TomTom 600 - 2013 models - awful!
Discussion
Riddled with issues, stability, usability... and i'd say pound for pound is massively lacking in features. It doesn't have half the features the TomTom ONE i bought 5 years ago for a third the price. They've rushed out the software and concentrated on how it looks rather than how it works. Features are being added with software updates, but the they should have been there at the original product release. It's basically a calamity, I hate it, and I would urge you to avoid TomTom. They really messed up, their products used to be great.
this appears to be a marked departure though, because not only is it riddled with software bugs, but also they've omitted a load of features you have probably come to expect from a sat nav such as avoiding a roadblock in the route, avoiding an entire section of the route, recalculating route with a different option, POIs other than the basic ones. It really is s
t. It was nearly £200, so it's not budget end. I raised this on the TomTom forums, and a load of people agreed with me and cited the same experience. A few however (isn't there always) came along to say theirs was fine so we were all wrong. Ended up in an argument and the thread got locked. At no point did anyone from the manufacturer step in, and when i complained to them i got a crap template response. Often mentioned was the fact that you get the bonus of free lifetime map updates, and that's why it costs so much... although me telling them this made absolutely no sense seemed to fall on deaf ears.
t. It was nearly £200, so it's not budget end. I raised this on the TomTom forums, and a load of people agreed with me and cited the same experience. A few however (isn't there always) came along to say theirs was fine so we were all wrong. Ended up in an argument and the thread got locked. At no point did anyone from the manufacturer step in, and when i complained to them i got a crap template response. Often mentioned was the fact that you get the bonus of free lifetime map updates, and that's why it costs so much... although me telling them this made absolutely no sense seemed to fall on deaf ears. I've just taken delivery of a TomTom Go 5000 and am yet to use it on the road. I bought it to replace an ageing TomTom One XL. However, so far the issues I have are as follows:
1. Despite phoning TomTom to ask about US Maps and being told I could download them and they would fit on the 8GB internal memory along with the European Map this isn't the case. Firstly, there are currently no US maps for this device and even if there were they wouldn't fit alongside the European map. This means having to purchase an SD Micro card. TomTom really needs to provide enough memory for additional maps without having to resort to SD cards.
2. There is no indication that charging is taking place. Yes, there's a battery level indicator but it's not dynamic and provides no indication that the unit is charging. ETA - I now see that there is an indication that it is charging (a wavy line through the battery symbol). In putting the unit on charge around 10 times in the last 2 days this is the first time that symbol has appeared and it didn't appear when plugged into the car not 20 mins ago).
3. There is no way to create POI groups as on previous units. This meant I could categorise POIs into groups that worked for me to make them more manageable e.g. Friends, Work, Pubs & Restaurants etc. All there is now is a huge 'My Places' list.
4. Limited re-routing options; they're simply not implemented yet.
5. It takes an age to boot up.
I have the option to return it and may yet do so. You really have to question whether they've had people actually use these devices and give feedback.
1. Despite phoning TomTom to ask about US Maps and being told I could download them and they would fit on the 8GB internal memory along with the European Map this isn't the case. Firstly, there are currently no US maps for this device and even if there were they wouldn't fit alongside the European map. This means having to purchase an SD Micro card. TomTom really needs to provide enough memory for additional maps without having to resort to SD cards.
2. There is no indication that charging is taking place. Yes, there's a battery level indicator but it's not dynamic and provides no indication that the unit is charging. ETA - I now see that there is an indication that it is charging (a wavy line through the battery symbol). In putting the unit on charge around 10 times in the last 2 days this is the first time that symbol has appeared and it didn't appear when plugged into the car not 20 mins ago).
3. There is no way to create POI groups as on previous units. This meant I could categorise POIs into groups that worked for me to make them more manageable e.g. Friends, Work, Pubs & Restaurants etc. All there is now is a huge 'My Places' list.
4. Limited re-routing options; they're simply not implemented yet.
5. It takes an age to boot up.
I have the option to return it and may yet do so. You really have to question whether they've had people actually use these devices and give feedback.
Edited by Skier on Saturday 30th November 20:52
Edited by Skier on Sunday 1st December 09:36
the re-routing options are a massive issue. If you hit a closed road or something blocking your way, you can't just say that to the tomtom like you could with older ones, and sat navs since the year dot... you have to just find a way to drive around it and hope the tomtom doesn't re-direct you back around to where you were. I hate hate hate the fact that this feature is missing as it can basically leave you completely high and dry in an area you have never been to before, and it's a common situation.
Other issues to add:
- Last Tuesday I made a journey using 3 destinations. On Friday I had to repeat the journey and so looked in 'Recent Destinations' to find it empty - no entries whatsoever. So, on the iPhone, look up the postcodes, re-enter and set off. I've seen others reporting that their 'Recent Destinations' list simply erases itself. I still carry my TomTom One XL just in case I need to re-route in an unfamiliar area.
- 3D Mapping. Lifted directly from the TomTom website: 'See buildings and landmarks in stunning 3D. With 3D Maps, you'll always know exactly where you are.' Nowhere on the website does it state any limitations as to which cities are covered. In my travels including to Gloucester, Bristol, Winchester, Poole etc. I am yet to see any 3D maps.
- No colour customisation of the maps. The colours they're displayed in are dull and are analogous to the stereotypical beige worn by older people.
- Last Tuesday I made a journey using 3 destinations. On Friday I had to repeat the journey and so looked in 'Recent Destinations' to find it empty - no entries whatsoever. So, on the iPhone, look up the postcodes, re-enter and set off. I've seen others reporting that their 'Recent Destinations' list simply erases itself. I still carry my TomTom One XL just in case I need to re-route in an unfamiliar area.
- 3D Mapping. Lifted directly from the TomTom website: 'See buildings and landmarks in stunning 3D. With 3D Maps, you'll always know exactly where you are.' Nowhere on the website does it state any limitations as to which cities are covered. In my travels including to Gloucester, Bristol, Winchester, Poole etc. I am yet to see any 3D maps.
- No colour customisation of the maps. The colours they're displayed in are dull and are analogous to the stereotypical beige worn by older people.
Edited by Skier on Sunday 22 December 15:07
I have a problem with the Start 20, it keeps saying the maps need updating but when I do update them it won't find our home address or the street it's in which resulted a frantic phone call from my wife when she was 120 miles away and couldn't find home. A factory reset puts it back OK but after an internet search it seems to be a common problem that Tom Tom wont admit to.
I have to agree. I bought a "5000" to replace a "Go 750 Live" which had developed an annoying tendency to reset itself randomly, usually at the worst possible moment. The '750 (when working) was a great piece of kit with all the functionality you could want from a SatNav device. The 5000 isn't.
There's much feedback on the TomTom forum from the fanboys regarding software updates and assurances that it "will be good eventually". Possibly. However some features can't be resolved by software updates because the 5000 also has hardware limitations.
There is no microphone therefore it can't compensate for ambient noise like my old 750 could. That's not too much of a problem in my coupe or hatchback but in the roadster I'm more at the mercy of outside noises and sometimes can't hear alerts and directions.
There is no light sensor so it can't auto-compensate for ambient light. Go into a tunnel and the damn thing is blindingly bright. In harsh sunshine you can't see the screen.
All in all, a poor product for the money.
There's much feedback on the TomTom forum from the fanboys regarding software updates and assurances that it "will be good eventually". Possibly. However some features can't be resolved by software updates because the 5000 also has hardware limitations.
There is no microphone therefore it can't compensate for ambient noise like my old 750 could. That's not too much of a problem in my coupe or hatchback but in the roadster I'm more at the mercy of outside noises and sometimes can't hear alerts and directions.
There is no light sensor so it can't auto-compensate for ambient light. Go into a tunnel and the damn thing is blindingly bright. In harsh sunshine you can't see the screen.
All in all, a poor product for the money.
the 3D maps only work in certain places, generally cities and larger towns. It's of virtually no use, and a good example of fluffy tinsel features over actual stability and effectiveness. I've also noticed it selectively presents a back button. Sometimes you navigate into a menu, and you can't get out. I've also noticed it refuses to turn itself off when i want it to, and yet happily turns itself off when i don't. Another bug is sometimes when you calculate a route it gets stuck in the view of the entire route, and doesn't zoom in to where you are to start you off. The thing that pisses me off is that there is a support forum, and it seems to be populated with either fkwits or tomtom employees pretending to be fkwits. User support forums tend to be full of tts, but it really is special. Basically, you aren't allowed to have a problem or to think that the product is rubbish, you just get told you're wrong. The best you get is to be told to be patient for the product to suddenly fix itself (it won't), or that i should in some way be grateful because map updates are free now. Except a) the product doesn't work so it's a complete false economy and b) they aren't fking free, because the product costs a load more than the previous generation ones, the updates are just in the original purchase price. Also there is a map update every 2 fking minutes, and you only get 4 a year. So, if you are not reasonably savvy, you could use up a year of updates in the first month of ownership.
kwits or tomtom employees pretending to be fkwits. User support forums tend to be full of tts, but it really is special. Basically, you aren't allowed to have a problem or to think that the product is rubbish, you just get told you're wrong. The best you get is to be told to be patient for the product to suddenly fix itself (it won't), or that i should in some way be grateful because map updates are free now. Except a) the product doesn't work so it's a complete false economy and b) they aren't fking free, because the product costs a load more than the previous generation ones, the updates are just in the original purchase price. Also there is a map update every 2 fking minutes, and you only get 4 a year. So, if you are not reasonably savvy, you could use up a year of updates in the first month of ownership. I must have a made a lucky choice in my upgrade from an ageing 520 Live to a 1005 Live which I have recommended to three friends so far without any complaints and has been faultless in the time I've had it.
In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
BIRMA said:
I must have a made a lucky choice in my upgrade from an ageing 520 Live to a 1005 Live which I have recommended to three friends so far without any complaints and has been faultless in the time I've had it.
In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
To be fair, the 1005 is the older (before the newer ones the OP is talking about) generation and has most if not all the features the OP is talking about. In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
I have a 1005 also and has been brilliant but when that was released there was a few things missing.... including adding your own POI databases.... after an uproar it was implemented.... see something familiar here? They still haven't learnt from the 1005 release what people want, they just make what they want.
BIRMA said:
I must have a made a lucky choice in my upgrade from an ageing 520 Live to a 1005 Live which I have recommended to three friends so far without any complaints and has been faultless in the time I've had it.
In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
To be fair, the 1005 is the older (before the newer ones the OP is talking about) generation and has most if not all the features the OP is talking about. In the past I have been of the opinion that TomTom had good products but with very, very bad customer support.
I remember the software update that sent all of the Live units gaga and the unbelievable way TomTom dealt with it. So it would now seem they have added second rate units along with lamentable service.
I have a 1005 also and has been brilliant but when that was released there was a few things missing.... including adding your own POI databases.... after an uproar it was implemented.... see something familiar here? They still haven't learnt from the 1005 release what people want, they just make what they want.
started playing up even worse today - getting locked in certain screens, had the 'loading maps' banner stuck at the top and i couldn't get rid of it despite guidance being in progress... tried to turn it off and couldn't turn it back on.... finally got it to turn on, and then it was stuck with 'computing route 73%' or something, same issue with reboot. Complete piece of st. Kicked off to Amazon and to their absolute credit they've arranged free return and full refund. It was bought in September. Avoid TomTom products at all costs, what a fking joke.
t. Kicked off to Amazon and to their absolute credit they've arranged free return and full refund. It was bought in September. Avoid TomTom products at all costs, what a fking joke. Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff