TomTom XXL 540TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Review
Really great overall. Only a few things keep me from suggesting 5-star. I find the screen is a nice large size and easy to read. Data input is easy, doesn’t make you type the beyond enough letters to pick from a scroll list, and there are 4 keyboard choices with large keys for my thumbs to work without a problem. I really like the life-time maps concept for current maps (compares to phone navigation that usually is always latest maps). Map updates are expensive otherwise. Routes seem correct and smart. Built in traffic would be nicer, but that is what the optional assessory is for or the other model. However, I haven’t bought or used the traffic assessory that is RDMS (radio-based), which looks expensive, and supposedly limited to major roadways compared to internet-based traffic updates of phones and other systems. The verbal driections are effective and well worth it. Overall, I really like it. It is a nice device if you want a one-time purchase, a dedicated device, and a large display. All things considered, it really only falls short on no configurable street name speach speed for enunciation and screen touchy so that I keep setting my volume to 0 when I want it to repeat the last direction, which keeps me from saying 5 star. So my rating is i really like it.
A dedicated GPS device will tend to have a much better GPS receiver than phones and I haven’t had a problem at all with GPS signal so far. It can show you active GPS data signal from all sources. Location tracking seems very fast, current, & reliable. It seems to take 30 seconds to 2 mintutes to get a GPS signal when I first turn it on. It seems to remember where I last was and assumes you are still there, and you can plan a new route from there and start. By the time I get to my first turn it seems to be already up and tracking me. If you connect it to a PC by USB to update, it supposedly can update GPS satellite locations for the next 7 days at a time to get the signal even faster.
The spoken turn-by-turn with street names is a must for me so I know which street to turn on when there are several. This is especially useful if there are GPS signal problems which I have had on *other* devices so I can watch for the street if it is lagging my location a little bit. The volume & speaker quality seem great, better than phones, and can automatically adjust based on your speed to account for road noise. However spoken street names really only works with the computer voice. The device comes with 4 English human voices (3 female, 1 male) and one computer voice (female). The human voices are a bit clearer, but no street names from what I can tell. Some devices like some phone navigation offers many human street names and if none available automatically mixes in a computer spoken street name. I wish I could have this mix a human voice when available and fill in with computer spoken streen names & messages. It is only one or the other, so I just leave the computer voice on. The computer voice is decent for main directions & numbers, but mis-pronounces a bit. For example, the 10th largest US City, San Jose, is spoken as “San Hua-Se” instead of “San Ho-say”. But realistically that is entirely forgivable and you can navigate by it without error. What is more difficult is the enunciation of street names which are spoken too fast and not enunciated well. If unfamiliar with the streets, which is the main case for me to use a navigation device, I need to hear the name enunciated well so I can see road signs and understand what the name will look like, and this falls short, but is still workable. If you can look at the screen and just see the name, it solves it, but isn’t always convenient while driving. You cannot configure the computer speach to slow down, which would solve it for street names.
The touch screen is a bit too touchy. It actually seemed great out of the box, then after I updated the device the first time which installed an updated version of the software (which added enhancements like 4 keyboard choices), the screen seems to me to be more touchy. This is actually problemmatic and annoying at times. You touch the screen to bring up the menu or select a menu item. But sometimes it registers 2 presses and closes the menu or selects the item that was at the same location without a delay from the first selection. Seems like they could add a delay between registering presses in menus. A bit too often I end up somewhere else from it registring 2 presses. The most problemmatic is pressing the lower-left to have it repeat a direction, which also brings up the volume control starting in the same spot with the 0% at the same location you just pressed. It nearly always ends up immediately changing my volume to 0 when I wanted it to repeat the direction, and now I miss all spoken directions until I can fix it, which is more difficult while driving. Still, if you are just careful, pay attention, or don’t use the screen while driving which you shouldn’t anyway, then should be fine. I am still very happy with it despite a bit of a touchy screen. Makes data entry nice & fast, which is probably why it is turned up.
Updating the device is simple enough and the software seems nice. Enabling the lifetime map service kept failing without a clear error. It turns out you need to run the update first to fully update the device the first time, then it would let me enter the lifetime maps activation code. Restarting the application was the only clue and told me to update. Once activated, it doesn’t make it clear elsewhere in the app that it understands it is updated and goes back to failing. When I first activated, it listed a new map to download, but I just updated the device, so it should have had the latest and I didn’t have the time, so when I went back later the code wouldn’t come up again to list the same map update it did last time. Updating the device the first time took several hours over my DSL to get the 1.6 GB map update and transfer to the device.
TomTom XXL 540TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Feature
- Preloaded with maps of the US, Canada and Mexico with Lifetime Map Updates
- Lifetime Traffic Updates included–outsmart traffic and avoid delays for life with real-time information via your TomTom
- Preloaded with more than 7 million points of interest in over 60 destination categories–gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs and more
- IQ Routes Technology calculates the fastest route possible based on time of day, saving you time, fuel and money
- Advanced Lane Guidance indicates exactly which lane to use, so you can go confidently
TomTom XXL 540TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Overview
The TomTom XXL 540TM Auto GPS is complete navigation in a XXL widescreen device. Switch on and go right out of the box. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names will guide you to any address in the US, Canada and Mexico – including more than 7 million preloaded points of interest.
TomTom XXL 540TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Specifications
Get street smart with the TomTom XXL 540·T–complete, 5.0 inch widescreen navigation featuring Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates. Outsmart traffic and minimize delays with Lifetime Traffic Updates. Based on incoming traffic events, your device will suggest alternate routes. And, with Lifetime Map Updates you’ll always drive with the latest and most accurate maps. On average, 15% of the road network changes each year, so it is important to have the most up-to-date maps. With the XXL 540·T you’ll always stay current.
Five-inch widescreen navigation plus Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates. |
Expand your horizons with a five-inch, extra-wide touchscreen. |
The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds into the back of the device for maximum portability. |
Switch on and go right out of the box. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names will guide you to any address in the US, Canada, and Mexico–including more than 7 million preloaded points of interest. The TomTom XXL 540·TM is complete, widescreen navigation.
Only TomTom has IQ Routes Technology* which shaves time off even the shortest trips by calculating the fastest route based on time of day you are traveling. You’ll always drive the smartest, most efficient route and save time, fuel and money. Advanced Lane Guidance** uses photorealistic images to bring even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits so you can be more confident on the road.
TomTom has the most accurate maps and with TomTom Map Share technology you can instantly modify street names, street direction, POIs, road speeds and turn restrictions on your own device.
The “Help Me!” menu provides added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers. The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds flat against the device, making it easy to take it with you from car to car.
Maps of US, Canada & Mexico
Preloaded with maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. TomTom has the most accurate maps and with TomTom Map Share technology you can instantly modify street names, street direction, POIs, and more on your own device and receive daily verified updates from TomTom. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions and 3D graphics will guide you to any address in the US, Canada and Mexico, worry free.
Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates
Enjoy a lifetime of easy driving with two great features from TomTom. LIFETIME Maps guarantees you receive four new editions of your TomTom map each year to ensure that you are always navigating with the industry’s most up-to-date map. And, LIFETIME Traffic sends updates to your TomTom every three minutes, so you can always steer clear of traffic delays and take the fastest route possible to your destination.
7 Million POIs
Preloaded with more than 7 million points of interest in over 60 destination categories. Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs and more on your route. Or, seek out a new tourist attraction, nightlife spot, or shopping center and navigate directly to it. Customize by adding your own points of interest.
IQ Routes Technology
TomTom IQ Routes Technology puts the driving experience of millions of TomTom users into your maps to shave time off even the shortest trips. Calculates the fastest route possible based on time of day. With TomTom IQ Routes you’ll always drive the smartest, most efficient route. IQ Routes saves you time, fuel and money.
Traffic isn’t the same during Monday morning rush hour as it is on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Heavy traffic, rotaries, traffic lights, and even pedestrians can slow you down. The route you need changes depending on the day and time, so the shortest route isn’t necessarily going to be the fastest. With TomTom IQ Routes you’ll always drive the fastest route.
Advanced Lane Guidance*
TomTom Advanced Lane Guidance gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won’t miss your turn or have to make sudden, dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use, so you can go confidently.
Spoken Street Names
Announces turn-by-turn directions aloud, including street and place names.
Five-Inch Touchscreen
Expand your horizons with a five-inch, extra-wide touchscreen. A wide screen allows an expanded driving view and easier menu operation.
Fold & Go EasyPort Mount
The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount provides maximum portability. The EasyPort mount folds neatly onto the back of the device, so both are small enough to fit into your pocket or bag. The EasyPort mount makes your device even more portable so you can take it with you wherever you travel.
*Feature only available in the US and Canada
**Feature available in the US only
All TomToms Feature
Plug & Go–Works right out of the box.
30 Day Latest Map Guarantee–Up to date, off the shelf.
TomTom Map Share–Modify your own map and benefit from others’ verified changes with TomTom Map Share.
Help Me! Emergency Menu–Easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.
TomTom HOME–Always up to date.
Fuel Price Service (optional)–Know more, pay less.
About TomTom
Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high quality products and services.
TomTom is the world’s leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further our commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so we can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.
We have our own mapping company!
Did you know that every year roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world’s most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage–more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.
Why TomTom?
At TomTom, we believe that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. We develop smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 24, 2010 09:45:07
