Backup from one 720 to another?

[vlr]

I've used a TT720 for several years in my car and recently changed the battery thanks to advice given on this forum. I'm thinking about getting another 720 on eBay for use on my motorcycle. I 've experimented with my car's 720 and it works fine on the bike and I can play back the mp3 music through the bike's audio system into my helmet speakers and the turn by turn instructions are clear as a bell in Homer simpson's voice too.

It's common to see 720 units up for auction on eBay, especially ones that have no accessories whatsoever....no software, no charging cord, no dock, etc. I'm wondering if I were to gamble on a device like this could I put my current 720 backup files on a different 720 purchased on eBay. I recently purchased the 4 map update service from TomTom and then did a backup. Can I put these backup files on a different 720 unit and would it function alright?

I just read one of the moderator's backup instructions using Window's Explorer and I'm wondering if I could use that method to copy my files from my current TomTom and put them on the eBay TomTom. If so should I reformat the eBay TomTom before putting the backup files on it?

Thanks for any advice.

VR

 

[canderson]

The only caveat would be that your maps cannot be transferred (well, you can transfer them, but they won't work) between units. So when you are doing your swaps back and forth, be careful NOT to include the maps from one unit when doing a copy to the other. The maps are keyed to each specific unit.

 

[vlr]

The only caveat would be that your maps cannot be transferred (well, you can transfer them, but they won't work) between units. So when you are doing your swaps back and forth, be careful NOT to include the maps from one unit when doing a copy to the other. The maps are keyed to each specific unit.

Thanks. I think that means there isn't any good reason to do it because it's the up to date map that I want to put on the other 720.

Assuming I bought a 720 unit on eBay and it was in normal operating condition with US maps and I connected to TomTom Home with it....would I get the latest software and some other updates free of charge? The only way to get an up to date US map installed is to buy it through TomTom?

Thanks,

VR

 

[dhn]

ebay is not a recognized reseller of TomTom units. So, it truly is 'buyer beware' when purchasing a unit there. Do NOT expect TomTom to provide free map upgrades or anything for units from ebay.

 

[vlr]

ebay is not a recognized reseller of TomTom units. So, it truly is 'buyer beware' when purchasing a unit there. Do NOT expect TomTom to provide free map upgrades or anything for units from ebay.

I understand, thanks. There are several sellers on eBay that claim to be "authorized dealers" and sell both refurbished and new TomToms with warranties. Maybe I should limit my shopping to those.....but I'll certainly keep "caveat emptor" in mind.

VR

 

[pianoCM]

I understand, thanks. There are several sellers on eBay that claim to be "authorized dealers" and sell both refurbished and new TomToms with warranties. Maybe I should limit my shopping to those.....but I'll certainly keep "caveat emptor" in mind.

VR

If I were an eBay seller, I would say the same.
Just like mentioning above, "buyer beware".
We've seen many members dumped their frustrations here in the forum, blaming Tomtom sucks after buying pieces of junk from eBay.

 

[dhn]

Online sellers in the States can be found here. If the place you wish to deal with is not listed, well ........

 

[Juan]

The only caveat would be that your maps cannot be transferred (well, you can transfer them, but they won't work) between units. So when you are doing your swaps back and forth, be careful NOT to include the maps from one unit when doing a copy to the other. The maps are keyed to each specific unit.

So what you are saying is. That the extra maps I paid good hard earned money for will only work in the one Go 720 GPS that they were downloaded to initially.
What about if that GPS fails as many do? Do I have to pay out all over again for new maps for a replacement unit?
This seems very unfair to me indeed ! I have purchased a licence to use that map and I should be able to transfer it to another Tom Tom product .

 

[dhn]

No, that's not what the license agreement with TomTom says at all.

As with most software agreements, you are licensed to USE the software, you don't own the software. Further, you only have the right to use it in any way the software publisher says. In this case, on one unit.

That said, there are many cases where a user breaks a unit out of warranty and TomTom transfers the map license from the broken model to a new one, especially if the user is in the middle of a map subscription period on the old unit.

 

[canderson]

So what you are saying is. That the extra maps I paid good hard earned money for will only work in the one Go 720 GPS that they were downloaded to initially.
What about if that GPS fails as many do? Do I have to pay out all over again for new maps for a replacement unit?
This seems very unfair to me indeed ! I have purchased a licence to use that map and I should be able to transfer it to another Tom Tom product .

No, that's not what I am saying.

If your GPS broke, and with the appropriate documentation, TomTom can to arrange a transfer between units for any products you had purchased (maps, gas subscriptions, whatever). However, it would be a transfer - still not a situation where you could use the product on 2 units. I had to do this myself when the SiRF III chip in my first 720 decided to go south.

 

[Juan]

Thanks for your reply.
I never said use the product on two units.
I said if the unit breaks down.
" What about if that GPS fails as many do? Do I have to pay out all over again for new maps for a replacement unit? "
Why is it that the company always presumes that the customer is dishonest?

So I would have to send my broken GPS back to Tom Tom during the warranty period?
What if the my GPS breaks down after the warranty period and I buy a replacment GPS?

Can I still get Tom Tom to transfer my purchased maps to the replacement unit outside the warranty period?

I can still see huge holes of unfairness waiting for the paying customer just so a company is protected.
I was going to buy some extra maps later on for the Gps I have but now I have changed my mind.
I will buy a new GPS unit if and when I need it in the country of intended use.

 

[canderson]

Thanks for your reply.
I never said use the product on two units.
I said if the unit breaks down.

And most recently, that's what we answered.

" What about if that GPS fails as many do? Do I have to pay out all over again for new maps for a replacement unit? "
Why is it that the company always presumes that the customer is dishonest?

Perhaps because there are web sites whose sole purpose is to swap pirated software and other products - including, at one time, TomTom's maps. There are still boards that do this with cracked software and maps. There are enough dishonest "customers" out there that TomTom evidently felt it necessary to protect their product from pirates.

A piece of advice to all. Humankind is NOT perfectible. Any social, economic or political plan that fails to take that into account will inevitably find this to be so.

So I would have to send my broken GPS back to Tom Tom during the warranty period?
What if the my GPS breaks down after the warranty period and I buy a replacment GPS?

Arrangements are made to cease providing maps against one serial number and instead provide maps for the new one. Trust me, it's been done.

I can still see huge holes of unfairness waiting for the paying customer just so a company is protected.
I was going to buy some extra maps later on for the Gps I have but now I have changed my mind.
I will buy a new GPS unit if and when I need it in the country of intended use.

Indeed, that may be a practical approach for other reasons (new GPS units keep adding features and getting cheaper), but not for the reasons you're using.