New XL350 and XXL550

[mvl]

Tomtom just offerred two brand new models on their USA website, an XL350 and XXL550.

At first glance, they appear to be no different from an XL340TM and XXL540TM, with similar features and lifetime traffic/maps.

 

[mvl]

Ahh... there's the difference...

Under "configure & buy" - the 350 and 550 have the simplified interface from the START/EASE.

 

[dhn]

They've just taken the 'configure and buy' link down for the 2 models.

 

[mvl]

I just checked and the XL350 and XXL550 are completely gone from the website now.

I was wondering why there was no press release. Maybe someone made a mistake and loaded the website before marketing got the release out.

 

[telemike]

Huh, they took them down. I sent tips out to GPS Tracklog - GPS reviews, news, tips and tricks, you can see the pics there.

The new models are based on the XL IQ Routes Edition 2 from over the pond

 

[mvl]

For the last year or so, Tomtom's "new releases" partners have been Amazon and Best Buy.

Last time Tomtom released something, Best Buy sold it on their site the same day as the press release. My bet is that Best Buy will put them on shelves Monday, and TT will do PR and reactivate the website the same day.

I'm hoping some brick&mortar starts carrying an "easymenu" device soon, so I can get a chance to report on how the new interface actually is.

 

[mvl]

And here's the press release.

TomTom Launches New and Innovative XL 350 and XXL 550 Range of Navigation Devices

May 11 2010

Latest Series Incorporates New Easy-to-Use Interface and Products with Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates Options​

Concord, MA – May 10, 2010 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions, today announces the TomTom XL 350 and XXL 550 series, the latest models in the company’s award-winning portable navigation product line. This range includes the new TomTom EasyMenu™, a sleek display and all the quality navigation features from TomTom that consumers rely on to safely and efficiently reach their destinations.
All TomTom products in the XL 350 and XXL 550 range include TomTom’s new EasyMenu user interface, which offers sharp graphics and a simple touchscreen menu that provides quick access to search tools so that users can get started towards their destination even faster. All products also include TomTom’s proprietary IQ Routes™ Technology and TomTom Map Share™. IQ Routes offers the most efficient routing for any time of day or day of week. Map Share allows users to make map improvements on their device and share these improvements with the TomTom community.
“These new products combine some of the most advanced and acclaimed TomTom features in an easy-to-use format and further deliver on our commitment to providing the most intelligent navigation products in the market,” said Tom Murray, senior vice president of market development at TomTom, Inc. “With the introduction of the XL 350 and XXL 550 range, we empower our users with the accuracy of TomTom’s most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing information that helps them avoid traffic delays and other hassles on the road.”
Select devices across the new range of XL 350 and XXL 550 devices include Lifetime Maps and/or Lifetime Traffic Updates:

• Lifetime Map Updates feature allows users to keep their maps fresh by downloading, every few months, the industry's most accurate and up-to-date maps.
  • The maps include one million more miles than competing maps and, in certified tests, rate highest in terms of quality and reliability. Because an average of 18% of road information changes each year, maps are continually refreshed to include improvements across the entire road network and updates to points of interest (POIs). With Lifetime Map Updates, consumers always have access to the best maps available.
  • Lifetime Map Updates are available on XL 350M, XL 350TM, XXL 550M and XXL 550TM devices.
• Lifetime Traffic Updates feature offers real-time insight into current traffic conditions to help drivers avoid delays.
  • The TomTom device receives the latest, constantly-updated traffic information; recalculates total drive time; and suggests more efficient alternate routes if they are available.
  • Combined with TomTom IQ Routes, the real-time traffic information via Lifetime Traffic Updates, ensures the smartest and fastest routing possible.
  • Lifetime Traffic Updates are available on XL 350T, XL 350TM, XXL 550T, XXL 550TM devices.

Technical specifications
Additional features on all devices include:

• Maps: preloaded premium maps of the US/Canada/Mexico from Tele Atlas
• MapShare on demand updates
• IQ Routes
• POIs: over 7 million points of interest
• Advanced Lane Guidance
• EasyMenu™
​

The new series of products also includes the XL 350 4.3" model and the XXL 550 5.0" model.

Availability and Price
The X50 products will be available in late May and prices will begin at $169 for the 4.3”, and $199 for the 5.0”. Lifetime Maps and Lifetime Traffic Updates are each available for an additional $30.00.

 

[nclee]

I ordered the XL350TM online, tried it for a few days now. I DO NOT like this unit.

The touch screen sensitivity is very uneven. sometime it is too sensitive, sometime I have to touch it many times to make it work.

I also think the simplified interface is not for me. A lot of configuration option is no longer available.

The screen is not bright enough in day time driving. My 4 year old trusty Pioneer S1 is better than 350.

And the same old TTS problem pronouncing I405 to I4west5 and can't speak Los Angeles the way it should be.

I am returning this unit.

 

[jimhallhdg]

Bought the XL350 TM

The new unit has many pluses to it. The internal RDS-TMS power cord is better than the extra cord and it works fine. IQ routes has be to better than the old style - however since I make a 90 trip several times a week - knowing real time vs mapping time puts me in a bad mood right at the get go. I've used the traffic for 3 - 90 mile trips down Rt 95 MD past 695 Baltimore & 495 DC beltway and I don't know how much time i've saved in going around and around the 95 - 495 direct route. It always recommends new routes.
I am very displeased with the fact that you cannot review the details(text) of the planned route to see how the TT is going to take you. When you get redirected it feels like you are driving into an unknown world. Also there is no planning route or intininiary planning function. Both functionalities I've used many times over the past 3 years with my TTOne.
I bought the XL350 for the lifetime maps & traffic but the lack of route details may be a killer. I have 30 days to return it to QVC.

 

[dhn]

For the heck of, try this......

when a route is planned, tap quicky twice on the satellite bars on the bottom of the screen followed quickly by a tap on the top right of the screen.

Do you see a route demo screen appear?

 

[gatorguy]

I KNEW IT! There is a secret knock!

 

[dhn]

In fact, that method was also posted in a thread here some three years ago (!!) by someone. (not that I can find it now ......... )

 

[mvl]

It seems the EasyMenu is targeted to first time GPS owners, or those transitioning from a Nuvi (it's the exact same two buttons the Nuvi has). My guess is that Tomtom is trying to get new customers addicted to IQroutes, without the complexity of the full-blown earlier menus. Perhaps they're hoping for a second "upgrade" purchase down the road as owners want all the extras that Tomtom can offer.

But if you've already got a Tomtom and are used to the complex menus and high level of customization, I definitely wouldn't recommend an Easymenu model as an upgrade. There are 335TM, 340TM, 540TM models for those who want the lifetime traffic and maps, and those models have the full-featured menus typical of earlier ONE and XL models. And theres a 740TM for those who are used to the extra feature set of an earlier GO model (excluding the music / FM).

 

[gatorguy]

TomTom has a really short window of opportunity with IQRoutes marketing. By this time next year historical traffic on a pnd or smartphone will be the norm no matter who sells it. Garmin has developed their own ( and probably combining it with Navteq's very soon) rolling out within 45 days. Mio has purchased TA's IQR for at least one of their models, Navteq is already sourcing the predictive traffic for some Magellan models. Whether TomTom's IQR is more complete or not will be a moot point. Once every else is offering something similar the finer points won't be important to anyone but the most fanatical users. And honestly, the biggest routing improvements that IQR makes isn't in comparison with a Garmin or Magellan anyway. It's when measured against one of TomTom's own models that lacks IQRoutes.

It is likely that Tomtom made the right call with it's simplified Ease menu. Most people really don't need, use or understand interfaces with numerous setup pages, submenus,or multiple choices. TomTom has recognised that from the start (pun intended), with the "less options" setting on our XL's and Go's. The pnd using friends I have just want to get from A to B. And whether it was the absolute fastest way to get where they were going isn't their primary concern either. It's that they arrived with as little stress as possible. As long as the device didn't take them somewhere obviously stupid, it's OK. I'll bet most of your friends are the same. The new simplfied ( hate the "dumbed-down" moniker) TomTom's may be all most buyers need. Even most members here probably do a simple A-B route 98% of the time. No adjusting avoidances, blocking roads, changing preferences or previewing the route. They just punch in a destination and go. All the other options and colors and sounds and graphics and trip stats? Just fluff once the new wears off.

I'm sure there will be adjustments to the new interface over the coming months. IMHO, they may have gone just a tad too far in the simplification. Some options tweaking might be done, but then again it may fly as is. In any case, it's not likely to negatively affect their NA sales. They haven't been able to take any of Garmin's market share so far, so no harm at all in trying something different to see if they can grab a point or two. I think the days of TomTom trying to compete with Garmin at the hi-end here in North America are probably gone, but I'll bet it won't hurt their overall comparative unit sales here in the least. The connected models and XXL's sell poorly here anyway. That's my take.

 

[jimhallhdg]

Great responses

Thanks for the insights. I will try the tap tap but the unit has to go back. I haven't checked on the other TM models but I will. I agree completely that most all GPS users don't care about interfaces, planning, adding new stuff, or even updating. Most don't even keep their units charged. I guess that is because most people don't travel far from their known geographics.

 

[telemike]

You can do pre-planning if you look at the picture from the EASE menu. Select "Depart From" for A->B pre planning.

 

[nclee]

OK, I returned my 350TM back to QVC and bought the 340TM from Amazon. I have to say I like the 340 much better. The screen is responsive. The voice is loud and fairly clear (I followed the instructions from the forum). The screen is bright.

The only thing on 350 I like better than the 340 is the way information is displayed on the status bar area, there are subtle difference between the two. I just happen to like 350.

 

[mvl]

The only thing on 350 I like better than the 340 is the way information is displayed on the status bar area, there are subtle difference between the two. I just happen to like 350.

The 350 uses the new fall 2009 interface, putting the next direction in the center instead of the left like the 340.

The 340 can show all the same info (you can add/remove items under "status bar preferences"), they just display in different places at the bottom of the screen.

 

[jweint]

POI's on the the XXL 550 or XXL 540?

Hi..I'm looking to buy a new PND. I really want traffic capabilities. Currently have a 720 which has been an able travel companion but there are 2 dings I've always had against it....never knows which side of the street my destination is on and POI's like Food have no subcategories (like type of cuisine). The latter has had me doing my own "analysis paralysis" exercise looking at Magellan's new 5045, Garmin's 1490T, and TomTom's XXL 540TM. From what I gather Magellan is pretty lame when updating its software and on the map update front, Garmin has inconsistent traffic reception in strong areas and its automatic traffic re-routing leaves something to be desired, and TomtTom seems to be the best overall. The thing I liked about the Magellan and Garmin was their handling of POI's along routes and off exits. Food was categorized by cuisine-type and that's all good. Has anything changed on the XXL 540TM or XXL 550TM (with the EASEMenu) that allows better POI handling than my good old 720?

Jack Weintraub

 

[dhn]

The 540 XXL TM does NOT have the EasyMenu (fortunately!! ).

That said, the sub categorizing of pois is still not available on TomTom models....

And forget about the new models that DO have the simplified menu. They will NOT even show pois in Driving View!