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Gadling Gear: A review of the TomTom XL330S
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TomTom just released their new XL330S model, and this lucky blogger was able to get his hands on one for a test drive.I'll preface this article with the following disclaimer: I've never been fond of automotive GPS units. I think that while useful to many drivers, they can also have the adverse effect of preventing the driver from learning routes, a city's layout and beautiful niches of the city that go unnoticed unless you're really focused on the outside.
But I agreed to do this review, partially because I wanted to disprove this theory to myself and partially because these new TomToms are just so damn cool.
Despite my unit being programmed in Estonian when it came from the TomTom PR factory, it was fairly simple to boot up and configure. It asked me to set up my preferences, including style of map, voices and other tidbits, then immediately dumped me into a map showing my location under an arrow. All I had to do to power the unit was plug it into the cigarette lighter with the supplied cable. Similarly, hooking the unit up to my computer used the same mini USB jack and didn't need any drivers.
Being a chronic avoider of instruction manuals, I figured I would first just wing the programming of my office into the system – and I was right, navigating was easy. Tap the map with your finger, tap "navigate to", select your city, then punch in your the street and number. It's a completely linear interface that cuts down on superfluous buttons and options and is incredibly easy to use.
You can get traffic data with the XL330S as well, although it's a service that you have to subscribe to online.Naturally, I decided to download some customized voices to give me directions. After a quick look at the pay-per downloads on the TomTom website, I googled "TomTom voice downloads" and found a database of free content, including Sean Connery, Patrick Steward (from Star Trek, The Next Generation, John Cleese (of Monty Python fame) and Dr. Evil. Installing the voices was as easy as plugging in the unit to my laptop then dragging sound files over to the voice directory.
This would later haunt me on a train between Providence and Boston, where I booted up the GPS to check our location and was greeted with Captain Picard from the Enterprise shouting "YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION, INITIATE DOCKING PROCEDURE." Awkward. I should also point out that if you want a celebrity voice, you're not going to be able to get them to pronounce the street names (text-to-speech), so it may not be worth your time.
House hunting with my girlfriend in Boston this weekend, I put the XL330s (the "s" stands for text-to speech capability) to it's first real test. The first thing I did with my new demonstration TomTom was drop it four feet onto an asphalt surface. Durability? Check. Still running.
At the time, I was late for my train, we were in Cambridge and we needed to get to the South Station quickly. I tapped "navigate to" + "points of interest" in the railway section, and scrolled down for "South Station". Not there. Luckily we had a map that showed the intersections of the streets, so I plugged in "Atlantic" and "Summer" streets and the TomTom calculated our journey there.
As I would soon find out, however, much of Boston's highway system is underground where satellite signals can't reach. So while the TomTom could lead us towards the Big Dig, we were blind while underground. Furthermore, it takes a few moments to acquire a signal once you're above ground, so if you exit quickly and need to make a quick turn, you don't get directions for 20 or 30 seconds.
This isn't a problem with TomTom though; until they create satellite signals that can penetrate through 40 feet of soil and cement, all GPS units will lose signal underground.
For what it's worth, navigation in my home town of Ann Arbor has been fluid and easy, although I spend a surprising amount of brainpower on the device. I've never been a great multi tasker, so when the GPS is babbling, a friend is in the car and NPR is on the radio, two of the three are going to get tuned out.
Overall? I think it's a nifty, well-designed little device. I like its battery life, slim design and ability to call streets out to me on the road. I also like how simple both the hardware and software are – easy enough for your grandmother to use but with enough options to make a metallurgical engineer think. Would I buy one? If I was in the market for a GPS, sure thing. But I'm going to stick to my analog maps for now.
Check out TomTom's product website for full specifications and purchasing options.
Filed under: Gear
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Moody75 Jun 30th 2008 11:45AM
Thanks Grant for the review.
I used a TomTom in France while on a business trip...it was invaluable finding my way around unfamiliar cities. Also was great at showing where the speed cameras are and warning you to slow down where needed.
Would I use one in my home town? No need.
martha brannan Jul 15th 2008 10:28PM
i hope to win this i can pull into rest area and go out the same way i came in this would help with alot of u truns thank u
martha brannan Jul 15th 2008 10:22PM
hope to win
Brian Bostwick Smith Jul 20th 2008 10:58PM
I'm looking to get my first car gps. My first trip will be tracing "old" Route 66 backwards from Santa Monica. The TomTom seams to be a reasonable choice. Any comments or suggestions for me?
Thanks
Martin Sep 10th 2008 5:35PM
Did you turn on the WAAS option?
It uses inertial navigation when satellites are lost,
it isnt as accurate but help in places like Boston, where you can loose singal.
Jeff in NH Nov 9th 2008 1:05PM
Even rural driving can be a real bummer when you get lost:)
This is a GREAT tool for the price, also fun to use and simple enough for anyone to use right out of the box.
As far as all of the " Bells and Whistles"? Later I may even need some of the ones this came with.
I suppose the price will come down very soon as with all of the other ones, however, I'm very happy with my purchase.
I suggest getting the warrenty just in case.
I do wish that these came with more static and scratch protective covers for the face with all of the touching involved.
Does anyone know where I can purchase some sheets of these?
goffix Nov 24th 2008 9:40AM
Hi Jeff,
I'm considering heavy duty "Saran" wrap, trim the (template), edges around the keyboard and it should stay and protect the raw surface. It's also flexible. You may have to change them from time to time, maybe.
Max Nov 15th 2008 2:01PM
Nice but fairly useless review since the author has no experience with other GPS units and their capabilities aas a standard of comparison.
Stephen Dec 5th 2008 6:56AM
My wife and I recently took a trip to Tennessee leaving from Ontario and the tomtom 330 xls made the trip so darn enjoyable, we had no stress when it came to navigation, infact, some people asked me what route we took and I could not even tell them because I never had to pay attention to what road we were on because tomtom told us when to turn and what road to turn on to! We did run into an unexpected problem when our exit on the highway was blocked by a construction truck, tomtom took us back to the same exit and again we were unable to take it because it was still blocked, I suppose that tomtom was aware of the situation the second time around because he took us on a little detour through town and put us right back on the highway where we were supposed to be!! What a lifesaver the tomtom is. I am so impressed that I am telling everyonw I know to go out and buy one! The tomtom even tells us when to take a rest when we are driving, it tells you to exit at a certain rest stop along your route! Now stop reading and RUN to store and buy the greatest thing EVER!!! If you ever trust a stranger, than this would be the time to do so. If you own a car or even a pair of shoes for that matter ( it also give you walking directions) than you NEED THIS DEVICE !!!)
jules Dec 14th 2008 10:41AM
The reviews are all good but I also read the same reviews for another brand, Garmin Nuvi 255W and 260W. Can somebody out there, who is not bias on any brand tell me which one (Tom Tom or Garmin) of these brand should I buy.
Don Kunesch Dec 14th 2008 2:08PM
QVC.com today only. 188.00 payable over 5 monthly installments to your credit card. I just ordered one. Can't wait
Don Kunesch Dec 14th 2008 2:18PM
They are both equal. They both sell high end and low end models that both run off the same 24 satellite's and offer the same features.
Isa Dec 20th 2008 10:57PM
Quite possibly the worst GPS I've ever purchased.
I will be taking this paperweight back to the store on Monday.
It has a beyond limited capacity. I've had quite a few GPS units, but this is definitely the worst.
It navigated with mediocre success, but more importantly, is the space issue.
I had to DELETE files just to get the initial updates for my map. I can forget about downloading any updates as well, since it is now completely full and out of space.
There is no SD card option, so you cannot expand upon it.
If you are looking for a GPS you can use out of the box, and then never do anything with again, then this GPS is for you.
If however, you wish to update your maps, download points of interest(POIs) and add some features, then run away quickly and forget you ever saw the XL330S
Betty Dec 25th 2008 12:26PM
Great reviews. I've had my tomtom for about a week and have found it very easy to use, and I will enjoy the peace of mind and saving paper as I won't need to print out directions from mapquest anymore. However, there is one thing I'm not completely clear about. It says that it is RDS-TMC traffic ready. Great, but does that mean that I still need to purchase a separate cable to attach to the unit? According to the reply I got from customer service, I do which confuses me. If I would need that cable, then what does traffic ready mean? I understand I would no doubt still need to purchase and download the additional traffic service. But, if I need the additional cable plus that service, I'll live without getting traffic updates as it then becomes way too expensive. It also doesn't make sense to me to attach the cable to your windshield (ok, I understand WHY), but won't that be noticable if people look in your car? Do they not tell you to remove the gps unit from your car so that people do not know you have one? Anyone following me with this? Even with all the research I did before buying a gps, I guess I didn't clearly understand the verbage on this. Still happy with the tomtom regardless, just won't spend additional money for the traffic info.
lisa Jan 9th 2009 8:20AM
I did not understand this traffic ready feature either. I brought a tom tom330s 1 week ago and it did not alert me of any traiffic..... help surport sts you do need to buy a cable or call your cell phone company (if u have blutooth) and have this feature added on your cell phone bill.....
The box reads traffic ready////but it is not ////and the clearks selling the tom tom don't know this ////b4 u buy do your reseach.
bill Dec 27th 2008 4:42PM
We just received our XL 330-S from QVC ($188.45) to replace an older Cobra product. Not really thrilled about the "sparse" directions for mounting and operation. Trying to figure out how to mount and then lock/unlock without peeling the adhesive disk off the windshield.... well I am not exactly thrilled and may go back to the Cobra....
Anyone else concerned about the lack of text to get you started??
12/25/08
Bill C
Adam Smith Jul 16th 2009 1:24PM
Yo...Bill, the sticky disc will mount either on the window or the smooth part of a dashboard, not a fabric or rougher surface dash....I know, 'cause I had to move mine twice. It will swivell right, left, upside down or where-ever you want to position it., as long as it's not in a tight corner of a windshield, where you have no room for locking and unlocking the bracket to the disc...... Great little device, once you get a straight location near your lighter outlet...
..Adam Smith. Bradford Ontario Canada....
Dennis Dec 29th 2008 3:55PM
Bill..
I just got my XL330-S yesterday. I also would like the words to explain the mounting procedure--the pictures alone make it more difficult IMO. I think the disc is only for the use on the dash, but I may be wrong.
Skip Conover Dec 30th 2008 4:57PM
I purchased a model xl330s specificically to hear street names through voice instruction. I asked the store (Best Buy) for a model xl330s, was charged for a model xl330s, but in the box was a model xl330. I did not keep the original box, and Best Buy would not accept a return. Lesson learned: keep the box.
nayan Oct 14th 2009 9:31PM
hey man, I just bought a tom tom xl330s and had the same problem. I thought they put the wrong one in the box (xl330). I checked it out on the website and downloaded another voice plugging the gps in the computer and than disconnected it from the computer. Than turn on the gps and selected samantha's computer voice and now it speaks street names.