TomTom - One XL GPS Navigation System Review

Bottom-Line: In the short period of time I have used the TomTom One XL-S I have become enamored of it and what it can do. 

The TomTom One XL-S is an update to the TomTom One XL; the XL-S brings text-to-speech capabilities to the table.  This means that instead just a visual display of directions the TomTom One XL-S will announce them together with the street name; e.g. instead of just "turn left in 500 feet," you'll hear "turn left on Ohio Street in 500 feet."  It seem like a small improvement, but believe me it makes a world of difference.  Real-time traffic services can be had via TomTom Plus services (a subscription service) or via an RDS-TMC traffic receiver, which can be purchased separately.    

Like the TomTom One XL, the TomTom One XL-S is fitted with a 4.3" color touch screen, and comes pre-loaded with maps of the United States, Canada, and Guam (what about Puerto Rico?) right out the box.  But the unit is surprisingly lightweight and compact measuring in at 4.7 inches wide by 3.4 inches high by 1.2 inches deep; and weighing in at a very manageable and portable 7.4 ounces.

Set-up & Use

The first time you turn the TomTom One XL-S it will ask you for your location and suggest you be outside in order for the unit to find the GPS satellites it needs.  My unit was able to pick up the satellites inside my house, though a larger building might be an issue. 

TomTom Home Software

The TomTom One XL-S software, called TomTom Home is included in the box, and will work with Windows XP and Windows Vista.  With the TomTom Home software one can update the GPS unit as well as operate it.  The TomTom One XL-S connects to the computer via the included USB cable that can also be used to recharge the unit.  Windows will auto-detect the unit as a storage medium. 

Before you connect to the TomTom Home software for the first time I recommend create an account on-line at TomTom.com; then you can log-in via TomTom Home software and up-date the TomTom One XL-S.

I have read many reviews (some oh here) on TomTom GPS devices, most complaining that this feature or that was missing.  The TomTom One XL-S ships with a lot of features such as Points of Interest (POI) turned off.  Street announcements are also turned off by default.  These and many other features can be turned on once the unit is set-up.

My Viewpoint

I have used the TomTom One XL-S a number of times since I un-wrapped it on Christmas Eve and it has yet to let me down, with the exception of one case where I could not input the street number; for some reason I could not input building number for a major city in Chicago (LaSalle Street).  Then I had to fall back to MapQuest to provide me with destination directions.  Outside of the one bump in the road (patron the pun), I am loving the TomTom One XL-S.  The directions are concise and the text-to-speech functionality very, very useful.

In the short period of time I have used the TomTom One XL-S I have become enamored of it and what it can do.  The use of MapQuest.com has for the most part, become a thing of the past.  No more taking my eyes of the road to read a MapQuest printout, and no more pulling off the road at night to do the same.  With my new TomTom One XL-S my direction are read to me with astounding accuracy and in color! 

The TomTom One XL-S is a keeper.