TomTom XL 340S Review

TomTom is one of the major GPS manufacturers that travelers trust because of their fantastic line-up of GO devices. However, many of the people that were looking for more affordable GPS devices felt left out and GPS devices for automobile usage are higher on demand these days for convenience and safety issues. This sparked the release of the TomTom ONE devices, but the screen size left more to desire resulting to the newer TomTom XL 340S to follow.

TomTom XL 340S GPS Navigator

Design

The XL version sports a larger screen than the original ONE’s 3.5” display making it equal with the recent GO devices at 4.3 inches and having the same 480x272 resolution. As for the overall look, the TomTom XL 340S looks simpler, but the curves make it a pretty attractive model that doesn’t look cheap.

Interface

Since the TomTom XL 340S is focused as an entry level GPS device, the setup was made really simple allowing you to use it immediately after it is unboxed. There is an activation process that needs to be done online, but no major problems should be experienced. The main menu is fairly simple with some meaningful icons leading to the main features.

Actual user review:
"This unit is worth buying just for the IQ routes! The most important feature of any GPS is its competence in routing. I have owned several brands of GPS, including Garmin and Mio. This one has the best routing yet! It always seems to choose a route that a local driver would choose. Some local drivers could even learn some better routes with this thing. The text to speech voice works well. Like other TomToms, it is very easy to customize in terms of the information you wish to display on the screen." - C.D.Hess (NY,USA)

Navigation

In the accuracy category, the TomTom ONE scores some high marks because of how well it updates its positioning as you move along. There could be some minor instances where the distance is off, but it still makes it the better model to choice from other budget GPS devices out there. Routing features are exceptional as well and doesn’t commit the other mistakes that other GPS devices make where U-turns are frequent.

Some impressive advanced features were squeezed in the large budget device as well including a useful advanced lane guidance feature that works extremely well in highways where certain exits need to be made. This feature graphically represents the interchanges a lot better so you can plan your routes on tough areas. The Text-to-Speech feature is also incorporated to increase the safety of drivers by keeping them focused on the road. Unlike other GPS devices featuring Text-to-Speech functionality, the TomTom XL 340S allows different voices of different accents to be used like French and Spanish and some other neat voices impersonating celebrities.

The maps are adequate, but should be updated immediately via downloadable content to get any missing signs. Also, the fastest routes are based on calculations based on other data coming from other users with the IQ Routes feature making it convenient for time critical trips.

Other Features

A nice extra included in the XL 340S is the ability to download fuel prices so you can find the nearest gas station that saves you the most money. The Map Share feature is also pretty cool for other TomTom users to share maps with one another to improve on accuracy. It also has a Fold & Go EasyPort mount (shown on right) that folds flat against the device, making it easy to take it with you from car to car.

The TomTom XL 340S manages to keep its profile in the midrange category yet it maintains a great list of features and the overall performance of the device is good. This is definitely one of the better products in the budget line-up.

More user reviews:
• "This is my second TomTom (Previously had the GO 910) and this version is amazingly better. I wanted to upgrade due to the tremendous advances in the newer versions. Start up time is smoking fast, the new Advanced Lane Guidance is awesome, and the compact size and mounting hardware are first rate. I loved my first TomTom but I love my new 340-S even more. " - J.Bough (OH,USA)

• "With value and cost in mind, this GPS ranks near the top. A comparable Garmin is $400. The features on the Tom Tom Live 740 are not worth the additional cost. Traffic and LIVE features are imperfect on most GPS models at this time unless they are coupled with cell service. Even then, they are still imperfect. There are a few errors on the map, but they are easily correctable with the map correction feature. I recommend this GPS product highly." - M.Moses

List Price : $279.95

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