Reviews4,313 Reviews

All Reviews > Hardware > GPS/Satnav

May 12, 2009

TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition review

Product Code: 1EM0.002.0

The TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition is a clever and good looking satnav device.

You may fear that GPS technology is devaluing our map-reading skills, but your argument may be in vain. By combining navigational skills with various road statistics, TomTom's latest affordable smart satnavs could be the final nail in the coffin for those squiggly lines and symbols we once depended on to get our bearings.

TomTom's XL range now comes with the IQ Routes feature previously available only on its high-end Go models. By measuring your fastest route based on actual road speeds at any time of day rather than their restrictions, you should get to your destination on time and without sitting in traffic or wasting fuel.

We tasked the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition to take us on a journey we already knew well, to which there are two very similar routes. Off-peak, the motorway is quickest but, come 5pm, this ‘fast' route is jammed with motorists unaware of the peaceful carriageway running parallel. Did the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition know this? Of course it did.

Also new to the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition is a revamped user interface, European maps of 42 countries and Advanced Lane Guidance, a feature that provides a 3D visual representation to make sure you're exactly where you should be at complicated junctions.

Fixed safety camera alerts are preinstalled on the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition, and there's a three-month trial of the paid-for service to keep your device up to date. We were given plenty of warning - around 240 yards - before approaching cameras with a gentle beep, thus allowing us ample time to check our speed at a safe and convenient moment.

Phones and PDAs news and reviews

Build quality is good, and the shiny black TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition simply twists in and out of its EasyPort cradle. This can be angled forward as far as you need so the screen is clearly visible to the driver. If we had to find a fault, it'd concern the device's omission of a stylus to aid chubby-finger input.

TomTom has added the ability to direct you to the nearest petrol station, mechanic or police station. It's reassuring to know that the Locate Me button can also be used to enable others to find you.

On the down side, the TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition doesn't feature Bluetooth for handsfree calls, any multimedia features or a built-in TMC receiver (a £48 optional extra). The latter is perhaps the greatest shame, since combining real-time data with average road speeds could take IQ Routes to another level.

NEXT PAGE: our expert verdict

VERDICT >
1 | 2 | NEXT >

Independent customer reviews from

Tom Tom TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition scored:
9.0 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 33 reviews:

29 Jul 2009 Anonymous verified purchaser

8

Good Points

A well constructed and easy to use product.

Bad Points

Map inaccuracies still annoying having been directed down a alleyway in Dublin in a car! Numerous points-of-interest inaccurate including railway stations, ports and petrol stations. Directions called at wrong moments causing driver to take the wrong turn too early e.g. turn left is called when the required turn is later than required and often there is another turn before the actual one. Computer updates annoying as safety camera locations are erased or omitted when they worked on a previous version. Computer update often 'wipes' customised settings e.g. favourite locations & safety camera settings requiring the user to re-customise - usually this is only known when driving so is most frustrating to re-customise the unit when on the move - not very safe! Battery life only lasts around 1.5 hrs which is very annoying when most journeys last longer than this.

08 Jun 2009 Bill, manchester

8

Good Points

Better features then last version

Bad Points

3 Months trails on speed cameras,fuel prices, traffic reports, and Not fast at processing information.

See more Tom Tom TomTom XL IQ Routes Edition reviews on Reevoo.com

Best Prices

£120
Go»
£127
Go»
£130
Go»
Prices, delivery and availability at 13 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

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

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

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 IQ Routes Edition

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