TomTom Lifetime Maps/Traffic Subscription: should I do it?
Posted by jpluimers on 2010/08/12
I’m considering a TomTom Lifetime Maps/Traffic Subscription on a TomTom XXL 540 World Traveler’s Edition Series.
But given section 7 “Subscriptions (for Lifetime Maps/Traffic, see subparagraphs f and g only)” of their General Terms and Conditions (see below) – especially the underlined pieces below – I’m hesitating.
I have the gut feeling the same can happen with that device that happened with my HTC Advantage X7500 PDA:
it runs TomTom 6, since TomTom 7 does not support this PDA (might have to do with the 640×480 resolution of the PDA).
Newer maps don’t run on TomTom 6, so I’m stuck with old (Europe and USA) maps.
This TomTom XXL 540 WTE system is only available in the USA (not over here in Europe), and since I’ll be speaking at DelphiLive in less than 2 weeks from now: well, you’ll get my point :-)
I can’t seem to find out if this model has 4Gb or 2Gb memory; so anyone who knows that, please place a coment.
Also the screen resolution seems to be 480 x 272 (I’m used to 640 x 480), so I will probably need to get used to that if I buy.
So: Any opinions on what you think the map support lifetime of this XXL 540 WTE navi will be?
The XXL series are the few navi systems with a 5-inch screen, the same size as my X7500 is.
Those screens are ideal for mounting a navi a bit out of your direct windscreen sight (don’t you love those glooming screens shining in the faces of drivers at night?).
One year of map updates normally costs about USD 40; the premium of lifetime subscription over regular is about USD 60, so the math looks simple :-)
Quotes of section 7 of the General Terms and Conditions for Online Sales of TomTom Inc (“TomTom”):
7) Subscriptions (for Lifetime Maps/Traffic, see subparagraphs f and g only)
f) Upon termination of your Subscription, your License as detailed in clause 6 will terminate simultaneously.g) If you purchase a TomTom Lifetime Maps Subscription, you will receive up to four (4) map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on TomTom HOME or TomTom’s website, for one (1) compatible TomTom Product until your product’s useful life expires or TomTom no longer receives map data from its suppliers, whichever is shorter. Useful life means the period of time that your TomTom Product is serviceable and/or supportable by TomTom, including but not limited to, your TomTom Product having sufficient memory or software to accept updates to the original map data. Your TomTom Lifetime Maps Subscription may not be transferred to another person or another TomTom Product. The updates you receive under the Subscription will be updates to the same map data originally included with your TomTom Product when originally purchased. If your TomTom Product does not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the same map data originally included with your TomTom Product, you may need to select reduced map data coverage for your updates. This agreement is not a warranty, it does not alter or limit the warranty provided with your Product, and it is not intended to create any implied warranties or rights of any kind. TomTom may terminate your TomTom Lifetime Maps Subscription at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, if you violate any of the terms of these terms and conditions.
If you purchase a TomTom Lifetime Traffic Subscription, you will receive non-transferable traffic data for one (1) compatible TomTom Product until the product’s useful life expires or TomTom no longer receives traffic updates from its suppliers, whichever is shorter. Useful life means the period of time that your TomTom Product is serviceable and/or supportable by TomTom, including but not limited to, your TomTom Product having sufficient memory or software to accept updates to the original traffic data. Your TomTom Traffic Subscription may not be transferred to another person or another TomTom Product. This agreement is not a warranty, it does not alter or limit the warranty provided with your Product, and it is not intended to create any implied warranties or rights of any kind. TomTom may terminate your TomTom Lifetime Traffic Subscription at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, if you violate any of the terms of these terms and conditions.
–jeroen
via: General Terms and Conditions for Online Sales of TomTom Inc (“TomTom”).
Edit: it looks like you either need the 540S or the 540TM WTE to get 4gb (4 gigabyte) of memory.
These reviews mention a bit:
Very solid GPS with all the essential features you’d want except voice recognition,
by David Pearlman, 2010-07-21
…
10) This unit does not have an external memory slot, and the memory cannot be expanded. Full loaded with both North American and European maps, this device uses about 3.7Gb of the 4Gb that are built in. But you can easily remove the maps for either North America or Europe in standard use, if you need more space in the future. The lack of external memory means you also won’t be using this unit for playing music or videos or whatever. Again, this is no loss in my opinion. Few people use these features even when they are included.
http://www.cellphonesmegastore.com/shop/tomtom-xxl-540tm-world-traveler-lifetime-traffic-maps-edition-5-inch-widescreen-portable-gps-navigator.jsp?t=r&p=31
Decent GPS, but left wanting more,
by random guy, 2010-07-13
…
1.) Limited memory. I picked up the WTE version specifically because it came with 4 GB of RAM rather than 2 GB of the other versions. This really shouldn’t be necessary though, and it should have some form of SD memory like previous TomToms.
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