By: Rich Owings

Rich Owings — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:20:46 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to share that!

By: Rich Owings

Rich Owings — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:11:53 +0000

No, I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. With 1800+ pages, that’s often the only way I find out about errors. Hopefully it will be fixed in the next 24-48 hours. I’m waiting to hear back from my theme developer.

By: robbyray

robbyray — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:59:52 +0000

Rich Owings has always provided excellent help and comparisons for which I remain very grateful. My problem tonight after being a TomTom user for many years with three different TomTom GPS devices (GO 920 “my favorite”, XXL 550 TM, XXL 540 TM) is that I’ve concluded that TomTom has too many flaws to be considered a premium product. My problems started years ago with a crazy total loss of functionality (flashing, uncontrollable screens) in the 920 due to dirt under the bezel. That was fixed by using a piece of cardboard and clearing the debris between the screen and the bezel. This fix was not something that TomTom had on their web site but was the result of an Internet search. However the biggest problems have been with the total loss of GPS signal and thus total loss of device functionality while driving in unknown, large city routes in a motorhome when suddenly, with a clear, uninhibited view of the sky, the 540 lost satellite signal and stopped functioning. This was not only inconvenient, it was frustrating when you need a GPS the most, it dies due to a non-fixable “loss of GPS signal” when the bright blue sky was all around. Lastly, and the final straw, the service from TomTom and the web site is one of the most “unfriendly user” service and site I’ve experienced. Tonight, based on Rich’s excellent advice, I tried to fix the GPS loss of satellite signal problem by reinstalling the latest Home program. I tried to do this simple step using a new laptop. My GPS evidently had code from my prior updates embedded and explicitly tied to my old laptop and consequently it did not recognize the new computer and consequently it did not allow me access to Home. The instructions from TomTom, once I found them on their web site were not difficult to navigate, but good code in this day and age should never require manual intervention for something as common and simple as logging in using a different computer. I even established a new account with a different email address and password to no avail. When I went to TomTom online help to find a simpler way to deal with the problem, the technician wanted $30 to offer me the help I needed. Earlier, when my first 540 malfunctioned right after I had purchased it and wasn’t fixable, returning it was difficult and after I returned everything in the original box, I was told I shouldn’t have shipped everything back — just the device itself. TomTom did correct the return with the rest of the charger, etc., but the experience was nothing as quick and simple as I’ve experienced with the likes of Amazon, Dell, and other online-initiated repairs or returns. So my bottom line, compared to a competitor’s product I recently purchased, is that TomTom is OK but at the low end of average relative to online support and help. It’s possible that I’ve just used these devices for too long and others have not experienced any of these problems. There are many things I like about a TomTom, especially user inputs for updates, and the user-friendly use of the device itself. If my problems are unique to me, I hope others speak up and calm the waters compared to my experience. I hope these comments are helpful to TomTom and to others who are considering purchasing a new TomTom device.

Comments on: TomTom comparison chart

By: Rich Owings

By: Rich Owings

By: robbyray