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Owning/Registering Multiple TomTom GPS

 
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 12:37am

I own a TomTom One 130 S. I love it. It's works well and is a great value. I was thinking of purchasing another TomTom GPSr for my brother. I've done some research and really like the TomTom XL 340 TM (not the LIVE version).

If I purchase a previously-owned TomTom via eBay, and the previous owner has already registered the unit, will:

  1. My brother be able to update/manage it using the HOME application that he will have to install on his computer? Or will he need to know the original user's login/account info?
  2. My brother have any issues with using the lifetime maps or traffic features?
  3. I be able to update/manage it with the HOME application already installed on my computer? Or will there be issues considering I already use the HOME application with my GPSr?

I absolutely understand the need for security measures considering the high volume of GPSr theft. But with legitimate resales, are there ways to work with TomTom, with cooperation and communication from the original owner if necessary, to overcome these issues?

Thanks.
...sorry for the very long post!

‹ 550m xxl One day deal at Staples: TomTom 335 ›
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:54pm

Not your situation but similar

I've had a TomTom One 130S that has served me well, but the maps are out of date. I decided to go with a new unit with lifetime maps updates (XXL540TM (not live)). My MIL wants the old TomTom. I just changed the email associated with the old TomTom and will let her assume the account, then used my email for the new TomTom. I won't actually transfer ownership until next month when we visit, but until then I have had no problem updating both TomToms using a single computer with the HOME application.

The rest here is just speculation. I would assume that there would be no issue with registering a new email with the used unit, but I think it would be considered a new account and the lifetime maps might not transfer. Since the lifetime traffic comes from the FM radio in the power cord, there should be no problem with it.

I would suggest contacting TomTom customer support, but my experience with them is that unless it is a vanilla question with a vanilla answer, you will not get an accurate answer. My most recent dealings with them yielded an answer that I have determined to be 100% wrong.

Thu, 11/18/2010 - 3:41pm

Thanks!

Thanks WJ,

I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. It's good to know that you can change the e-mail addresses associated with the TomTom's. It sounds like working with TomTom customer support is not necessarily a positive experience.

Anyway, I decided to forgo all of the uncertainty of purchasing a used TomTom and bought a new TomTom XL 340TM for my brother at an eBay store today for $130 (incl shipping). I guess I spent about $25 or so more this way...but it is a new unit and I won't have to deal with communication with the previous owner, TomTom customer support, etc.

PS: For anybody interested, Walmart is now offering new TomTom XL 340TMs for $150.