Tom Tom One XL-S GPS Review

There is such a wide variety of in-car GPS devices today it can be confusing which one to put in your car. It is not uncommon for many people to buy more features than they really use on a regular basis, thus they end up paying more for their GPS. If this is something you would like to avoid and just get a unit that gives you basic but superb car navigation capabilities, then you will probably like the TomTom ONE XL-S.

TomTom ONE XL-S Car GPS
TomTom ONE XL-S GPS Navigator

Key Features

The TomTom ONE XL-S is all business, singularly focused on its job to assist you navigate your car. It features a wide screen 4.3-inch display, with 480x272 resolution, that gives you a better view of the road. I liked the look of solid reliability on its casing, with its darkish silver and gray finish, and the conveniently very adjustable windshield mounting kit (or you can mount it on the dashboard using the accompanying adhesive disc).

I always prefer a GPS device to have true text-to-speech directional capability. This makes navigation much more convenient. With true text-to-speech functionality, you hear the GPS give you street names along with other directions; it should not stop at just telling you when to turn. You can appreciate directions that say "turn left on Orchard Road, one quarter mile" as opposed to "turn left, one quarter mile." A small thing, it may be, but it is markedly helpful, even important, to hear the street name or highway route number as you cruise through unfamiliar zones. TomTom One XL-S gives you this capability at low cost. The S actually refers to its street-naming capability.

Voice commands are not supported; that's for the higher end models. But standard features like storing addresses, and designating your 'home' address, planning out an itinerary and other little things are included.

One unique feature in TomTom GPS units is the Map Share services, which is enabled on this unit. Map Share allows you to download from the TomTom website maps updated constantly by the TomTom community of users. If you are registered for this handy service, you can make your own changes to particular maps you choose and upload them to the site, to help the other users in the community if you feel like it.

The ONE XL-S has a very handy "Help Me" menu, another unique feature from TomTom. It gives you directions to the nearest car repair garage and other key points in case you need assistance or in an emergency. The menu offers options in getting to help -- whether you wish to call for help, drive or walk to the nearest service point. It even gives first aid tips. It also allows you to know your exact location, so you can relay the information to emergency teams.

It has limited Bluetooth functionality. The Bluetooth feature is there not for hands free calling but primarily to serve as a channel for delivering optional services (should you opt to purchase them), including weather data and real-time traffic updates. You can also use it to send text messages to other owners of TomTom XL units.

Being all business and no frills, the TomTom ONE XL-S does not include any MP3 player, JPEG image viewer, Audiobook player, or those other extras that are seldom used anyway. It does have a USB port, to connect to your car battery for charging or your computer when you wish to use Map Share or download map updates from the TomTom Home software.

GPS Performance

The first time you turn on the device, you go through a setup routine that introduces you to its features. For example, it will ask your desired time format, preferred language (it can display data in 30 languages), unit of distance whether miles or kilometres, and your choice of navigation voice (for US English, there are 5 voices). The thing is the device cannot give out street names using a human voice text-to-speech feature. At this stage, therefore, it is recommended that you outright select a computer voice.

You are then asked your choice for default map colours and your 'home address.' Once you complete the set-up process (in about 5 minutes), you can start navigating. Its main screen guides you to a destination (choices of new address, a favourite, home, a recent destination or any point of interest). Main entries like getting help, adding favourites or changing preferences are done on this screen. The secondary screen helps you plan itineraries, make corrections to maps, and manage the Bluetooth feature. Its third screen is your access point to optional extras, e.g. the real-time traffic receiver.

The reason you purchase a GPS device is you want assistance for navigation. ONE XL-S delivers on that core experience very well. Entering addresses is made simple with the well-sized screen buttons and bright display. The wonderfully crisp text-to-speech feature coupled with the detailed maps makes things easy for you. You get a decent time to first fix, because the high sensitivity receiver reads the satellite signals very quickly.

Two functionalities seem to have been left out of this version of the ONE XL-S: an automatic shift from day-night display (you have to make the switch manually), and also an on-off switch linked to the car ignition. Perhaps TomTom will remember to put these in subsequent versions. But as it is, the ONE XL-S delivers outstanding navigational performance, especially since it comes to you at such a favourable price point.

Read actual user reviews and check out the latest offer on TomTom ONE XL-S at Amazon.com.