Important if traveling to Canada.
This is an important piece of software if you travel to Canada and use a GPS to navigate. It shows most roads and has a lot of information. The only drawback is that you need to insert the disk everytime you want to open the program. Which means you need to carry it with you. And you can't make a copy and leave the original at home because the copy will not open the program. But if you don't mind taking the disk with you, it is very complete and a big help when traveling to Canada. It is also good for trip planning.

Must-Have software for your GPS
Without the topographical background maps, your GPS is nothing more than a point plotter on a blank canvas. The detail of these maps is phenomenal, with every small creek and lake showing up on the map, as well as manmade structures such as powerlines and gas pipelines. The topography is very accurate, and the maps are small in filesize considering the large amount of detail they contain, therefore they are easy to load and refresh quickly on the GPS. This software also includes pretty detailed streetmaps too, including not just major thoroughfares, but also small sidestreets and subdivisions.

User unfriendly product from customer unfriendly company
Maps used in this software are very old and inacurate. Rivers, ponds, parks and other details are not where they are in reality. Locations of these (on the map) are sometimes off by as much as 600 feet (200 meters). How the heck can you ever find anything when it's off by that much?!?!

User cannot edit maps to reflect actual locations.

User cannot edit obsolete POIs such as doctors offices that are no longer where the map tells you, etc.

If you're using Explorist GPS you should be prepared for a big headache: you need 2 software packages to transfer maps to your unit, the mapsend + another software that converts mapsend to explorist.

Any questions you may have for thales or magellan customer service remain unanswered - no replies.

obsolete maps
I am very dissappointed that a product copyrighted 2004 and sold as "NEW" contains data that is over 10 years old.

I've owned it just over a week and used it in my neighborhood only to discover that my street is not on it!!!! OK, I moved in ten years ago to this new home, and figured 2004 release would have the street of some 60+ homes. Not so.

Another thing, a pond in a park nearby shows in the wrong place on the map - should be some 250 meters to the east, but instead they placed it in the middle of a whole neighborhood, and spanning 2 streets!!!

As mentioned, I only used this in my own neighborhood, and only for a week. Two huge mistakes make me think how many more mistakes await me along the trails?

Another complaint - user should be able to correct map inaccuracies, alas one is only able to add waypoints.

Folks, there is a reason why you must agree to a waiver upon powering on your gps unit: you can't blame the manufacturer if you get lost due to inaccurate maps!

Considering that the map is an absolute must for a gps receiver that otherwise shows only a blank screen with an arrow signifying your position, this is criminal!!!

Great maps - Lousy software
The maps are good. They even show foot trails and two tracks very accurately. At least those more than a few years old.

The problem is that they start with great base map data and then do very little beyond that. The PC software is lame. The Topo Canada data is not compatible with the Topo USA data. You can only load one or the other onto your GPS at a time. And forget trying to combine the data from the two programs on your PC, that doesn't work either. I have had the Topo USA software for several years now and there have been ZERO updates.

THe bottom line is that I love the Magellan units, I have had 3 over the years. The Thales maps are good detailed data. The Thales software for the PC is as lame as it gets.

If somebody else comes out with maps compatible with the Magellan GPS unit I will definitely give it a try before buying a Thales product again.

Works great!
This is the best accessory/program I have ever bought. Took it on a test run to Virginia and it took us straight to the Dirty Dancing Hotel. I don't know how up to date the new version is but for the money this is as close to perfect as I need.

Don't get this!
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED. I got it not expecting to have the most recent data but thought that it would be more recent than 5 years. Functions listed don't work. The program itself is fine just not the mapping data. Had me turning left on a bridge over the road. My entire neighborhood is off by about 300 yards. Speed warnings didn't work. All of this was attributed to old data by Tomtom and I cold fix it by paying, not receiving for free an update for twice what I paid for the whole thing. No thanks. This is why people hack software like this. I'm off to buy something else that I use to have for even less than I originally paid and it will have the most recent data.

Buyer Beware!
This product didn't work on my Symbian s60 5th edition phone. It may work on specific models. Tom Tom could not help me as they no longer have updates for this OUTDATED product, not even map updates or maps to purchase, so I don't recommend wasting your money on this product.

Works well for the most part
I like that I have full Tom TOm on my windows mobile phone! Worked really well when we moved across the country! Only grip has to do with Tom Tom, not the seller. Tom Tom POI's are not very updated and makes it more difficult to find options. I tend to use Tom TOm to route if I know an address, but I still use google maps for finding a place...

Thanks to the seller for a great transaction!

TOM TOM 6 FOR TILT
to convert my AT&T Tilt to a stand alone GPS is a great deal. Seems to be correct in directions although I only use it on rare occasion. Be forwarned that the GPS drains battery life fast! Tom Tom offers an upgrade but it claims the upgrade does not support pda phones.

Just okay!
Living in the Washington, DC area and using back roads for short cuts, I needed a device of this nature since 1. going 30 miles per hour is impossible, and 2. the D.C. area has a speed camera/red light camera at most intersections now. It's an okay overall tool. It does identify speed cameras, some speed traps. The most irritating ones that it responds to are the mobile locations, because those locations beep constantly, and are usually outdated. Also if you are on the Daytona 500 (the beltway), I ignore most of those beeps because they are inaccurate. This device is most effective on back roads, or main roadways; not the highway, beltway.

If you do a direct installation, it is difficult, and customer service is not helpful.

the best thing ever
my Phantom ALERT-loaded GARMIN works nicely. Caught all the red-light & speed cameras in Maryland, DC on my way home yesterday, plus the speed traps that I'm familiar with on the i395 north. I can see it saving me from a few tickets in DC and VA. Especially with those darn mobile speed cameras. They are now using unmarked Ford SUV that you cant even tell that it is a speed camera. Sleazy and underhanded.... how low will they go to issue tickets and raise revenue????



Likes; Works as advertised. I got alerts for red light cameras, speed cameras, speed traps, school zones and others. Tech support was fast, courteous and educational. They did not embarrass me or make me feel stupid :) Simple mistakes i did.

Dislikes: Alerts can be too much for school zones... but I guess i can turn off that particular POI. Also Speed traps can be old and create a false a;alert but at lest you get the warning ahead of time just in case they are there waiting. I understand its not a radar detector and it cant tell if they are actually there or not. It just warns you of all the favorite "cop" hiding places.... which is fine. I use it as a reminder to slow down in those areas.



Overall... Not bad at all ... i think its a worthwhile service. Seamlessly works in the back ground while navigating just popping up with alerts to slow you down in all the right places. I believe I will continue to use it and get updates regularly. I am also eager to try the iPhone app they keep saying they will release. B++
PhantomALERT Red Light Camera and Speed Light Detector Software for select Garmin, TomTom and Magellan GPS (1-Year Download Subscription)

Not a good choice for older Garmins
I have an older Garmin that I bought years ago. I purchased the Phantom ALERT after being stopped for speeding in an town that I was not familiar with, which had a 25mph speed limit that I was not aware of.

I travel frequently and have found the Garmin to be a great help. When I heard about the Phantom Alert, I thought what a great idea! I'll get that and next time I'm in a small town that I'm not familiar with, I'll get an alert on my GPS to warn me about red light cameras and speed traps.

While the software was very easy to install (and the POI's are on my Garmin), I have yet to hear the first alert when driving near a school zone or an area where I know there are red light cameras. Someone told me that this alert thing only works with the newer GPS systems... if this is so, then Phantom ALERT should have that information posted in the advertisement. If I had known, I would not have spent the money because as of now it has done me no good.

It's an excellent idea and I can see where it could be VERY useful for folks who travel, which is why I bought it. However, unless I can figure out how to get the alerts to actually alert me, it was a waste of money. I'm hoping the new(er) versions of the GPS systems COME with these alerts and notify drivers of speed limits.

The Phantom Alert arrived when promised. It was a plastic card packed in a box, instructions and key code was on the card so that part was easy. It just has not done what I expected.

works very nice
Nice very nice. Works on GPS and smart phones 2. If you hate tickets this is a service you will like. If only I had known about it a while back. A few months ago I got a 0 ticket from a speed camera and I was pissed to say the least. My friend told me about phantom alert and showed me how it works on his garmin. We drove past the spot where I got the ticket and guess what... his GPS went off alerting us to the location even before we could see it. Well it made it clear to me that if I had had phantom on my garmin that day I just might have avoided that 0 ticket. I guess better late than never. Get it before you get a ticket. Learn from me

Pros: Also works on Android phones. downloads were easy. Updates are also easy. Clear tutorial and responsive customer service. Lots of types of POIs red lights, speed cams, rr crossings, schools, DUI spots and of course speed traps.
Cons: need more people to be involved. Need to come out with an app for windows mobile.

It works. It definitely saved me from a few tickets .
It works. It definitely saved me from a few tickets .



A+++ This is my second purchase. I am upgraded from the monthly to the lifetime for 0. I recon it has already paid for itself when it saved me from a few tickets in DC and Florida. DC is crazy with the speed cameras and well Florida... feels like they got speed traps every other mile. Luckily the guys at phantom akert have done a good job marking the spots. I now trust my GPS. Every time I get an alert I just slow down and wait to see what's coming up. It's nice to get the alerts just in case there is an ambush waiting for you around the bend or over the hill. Very valuable service and I will definitely continue to use. I drive for a living and I need to keep my license clean. I have had phantom alert on both my garmin and tomtom and so far its been mostly accurate with a few false alerts. Over all I am satisfied with database and its accuracy. Customer service has also been helpful getting voice alerts on my systems. They seem to know what they are doing and I also like the fact they use, us, the users to generate and correct the database. I myself have reported a few speed traps that I know off and edited a bunch of false locations. I like the fact that they allow you to contribute and correct errors. I have recommend it to everyone I know who owns a garmin or a tomtom. I downloaded it for my wife, kids and in-laws. You can do that if you have the life time plan.



Good luck and keep up the good work. Guys like me rely on you.

Just okay!
Living in the Washington, DC area and using back roads for short cuts, I needed a device of this nature since 1. going 30 miles per hour is impossible, and 2. the D.C. area has a speed camera/red light camera at most intersections now. It's an okay overall tool. It does identify speed cameras, some speed traps. The most irritating ones that it responds to are the mobile locations, because those locations beep constantly, and are usually outdated. Also if you are on the Daytona 500 (the beltway), I ignore most of those beeps because they are inaccurate. This device is most effective on back roads, or main roadways; not the highway, beltway.

If you do a direct installation, it is difficult, and customer service is not helpful.

the best thing ever
my Phantom ALERT-loaded GARMIN works nicely. Caught all the red-light & speed cameras in Maryland, DC on my way home yesterday, plus the speed traps that I'm familiar with on the i395 north. I can see it saving me from a few tickets in DC and VA. Especially with those darn mobile speed cameras. They are now using unmarked Ford SUV that you cant even tell that it is a speed camera. Sleazy and underhanded.... how low will they go to issue tickets and raise revenue????



Likes; Works as advertised. I got alerts for red light cameras, speed cameras, speed traps, school zones and others. Tech support was fast, courteous and educational. They did not embarrass me or make me feel stupid :) Simple mistakes i did.

Dislikes: Alerts can be too much for school zones... but I guess i can turn off that particular POI. Also Speed traps can be old and create a false a;alert but at lest you get the warning ahead of time just in case they are there waiting. I understand its not a radar detector and it cant tell if they are actually there or not. It just warns you of all the favorite "cop" hiding places.... which is fine. I use it as a reminder to slow down in those areas.



Overall... Not bad at all ... i think its a worthwhile service. Seamlessly works in the back ground while navigating just popping up with alerts to slow you down in all the right places. I believe I will continue to use it and get updates regularly. I am also eager to try the iPhone app they keep saying they will release. B++
PhantomALERT Red Light Camera and Speed Light Detector Software for select Garmin, TomTom and Magellan GPS (1-Year Download Subscription)

Not a good choice for older Garmins
I have an older Garmin that I bought years ago. I purchased the Phantom ALERT after being stopped for speeding in an town that I was not familiar with, which had a 25mph speed limit that I was not aware of.

I travel frequently and have found the Garmin to be a great help. When I heard about the Phantom Alert, I thought what a great idea! I'll get that and next time I'm in a small town that I'm not familiar with, I'll get an alert on my GPS to warn me about red light cameras and speed traps.

While the software was very easy to install (and the POI's are on my Garmin), I have yet to hear the first alert when driving near a school zone or an area where I know there are red light cameras. Someone told me that this alert thing only works with the newer GPS systems... if this is so, then Phantom ALERT should have that information posted in the advertisement. If I had known, I would not have spent the money because as of now it has done me no good.

It's an excellent idea and I can see where it could be VERY useful for folks who travel, which is why I bought it. However, unless I can figure out how to get the alerts to actually alert me, it was a waste of money. I'm hoping the new(er) versions of the GPS systems COME with these alerts and notify drivers of speed limits.

The Phantom Alert arrived when promised. It was a plastic card packed in a box, instructions and key code was on the card so that part was easy. It just has not done what I expected.

works very nice
Nice very nice. Works on GPS and smart phones 2. If you hate tickets this is a service you will like. If only I had known about it a while back. A few months ago I got a 0 ticket from a speed camera and I was pissed to say the least. My friend told me about phantom alert and showed me how it works on his garmin. We drove past the spot where I got the ticket and guess what... his GPS went off alerting us to the location even before we could see it. Well it made it clear to me that if I had had phantom on my garmin that day I just might have avoided that 0 ticket. I guess better late than never. Get it before you get a ticket. Learn from me

Pros: Also works on Android phones. downloads were easy. Updates are also easy. Clear tutorial and responsive customer service. Lots of types of POIs red lights, speed cams, rr crossings, schools, DUI spots and of course speed traps.
Cons: need more people to be involved. Need to come out with an app for windows mobile.

It works. It definitely saved me from a few tickets .
It works. It definitely saved me from a few tickets .



A+++ This is my second purchase. I am upgraded from the monthly to the lifetime for 0. I recon it has already paid for itself when it saved me from a few tickets in DC and Florida. DC is crazy with the speed cameras and well Florida... feels like they got speed traps every other mile. Luckily the guys at phantom akert have done a good job marking the spots. I now trust my GPS. Every time I get an alert I just slow down and wait to see what's coming up. It's nice to get the alerts just in case there is an ambush waiting for you around the bend or over the hill. Very valuable service and I will definitely continue to use. I drive for a living and I need to keep my license clean. I have had phantom alert on both my garmin and tomtom and so far its been mostly accurate with a few false alerts. Over all I am satisfied with database and its accuracy. Customer service has also been helpful getting voice alerts on my systems. They seem to know what they are doing and I also like the fact they use, us, the users to generate and correct the database. I myself have reported a few speed traps that I know off and edited a bunch of false locations. I like the fact that they allow you to contribute and correct errors. I have recommend it to everyone I know who owns a garmin or a tomtom. I downloaded it for my wife, kids and in-laws. You can do that if you have the life time plan.



Good luck and keep up the good work. Guys like me rely on you.

Navigator 5 w/dell axim
Works well with the Dell Axim and a Holux GR271 CF GPS receiver. Loaded all the US and Canada maps on a 2gb memory card. Installation went on uneventfully.

Noticed some issues with the maps in rural areas, think it is when traveling from map segment to map segment.

Otherwise, really pleased with the software.

Doesn't work
I have tried to get this software to work on my PALM E2 but it will not perform. Contacting PALM technical support is very time consuming and has not been successful so far.

Great product for it's general inteneded use.
I got TomTom Nav6 for my HTC P3300 GPS PPC phone. It already came with TomTom but not the maps so I bought US/Canda maps from Amazon. There are plenty of complaints, that are valid, but for the most part, I love this software. It just does what it says it does but not much more. Granted I would probably look for a dedicated unit if I was a real road warrior who used GPS all the time, but for me it's just when I'm out of town and occasional use outside of that. When I need it, it turns on GPS, finds my address(s), and routes pretty quickly and just gets me there. However there are some issues.

No, it will not allow you to browse the maps without a GPS fix. But for me, I just use WLS or Google Maps when I just want quick or general directions.

No it doesn't announce street names, but you have the option to show you the street names on the screen. Also, when it says, "you have reached your destination" it doesn't tell you if it's on the right or the left side of the street. That can be annoying but it hasn't been a problem for me yet.

The issue with not being able to route from one region to the other is a valid problem too (have to do two routes or more), but I just bought the whole US and Canda maps to avoid this. You should do the same. There are regional maps for sections of the US which are good for just traveling extensively in that area (and they have more POI's and details) but I feel it would be a waste of money to buy a map you couldn't use for the whole US.

And the maps activation thing is annoying as well, but somewhat understandable. You have to keep a lock on software piracy some kind of way but I feel they could do a better job of it. I am somewhat ticked that I can't use my software on my multiple devices - especially after I paid for them! I feel I should be able to use the software on all MY phones since I bought it! That's the only real problem that I have with the software. I'm tempted to use a cracked version so I can use it on my other phone! I don't promote piracy but I buy something, it's MINE! And I hate protected music files too, that's why I just buy the CD and rip it so I can use them the way I want. (Off Topic)

Anyway, there are a lot of good things about this software. The user interface is just simple and easy to use. The voices are accurate, clear and on time (they don't announce after you've pasted the turn, ect). The display is simple and clear. The routing and rerouting is fast. On my maps, the POI's are not abundant but sufficient. Entering addresses is made easy by giving you scrolling choices as you type. I don't know what more you could want from a GPS software for a mobile device. It's not perfect but it's pretty darn good! I love it!

Not a reliable device
Tomtom maps and application is not a reliable product that you can count on when you are traveling and do not have access to your PC and the disks. This is the second time that the application has stranded me and I am writing this review for others interested in purchasing this program not to get in a situation like I have, and Tomtom staff to read and fix the problem.

I purchased a Tomtom with an HP PDA to travel through Europe (mostly Italy). I installed the software and got an authentication code from the site they specified and started using the device. After about a month of use, and feeling confident that I did not need a paper map, we took a trip to Florence, following Tomtom's direction. After about 20 minutes, the program froze. It would not even respond to a soft reset. I had to take the battery out to get windows CE up and running. After the operating system restarted, I started Tomtom program. It asked me for an activation code. Have in mind that I am in the middle of Italian countryside and not sitting in Silicon Valley. I had to call my office and they went to my office and found the original CD's, went to the authentication site and got the activation code. I found this to be just unreasonably senseless. I appreciate copy right protection, but the people who thought of this scheme must not go out of the office much. I thought of writing a review but did not and latter forgot about it.

I recently bought a cell phone/PDA that has a built in GPS. To avoid having a phone and GPS I tried installing the European map on this phone (it already had the US maps on it). I went through the installation which took for ever and went to the website and got the activation code and tried entering it and it says that the activation code is not valid! So, I call Tomtom support in UK from Germany. The first customer service person was very nice and gave me some advice on how to get an update. I followed the advice and it still did not work. I called the support line again, this time a Mr. Rick answered. This person needs to be assigned to a different department. He basically spent 30 minutes lecturing me on software copy protection. He then asked me to do a hard reset. I told him I did not know how to do the hard reset. He spent another 10 minutes telling me that he is not an HP specialist and that I need to contact HP for support. At this point, I realized that this person was not able to help resolve the problem and asked for escalation to a supervisor. Rick (customer service rep) said that the supervisor would not take my call because I did not do what he was telling me to do (which was not exactly true, because I asked him to help me with the reset and he would not).

I got off the phone and went to the HP site and downloaded the user's manual and did a hard reset. This caused everything to be erased (including my addresses), and Tomtom program to be deleted. And guess what, I call the customer service number again, and they did not know what to do. So, they asked for more time to research the problem and to call me. In about 4 hours not having heard from them, I called again, and this time they told me to download another program that would resolve the problem. I downloaded and it did not solve the problem. I got an email a couple of hours latter telling me to use the original SD card (which is back home) to resolve the problem.

So, to make a long story short, this is not a reliable device and for anyone who has traveled in unknown places, it is a nightmare.

Waste of Money!
TomTom Software Review!
Pros: Being able to have it integrated on the Smart Phone or PDA.
Cons: Inaccurate Maps (we are talking miles not feet!), Difficult of use, cumbersome menus, lack of POI's, Wrong POI locations, crashes often and the list goes on....

Review:
This software should be labeled a beta software until the company works out all its problems, it should be never compared to Garmin or Magellan, I owned both and it does not even come close.
I will start with the pros since it will take the least time to mention.

Pros: Convenience of having a Navigation loaded on your phone, the GPS receiver can be left in the vehicle except when you are hiking for example.

Cons:
Maps:
The inaccuracy of the Maps are incredible and can lead you to a wrong place or miss a free way exit.
Maps are out dated; it did not show streets that have been updated on all map search engines 18 month prior.
You can not click and pan the maps to see the route ahead while on route.
Crashes often, about once every 2~3 days.
You would expect to be able to easily access your address book or contacts to navigate to a saved address; right? Not with TomTom, you have to exit the application and open another application called tomtom contacts there you can select a name and from the pull down click on navigate to address, it would then open the main navi software and show you the route, Oh but if for some reason you did not have your satellite locked yet, then you will have to exit out and do the same thing all over again! I think you agree that this is a bit cumbersome.
Sync
It gives data base errors of "WARNING: Possible database overwrite problem....", after contacting the customer service they said that it is a known problem! And nothing can be done???!!! So now every time I sync I have to ignore the warning message so other problems might go unnoticed thanks to the smart developers at TomTom.
POI (Points of Interest):
Again incomplete, inaccurate and difficult to use. For example if you are looking for a certain store and the search returns 6 and let us say the first 3 are approximately 3mi from where you are, you will not be able to select each one to further know more info - all you can do is pick one to get the directions to.
SD card:
Every time you insert the SD card into your PDA, the TomTom application will have start, and No, this is not an option you can turn off.
Customer Service:
Not very helpful, not knowledgeable about their products or offers and take long time to answer questions or concerns.

I am disappointed at the product which could have been an incredible for the convenience, I hope that the people involved in making decisions for the company go out and buy some different Navigation units and see how they can improve their product.

Thanks for your time reading my review!