5/10/2011

TomTom ONE XL-S 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Review

TomTom ONE XL-S 4.3 inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have this and used side by side with a Garmin 200 W for several weeks before returning the Garmin. Overall this is a good product but a few annoying bugs keep it from being great...here are the pros and cons

Pros

It finds the satellites quickly and keeps the signal. The garmin took 2-3 minutes almost every time from a power up start (this was the deal killer)

The user interface is nicer and has a lot more options than the garmin.

The POI database (such as the POI categories it actually has - it is missing several major US retail chains - see below) is more up to date than the Garmin I bought at same time.

Allows you to set the keyboard to QWERTY mode which the Garmin did not.cons

The graphics are a bit grainy compared to the garmin

The bluetooth is useless, works only for data transmission/reception and that too with very limited number of phones. No, you cannot use it as a handsfree.

If you take a wrong turn or pass by your destination or do anything to pass by your destination on a 2 lane road, it will not tell you to turn around - it will navigate you through the next set of intersections. In rural areas this can mean a 20 mile trip instead of going back 200 yards.

The text to speech works very unpredictably - it pronounces somename very nicely but mangles others horribly such that you can't recogonize it.

Also it announces street names about a quarter mile before and then simply says turn left or right when you are actually at an intersection and want the street name to turn into. This is annoying. Very annoying.

There is an SD card slot. However the unit works either exclusively with the SD card slot or with the internal memory. Which means that you have to reload everything in internal memory onto the SD card which takes about an hour because of the incredibly s-l-o-w data transfer rates.

Also the internal memory is pretty much full so forget about any upgrades unless you spring for at least a 2 GB or more SD card

Strangely, TomTom doesn't know about major US retail chains like Toys R Us, Payless Shoes etc. This even after I updated the unit with the US Retail POI database file

The color schemes available on the unit and online are completely weird. Seems to have been done by people with zero taste and sensiblity.

The internal battery is useless in cold weather (i.e. if you leave the unit in the car in winter). This after a few weeks. It either dies in a few minutes or doesn't fire up at all. Will have to see how it performs in the summer.

The brightness and contrast are so-so in daylight compared to the garmin 200 w

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom ONE XL-S 4.3 Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The TomTom ONE XL-S is the high end of TomTom's ONE line of basicportable gps navigators. It adds text-to-speech functionality to the ONE XL's gorgeous widescreen, 4.3-inch display, expanded traffic options that include GPRS- and optional RDS-TMC radio-based real-time traffic information. The TomTom ONE XL is a complete portable GPS vehicle navigation device with an incredible range of features.

Powerful traffic services give you a big advantage on the commute home. View larger.

Use TomTom PLUS services to stay abreast of key information. View larger.

Voice instructions are available in over 30 languages (complete list below). You can even record directions in your own voice, download specialty voices free at TomTom's website, or purchase celebrity voices. Listen to sample clips.

Free download samples

    Sylvia
Celebrity voice samples

    Dennis Hopper
    Curt Schilling
    Gary Busey
While it does not have the same array of luxury features as TomTom's GO 720 or GO 920 line, the ONE XL-S offers all the features you need in a solid navigation system (see a feature comparison for all of TomTom's GO and ONE devices).
What's New -- Text To Speech
The ONE XL-S has all the features of the ONE XL, but also adds text-to speech, which allows the device to give spoken directions with real street names. MapShare lets you add your own map corrections and POIs, then share them with the entire TomTom user community via the TomTom HOME website


What's New -- Map Share
The ONE XL-S includes TomTom's innovative new Map Share technology. Map Share enables users to make easy changes to the map and to share map corrections with other TomTom customers so that users always have the most up-to-date maps available


Map Coverage
Like TomTom's other navigators, the ONE XL-S comes pre-loaded with complete maps for all fifty of the United States, as well as Canada, based on TeleAtlas map data and all stored on 1 GB of internal memory
See More
But it's not just the broad geographical coverage that makes the TomTom ONE XL-S special. The user-friendly design also puts it a step above other navigation systems. The crystal-clear multicolor display makes for exceptionally easy viewing of maps, routes, driving directions, and other traveling information, such as mileage and distance. Measuring 4.3 inches, the TFT display offers an expanded widescreen view of brilliant two- and three-dimensional graphics.


The device also features 32 MB RAM and 266 MHz CPU, making it responsive and zippy. Using the USB port and the provided cable, you can use your PC to add your own points of interest. Memory expansion is made possible by an SD card slot.


The ONE XL-S provides clear and accurate turn-by-turn voice instructions, so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road while your vehicle is on the move. Voice instructions are issued at a speed-sensitive volume, so as your vehicle's engine becomes louder or quieter as your speed changes, the volume adjusts itself accordingly, guaranteeing clear and easy listening. And because voice instructions are available in over 30 languages, just about anyone will find the TomTom ONE XL-S to be an invaluable system.


With its touch-sensitive screen, the TomTom ONE XL-S puts programming and operation literally at your fingertips to make sophisticated technology simple. The built-in database offers thousands of points of interest for you to use as destinations or reference points as you plan your trip. The ONE XL-S will also provide a selection of available routes, giving you the option of avoiding toll roads or choosing between the quickest or the most scenic routes. The database includes zip codes to simplify your route selection, and for extra convenience, the ONE XL-S lets you save the addresses of frequent destinations, making route planning easier and faster than ever. Other display features include a compass mode to assist you with directional orientation, and an anti-glare screen for optimal viewing even in direct sunlight.


The 4.3-inch (diagonal) 3D driving view offers a clear picture of the road and maneuvers ahead (actual size).
For additional navigational features to assist with trip planning, the built-in Bluetooth connection provides access to TomTom PLUS subscription-based services, so that you can tune in to the latest traffic and weather conditions, as well as download additional city maps, voices, points of interest, and much more. The ONE XL-S adds to these capabilities with FM radio-based RDS-TMC traffic information as an available accessory (not included).


Weighing less than 10 ounces and measuring 3.4 x 4.7 x 1.2 inches, the TomTom ONE XL-S can be easily installed in any vehicle. An included windshield suction mount holds it in place. Plus, with an operating temperature range of an icy -10 degrees to a sweltering 55 degrees Celsius (14 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), the navigator is durable enough for New England winters or Arizona summers. The TomTom ONE XL-S is powered by an internal lithium ion battery that can be charged from your vehicle's cigarette lighter with the included 12-24V adapter.


What's in the Box
TomTom ONE XL-S device, windshield mount, USB cable, cigarette lighter adaptor, adhesive mounting disk, documentation pack, and product code card.
TomTom HOME
HOME is TomTom's free software that enables TomTom users to future proof and personalize their devices. Via easy desktop access, any TomTom customer can update maps, download the latest application, celebrity voices and more. TomTom HOME allows TomTom customers to

    Update their TomTom device with TomTom's latest software and services automatically and for free
    Easily buy and install the latest maps and European safety cameras
    Download celebrity and character voices
    Pre-plan trip itineraries
    Receive free traffic alerts on their computers

Supported Languages


The user interface/application comes in the following languages:

Catalan
Latvian
Czech
Lithuanian
Danish
Norwegian
Dutch
Polish
Estonian
Portuguese
Finnish
Slovakian
Flemish
Spanish
French
Swedish
German
Turkish
Hungarian
UK English
Italian
US English Spoken navigation instructions come in the following languages:
Australian
Japanese
Brazilian Portuguese
Latin American Spanish
Bulgarian
Latvian
Catalan
Lithuanian
Chinese Mandarin
Malaysian
Chinese Cantonese
Norwegian
Croatian
Polish
Czech
Portuguese
Danish
Romanian
Dutch
Russian
Estonian
Serbian
Finnish
Slovenian
Flemish
Spanish
French
Swedish
German
Thai
Greek
Turkish
Hungarian
UK English
Italian
US English
About TomTom TomTom NV is the world's largest navigation solution provider, developing products with an emphasis on innovation, quality, ease of use and value. TomTom's products include all-in-one navigation devices which enable customers to navigate right out of the box; including the award-winning TomTom GO family, the TomTom ONE range and the TomTom RIDER (for motorcycles). TomTom also provides navigation software products which integrate with third party devices; the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDAs and smartphones. TomTom WORK combines industry leading communication and smart navigation technology with leading edge tracking and tracing expertise. TomTom's products are sold through a network of leading retailers in 25 countries and online. TomTom was founded in 1991 in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

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