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.
443890
No, and I am considering purchasing a new GPS unit that does include lifetime map updates. It won't cost much more than buying new maps for this one. most directions are fine, but there are some changes since 2010 when I bought it and I would update if I could.
1809953
Lifetime map updates should still be working. The only thing I've read is that you should let it update the unit fully with the one free update (outside of the lifetime maps) and not put in the code for the lifetime map updates until later. It may have trouble if you put the code in right away.I have this model that I bought about a month and a half ago. Works great. No complaints.
1400988
I used it traveling from Germany to France just last december. Coming back to Germany i realized some major roads where outdated, it was as easy as hooking up the tomtom to my mac, create a username on the lifetime update for my unit and there, updated maps for free!!! Beware that they are quite heavy updates, so depending on your connection speed it may take a while.
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
485283
Magellan rarely proivides map updates. I purchased 2 5045LMs in 2010 and have received only ONE map update. With Lifetime Map Updates they are supposed to occur 4 times a year, but I have only received 1. Not good for their Lifetime Map Updates.
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.
261048
Here is how you can "discover" that the 540TM World Traveler with Lifetime Map Updates, doesn't include updates to the European maps. Go to the TomTom site. Choose products, then the 540TM World Traveler. Click on "Lifetime Map Updates" -- it's really a link. Look at the sidebar box. On the lower right hand side, there's a small arrow. Click on that arrow THREE times, to get to the last "page". There it is, buried as the very last sentence -- no map updates for Europe. Seems pretty deceptive to me, to bury an important statement like that, for an edition of the GPS that is specifically for people who are likely to want European map updates. Here is how you can "discover" that the 540TM World Traveler with Lifetime Map Updates, doesn't include updates to the European maps. Go to the TomTom site. Choose products, then the 540TM World Traveler. Click on "Lifetime Map Updates" -- it's really a link. Look at the sidebar box. On the lower right hand side, there's a small arrow. Click on that arrow THREE times, to get to the last "page". There it is, buried as the very last sentence -- no map updates for Europe. Seems pretty deceptive to me, to bury an important statement like that, for an edition of the... » Read More Here is how you can "discover" that the 540TM World Traveler with Lifetime Map Updates, doesn't include updates to the European maps. Go to the TomTom site. Choose products, then the 540TM World Traveler. Click on "Lifetime Map Updates" -- it's really a link. Look at the sidebar box. On the lower right hand side, there's a small arrow. Click on that arrow THREE times, to get to the last "page". There it is, buried as the very last sentence -- no map updates for Europe. Seems pretty deceptive to me, to bury an important statement like that, for an edition of the GPS that is specifically for people who are likely to want European map updates. « Show Less
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.
387426
Nicole - if it states that you have lifetime map updates, then you do have them available through the gain website once you have registered your unit. I have had no issues with this feature over the past two years. As an owner a a Garmin product got over five years, I can confidently tell you that Garmin supports their products as advertised. Wanda
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.
5605
I am shopping for my 1st GPS. TomTom 340TM is supposed to include free maps for the life of the device. How can they refuse to upgrade the maps on your refurb? slloyd1000@verizon.net
213156
Well, it is the updated model...with the features mentioned, plus speed limits for major roads and an indication if you are exceeding it. The maps aren't up to date (at least on mine ordered in Oct. 2012) If you have a memory card that fits the unit you can upload new maps. I had to buy one. I found that (once I had the memory card) the first download of maps took less than an hour when I used the 800 number--unlike the 4 to 5 hours mentioned on line. (I had registered the GPS online.)
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.
1400987
Their marketing indicates that the updates include the map of Europe, but in fact it does not.See the company's statement at: http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/services/other/lifetime-map-updates/#tab:tab2
1255572
it seems absurd to me that they all dont just come with lifetime maps... that said -- then why would anyone buy the update! heck ive driven all across this land with decades old maps.
1212319
I have the same issue so I emailed the seller asking him about the lifetime map updates that I couldn't find the website. He responded back with the unit already had the newest map installed and he would send me the link when a new update comes out.