TOM TOM Item ID: #580TomTom XL 340TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 4.3-Inch Portable GPS NavigatorProduct Information:
Item DescriptionGPS, TOMTOM XL 340TM, LIFETIME Item Reviews5 Responses to “TomTom XL 340TM (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition) 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator” |
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There are several GPS systems available to those of us who don’t have it already pre-installed in our automobiles.
I already own a Nuvi Garmin, so I was pleased to compare it with the TomTom.
The TomTom provides a system of receiving periodic updates, which requires initial registration, so you have to connect it via USB to your home computer first, for registration, and for any recent updates that are provided as downloads.
After this initial step, the basics of the two GPS systems are very similar.
You then put the device in your car, and it operates much like the Garmin.
However, there are a number of advantages/ extras to the TomTom.
First, you can request alternate routes (like you do on Mapquest, e.g. avoid highways).
Also, there is a sidebar that can provide traffic updates/ detours, that can be invaluable in busy peak-hour driving.
There is also search engine availability, e.g for finding the nearby cheapest fuel, or for finding nearby businesses, e.g. supermarkets, shopping centers.
Unlike the Garmin, there isn’t a voice activation capability with the TomTom, but I find I don’t use that much anyway on the Garmin (as the spoken phrases accepted are rather limited).
So, overall, an excellent GPS device, a worthy alternative to the Garmin. I would go with whichever is the cheapest for your pocketbook.
Highly recommended.
This is wonderful! Bought it for my daughter and it works like a dream. Very easy to use. A great value.
We just drove 2100 miles across the country and this GPS worked great! It got all of the turns right and helped us find places to eat along the way. It shows you which lane you should be in when you approach a major intersection–very, very useful! This is a great GPS!
Around the holidays, I purchased a TomTom One 125 SE, which has the smaller 3.5″ screen but also reads the streets aloud. I bought the 125 SE at a big box retailer for a very low price as a pre-holiday special. Now that I also have the TomTom XL 340M from Amazon, I thought it would be interesting to run both of them at the same time in order to compare the differences between the two.
The map in the XL is current where the map in the cheaper TomTom One is probably 3-6 months old. Still, they should be pretty comparable. I’ve used the same map colors and the same brightness and volume settings so that the comparison is fair.
Initial setup: I’ve read some comments suggesting that the initial map update is too large for the unit without modifications and this has apparently created difficulties for some. As soon as I hooked the unit up to my computer, I called TomTom customer service and they walked me through the initial update. They told me how to delete most of the voices (which can be added back later, but you don’t need most of them), as well as how to delete the outdated map. We had a minor glitch updating the new map, but they talked me through that as well. When you first hook your XL 340M to your computer, it’s going to suggest that you click on the button to update the map. I’d suggest that you don’t do that and instead call TomTom to assist you with the initial setup.
Screen: The screen is certainly better on the XL 340M. At night and in overcast weather, the difference is not major, but in bright sunlight, the XL 340M is readable where the 125 SE’s screen is pretty much washed out. Not only does the XL 340M have a better screen but at 4.3″ it’s also bigger than the 125 SE’s 3.5″ screen, which also helps to improve clarity.
Battery Life: You’d think that the 340M might have a bigger battery due to its larger size, but the battery life seemed a touch better on the 125 SE. Battery life on both units is reasonable, but could always be better. Fortunately, a car charger is included.
Update: Both units use the excellent TomTom home update service. It’s very easy to use, so no complaints here.
Detail: The XL 340M shows some map detail that the 125 SE does not. For example, the XL 340M shows the private parking areas in my condo complex where the 125 SE shows no such detail.
Satellite linking: The XL 340M links up with the satellite much faster than the 125 SE does. With the 340, I’m dialed in shortly after turning it on while the 125 SE might take a block or two to sync up.
Sensitivity: The XL 340M is definitely more sensitive. I can sync up with the satellite from inside my condo away from a window where the 125 SE requires that I either walk outside or hold it near a window for awhile.
Portability: Both GPS units are small, but the TomTom One 125 SE might have an advantage if you are on foot, as it is smaller and can easily fit in a shirt pocket.
Spoken directions: Generally, spoken directions were identical or nearly so and these spoken commands happened within about 2 seconds of each other. There are minor differences. For example, the 340M says “Highway One Hundred and Sixty Three” where the 125 SE says “Highway One Sixty Three”, but there are not a lot of difference. I do note that there were a couple of times where the units gave me conflicting instructions and the XL 340M’s directions appreared to be more accurate. For example, while driving east-bound on Broadway in downtown San Diego, the 125 SE instructed me to turn left onto 5th Ave, which would have been an illegal left turn and a violation of signs, where the XL 340M instructed that I continue driving east-bound until left turns once again became legal to make. I’m not sure if this difference is a measure of the underlying maps or something to do with the units themselves.
“Live” function: The XL 340M offers TomTom’s live service free for 3 months. This provides live traffic updates and a Google search of local businesses along with weather and a few other features. It’s nice and handy but I don’t think it will be worth the $10 per month or so that’s required once the free trial expires. Do note that the rest of the the features will work just fine without the subscription, but you’ll lose access to the live features. I also noted that the live features, which are apparently transmitted over cellular-type frequencies, do cause a bit of audio interference when used near some radios. Nothing too annoying, but if you move close to certain radios while the live feature is downloading data, you’ll hear computer sounding interference on your radio. However, it did not interfere with the car stereo which is good news.
Lifetime map updates: The XL 340M offers lifetime map updates, which is certainly worthwhile. It’s worth a bit of extra money just for that feature, in my opinion.
Lane indicators: The XL 340M shows traffic lane configurations at major freeway junctions where the 125 SE does not. This feature is handy, but it’s a real big deal either way.
Overall: It should come as no surprise that the TomTom XL 340 M is the better unit of the two, although the budget 125 SE held up quite well given its low price. While the XL 340M isn’t perfect, it’s still quite good and I’d recommend it. It’s easy to use, quite accurate and the lifetime map update feature will keep you pointed in the right direction and ensure that the unit won’t become obsolete anytime soon.
TomToms are GREAT GPSs, no doubt about it. I own 5 for 5 cars. But I bought the XL 340TM and returned it because I wanted the LIVE traffic service (which, by the way, is very valuable for city commuting) and the XL 340TM does NOT come with the antenna that is required for the LIVE traffic service and good luck finding one. Even TomTom no longer has them for sale on their web site, and I could not find one anywhere else for less than $70 or so. Instead buy the TomTom XL 340TM Live and get the antenna included along with the lifetime traffic service and map updates for about $200, so it’s only $30 more than the XL 340TM. You want both the TM and Live because you want the antenae icluded but don’t want to be paying for traffic and map update services.