TomTom ONE XL-S 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

With Text-to-Speech selector, TomTom One XL-S offers you the option of listening to GPS instructions instead of reading them. It's like having a guide. TomTom's award-winning software with Map Share and Help Me! and maps for United States and Canada help getting where you want to go easier than easy. The TomTom ONE XL-S portable navigator features a large, easy-to-read 4.3" widescreen touch display for hassle-free navigation. It comes preloaded with maps and future map updates are covered with new SD Secure Digital cards or downloads from TomTom, so you won't have to worry about your maps and features going out of date. Simply enter your destination on the ONE XL-S's touchscreen, and choose text-to-speech technology. It will guide you with turn-by-turn voice prompts, which speak actual street names. Multi-destination programming helps find the fastest way to run all your errands in one trip, or ask the ONE XL-S to find the quickest or shortest route, then follow the 2-D or 3-D map display to your destination. It truly is an interactive driving partner! Is Bluetooth 2.0 compatible Ready for TomTom PLUS traffic information services (you must have a separate device compatible with both GPRS and Bluetooth) ? available in most major urban areas Unit Dimensions 4-3/4W x 3-7/16H x 1-3/16D; weight - 7.3 oz.
Customer Review: What good is it if you cannot see it?
I bought the Tom Tom One XlS after reading the reviews. It is easy to use and the software interface is intuitive, the voice is very clear, the instructions are very good and it is easy to mount. However, the unit has two serious flaws. It claims that the maps are up-to-date, but it still indicates features, such as unpaved roads, that are at least ten years old. The other flaw, fatal in my opinion, is that it is impossible to see the screen if there is sun and if you have sunglasses on, it is even worse. What good is a map that you cannot see? I tried many positions in the car, even on the dashboard where preinstalled GPS are placed; nothing! I called their technical service and their CSR spent 30 minutes trying to improve the brightness to no avail. I think there is no way to improve this, the guy just hung up on me when he got tired of faking he could fix it; it is just the result of a bad design. I have used a Nuvi before, and did not have that problem. I should have bought one, but this unit was on sale. F. Rodriguez Cincinnati area.
Customer Review: TEXT-TO-SPEECH AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE
At long last TomTom has released a GPS model that incorporates a text-to-speech feature at an affordable price. This has been what most TomTom customers have been waiting for. The original TomTom One was first introduced to consumers roughly two years ago and was in direct competition with the Garmin Nuvi 350 model. One of customers major gripes was that the TomTom One lacked the popular text-to-speech feature that the Garmin Nuvi 350 had. It seems that in a two short year span the TomTom One has come a long way with adding features and (with GPS becoming more popular) lowering prices. The TomTom One XL-S is, in a way, the first of its kind. It is the first TomTom GPS device to offer text-to-speech (verbal pronunciation of street names) at a price tag of under $300.00. This is good news for consumers not looking to invest too much cash into a GPS but wanting this convenient feature. For those who are unfamiliar with past TomTom One devices this text-to-speech comes in handy when not wanting to take your eyes off the road. For example: lets say you are driving on an unacquainted, busy freeway. Traffic is moving at 70mph in four lanes all around you, your exit is close but given the circumstances you have to keep watching traffic and don't get an opportunity to glance down at your trusty TomTom. Ordinarily you would simply hear you TomTom One say "Exit Right" as you approached your off-ramp. But with the new TomTom One XL-S the street names will be heard as well as illuminated on the screen. So instead of hearing "Exit Right" you will hear "Exit Right On War Memorial Drive". A very convenient way to keep your eye on the road and know exactly where you are at all times. Aside from the text-to-speech feature this particular TomTom One comes with a widescreen for easy viewing. I personally have never had any trouble reading the 3.5 inch screen of the original TomTom One but I'm sure a lot of consumers will love the new 4.3 inch widescreen display. All the new features of the TomTom One 3rd Edition are included here as well. You get the "Help Me" button which when pressed opens features such as "Phone For Help" which displays emergency numbers for the current location (such as and typically 911) "Drive To Help" which show you the quickest way to the nearest police station or hospital and a "First Aid Guide" which is provided by the British Red Cross. Also included in the safety features is an option to sound a custom alarm if any of the following occur: 1. When approaching a school or church 2. When driving faster than a set speed 3. When driving faster than allowed A nice addition to the TomTom One XL-S is the ability to make your own map corrections. For example the city I live in recently shut down an existing department store and rebuilt a Super Center about a mile down the road about 3 months ago. Because of this recent change the Points Of Interest database had to be updated. I simply used the "Map Correction" feature to edit and move the existing Point Of Interest to its correct location on the map. Very convenient. The "Map Correction" feature also allows users to (Un)block A Street, Reverse Traffic Direction, Edit Street Names, Add Missing POI, and Report Other Errors Compared to the many GPS devices I've used (including Garmin products) I've personally found that TomTom has the edge as far as map accuracy and route planning. This new TomTom One XL-S is another break through in TomTom technology that would be perfect for anyone looking to either upgrade from a previous GPS or for first-time GPS buyers looking to save themselves the headaches of getting lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Included in the box is: - The TomTom One XL-S - (1) Car Charger - Documentation Pack (Quick Start Guide, Installation Poster, Accessories Catalog, and Warranty/License Agreement) - (1) Windshield Mount - (1) USB Cable - (1) Adhesive Disk For Windshield Mount (for mounting the TomTom to your dash)

A handheld portable GPS unit is not really what you think it is. In GPS terminology a handheld GPS and a portable GPS are 2 different things. A handheld GPS is a small handheld device like a radio, or a wristwatch with GPS technology. A portable GPS is a unit that you can move from vehicle to vehicle if you do a lot of traveling. Portable meaning it is not permanently mounted in a certain vehicle. That way you won't get lost no matter what city you are in.

Handheld GPS receivers are now available in small units that can fit into your pocket. These units are used by skiers, bikers, hikers, and cross country enthusiasts to track progress, map return routes, save routes for later travel, and many other applications. One of the newest past times of handheld GPS users is geocaching. Geocaching is a treasure hunt using GPS to find and hide treasure containers with others. 21st century treasure hunting. Isn't that cool.

Although these units can be fun, they are also very handy in an emergency. Using Global Positioning System technology you can pinpoint your location in case of an accident, or if you get lost in the wilderness. And they fit easily in a backpack or pocket.

As with any electronic instrument these units are available with many different features. These features include: Map database; Voice activated GPS; WAAS technology, Reflection-less screen; Theft prevention functions; an option for personalized screen icons; and MP3 capability. However a unit around $100 will give you everything you need to do some hiking or backpacking and find your way home.

Different models will vary according to the GPS software and database installed. To facilitate the enjoyment of the interactive GPS unit, all the models have the basic instructions on the display screen. Most handheld GPS models come with instructions that will enable you to hear the information put out as well as read it on the screen.

Personal choice will determine which handheld GPS receiver you choose. Your choice will depend on the type of software and mapping programs that suit your requirements. Also the receiver's size, weight, and choice of internal or external antenna are things that will matter to you. It will depend on what will fit your requirements and your budget. Most units are waterproof or water-resistant and many are shock resistant in case it gets dropped.

These units will provide you with excellent basic GPS navigation whether you are in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot.

Wayne MacLean is an avid hiker, snowshoeing enthusiast, and loves the outdoors. He is a writer for both online and offline businesses.

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