Lifetime Maps & Traffic Does the unit that comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic also come with lifetime "Live" services? On the TomTom website, it says that you cannot purchase live traffic by itself, but only as part of the Live services, but I can't find anywhere that states if the Lifetime of traffic updates is linked to the Live services. Lifetime Maps & Traffic Does the unit that comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic also come with lifetime "Live" services? On the TomTom website, it says that you cannot... » Read More Lifetime Maps & Traffic Does the unit that comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic also come with lifetime "Live" services? On the TomTom website, it says that you cannot purchase live traffic by itself, but only as part of the Live services, but I can't find anywhere that states if the Lifetime of traffic updates is linked to the Live services. « Show Less
122816
If you are talking about 340TM unit (Lifetime Maps and Traffic), it does not have the Live services capability. The traffic on the 340TM unit comes through an RDS/FM receiver which is built into the car power supply. According to my experience, the traffic information is quite useful, e.g., it avoided closed roads in Boston. I have seen slow traffic reported only on highways but never on local roads (however, I've only used the unit for 2 days).
122817
I know see your point. This is a good question. The description of "XL 340TM LIVE" is confusing in this respect. While they list the "lifetime traffic" feature as part of their "Live" services, you have to pay a monthly fee for the "Live" services. Please let me know what you hear.
122818
J. Chan has the same question I have. TomTom has a 340TM LIVE unit, but I cannot determine if the Lifetime Traffic service is Lifetime LIVE Traffic Service or a Lifetime RDS service subscription.
122819
I purchased the 340TM Live from Best Buy a few days ago. It comes with the RDS-TMC traffic receiver built in to the 12V power cord. You get 3 months worth of Live services for free, but after that it's over unless you subscribe. It still receives traffic data over FM from the RDS-TMC receiver after your Live services are disabled.
122820
Hi Sasha, TomTom has another version of the device that is called the "XL 340TM LIVE," which is available from Amazon. SamKT and I are wondering if this version has lifetime LIVE services or if it uses an RDS receiver for the "lifetime traffic" updates. After a little more searching on TomTom's website, I believe that the "lifetime traffic" is probably an RDS device since they sell that accessory in the online store. However, I e-mailed TomTom customer support and will post any reply that they send.
122821
Hi Sam, the TomTom HOME software reports that "Live" services (i.e. through a cellphone-like connection) are not supported by my 340TM unit. My understanding is that 340TM unit has an RDS service but not the "Live" services, i.e. the 340TM does not have the Google search, gas prices, etc. accessible when on the road.
1938327
I believe you can purchase the 2497LMT with lifetime maps and traffic for Europe, Andrea. I have the U.S. version and really like it. Hope it works out well for you.
821184
It comes with both Lifetime Maps and Lifetime Traffic. Be advised that if you are using Windows XP Media Center Edition, the updated will not download and install. Any later Windows version works just fine. Garmin customer support was extremely helpful in making the Map update go smoothly.
629439
This GPS comes with a car charger only, and the directions say that to get live traffic updates you must using that specific cord at the time. The other cord is for downloading updated maps from your computer. I have used this a few times now and like it. It is better than my daughter's older one, and it is not as annoying as the old one.
2252905
Thank you. Sounds good. Now I want to find it in combo with the NuMaps Lifetime. Nuvi combo have the NuMaps Lifetime for $50 extra, but I can't find this with a combo yet.----------------Garmin said the one with lifetime update for maps (3790LMT) would be out in September, keep checking their website. Said the cost was $499.99. I hate to spend that money, but am getting the voice activated one for safety reasons. Said it was shipped to Best Buy, but I can find it only in Canada...
629284
My Via 1500 came brand new with lifetime maps. From day 1 the web site said it was expired. I download peripheral stuff but as far as I know the maps are not included. They do offer an update for $70. Thanks!"My Tom Tom" is the software for the 1500. "Tom Tom Home" will not work.I tried to deal with Tom Tom support but got nowhere. Good luck
2179223
In my opinion the map updates are nice, but not a big deal. I've seen that even with "current" maps, they will not always know about new subdivisions, and intersection traffic changes. i.e. it might take a few YEARS for their data to really get updated. The biggest annoyance to me is that after your first year runs out, the thing brings up a "your maps are out-of-date" warning that you have to hit "OK" to, each time you turn it on. This is basically just a "nag" so they can sell you a map update. Don't get me wrong -- I'd like to have the map updates -- just that is seems silly for them to charge a large amount for the update, when now the price of the GPS unit itself is now not much more than the price they charge for the "map update" feature. But if you find a good deal on a unit with map updates -- that's an extra bonus, and makes it a better deal. One thing: be warned that "lifetime traffic" is a totally different service -- it comes from a radio receiver in the cord (of some Garmin units) -- and in some cases, tells you traffic updates, but also puts advertisements on your screen. It has nothing to do with map updates, so be careful in reading the descriptions of what you're getting. All that said, I just got a 255WT (the Traffic add-on was from another retailer) and I am very happy with it. Even though it was produced sometime earlier in 2010, you do get ONE map update online from Garmin, so you can bring it up-to-date as of the time you first register it.
1457495
I can't say if the maps are current when you receive the receiver, however, it does come with free lifetime map updates.
1400991
My inquiry to TomTom:"I would like to buy this "TomTom VIA 1505M World Traveler Edition GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps" from Amazon. However, it is not clear to me if the Lifetime Maps includes all of the maps included in the package. Can you confirm that Premium Maps of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe are included with Free Lifetime Map Updates as well as how many updates per year will be provided?"TomTom response:"I understand you wish to purchase VIA 1505 world Travel edition. WTE device comes with Lifetime Maps for USA., Canada and Mexico only and in order to update the map of Europe we would need to purchase the Map Update Service." My inquiry to TomTom:"I would like to buy this "TomTom VIA 1505M World Traveler Edition GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps" from Amazon. However, it is not clear to me if the Lifetime Maps includes all of the maps included in the package. Can you confirm that Premium Maps of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe are included with Free Lifetime Map Updates as well as how many updates per year will be provided?"TomTom response:"I understand you wish to purchase VIA 1505 world Travel edition. WTE device comes with Lifetime Maps for USA.,... » Read More My inquiry to TomTom:"I would like to buy this "TomTom VIA 1505M World Traveler Edition GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps" from Amazon. However, it is not clear to me if the Lifetime Maps includes all of the maps included in the package. Can you confirm that Premium Maps of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe are included with Free Lifetime Map Updates as well as how many updates per year will be provided?"TomTom response:"I understand you wish to purchase VIA 1505 world Travel edition. WTE device comes with Lifetime Maps for USA., Canada and Mexico only and in order to update the map of Europe we would need to purchase the Map Update Service." « Show Less
1351467
Mike: If you are purchasing a Magellan RoadMate make sure the unit has letters "L" and a "M" after the model number. Those letters stand for Lifetime Maps. The letter "T" stands for Traffic. If there is not a "L" and "M" then you will have to pay for maps. Here is what benefit AAA offers Magellan purchasers. See this Magellan Webpage. http://www.magellangps.com/AAA_Benefits
2041185
I found that the 3rd party maps ordered at a greatly discounted price does not allow for updates of maps. I guess if it came with the maps preloaded you would get the lifetime updates (LM). I currently have the European maps and get the updates. Did you purchase the unit with LM designated behind model number?
562897
The lifetime maps refer to NA only. But what if one uses a Garmin unit with lifetime maps in a part of the world not supported by those maps, does one still get annoying advertisements on the unit? I use my GPS in Africa most of the time and in North America about 10% of the time. In Africa, I suggest the Tracks4Africa maps for Garmin units (downloadable or on micro SD) from http://tracks4africa.co.za/. They update their maps 2x a year. T4A maps are best (IMHO) for rural and off-road driving. Cities have less detail and accuracy.
2008744
I have the model with free lifetime map updates. You download software to your computer then plug in your GPS unit using the cable that comes with the unit. The software checks for updates then when one is available you can download it. Then the software gives you step by step instructions to get the update installed on the GPS.
1877233
Check with TomTom customer service. They can tell you whether or not you have the latest map. It is my understanding that you need to take overt action to get the free replacement map. I blew my 30-day window-of-opportunity, so I did not get the free replacement map. I can, of course, get the free map-share updates, which are incremental, user community supplied updates. In TomTom Home (from the menu bar at the top), you click on "Tools" =&gt; "Use Latest Map Guarantee". The 30-day window for doing this is from the time that you first use your GPS, not from the purchase date. (That is because a TomTom might be purchased and then put away to give later as a gift). When you set a destination, favorite, home location, or other settings, it changes internal file dates, which the software detects. I do not know which file dates are checked. Be sure to delete unused voices before getting the new map, or you might not have enough RAM.
1163648
Mine was trying to charge me as well until I activated my lifetime maps. If you have the TOMTOM home downloaded go to tools (at the top left of the page) and down to use latest maps guarantee. This worked for me at least. If that doesn't work for you then I would call the customer service number.
73427
I've never owned a GPS before. Is this a good one? Is it better to buy one with lifetime traffic updates included?
1410234
You do not pay for anything, everything is included. My unit will tell me traffic update while driving. If traffic is heavy, TomTom Via 1605 will ask if you want to take alternate route. It will also tell you how many minutes the traffic is. For instance, 2-3, or 5 minutes. And finally calculate the fastest route for you. The unit is very good and simple, period.