UK-bought GO 520 won't run traffic in new home, Australia.

[UKmitch86]

I bought a GO 520 bought in the UK in 2016. Worked great, up-to-date maps and traffic via an internet connection (BT or WiFi).

Everything worked until 2022 when we moved to Australia. I've got navigation running and Australian maps and I've done a full reset. I've got MyDrive accounts running on the desktop software (if you can call it software) and on the phone (an up to date Android) and both see the GO 520.

However, when I go to Menu > Menu Bar at the top > Traffic (says service unavailable) - Error message says "We are having trouble accessing TomTom services. Please try again later". The GO 520 has internet via WiFi and via Bluetooth. I'm logged in to MyDrive, even though I didn't need that in the UK.

I also noticed the MyDrive desktop software doesn't make any mention of Traffic as a chargeable service that I could add back on.

 

[Niall]

A couple of years ago Australia switched off it's 2G phone network which is what your UK GO 520 relied upon to get traffic info.

 

[UKmitch86]

A couple of years ago Australia switched off it's 2G phone network which is what your UK GO 520 relied upon to get traffic info.

Hi Niall, thanks for the reply. Traffic only ever functioned through tethered bluetooth or wireless hotspot. Those methods aren't working anymore.

 

[canderson]

A couple of years ago Australia switched off it's 2G phone network which is what your UK GO 520 relied upon to get traffic info.

Believe you're thinking of the GO 5200. The 520 didn't have cellular capability.

@UKmitch86
Have never had traffic service issues when changing continents. Are you sure your new cellular carrier is providing you with tethering service? Some carriers supply thus only as an add-on service at extra cost.

What happens if you try to make the connection through home WiFi?

 

[UKmitch86]

Believe you're thinking of the GO 5200. The 520 didn't have cellular capability.

@UKmitch86
Have never had traffic service issues when changing continents. Are you sure your new cellular carrier is providing you with tethering service? Some carriers supply thus only as an add-on service at extra cost.

What happens if you try to make the connection through home WiFi?

The serial is ZF1516K02719 according to MyDrive Windows application. You're correct, it never had cellular. I did have a thought though - when Australia turned off 2G, is it reasonable to assume TomTom turned off traffic info server-side resources for the region? Even with data connection, it'd be broken.

I'm not on holiday here, we've emigrated. I'm on Vodafone AU, which I occasionally (successfully) tether to my daughter's tablet and to my job laptop. I also have the regular home WiFi added to the TomTom, and have done map updates with it.

In addition, it's got a location (I have satellite line of sight out of a balcony) and it's disconnected from the Windows USB port (which MyDrive warns against blocking traffic services).

Traffic here is bad - if this won't work, I'll either start trying to find people who've hacked them to run other software, or just bin it and get an old dumb smartphone for the car only to run Google Maps and BT tether to it for instant results. Shame to spend more money, and I'll resist that!!! Also the mount and stability on the TomTom is superior to anything I've ever used.

 

[canderson]

The serial is ZF1516K02719 according to MyDrive Windows application. You're correct, it never had cellular. I did have a thought though - when Australia turned off 2G, is it reasonable to assume TomTom turned off traffic info server-side resources for the region? Even with data connection, it'd be broken.

I'm not on holiday here, we've emigrated. I'm on Vodafone AU, which I occasionally (successfully) tether to my daughter's tablet and to my job laptop. I also have the regular home WiFi added to the TomTom, and have done map updates with it.

In addition, it's got a location (I have satellite line of sight out of a balcony) and it's disconnected from the Windows USB port (which MyDrive warns against blocking traffic services).

Traffic here is bad - if this won't work, I'll either start trying to find people who've hacked them to run other software, or just bin it and get an old dumb smartphone for the car only to run Google Maps and BT tether to it for instant results. Shame to spend more money, and I'll resist that!!! Also the mount and stability on the TomTom is superior to anything I've ever used.

Heavens no. The vast majority of TomTom devices sold in the last decade don't support cellular connections. Traffic in Australia is still very definitely 'a thing'. If you go here https://mydrive.tomtom.com and pan around your area during rush hour, you'll see what TomTom knows about traffic! Is there really that much in Hobart?

Yes, the ZF is the GO 520.

Interesting that you've been able to tether to your laptops. Over WiFi I assume? You say you've done updates over your home WiFi on your 520, but have you fired it up long enough to see if that home WiFi supplies you with traffic data?

No reason your 520 shouldn't be cooperating unless there's a subscription issue that just happened to pop up more or less coincident to your big move. If you don't get satisfaction from the home WiFi, then I'd make contact with TomTom, beginning with their infamous chatbot at tomtom.com.

 

[UKmitch86]

Heavens no. The vast majority of TomTom devices sold in the last decade don't support cellular connections. Traffic in Australia is still very definitely 'a thing'. If you go here https://mydrive.tomtom.com and pan around your area during rush hour, you'll see what TomTom knows about traffic! Is there really that much in Hobart?

Yes, the ZF is the GO 520.

Interesting that you've been able to tether to your laptops. Over WiFi I assume? You say you've done updates over your home WiFi on your 520, but have you fired it up long enough to see if that home WiFi supplies you with traffic data?

No reason your 520 shouldn't be cooperating unless there's a subscription issue that just happened to pop up more or less coincident to your big move. If you don't get satisfaction from the home WiFi, then I'd make contact with TomTom, beginning with their infamous chatbot at tomtom.com.

On the WiFi tethering, yes, over conventional home ISP-supplied router WiFi. It sat for ~3h yesterday on a portable battery simulating the car voltage supply without any potential for cabled data interference. When I first got off the plane and it was my only satnav, it would have been on tens of times for 30mins each when using it for general navigation purposes without traffic.

I've made contact with TomTom and have had a "sorry we haven't got to this yet", but to be fair its been the weekend. I'll direct them to this thread to save repetition!

 

[canderson]

Device reporting all good things per your pics - clearly good WiFi connection. Just no traffic data. Let us know how you get on with TT in resolving this.

 

[UKmitch86]

Response from TomTom support;

I understand from your email that traffic is not working on the device.

I have checked the details and I can see that traffic is activated on your device in this case, it seems small connectivity issue. Request you perform the steps given in the link below and test.

https://help.tomtom.com/hc/articles/360014530220-TomTom-Traffic-or-LIVE-Services-isn-t-working

Also, make sure you are always connecting the device to smartphone to get the traffic information. Because device you have is smartphone connected device. Below link will guide you on how to connect the smartphone to the device to get the traffic information.

https://help.tomtom.com/hc/articles/360013958659-Connecting-your-phone-to-your-Wi-Fi-device

 

[UKmitch86]

My response to TomTom support;

I've already followed your guide here; https://help.tomtom.com/hc/articles/360014530220-TomTom-Traffic-or-LIVE-Services-isn-t-working
No luck, although I did log on this time with smartphone data via Bluetooth.
The data connection didn't work straight away. I had to set permissions and I had to start the MyDrive app on the phone.
I eventually got data connection, but no traffic. The two-cars logo appeared on my phone's notification bar at the top.
Please advise what to do next.

 

[UKmitch86]

Their response;

Can you please try connecting the device to the smartphone without the MyDrive app and test the traffic on device below are the steps to connect the device to smartphone without MyDrive app.

1. Factory reset the device:
Tap Menu > Tap Settings > Tap System > and reset the device. (Please do not connect the device to the computer or Wi-Fi once the reset is done)

2. Once the device is restarted, setup the preferences like Map, Language and allow it to collect the information and when it asks you to setup a Wi-Fi, please tap "Not Now".

3. Now Tap Set Up Phone > Tap Add Phone and leave the device on.

4. On your phone, please delete all the paired devices from the Bluetooth menu. (Please do not skip this step and do not pair any other device before you pair the TomTom)

5. Disconnect the phone from Wi-Fi and make sure that your phone has the active Internet plan/Data connection Turned On. Please keep your phone in an area where it gets a good reception.

6. Now Turn On the Bluetooth Tethering if you are using an Android and for iPhone Turn On the Personal Hotspot. (If you get a pop, tap yes for "Allow People to Join")

7. Go back to the Bluetooth menu of your phone and tap on TomTom to pair.

Please update me if the issue has been resolved.

These suggestions from them are just shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic. Nevertheless, I'm planning on using it tomorrow in its new home, so will give it a go.

 

[Jazz@1108]

@UKmitch86 Since you purchased the GPS unit in the UK, hence the embedded subscriptions would be accordingly. This GPS unit comes with free Europe traffic. You need to purchase the Traffic- AU and it should work then.

 

[Jazz@1108]

If any challenges to purchase the traffic, you can contact the TomTom support team via Social Media channels, https://www.facebook.com/TomTomDrivers (Facebook) or https://twitter.com/messages/compose?recipient_id=2266591(Twitter).

 

[UKmitch86]

If any challenges to purchase the traffic, you can contact the TomTom support team via Social Media channels, https://www.facebook.com/TomTomDrivers (Facebook) or https://twitter.com/messages/compose?recipient_id=2266591(Twitter).

Hi Jazz mate - I feel like you may have already tried to buy AU traffic!? I can't see it online at all.

To be honest, these subscriptions at A$65/yr are overvalued. I don't need more direct debits in my life. I'll have the car 3-5 years - that's A$325 for a good used Android to run Google Maps, and somebody might still buy the TomTom if I'm honest about the traffic situation.

 

[canderson]

@UKmitch86 Since you purchased the GPS unit in the UK, hence the embedded subscriptions would be accordingly. This GPS unit comes with free Europe traffic. You need to purchase the Traffic- AU and it should work then.

My 620, same device, larger screen, delivers traffic for any country for which I have a map loaded. Mine is a North American build, and if I take it to the UK, no traffic issues there.

I would note that TomTom didn't raise any exception to use in another map area, either, and I assume the OP advised them of the locations involved.

 

[Jazz@1108]

@UKmitch86 Contact TomTom Support team via these links https://www.facebook.com/TomTomDrivers (Facebook) or https://twitter.com/messages/compose?recipient_id=2266591(Twitter), let's see what say