USA Trip URGENT Advice required

Bighair · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 5

I'm going to California at the weekend and would like some advice. I'm trying to decide if it is better to download the US maps to my UK TomTom Go 500 or buy a new TomTom in the US and then use the US Tom Tom in the UK (I have the latest Western Europe TomTom maps I can upload to it). There is only a few ££'s difference between the two options? Will there be any downsides to using a US spec TomTom in the UK Thoughts please?

philpugh · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

Buying a US device isn't a problem - but you will have the cost of re-activating your WE maps on a new device - it isn't free. Actually... Can you move the maps from one device to another? I thought they prevented that.

Have a look for a US/European mapping device over there- possibly good deals to be had.
_________________
Phil

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

Check on the new rules regarding 'electronic' devices being taken into USA.

dpdurst · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

You should be fine with the GPS, I have gone back and forth out of the country and no one ever questioned it.

Bighair · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks for the prompt responses. I know there are issues taking laptops to the US, didn't realise this would apply to GPS as well? I don't remember having to authenticate my WE maps the first time? It was done through TomTom Home? I will have a look for a US/Europe device.

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

Check the new rules introduced within the last few weeks.
What was done in the past may no longer be relevant! Embarassed

Bighair · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 5

Have checked on the Transportation Security Administration web site (http://www.tsa.gov/) in the For Travelers section for permitted & prohibited items and there is no mention of GPS SatNav devices? However Camcorders, Camera Equiptment, Laptops, Mobile Phones, Pagers & PDS are all allowed. One thing to note is that lithium batteries are NOT ALLOWED in checked bagage. Embarassed

Does anybody know any different?

philpugh · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:

If you do purchase a unit while in the USA don't buy one with an RDS-TMC receiver as this accessory will not work in the UK or Europe, the USA receivers are different in how they work. You can purchase the RDS receiver in the UK and plug it in to a USA spec TomTom when you get back and it will work - Mike

bmuskett · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject:

Read this thread and buy the US maps for your Go 500.

Bighair · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks for the updates. I will buy the TomTom Western USA Map and down load it to a new SD Card. Will also look at the cost of a TomTom XL in the US as another SatNav would be useful for our other car!

Thanks for the quick responses.

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