UK Postcode accuracy
Ains
Posts: 29 [Prominent Wayfarer]
I've had several instances recently with the new app where using the postcode for a destination has left me a considerable distance away when the app reports me as having arrived (once almost a mile away).
The postcodes were correct and I was using the full code. Anyone one else seen this behaviour or have a clue as to why this might be happening? I've tried entering postcodes with and without a gap in the middle but this made no difference.
The postcodes were correct and I was using the full code. Anyone one else seen this behaviour or have a clue as to why this might be happening? I've tried entering postcodes with and without a gap in the middle but this made no difference.
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Answers
Superuser
Post codes can be a problem. Recently on here someone was concerned about Postcodes and when the codes were tested on Google maps it was 1/2 mile or more away from the actual supermarket.
One solution could be Mapcodes which only work on Tomtom units including the new Go Navigator app. If you enter in search on a Tomtom DH.FX then accept the result of the search it will direct you to the middle gate at Buck House. Mapcodes are accurate enough to differentiate between the in and out of a house driveway.
Download the Mapcode app and then you can put in addresses or Postcodes and using the map, in Hybrid mode which is like Google Earth you can move the cursor around until you find the exact spot you want and you are given and address , Mapcode and Long/Lat for the position. Copy the mapcode into your unit and you will be taken to the precise point. You can cut and paste the Long/Lat into the MyDrive App if you want. MyDrive does not work with mapcodes.
Doug
What I don't understand is that this appears to be a problem with the new app - I have always used postcodes to get to destinations in the previous version and in the old app before that and neither have ever produced this problem. Has TT changed the back end on this, perhaps?
Superuser
Could you give some examples that we can have a look at.
Regarding finding Pubs for example.
Tap Search
Tap Points of interest
Tap Whole Map
Tap Near Me or Town / City
If the latter input the Town and select
Type Pub
Select Cafe/Pub and it lists the Local public houses either near you or in the Town.
Doug
Superuser
Thats fine. Put the Postcode in the Mapcode App and using Hybrid map move the cursor around to the exact spot you want. This is particularly helpful in rural areas where postcodes can be well away from the exact spot you are seeking.
There is a campsite we go to which does not have a sign at the farm entrance and the postcode picks a point about 1/4- 1/2 mile away. You can see the campsite on the hybrid map in Mapcode app and centre the map on the entrance which is within the farm complex. Then when transferred to the App or the MyDriveapp for use with a PDN, you can create a route to the Campsites actual entrance.
Doug.
Not a problem if the postcode is a short road but if its a one-mile-long road it leaves you you potentially one mile from your actual destination.
The previous version of the app (i.e.1.9x, I don't mean the "old" app) did not do this - the postcode search was excellent
Where do I report this is as a fault, please? If this is a "feature" it really will be the end of the line with the TT app as I use postcode search ALL the time and it's always been extremely accurate.
Superuser
If you put the Post Code then the number of the house i after it in search ie S63 7QB 67 it seems to direct you to where no 67 is with that postcode in the High Street.
Doug
Superusers
@Ains
Just about to Post the same...
there are 36 Houses for my Postcode
You can put a 'House number' 'Space' 'Postcode or 'Postcode' 'Space' 'House number'
If I put 'Postcode + 1 it reports 200 yards (End of Road)
If I put 'Postcode + (My House number) it reports 20 yards
Google maps... My 'Postcode' (Won't accept a House number) places the marker 5 houses (48 yards) away from my house
Google Earth... My 'Postcode' (Won't accept a House number) places the marker 5 houses (48 yards) away from my house
We Went to Essington Farm WV112AZ today....
Google earth puts the Farm in the middle of a Lake
When in reality its 800 yards away as the crow flies
Click on images to enlarge....
Found this using Street View....
Doh !!! looks like plenty of SatNav's get 'WV112AZ' Essington Farm wrong
Desperate times call for desperate measures
ATB YFM
Saying that the iOS MapCode app is very useful for finding the postcode and then in "hybrid" mode using satellite images you can find the right location. Whilst you can "tap to copy" the map code coordinates, would it not be much better to just hit a button to send them straight to the GO iOS app?
Unfortunately, we need TomTom to add URL Scheme to GO iOS which for some reason they adamantly refuse to do so despite being asked for this function since 2016.
Regards,
Superuser
Mapcodes only work on Tomtom Satnavs including the OIS Navigation App but unfortunately not in My Drive.
If I input in Search on a PND or the IOS navigation App the mapcode, found on the Mapcode App using the Hybrid Map in it, ESP PCT.NY2, include the gap and the full stop, then if I accept the search result it will calculate the route to the In/Out barriers of a Campsite in Moncofa Spain. This system works worldwide and is very useful for finding precise places you want to be directed too. Even the pitch I was on at the campsite has its own Mapcode.
When you find a point on the Map you are given an addresss, the Long/Lat co-ordinates and a Mapcode for that point. You can cut and Paste the Long/Lat from the Mapcode App to the My Drive app and then send the route to your PDN. In the case of the Go navigation App you can cut and Paste the Mapcode or the Long/Lat straight into the App
By the way the What3words you would have to put in for the same result is Repelled.Professions.Astounding for the same place.
Definitely worth a look.
Doug
I know we can still input map codes on the PND itself, however being a bit lazy (and easier to use a PC keyboard too) I prefer to use MyDrive first and then send the location to the device, so that when we get into the car we are then ready to go...........
A TT moderator (now retired @MikkkoK) said back in July 2017:
"Hi Bobby,
I got a confirmation that this indeed has to do with the recent release. The team is aware of this and will address the matter in a later release. Unfortunately, I don't know the exact release date.
Cheers, Mikko"
Still waiting 2 years later !!!
E.g. today I entered PR5 0JE. The only destination options TT gave me were Hoghton Lane or A675 and TT told me I was at my destination roughly 1 mile BEFORE that actual postcode. Google maps app and Google maps on a PC shows that postcode at the actual destination - almost a mile from the TT stopping point.
I've seen this behaviour several times with postcodes in TT recently and, of course, it leaves you potentially a long way from where you need to be and makes navigating by postcode very tricky.
This is definitely new behaviour in the recent app update. Previously using a postcode as a destination always took you to the exact spot, not just the rough area.
Surely this is a fault, given the previous behaviour of the app?
Superuser
If you know the house number add that to the end of the Postcode in search with a gap between. Should take you to the house.
Doug
Superusers
@Ains
My GO 6200 showing PR50JE Postcode... On Hoghton lane... Roughly positioned midway between Methuen drive & Bells lane
Google Maps puts PR50JE Postcode to the left of Methuen drive
Google Earth measures the Google/Tomtom error to be 65 Yards ???
Near enough for me...
ATB YFM
That's accurate but that's on a standalone TT. It's the GO app where this is a problem.
Superuser
Just had a look at what you are suggesting. I am tagging this for @lampard to look at on Monday.
There is one thing you have not mentioned that I have noticed.
When you put the Postcode PR50JE in as you say it offers 2 options for you to select. It does not matter which one you select you get the same result. I don’t know if you have noticed but if when you select either of the options and then you select Show on Map the destination is exactly the same as Google Earth as indicated by @yamfazman.
What is very odd is that if you then select drive the directions are not taking you to the same spot identified when you Selected Show on the Map. I don’t think I have every seen that happen before. Hence I have flagged it to Lampard.
Have you any other examples that could be passed to Lampard if he would like them
Doug
Superusers
I get the same results as @DougLap ....
The App offers 2 locations both locations show the same location on the Map
The location is the same as shown on Google Maps in my earlier post
Google Maps puts PR50JE Postcode to the left of Methuen Drive
Apple iPhone 5s Running the Tomtom App... puts PR50JE Postcode to the left of Methuen Drive
ATB YFM
Thanks DougLap. What you describe is exactly what happens and it doesn't appear to be isolated to certain examples, it happens every time and the accuracy of the actual place it then tells me is "destination reached" is only dependent on how far away the road starts that it flags as that postcode.
Another example would be L14 5NG. this brings up two choices for the destination but the "arrived" point is almost a mile from the actual address I'm trying to get to. I've been to this address twice recently and the same behaviour happened each time
Superusers
@Ains @DougLap
Well spotted, the Postcode seems 'OK'
It looks like a planning error on the Phone Apps
The SatNav devices seem OK...
Maybe useful... For a Workaround try....
(1)...Tap 4Dot (.... Menu) --> Search
(2)... Enter Postcode... PR50JE
(3)... Tap on the offered address
(4)... Tap Show on Map
(5) ... See Screen grab....
The quick Menu Updates/Flashes
Tap ( Drive )... Route plans to the correct location....
ATB YFM
Superusers
@Ains
Here's L145NG... Using the above workaround....
Destination >> Opposite... Alder Hey Children's Hospital
ATB YFM
Thanks I'll try that while DougLap flags the problem. I seem to remember many moons ago that there was a similar issue where you couldnt search to the exact postcode, just the first 3/4 of it. Might have been another Sat Nav app to be fair
Thank you all for your detailed feedback's and @Ains for reporting this! I'll forward this to the product team for further investigation. In a meanwhile, can you all please share the postcodes which has the same behaviors as described above with GO Navigation App? This will help us to narrow down and quantify the issue.
Regards, lampard
Two more just this morning:
BL3 4XB - google maps take you exactly to this site which is a small parade of shops and a pub. TT appears to show the correct location on its map but when you then press "Drive" it stops at the beginning of Armadale Road which is a LONG way from the actual Postcode
SK10 3LG - again, TT shows the correct location if you click "show on Map" when choosing the destination, but it actually took me to the village of Prestbury this morning - some 10 minutes form the actual destination
Thanks