Reviews4,313 Reviews

All Reviews > Hardware > GPS/Satnav

August 29, 2008

TomTom XL review

Product Code: 1EG0.054.02

The TomTom XL satellite navigation device may have an oversized 4.3in touchscreen, but the overall design is anything but extra large.

The XL is the first of a new breed of TomTom devices that sports a slimmed down cradle unit. For drivers fed up with the chunky cradles and curved armatures that usually accompany satnav units, the TomTom XL's new EasyPort mount design will be great news.

The TomTom XL twists in and out of the circular retaining bracket and can be angled forward as far as you need so the screen is clearly visible to the driver.

The whole setup of the TomTom XL feels secure and more robust - we managed to snap the top off the brittle stalk on a TomTom device we tested a year or so ago. The new design was therefore a reassuring development.

The satnav unit itself has also been transformed from the squat, boxy design for which TomTom originally became known. The TomTom XL has undergone a change of shape similar to and almost as dramatic as the change from a bulky CRT TV screen to a dainty flatpanel. Again, losing the bloat makes the unit seem far more attractive.

One of the most important innovations in the TomTom annals was 2007's introduction of a feature known as MapShare. This allows TomTom owners to note and mark alterations to the mapped route - ongoing roadworks, a new road or a thoroughfare that has now been pedestrianised or access blocked off at one end. These can then be shared via TomTom's web portal, TomTom Home. TomTom verifies the accuracy of these user-submitted edits before making them publicly available.

By regularly logging on to the TomTom web portal and installing the latest map updates, users can be sure they've always got the most up to date and accurate maps. It does TomTom no harm in a marketing sense either, since the company can then claim that products such as the TomTom XL have maps that are more up to date than any other satnav company's.

Now map data provider TeleAtlas has formally become a subsidiary company of TomTom, we imagine TomTom will always have the freshest maps ahead of other vendors.

A addition to this year's satnav models is the IQ Routes feature. This collates actual traffic data from TomTom users and other regular road users and uses it to work out exactly how fast traffic is able to travel along a given road at a particular time of the day.

When we first tried out this concept in the back roads of rural Kent, we were less than convinced. Six months later, however, and with the addition of thousands, if not millions, of road hours to the TomTom data banks, this feature works very effectively indeed.

Intelligent laning information verbally delivers instructions about which part of the road you should be on when you approach a junction and this is reinforced by the path you need to steer being clearly marked in a darker blue on the TomTom's maps.

We tested the TomTom XL up and down the country and on various routes through and around the capital, and found it uncannily accurate.

TomTom has just announced that it is extending this time-based routing feature on yet another new range of satnav devices, so you should be given the most appropriate advice about the route to take depending on the five-minute slot before you depart. Let's hope it takes into account the extra 20 minutes required to repack the boot and to dash upstairs for that vital item you've left on the bed.

If you're plotting a journey coming from the west of London and need to end up somewhere in the suburbs to the east or south-east, knowing whether it's faster to use the London Orbital road, the south circular or head straight through the centre, such time-based advice is incredibly helpful. Even in the depths of rush hour, going straight seemed to work best and having a dependable satnav such as the TomTom XL to help us negotiate unfamiliar back streets and shortcuts helped keep the stress to a minimum.

NEXT PAGE: limitations, early warning system and averting danger

Buy it now: click here

Continued...
1 | 2 | 3 | NEXT >

Independent customer reviews from

Tom Tom TomTom XL scored:
8.9 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 128 reviews:

18 Jun 2007 Alan, Aberdeen

10

Good Points

Very easy to use and fits in your pocket so you can take it out of the car when you park. Invaluable when on a driving holiday in Europe.

Bad Points

It is amazing how quickly the maps become out of date and panic sets in when a new roundabout appears in front of you. Pity there is not a subscription service to update these little sections of maps.

18 Feb 2008 Chris, Sheffield

10

Good Points

Very simple to use Quick and simple set-up- step by step instructions on-screen GREAT FOR AVOIDING ARGUMENTS IN THE CAR ABOUT WHICH WAY THE MAP SAYS TO GO!!!! Compact design- no fiddly buttons, all on-screen Lots of features but easy to use- easy to follow (jargon-free) menus Good clear maps, 2D and 3D- widescreen version better than standard screen for this This version got me out of a small French town at night and back onto the main routes with no problems at all. Also navigated Paris in rush-hour and gave alternative routes when traffic was bad. 3D map especially useful to see what lay ahead in slow-moving traffic. Made joining/ leaving motorways at home and abroad. Easy and safe- good advance warning of when to take a slip road. Can also be set to warn audibly of speed cameras and when your car reaches the current limit automatically. I would've struggled to use a map successfully in some situations which TomTom did for me instead!

Bad Points

Can't think of any, except it got lost once (but everyone's allowed the odd mistake aren't they?)

See more Tom Tom TomTom XL reviews on Reevoo.com

Best Prices

£146
Go»
£150
Go»
£150
Go»
Prices, delivery and availability at 6 retailers
Go»

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor Reviews to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

Which parts of the desktop PC/laptop experience can't you get on your smartphone?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan

Total reviews: 4,313

  • www.tomtom.com
  • Tom Tom
  • £200.1 inc VAT
  • £209 inc VAT for Regional Traffic version

Click here to buy now

See product specs

expert rating

Build quality

4.5/5

Features

4/5

Value for money

4/5

Overall

4/5

expert rating

TomTom XL

READER REVIEWS


Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader reviews

Latest reader reviews


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now