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HK/Tom Tom/Subaru map updates SUCK!!!

567 Views 31 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Jim_in_PA
I just wasted about 4 hours of my life trying to download and install the latest (5/2023) updates to my nav unit. I tried two different (new, formatted) Sandisk 32 GB USB sticks...both downloads failed at around 70%....." Out of space" On the 3rd attempt, the HK server downgraded me to the 2021 map update (already installed).

I can't believe I paid $1000+ for an option that is stuck in the 1980s and causes this much aggravation!

I'm going in soon to the dealer for a pre-3K mile road trip oil change & tire rotation. If the dealer can't update the nav maps (at no charge), I'll have a very negative opinion of Subaru and its service.
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I just wasted about 4 hours of my life trying to download and install the latest (5/2023) updates to my nav unit. I tried two different (new, formatted) Sandisk 32 GB USB sticks...both downloads failed at around 70%....." Out of space"
I think it needs a 64GB drive or it will reject it.
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I think it needs a 64GB drive or it will reject it.
Instructions say 16 GB+, I was using name brand 32 GB sticks. I was able to download in install (with much difficulty) the prior update last November using 32 GB sticks. At any rate, the procedure leaves much to be desired. Most other cars do it automatically over the air, without all the hassle and frustration. The HK/TomTom/Subaru system is a pathetic embarrassment compared to what other mfgs are offering. I can't believe I was charged $1000 for such a pain in the ass.
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The word "blank" is potentially also important as it may not like the disk that already has other stuff, even though it has more than 64GB of empty space. I will thus reformat the drive just in case. I bought a new, and cheap, 128GB drive from Amazon and it finished the job without any problems. So follow the instruction to the T ...
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I tried two different (new, formatted) Sandisk 32 GB USB sticks
My freshly downloaded map downloader said to use a 64gb drive. Had no issues and no authorization code required. The May US, Mexico, Canada update took 23 minutes to update the head unit. The update process in the 23 doesn't provide a lot of detail on the progress, just a blue bar.

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That's odd, when I go to Mysubaru>map updates it says "at least 16 GB". Maybe my app is also "out of date", I'll reinstall the downloader. I'll order a 64 or 128 and try again. Why can't they just do an OTA like other companies? And the cumbersome zillion digit secret access code.....do they actually believe anyone would pirate this obsolete TomTom crap? They have my VIN and should know I am a paid subscriber, why all the cloak & dagger stuff?
do they actually believe anyone would pirate this obsolete TomTom crap? They have my VIN and should know I am a paid subscriber, why all the cloak & dagger stuff?
It's because the free download privilege is time limited to 3 years. After that, one must pay for new map updates unless something has recently changed.
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do they actually believe anyone would pirate this obsolete TomTom crap?
Exactly.

I only use TomTom for comic relief when I already know where I'm going. Amazing how many "make a u-turn" commands it will bark before reprogramming the route.
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...I only use TomTom for comic relief when I already know where I'm going. Amazing how many "make a u-turn" commands it will bark before reprogramming the route.
The TomTom is really for emergency only — when you are in the middle of no where, it can help you to get to "civilization" where cell signals are present. Why TomTom, but not Garmin? I am sure this is a matter of cost. Garmin is so well established that they either don't care to participate or will charge car companies a fortune to use their maps and UIs. Remember when iPhone first came out, the partner was AT&T but not Verizon ...
That's odd, when I go to Mysubaru>map updates it says "at least 16 GB". Maybe my app is also "out of date", I'll reinstall the downloader. I'll order a 64 or 128 and try again. Why can't they just do an OTA like other companies?
For 2023, this update is free, and I did not buy any future updates so may be your update route is different from ours. I did update first OTA for maps in the states I care the most. However that alone took more than 1 hr so later I switched to using the USB.
Well, I officially give up and surrender. I finally successfully downloaded the USB of the latest map update, and I have the activation code ready (all zillion digits). I go to the car, insert the USB..."USB not authorized"....OK where do I enter the code? I go to settings>general> and under "navi database version" it is blank, no version is shown. I guess I don't have a version??? I go to "check updates" and am told I must be connected to wifi, and I am directed to wifi settings, which reports that I am connected. Back to "updates"....sorry sucker, you "must be connected to wifi" OK, back to wifi settings.....yep, I am connected. Rinse and repeat.

I mentally give things the "Mom Test". If my 85 YO Mom (RIP) paid $44K for a car, and an extra $1000 for the nav package, should she be expected to know how to jump thru these hoops (assuming the hoops even worked)? I think not. Other companies can successfully do automatic OTA updates, why not Subaru?

Well, back to Waze & AA. I wish there were some way to get a refund on what I paid for this junk nav system and its subscription.
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Well, I officially give up and surrender. I finally successfully downloaded the USB of the latest map update, and I have the activation code ready (all zillion digits). I go to the car, insert the USB..."USB not authorized"....OK where do I enter the code? I go to settings>general> and under "navi version" it is blank, no version is shown. I guess I don't have a version??? I go to "check updates" and am told I must be connected to wifi, and I am directed to wifi settings, which reports that I am connected. Back to "updates"....sorry sucker, you "must be connected to wifi" OK, back to wifi settings.....yep, I am connected. Rinse and repeat.

I mentally give things the "Mom Test". If my 85 YO Mom (RIP) paid $44K for a car, and an extra $1000 for the nav package, should she be expected to know how to jump thru these hoops (assuming the hoops even worked)? I think not. Other companies can successfully do automatic OTA updates, why not Subaru?

Well, back to Waze & AA. I wish there were some way to get a refund on what I paid for this junk nav system and its subscription.
Nav systems in most vehicles are a complete waste of money - add my Honda to the list along with Toyota, and Subaru. Tesla probably has the best one, only because it helps you find charging stations.
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Nav systems in most vehicles are a complete waste of money - add my Honda to the list along with Toyota, and Subaru. Tesla probably has the best one, only because it helps you find charging stations.
I do like my Tesla nav system. However, could the traffic be any moronic?

It shows orange/red traffic backups....at 4-way stops....in the neighborhood. 90% of the traffic indicators are wrong or just plain dumb. On the highway it is mostly correct, but usually only for super heavy traffic.

What I don't get is it says Google is the source. But it looks drastically different if I open Google Maps and bring up the traffic data.
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Well, I officially give up and surrender. I finally successfully downloaded the USB of the latest map update, and I have the activation code ready (all zillion digits). I go to the car, insert the USB..."USB not authorized"....OK where do I enter the code? I go to settings>general> and under "navi database version" it is blank, no version is shown. I guess I don't have a version??? I go to "check updates" and am told I must be connected to wifi, and I am directed to wifi settings, which reports that I am connected. Back to "updates"....sorry sucker, you "must be connected to wifi" OK, back to wifi settings.....yep, I am connected. Rinse and repeat.

I mentally give things the "Mom Test". If my 85 YO Mom (RIP) paid $44K for a car, and an extra $1000 for the nav package, should she be expected to know how to jump thru these hoops (assuming the hoops even worked)? I think not. Other companies can successfully do automatic OTA updates, why not Subaru?

Well, back to Waze & AA. I wish there were some way to get a refund on what I paid for this junk nav system and its subscription.
all valid points. a well designed and implemented system requires end user experience consideration. That step seems to have been missed. all of that presumes that TomTom is worth it even if the updates were easy and free. I would be curious as to the percentage of owners who renew their update subscription versus drop it and use AA or CP.
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We have the TomTom in our 23 Touring, but I still prefer the stand-alone Garmin stuck to the windshield.
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If you remember, even the mighty Apple uses TomTom, but not Garmin, as the template for Apple Map. Only after several years can AM eventually go toe to toe with Goggle Map. For a typical car company to compete with these two big players to build UIs and nav seems to be a waste of resources. They are still trying to build their own because customer user data are apparently high value commodity.
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I would be curious as to the percentage of owners who renew their update subscription versus drop it and use AA or CP.
Frankly for emergency only to get out of "wildness," any version of the TomTom should be fine. I personally don't care. I still have a Garmin in-car GPS because my previous car did not have a build-in Nav system. The map update for that GPS is still on-going and free. I will keep it until it dies ...

Even if you don't have a built-in Nav, there are GPS based free app that can navigate without cell signals. I use Gaia GPS mostly for hiking but it can navigate, even though it does not give turn-by-turn instructions.
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all valid points. a well designed and implemented system requires end user experience consideration. That step seems to have been missed. all of that presumes that TomTom is worth it even if the updates were easy and free. I would be curious as to the percentage of owners who renew their update subscription versus drop it and use AA or CP.
Very, very few, I suspect. I don't need to pay money to be frustrated and pissed off. I can stub my toe or poke my eye for free if that is the goal.
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If you remember, even the mighty Apple uses TomTom, but not Garmin, as the template for Apple Map. Only after several years can AM eventually go toe to toe with Goggle Map. For a typical car company to compete with these two big players to build UIs and nav seems to be a waste of resources. They are still trying to build their own because customer user data are apparently high value commodity.
The TomTom connection ship left the dock in 2020 with Apple Maps. They use their own data at this point. While I still prefer Google Maps for a number of reasons, most which are subjective, Apple Maps in its current forum is pretty darn good at this point.
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