| TomTom XXL 540S |
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The new TomTom XXL 540S is a dashboard GPS navigation device that has a 5-inch touch screen, a nice dash mount, and other valuable features. It does, however, lack a few features that other similar GPS units offer, such as live traffic updates and an integrated MP3 player. In total, the device weighs just short of 9 ounces and measures 3.5 x 5 x 1-inches(hwd) in size. This measurement includes the "EasyPort" mount, which adds considerable bulk to the device. This dash mount is detachable from the device itself, so it can be used as a separate device. The 5-inch touch screen is very large, bigger than most other GPS units in fact. Because of the large display, it makes using the device really easy because there's more room for "tapping" and it makes things a lot of accurate and easier to see. Inside the box is of course of the TomTom XXL 540S unit, a USB sync cable, USB car charger, the car mount, and an adhesive disk for the mount. Preloaded on the TomTom XXL 540S are complete maps for the United States (all 50 states, Puerto Rico, & D.C.), Canada, and a decent amount of coverage for Mexico. There are also 7 million points of interest (POI) preloaded too, which means you can use the unit to search for things like gas stations, grocery stories, hotels, parks, etc. that are near your current location. There is also the ability to do searches by address, street crossings, zip codes, and more. In planning a route, you can combine multiple destinations and choose routes based on shortest distance, shortest time, no highways, etc. When you turn on the TomTom XXL 540S, it will take a few seconds to acquire a GPS signal, and in testing it usually took around 20-30 seconds, which is fairly quick. Keep in mind that using it in urban centers surrounded by large buildings or around obstructions, you may encounter longer signal acquire times or a spotty signal. These issues are common to all GPS units, so just be aware as GPS does operate in a "line of sight" fashion with the satellites in space. Using the on-screen QWERTY soft keyboard via the touch screen is very easy because the buttons are large and responsive. Once you have selected a route, it will switch to route-navigation mode and tell you where to go via turn-by-turn audible directions. The TomTom XXL 540S does announce street names too, but this can be hit or miss depending on the complexity of the name. While navigating you on your selected route, the unit displays an information bar across the bottom of the screen showing you your current speed, the speed limit of the road, estimated arrival time, distance remaining, and distance until next navigational direction. Like some other GPS units, the 540S has lane guidance, which will let you know which lane to be in based upon your route on a highway, which is helpful in unknown areas with complicated highway systems. The unit will also recalculate your route automatically on-the-fly if you happen to miss a turn. Another neat feature worth mentioning is that during your route selection, it will ask you if you have a desired arrival time and then choose your route best suited for your time. One thing we definitely did not like about the TomTom XXL 540S is the lack of real-time traffic data, which is common on some other similar GPS units. You can, however, purchase a separate antenna to connect to TomTom's LIVE traffic service to provide real-time traffic information. This is a nice feature to have for highway travel because it can alert you to congestion and construction and then help lead you around it. The TomTom XXL 540S does have Bluetooth built in to connect to a cell phone, but it doesn't have a built-in MP3 player as some other models have. It also lacks an external memory card slot for any further expansion. |
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