GPS

TomTom One XL S

Approximate retail price:

$307.96

Summary: The TomTom One XL S has a wide 4.4-inch LCD screen. Notable features include text-to-speech capability, so that voice direction includes specific names and highway numbers. It is traffic capable and includes preloaded maps for the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

38 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: Navigators with traffic optional

About - TomTom One XL S
The One XL S is part of the GPS test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, GPS models like the One XL S are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Entering destination/POI: Based on the logic and ease of programming an address or point of interest into the system. Includes whether the database allows dynamic searching for addresses, if letters are grayed out, ease of entering into navigation menus upon start-up, and ease of finding points of interest. Info for driver: Based on the on-screen and audible information given to the user during navigation. Includes type and font size of on-screen information, ability to speak proper street names, languages supported, and amount of audible information given including descriptions of the next maneuver. Routing options: Based on the number of options for fine-tuning the route plotted by the system. Includes multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, biking routes, walking routes, and RV/truck use. Also includes availability of foreign map databases.

About - TomTom One XL S

The One XL S is part of the GPS test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, GPS models like the One XL S are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Entering destination/POI:: Based on the logic and ease of programming an address or point of interest into the system. Includes whether the database allows dynamic searching for addresses, if letters are grayed out, ease of entering into navigation menus upon start-up, and ease of finding points of interest.
Info for driver:: Based on the on-screen and audible information given to the user during navigation. Includes type and font size of on-screen information, ability to speak proper street names, languages supported, and amount of audible information given including descriptions of the next maneuver.
Routing options:: Based on the number of options for fine-tuning the route plotted by the system. Includes multi-destination routing, avoidance of toll roads, biking routes, walking routes, and RV/truck use. Also includes availability of foreign map databases.

About This Brand
Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom now has offices Europe, North America, and Asia. The company Web site claims that TomTom is the world's largest provider of navigation devices, with sales in 30 countries and online. We've found TomTom devices to be among the easiest to use in our testing, but the company also offers tech-savvy users options to customize their units. Celebrity voices are available, and TomTom invites customers to update maps and POI information, and share it with other users.

About This Brand

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom now has offices Europe, North America, and Asia. The company Web site claims that TomTom is the world's largest provider of navigation devices, with sales in 30 countries and online. We've found TomTom devices to be among the easiest to use in our testing, but the company also offers tech-savvy users options to customize their units. Celebrity voices are available, and TomTom invites customers to update maps and POI information, and share it with other users.

Features & Specs - TomTom One XL S
Screen size (in.) The diagonal length of the display screen measured in inches and rounded to the nearest tenth on an inch. Screen size (in.)	4.4
Bluetooth hands-free calling Allows user to make and receive hands-free telephone calls using the unit's internal speaker, microphone, and screen. Automatically quiets directions while call is being made. Can display user's telephone book, and shows caller ID on the screen. Can also dial phone numbers of point of interest locations. Requires a Bluetooth-compatible telephone. Bluetooth hands-free calling	No
Spoken street names Commonly referred to as "Text-to-Speech," this helpful feature is the ability to pronounce proper street names. For example, a system with this feature would say, "Turn right on Truman Avenue" rather than, "Turn right in 500 feet." Spoken street names allows the driver to confirm directions with street signs without looking at the screen. Spoken street names	Yes
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User Reviews - TomTom One XL S

Average User Rating

(based on 38 reviews)

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Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 38 See all 38 user reviews

Easy to use; hard to update

By Bob from Atlanta, GA on 1/26/2010

Pros:

Easy Menus, Easy To Read, Large Screen, Simple Controls

Cons:

Acquires Satellites Slowly, Hard to update, Short Battery Life

Best Uses:

Faster Routes, Finding Specific Address, Rural Navigation

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Great w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I find it easy to use, though need to use a stylus to enter data. Updates via the website are difficult and slow. When you update your map, you lose your custom stuff - home, recent destinations, etc - which is irritating. Visuals are excellent; very easy to follow directions. Voice seems to get "snippy" when you don't follow directions and it has to "recalculate" the route.

Tom Tom - not. Dumb Dumb.

By joele54 from Dallas, TX on 1/25/2010

Pros:

Simple Controls

Cons:

Acquires Satellites Slowly, Bulky, Can't find addresses, Flimsy Mounting, Inaccurate

Best Uses:

Find Cross Streets

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Bad w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I generally use the The Tom Tom either on long trips or getting to unfamiliar local destinations.

I have dubbed it Dumb-Dumb, because it has difficulty finding street addresses, and has gotten me lost several times due to this inability. The inaccuracy of their maps is a definite issue.

It does well finding intersections - I can ususally navigate to a desired location from there.

Good value with all necessary functions

By Kevin from Florida on 1/16/2010

Pros:

Compact, Easy Menus, Easy To Read, Easy To Set Up, Large Screen, Reliable Performance

Cons:

Acquires Satellites Slowly

Best Uses:

Finding Specific Address, Planning Trips, Rural Navigation, Urban Navigation

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How are you with directions:

Great w/Directions

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I use the Tom Tom to find addresses and occasionally restaurants, hotels, etc. It is friendly and fun to use. The text to speech is an absolute must if you do much urban driving. The 4.4" screen is also a plus. It has various celebrity voices but that's only fun to play with once or twice a year and is certainly not a buy consideration. I haven't owned other GPS but based on my experience with just this one, I would not hesitate to recommend it.

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