TomTom XL2 IQ Routes Edition Europe 42 POI

[linkylacey]

I wanted to upgrade from a TT GO 500 and thought a TT XL IQ Routes with European maps would do the job. So I did a little research basically by reading the manual on the TT website and reading through the Specification, also on the TT website. This told me that although the XL IQ Routes Europe had a simplified menu it still supported Text-to-Speech and looking at the manual, seemed to have the POI facility for custom POIs I need. So I bought one.

First, it does not support Text-to-Speech, nor Petrol Prices for that matter and when it comes to the menu; it is nothing like the menue described in the TomTom ONE v5 XL v2 on-line manual which does have a Change Preferences button on the Main Menu Screen and Add Custom POI facility.

I should add that Tom Tom have a tool on their web site that will tell you which model of Tom Tom you have (if you didnt know and I clearly dont) you simply type in the first two digits of your serial number, press a button and the Model is revealed. I was so disgusted that I thought I would try this. I was told that my XL2 IQ Routes Edition Europe 42 is in fact a TomTom ONE 1st Edition!

Perhaps it is time to give up on TomTom?

MikeL

[Oldboy]

None of the units with the "simplified" Menu support custom POIs.

[linkylacey]

Yes, the Barcode number starting with G1 apparently identifies the TomTom One 1st Edition - which I guess works like TomToms always have but the TomTom XL2 IQ Routes Edition Europe 42 does not.

It looks very much as if TT have decided to ensure you buy POI, Speec Cameras etc only from them, but they are also less than honest when it comes to Specification and the on line manual is totally misleading. The fact is that the manual claims that the TomTom XL2 IQ Routes Edition Europe 42 does support POI "management" which looks very much like supporting added custom POIs. The actual unit has none of the functions explained in the manual.

[Darren]

We have increasing concerns that this issue is symptomatic of a sea change in how TomTom will be handling the whole area of community data and 3rd party add-ons.

It's one thing to remove functionality in entry level devices and entirely another to remove it across the board.

Obviously we have a vested interest in this area being content providers but regardless, it cannot be seen as a positive move if TomTom are positioning to restrict the use of third party data and control it all in house.

Being a subscriber, you will appreciate that our database exists and survives because it is BETTER than TomTom's. Perhaps they consider the only way to remove the competition is to preclude its use rather than improving their data?

I'll see if we can get an official statement out of TomTom on this issue.
_________________
Darren Griffin

[AndyVaughan]

Darren

I would point them them to the threads appearing daily on here about the lack of custom POI support and the number of returns due to lack of functionality.

[dhn]

How ironic....

Right now I've got a member in a US forum wondering how to add pois to his 550 and I'm trying to be soooo polite in NOT saying he has himself a 'brain dead' model (550's in NA come with the (cough, cough) 'EasyMenu')
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David

[AndyVaughan]

Go on, tell them

[linkylacey]

I have to say, and perhaps it might be considered a warning, thyat TT could and indeed might upgrade all existing units to their new simplified menu - it is a matter of being careful what you download - and then they can require certain apps to be loaded for a new map to function. I already had this happen on my reliable old GO910 when I had to download the latest app before I could download my map subscription, So it does have much more serious potential than my "little" problem.

it seems to me that pgpsw or someone with capability might try to organize a solution such as a doctored app to do what we all want done. Or perhaps Garmin needs our business more than TomTom?

[mikealder]

[dhn]

Oh, you've seen me use that phrase (for some reason, Gator doesn't like it ... guess he's ever used a unit with it?? ).

I actually like the term you use for Home. "Carp"

(is your moralizer filter here dyslexic?? )
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David

[linkylacey]

Mikealder wrote:

Whats wrong with "Dumbed Down Menu" as I call it, stop being too polite - Mike

I guess , from what I have learned in the last little while, that what is wrong is that it does not allow custom POIs - so no PGPS "Safety" Cameras.

Isn't that wrong enough?

[DennisN]

[JoolsTwo]

[Guivre46]

[mikealder]

I wouldn't get too worried about existing devices that were sold with the full POI capability and normal menu options as they won't be changing those, remember the saga with the FM Transmitter when it had to be inhibitted due to some stupid EU directive, once TomTom worked out (or were told) that using the mp3 player is a way around the EU problem they re-enabled the FM Tx so they don't go removing things from existing devices.
These newer units have never been previously sold so the new dumbed down menu is on the device from day 01, given enough complaints though they could release new software that would enable the full POI support in the same way they realised that selling a new nav unit in the UK without postcode support (Start) wasn't such a clever move so they rather hastily added that to the device - So public opinion can count - Mike

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