Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is my second TomTom product. I have TomTom on my Palm TX and have just sold a Garmin Nuvi 780. For those TomTom users, the interface will be very much the same. Display- excellent at 5 inches and very bright. Almost all the info you could ask for is there on the bottom bar. Your speed starts blinking when more than 3 mph over the limit. Easy to touch the screen and change the volume without changing screens. Excellent. Sound is pretty clear, much better than my Nuvi 780. It works well out of the box but for some features, you will have to go online to read the user's manual at the TomTom site. Touch screen works well, not too much pressure but also not too sensitive. Guidance is also excellent, especially driving an RV in heavy traffic on the freeway. Gives a 2 mile notice before the next turn so a big rig has plenty of time to move to the correct lane. My Garmin only gave the next turn 7/10 of a mile ahead. No big deal in a car but enough to be a little stressful if no one in the passenger's seat to help. Next turn is indicated with a large arrow with the distance also displayed. The 3D freeway interchange maps work well and make it hard to make a wrong turn. The 740S plugs into a Mac or PC and works well to download the latest info, voices, etc. Navigation is good and is the only GPS I have found to get me home making all the turns that I normally take. The Garmin display is a little prettier with excellent street resolution but the XXL 740S's street maps are quicker to read and you don't have to take your eyes off the road for as long in my opinion.
Cons: GPS is moderately difficult to take on and off the mount. It is not a hot mount so the power cord must be plugged/unplugged each time. Garmin's mount is much better with a positive, easy action and is powered so removing and replacing is far quicker. On the other side, the single, small cord on the TomTom is not very obtrusive while the bundled cord on the Garmin is very visible.
Almost but not everything costs when you go to the TomTom site to get the latest maps, etc. When your GPS arrives, you have to download the current map within 30 days or pay for it. I learned the hard way. I installed the latest firmware but did not get the latest map. Garmin's support is a bit friendlier than TomTom's. The fellow I spoke with was not rude but could have been a bit warmer. All GPSs are heavily discounted today and it may pay to just update the unit every couple of years rather than paying almost the same for new maps.
Bottom line is if you are a BMW, MBZ or Porsche type, you will love it. It just has so much info right on the screen and you can go online to download road changes other users have found...for free. On the other hand, if you drive a four door with idiot lights, another brand may be your cup of tea.
Mexico and Europe maps make it just about impossible to beat for the world tourist/traveler in a rental car.
Wishes: altitude on the screen and degrees to go with the compass.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5. Excellent. Love it!
Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator World Traveler Edition
The TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition is complete navigation in a XXL widescreen device. Switch on and go right out of the box. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names will guide you to any address in the US, Canada, Mexico & Europe - including more than 9 million preloaded points of interest. IQ Routes Technology gives you the fastest route every time by using actual average speeds of travel on your route to calculate your trip rather than only posted speed limits, so you\'ll always travel the smartest route. Advanced Lane Guidance uses photorealistic images to bring even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits so you can be more confident on the road. An extra-wide 5.0- Inch touchscreen helps you find your way, worry-free. TomTom has the most accurate maps and with TomTom Map Sharetechnology you can instantly modify street names, street direction, POIs, road speeds and turn restrictions on your own device. With the "Help Me!" menu, there are added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers. The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPortmount folds flat against the device, making it easy to take it with you from car to car. The XXL 540S World Traveler Edition is complete, widescreen navigation.What's in the BoxTomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition device, EasyPort mount, USB cable, adhesive disk, car charger, and user guide
