Suppport Thread for the TND 500, TND 700 or future Rand McNally products.

Have not even tried yet to hook it to the computer via USB and I already have to take it back.... Battery wont hold a charge

Unplug it and it shuts down immediately, its been plugged in for the last 4 days....

Hope the next one is better...

 

I have been out for the last two week with the 510 and only have had a couple of problems, the biggest is that it freezes up, I reset it and it works fine. Is there a reason it might be doing this? It has happened both on the highway and in a shippers yard.

 

As I said in my original post, the Tom Tom belongs to my son.
It seems my free maps question has been answered, but I think it's sad that I have to find out through the grape vine when I've sent out a total of 4 messages. Even an "I don't know" would have been appreciated.
I thought I had my mind almost made up about which to buy, but it's starting to look like RM doesn't feel they need my business.
I could take my $500 elsewhere I guess. I'll have to look at the Cobra again.

 

This is what you said: "I need to make a decision on which GPS to get soon because I need to return my son's Tom Tom which works pretty good but I really need something more truck specific."

So, if YOU are the one returning your son's GPS so that you can use that money to get a 'truck specific' GPS, why can't you do as I stated and return the Tom-Tom, get your money back, and take all the time you need to decide on a different GPS system?

This makes no sense. You complain that your answer came from "the grapevine", and yet you posted your question TO the grapevine, which is pretty much what this forum is. Getting ahold of Mark doesn't require you to post a message here, so if you DIDN'T want to get a grapevine response, what was your real intent?

Ahhhh, NOW this is beginning to make sense. You wanted to whine in public. Good luck with that Cobra. It wouldn't be MY first choice of a recommendation, apart from RM, especially if you think that Cobra's customer service is going to be better than RM's.

BTW, just out of curiosity, I just called RM, posed the map update question to the service/sales/whatever rep, and got a response. So I have no idea why you are unable to get hold of RM.

 

Mark,
I have the 500 I purchased about 3 months ago I believe. Constantly getting a Navi.exe fatal error. GPS isn't even useable anymore at this point. What is the best number to get a replacement unit (new not refurb) or a refund?

 

I didn't know I had to be crystal clear on everything, but SOME PEOPLE seem to require it.
Pay attention. Maybe you'll be able to comprehend these thoughts that you seem to find so complex.

I am returning my son's GPS to my son, not to a store. Are you following me so far? Good.
I had budgeted $500 for a GPS some time ago. Money isn't a problem. May I suggest that you re-read the OP.
I posted to the "grapevine" when I received no response from other sources. It seemed like the logical thing to do.
You called RM. I emailed them. Maybe that's why you got a response. I see you are quite proud of this magnanimous accomplishment. Congratulations!

Whining??? Ahhhh, NOW this is beginning to make sense. You wanted to play internet troll.
If you REALLY want to play the troll game, that's fine. I usually win at that game. Otherwise, have a nice day and thank you for answering the simple question, "Are maps free?"
You see, a driver was telling me that RM had free lifetime maps, and I was merely investigating the claim. I'll probably still go with the TND 510.

 

I can't say that I'm enthusiastic about this product. In fact, I regret the purchase. I've compared it to PC Miler, MS Streets & Trips, hand held Megellan unit and Google Maps and so far I'm having little success with its' choice of routing. Fastest versus shortest is a challenge for me to understand faced with the type of routes the TND provides. While it has a lot of bells and whistles, it's principal function, that of a GPS is far behind the aforementioned alternatives.

For example: a simple trip from Eau Claire, WI to Arcadia, WI should be:

Directions to Arcadia, WI, USA
51.8 mi – about 1 hour 8 mins

US-12 W/WI-312 W

1.
Head west on US-12 W/WI-312 W toward N Town Hall Rd. Continue to follow WI-312 W

About 3 mins
go 1.2 mi
total 1.2 mi

2.
Turn left to merge onto I-94 E
About 12 mins
go 9.6 mi
total 10.8 mi

3.
Take exit 68 for WI-93 toward Eleva/Eau Claire
go 0.3 mi
total 11.1 mi

4.
Turn right onto WI-93 Trunk S
About 40 mins
go 30.8 mi
total 41.9 mi

5.
Slight right onto Washington St
go 0.2 mi
total 42.1 mi

6.
Slight left onto WI-93 Trunk S/Burrows RdContinue to follow WI-93 Trunk S

About 9 mins
go 8.3 mi
total 50.4 mi

7.
Turn right onto WI-95 W/E Main St
About 3 mins
go 1.4 mi
total 51.8 mi

Arcadia, WI, USA‎

Now, all of the above directions are truck legit, yet the TND chose the following:

US-12 W/WI-312 W‎

1.
Head west on US-12 W/WI-312 W toward Mill Run Rd
go 43 ft
total 43 ft

2.
Make a U-turn at Mill Run Rd
About 3 mins
go 1.8 mi
total 1.8 mi

3.
Take the ramp onto US-12 E/N Clairemont Ave
About 9 mins
go 6.7 mi
total 8.5 mi

4.
Turn right to merge onto US-53 S toward Madison/Interstate 94
About 3 mins
go 2.7 mi
total 11.2 mi

5.
Take exit 84A to merge onto I-94 E toward Madison/Chicago
About 29 mins
go 27.9 mi
total 39.1 mi

6.
Take exit 98 for WI-121 toward Pigeon Falls/Alma Center
go 0.2 mi
total 39.3 mi

7.
Turn right onto WI-121 W/Co Hwy FfContinue to follow WI-121 W

About 8 mins
go 6.4 mi
total 45.6 mi

8.
Turn left onto US-53 S/WI-121 W/Ekern StContinue to follow US-53 S/WI-121 W

About 8 mins
go 7.1 mi
total 52.8 mi

9.
Turn right onto WI-121 W/Dewey StContinue to follow WI-121 W

About 8 mins
go 5.3 mi
total 58.1 mi

10.
Turn left onto Osseo Rd
About 2 mins
go 0.4 mi
total 58.5 mi

11.
Slight right onto Washington St
go 0.2 mi
total 58.7 mi

12.
Slight left onto WI-93 Trunk S/Burrows RdContinue to follow WI-93 Trunk S

About 9 mins
go 8.3 mi
total 67.0 mi

13.
Turn right onto WI-95 W/E Main St
About 3 mins
go 1.4 mi
total 68.5 mi

Arcadia, WI, USA‎

51 miles versus 68. Neither Fastest nor Shortest made any difference. In fact, the TND fought for 10 miles to turn me around to its original route even though I was going in the direction to Arcadia.

I could cite similar examples but I think I've made my point.

Now before anyone decides it's their duty to inform me that there's a disclaimer, or that I should be doing my job by checking my routes against known routes, etc. please refrain from flames, lectures and the like. I know my job and I manage my routes just fine. Just to add to this, I am aware of the settings within the unit and have explored all of the variables for truck routing.

Summary for now: Can't recommend!

 

Complex thoughts? Not hardly. Incomplete thoughts that you posted to the thread? Youbetcha

Pray tell, when did you state that you were returning the GPS back to your son? You provided no explanation as to even why you had your son's GPS unit to begin with, and you made no mention that the "return" was back to your son. So, when you said "I need to return my son's Tom Tom which works pretty good but I really need something more truck specific.", this sounded like a nice dad who was trying to take care of a purchase return and new purchase.

This is a non-sequitor. What does the issue of money not being a "problem" to you have to do with anything related to what was stated in your posts? How do your previously unstated feelings about your economic circumstances change what your post stated in writing? Money isn't a "problem" for me, either, but if I had a GPS unit that wasn't what I wanted, I would return it for a refund. I sure wouldn't throw away the money.....so why would I expect that, based on what you wrote, this wouldn't be the same for you?

No one has said any different. I was simply responding to what you wrote about the "grapevine".

Go back and read my responses to your first couple of posts. You will see where I had stated that I have emailed RM, and I have had a return response within 24 hours. As to the "magnanimous accomplishment" quip, I find it odd that someone who seems so focused on a getting an answer to a question would not think to call, as well as to email.

Perhaps you should look up the definition of "internet troll" before you misapply it again.

I bet you do.

You're Welcome.

 

Please let that be the last post between you two on the subject. This is a support thread, please let's keep it that way. If you wish to discuss further, please take it back channel.

Thanks folks....carry on!!

 

what did you use for the first set of directions? just curious cause none of the gps you mentioned are truck capable.