TomTom XL 330-S 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Box Packaging) by TomTom
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List Price: Our Price: Calculated in a shopping cart Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Buy Used: from $40.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of TomTom XL 330-S 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Box Packaging)
Digital camera Review: How to get the free map update
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this as a gift and just finished setting it up. It was hard to find instructions. They're available on the TomTom web site, but can be hard to locate. In order to get the free latest map version within 30 days, you need to follow instructions from the TomTom web site. I can't post the link here, but just type "tomtom latest map guarantee" into a search engine, and it should be the first hit.
First I downloaded the TomTom Home software and entered my email address and password to set up an account, when prompted. It automatically checked for updates and I allowed those to be installed. Then, I got the updated map for free. A couple important steps for that(after downloading the TomTom Home software to your computer) are to (1) backup your device using the Home software and (2) on your computer in the Home software click Tools > Use Latest Map Guarantee. This process took a couple hours at least. It was slow to back up and slow to download. (Note that I did not have to delete anything in order for the new map to fit in internal memory - perhaps the backup process took care of that.)
But all looks well!
The TomTom web site has good help guides if you're willing to keep digging to find the ones you need!
Digital camera Review: It works, but...
Summary: 2 Stars
My comparison of this Tomtom is with the Garmin Streetpilot which I have used since 2004. First of all, the interface is not as nicely done as the Streetpilot, too many steps to get to a menu and confusing. The graphics are ok, but not as nicely and clearly colored as the Garmin. Secondly, my biggest problem with this unit is it is not very responsive. The POI database of the unit is not adequate. As you know, some stores are every where to be found, but it managed to point me to a Toys R Us 361 miles away. It claims to have the user correction capability, but I just can't seem get it work.
Overall, it is a decent GPS, but lack the added features and niceness of the user interface. I wish I had spent a little extra on a Garmin.
Digital camera Review: It's cheaper for a reason--actually several
Summary: 2 Stars
I've had a Garmin, Magellan, and now this TomTom. It's been the worst of the three.
All GPSs have the hook of charging you for map updates at a cost of just over half the price of the GPS. Which is why every two years I, and several other million people, buy a new GPS.
All GPSs will periodically give you a false reading. The question is how often. This unit has given me erroneous directions far more often than the other two I've owned. Sometimes it locks on the last location I was at when it was last used, and I have to turn it off and on 2-3 times to get it to register my current location.
What else I don't like:
--After 6 months it quit holding a charge, so I can only use it when it's plugged into the car socket.
--A design flaw makes it difficult to plug the adapter into the unit. I mean really difficult. If you have old hands or arthritis, this is not the unit for you.
--There are too many steps to go thru when selecting a location. For example, say I decide I've had it with the unit and I want to go to the nearest BestBuy and get another. You can't just tap once and then type. You'll have to go thru at least 5 screens to get your directions.
--The mounting mechanism is also poorly designed. You cannot easily adjust the angle of the unit once it's mounted. That sucker just pops right off the mount slick as a whistle. Whether you want it to or not.
--The print on the screen is hard to read.
--The User manual is worthless--very little information in it. And the online instructions are only a bit better. If you're not intuitively good with electronics, you'll have trouble figuring this one out.
What I like:
You can set it to warn you when you go more than 3 miles over the speed limit.
There are far better units out there now. Stay away from this one.
Digital camera Review: MET EXPECTATIONS
Summary: 4 Stars
MY FRIENDS HAVE A GARMIN AND I WAS A BIT RELUCTANT TO GO TOM-TOM.. I HAVE USED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE FIELDS IN THE BUFFALO ,NY AREA FROM ERIE PA- TO PARTS OF BUFFALO AREA UNKNOWN TO ME.. IT DIRECTED ME THERE PERFECTLY.. I AM STILL TRYING TO LEARN ALL ITS FEATURES, AND I FIND THE INSTRUCTION BOOK LACKING IN PRINTED DETAIL. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER PUTTING SEVERAL DESTINATIONS IN MEMORY, I HAVE TRIED TO DELETE ONES I NO LONGER USE.. WHEN I PUSH DELETE, IT COMES UP" DO YOU WANT TO DELETE ALL THE DESTINATIONS ? YES OR NO.IF YOU PUSH YES, THEY ALL DELETE.. IF YOU PUSH :NO"- THEN IT JUST GOES BACK TO THE PAGE BEFORE SHOWING ALL THE DESINATIONS..
SO FAR I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT HOW TO DELETE JUST "ONE" OF THEM..I CAN'T FIND MY CABLE CONNECTION TO MY PC, SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY..
OTHER THAN THAT I AM VERY HAPPY SO FAR
HENRY FISH
Digital camera Review: Nice little GPS for the money
Summary: 4 Stars
First let me state I bought this for 2 reasons: Amazon had the item at a great price $91; and because I am a nerd that wanted to get the Homer Simpson voice. The unit has a great display and is very user friendly once you get used to it. It easily updated via TomTom Go on my Dell desktop but I could not get my new iMac to recognize the unit. In retrospect, I wished I would have bought a unit that has LifeTraffic (this unit doesn't) because I drive for hours in busy Houston traffice. Overall nice little GPS for the car. I would like to see TomTom come out with some more celebrity voices as the ones they currently have are pretty lame.