How Does The TomTom XXL 540 GPS Navigator Measure Up To Its Competition

By Ara J Osterman


Everyone looking to purchase a GPS device might be curious if the TomTom XXL 540 would be a wise decision. This specific device has quite a bit to approve of, but you should review others ahead of buying one. It does not contain all the attributes that are found on the more expensive machines. The functions it is capable of accomplishing are extraordinary.

A useful feature on the TomTom is the capability of guiding someone to the roads and street addresses, but the places of interest in different categories as well. Frequently as you are controlling a vehicle, you don't know a precise destination-the type of place you are wanting to go is the only thing you are sure of. The aforementioned could be a place to eat, a certain kind of store, a gas station or a motel. TomTom already have many points of interest installed, more than seven million altogether.

You can find locations quickly regardless of where you live (at least in the US), as there are more than sixty varying categories. By all means, one can make additions to the list also, via uploading what you like the best. You can take the TomTom right out of the box and start using it, or you can take your preferences and have it customized just for you. This is not a technical matter, but something that will be more pleasing to you, because it will fit your personal style. You can choose from licensed images and designs that are attractive from a gallery. You can add your own text, if you want, or upload your own images, to make your system your own completely. It will look the way you want, as you make the GPS unit look like your personal website. You can easily customize your TomTom XXL 540, because it has been designed this way, but not everyone takes the time to do this.

While the TomTom provides many of the latest features for GPS systems, it is lacking a couple of things. One of these is voice recognition. While you do have the convenience of getting spoken directions to your destination, it doesn't work the other way around - you can't speak commands that the unit will listen to. So if you want to get directions, you have to use the touchscreen to request them. This is not a severe limitation, and voice recognition is a relatively new feature, yet already many people are demanding it. So if this is something that you can't live without, you'll have to look for another GPS system, one that will most likely cost a bit more.

The TomTom has quite a few advantages, though a few flaws as well, which is true of most products you can buy. The number of benefits and features you get are hard to beat in a GPS system in this price range. You may have to purchase a sturdier mount to keep it in place, which is the most serious drawback we've found with this unit. In general, the TomTom XXL 540 is a GPS system that will meet the needs of almost all drivers.




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