of taken
you’ll probably be alright if you paid for 12 months. The real issue is the so-called ‘lifetime free’ map updates.
I have had this problem for some time. A perfectly serviceable TomTom one no lover existed according to them, so I continue to use it as it is. Some parts are out of date but it is mainly ok and I can live with it but I will never buy TomTom again.LIFETIME?TRADING Standards????
Norman Mackett
This is totally unacceptable. I bought a satnav with lifetime map updates less than a year ago. I expect updates while ever the unit works that’s updates 2 or 3 times a year. I feel I’ve been conned into paying extra for nothing.
Very unhappy TomTom, certainly won’t buy any more of their products.
A disgraceful cash grab I am afraid. I have heard from Tom Tom who say it is for technical reasons (I do not believe this, anyway, don’t they work on magic). They also say they would continue to supply paid for maps including lifetime maps (though fail to mention that they determine what the lifetime is. Strange that I can buy the same model today online (presumably without any hope of an updated map. They began their email response saying they are sorry my satnav is end of life (actually it is fine, they have decided to kill it). They offer a discount but only on selected much more expensive devices. I cannot see customers treated this way buying another tomtom.
Avoid TomTom ! If you try to upload a map even from a brand new TomTom, it will take forever. I tried to upload a map and gave up after 48 hours !
No more TomTom for me. This is a rip off. Always had their products. Never again.
Might be best start looking at Garmen or others on the market Loyalty counts for nothing obviously with these lot
doesn’t really affect me as iv never had a TomTom that’s lasted past 18 months, so after my 4th one I went to Garmin
Tom Tom are attempting to rewrite the dictionary meaning for “lifetime”. What a con. I for one will go back to good old road map. You could buy quite a few £200. And use my smartphone for inner city.
Newer models are not as good or well built as the old go models ie go 520 etc a lot of features are missing on the newer models.
Its just a cash generator. So what they are saying is there products are not built to last. Last TomTom I will ever buy.
Massive PR fail here. OK it’s a declining market and things change but they are going to lose a hug chunk of their current customer base. I for one would probably avoid them like the plague now
To total rip-off by Tom Tom especially when they use the free lifetime map strap line as a major selling point.
I for one will not be buying a new device from them and will buy from a competitor eg Garmin, Cobra, Snooper etc.
Bad move and a total lack of customer awareness on Tom Tom’s part.
Dont buy TomTom sat navs again
I guess it’s another way of making money.
TomTom wants you to buy new models and ditch the old ones!!
It’s typical with technology companies!
Just fitted a new battery in my tom tom go 930 if it dies it will be replaced with a 5 or 7 inch xcody costing between £30 or £50 my son uses one in his job as a hgv driver and swears how good they are.
I bought a Via 620 in Oct 2012, and got a email that that maps updates and software updates are no longer available, in Feb 2018, ONLY 4.4 years after buying it with LIFETIME updates not up dates.
It is NOT on the list of older GPS that is not supported!
It has a SD card slot so map sizes is not the problem.
It takes TomTom 1 to 2 years to update changes in max speed limits, and speed camera locations in Adelaide, South Australia!
Is there going to be a Class action against TomTom as I will join it!!!