Hands on with the TomTom XXL 550TM
The TomTom XXL 550TM
The 550 series includes preloaded maps of the US, Canada and Mexico, along with over 7 million points of interest (POIs). Additionally, you’ll get Advanced Lane Guidance, IQ Routes, Map Share and the EasyPort mount. I’ll go over those features in detail, but first let’s look at some other closely…
Related models
The TomTom XXL 540TM is similar, except that it gives up the EasyMenu interface and has a few more features and customization options; this despite the lower product number!
The XL 350 series (Amazon)
Portions of the following were adapted from recent hands on TomTom reviews on GPS Tracklog.
TomTom XXL 550TM interface
UPDATE: TomTom recently added more features to the XXL 550 series via a firmware update.
The interface is much simpler than most TomTom units. Quite a few options are missing, but most of the basics are there. The main screen, shown below, has two primary options (Plan Route and Browse Map), along with five additional icons at the bottom of the screen (mute sound, day/night, help, options and done).
Once you select Plan Route, you’ll be given the options shown below.
Going back to the row of options on the bottom of the main screen, most are self-explanatory, but a couple merit further discussion…
The Help screen produces a map and details of your current location, along with options to drive to or call for help, as shown below. There’s no Bluetooth capability on the XXL 550 series, so don’t expect to be able to make a call from the unit; however, you can easily access phone numbers for, and directions to, the nearest police station, fire station, hospital, repair shop, etc.
While the XXL 550TM doesn’t have the options of more advanced units, as you can see below, several are still available.
Navigating with the TomTom XXL 550TM
The XXL 550TM shows the next turn at the top of the screen, as you can see below. Lets take the three boxes at the bottom of the screen one at a time.
On the lower left you’ll see your current speed (and speed limit where available); this field turns red if you exceed the speed limit by more than 5 MPH. While speed limit coverage seems more limited than that offered by Garmin, posted speed limits tended to be more accurate on the TomTom in my experience. These results may vary widely by region. Current time and direction of travel are also shown. Note that you can tap this area to adjust the volume. While that’s not an intuitive placement, once you do it, I doubt that you’ll forget how.
In the center is the distance to, and maneuver at, your next turn. Tap this field to switch between 2D and 3D map views.
The lower right field provides information relative to your destination – estimated time of arrival, distance to destination and time to destination. Tap this field to see a route summary or to change your route.
Tap the map to return to the main menu.
There is a lot of data on the map screen, and it can certainly be confusing. It may help to think about it this way… the fields on the left are about current conditions, in the center is your next turn, while the fields on the right are related to your destination.
Shown below is the Change Route screen.
Advanced Lane Guidance
- TomTom’s Advanced Lane Guidance (ALG) coverage, in my experience, is more extensive than Garmin’s. Note though, that as at least one other reviewer has reported just the opposite. Perhaps Garmin is better in New England and TomTom better in the southeast!
- I like the fact that the green arrow flashes, drawing your attention to the proper lane (see below).
Picky reviewer that I am, I do have some complaints. You wouldn’t know it from the image above, but this is the exit for TN Highway 91. It would be nice if this was shown in addition to the exit number. In many cases the highway number is shown, but I did notice this happening on multiple occasions.
Traffic
I had limited opportunities for testing the traffic features. In general, the TomTom compared favorably to the Garmin nuvi I tested it against, Sometimes one unit was right on traffic; sometimes the other. The traffic announcements are well thought out: “The traffic delay on your route is now 6 minutes. Your arrival time is 5:37, You are still on the fastest route.”
IQ Routes
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention IQ Routes in this review, because it’s one of the best features TomTom has going. It bases routing decisions on historical traffic data, broken down by the day of the week and time of day, the latter in 15 minute increments. As one reviewer has said, “it almost kills the need for a traffic receiver.” I was very impressed with this feature when it took me down a locally known and very popular shortcut, avoiding the highway that parallels it during a busy time of day. Quite simply, this feature greatly improves routing behavior.
Map Share
TomTom’s Map Share feature allows you to make and share map corrections.
EasyPort mount
I’ve got a kind of love / hate relationship with the EasyPort mount; mostly hate! On the positive side, I really like the twist suction base. I find it much better than lever type suction mounts. But instead of popping off the windshield unexpectedly, the integrated mount can easily become detached from the unit itself, typically when adjusting the angle.
TomTom XXL 550TM performance
The XXL 550TM did well in my testing, although it was a bit slower in recalculating missed turns than the nuvi I tested it against. I noticed no routing errors, and it actually outperformed my nuvi in that respect. At one point the unit reported my position on a road beside the Interstate I was on, but it quickly recovered. On another occasion, as I approached a destination which was 0.2 miles ahead on the right, the unit announced, “after 1/4 mile go straight.” Generally though, such errors were few and far between. If I have any complaints at all about the navigation interface, it would be that there is no way to get a list of upcoming turns.
The TomTom displays more names of surrounding streets than I see on Garmin nuvis. I find this particularly helpful in orienting myself when leaving a parking lot. It makes it much easier to figure out “which way does it want me to go!”
Another plus – startup time was very fast, 3-4 seconds compared to 19 seconds for my nuvi 765T. A negative note is that the screen is not as bright as Garmin’s nuvi series, though it wasn’t dull enough to cause any problems during my testing.
TomTom XXL 550TM pros
- Lifetime traffic and map updates
- 5” screen
- IQ Routes improves routing
- Advanced Lane Guidance coverage is very good
- Map Share
- Over 7 million points of interest (POIs)
- Displays names of surrounding streets
- Simplified menu
- Warns if speeding
- Very fast startup time
TomTom XXL 550TM cons
- No way to see list of upcoming turns
- EasyPort mount can detach when adjusting angle of unit
- Does not auto power on or off with car
- Screen not as bright as some other brands
Conclusion and recommendation
The TomTom XXL 550TM is a very nice unit that will serve most consumers well. My only significant gripes are the mount and the fact that you can’t get a list of upcoming turns for your route. Otherwise, it’s an excellent unit for someone who wants a simple interface. For those looking for more advanced features and/or customization options, I recommend looking at the TomTom XXL 540TM.
More TomTom XXL 550TM reviews
- Consumer-authored TomTom XXL 550TM reviews
- CNet gives a 3 out of 5 star rating in their TomTom XXL 550TM review
- PC World is a little kinder, giving it 3-1/2 stars
Other TomTom XXL 550TM resources
- Want to see how the XXL 550TM compares to other units? Check out our TomTom comparison chart
- The official TomTom XXL 550 series web page
- There are several good TomTom message forums:
- yourNAV’s TomTom forums
- GpsPasSion’s TomTom message forum
- A U.S.-based TomTom forum
Compare prices on the TomTom XXL 550TM at these merchants:
- Check the current TomTom XXL 550TM
- Get a great deal on the TomTom XXL 550TM
at J&R Computer/Music World
About Rich Owings
I guess the A->B planning and Itineray routes are missing from the new EasyMenu models?
Yep, only one destination at a time. Not even a Via point!
What does the “depart from” button do? Sounds like it may be an A->B preplanner? I also read about a method to pull up a route demo on these new models. Glad I bought a 335TM with full menus.
Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Yes, you can pre-plan from another starting point. But it doesn’t do multi-destination routing.
You can add one via point. See the “travel via” icon on the “change route” image above. You cannot travel via multiple locations like you can on the 540
It does do multi routing with Itinerary planning
Yeah, I think this was added to the x50 series with a recent firmware update.
I recently bought this GPS system and I’m really impressed by the features it offers. A really decent piece of electronics, the navigation is extremely precise.
Very nice review. I’m glad I didn’t wait and picked up the XXL 540TM last month. I like to be in control of as many features as possible and the 550 does not give you many features which can be changed. It seems as though it was “dumbed down” to compete with Garmin rather than to continue to stand out on its own. Keep up the detailed reviews for all of us. Any word on when you will review the Nuvi 295 ? Thanx
Thanks! The 295W review was posted a couple weeks ago, BTW…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/06/garmin-nuvi-295w-review.html
Nice review! I’m trying to buy “just the right” GPS unit for my girlfriend, and when she saw TomTom’s “voices” option, it sort of settled things in on it being a tomtom, now just to figure out which model.
I am/was thinking the XXL 550 TM is the one to get (although the tomtom site doesn’t list the XXL as being supported by “voices”, I’m assuming this is just an oversite?), being big screen, lifetime traffic and maps, and that is it their “lastest” model, thus making it supposedly the most advanced? However in your review you mention that the 540 has “a few more features and customization options”, but don’t provide any details that would help me understand if perhaps those options are ones I’d like to have. And looking at the tomtom website make it almost seem like these two models are virtually identical.
From the comments above, it appears as though perhaps the 540 supports multi-point travel?
Of the “features and customization options” missing from the 550, are there any that stand out as being specifically valuable?
Thanks
-Robert
There are many reviews for the XXL 540S which is the same as the 540T,M,or TM except for the traffic or map options. Do not make the mistake of buying the 550 (or smaller 350) ! Unless it’s for an older person who just wants to go from A to B, the 540 allows for not just a few but many, many more options the user can choose. There are too many to list, but if you look at Amazon for reviews of the 540, you can bet most of the options are NOT on the 550. My favorite is not only the speed limit warning with a choice of 20+ tones, and also allows for custom spoken warnings for POIs like, “Honey, look out for the school ahead”.
Thanks Geoffrey, that helps a lot. Sounds like the 540TM it is!
Hi
Under cons I noticed the comment “No way to see list of upcoming turns”. I notice in the manual there is an option called “Browse as text” to see directions in a text list. This might be a work around for this deficiency.
browse as text is available in the 540. It is not available in the 550.
“browse as text” available on XXL 550-TM purchased 10/21/10 at Costco.
Yeah, this was added in a recent firmware update. Costco has enough turnover to already have the newer version…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/09/tomtom-eases-in-expanded-feature-set.html
Hey, I just bought this device!
I have a question though, how do I turn on the “Advanced Lane Guidance” feature? Right now I’m only using my map like this: http://gpstracklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/xxl550tmmapscreen.jpg
Thank you
It comes up automatically on freeways in areas with coverage.
@mvl – Thanks for helping out answering questions. Good to see you here!
Rich, I have an older Garmin unit that needs to be updated. I’m trying to decide whether it is worth it to go ahead and break down and purchase a new unit (tomtom xxl 550tm) or just update my older Garmin unit by purchasing the lifetime map updates for $120. (My Garmin does not have the ability to provide traffic information). Assuming that you are willing to spend around a maximum of $200, would you pick the tomtomxxl 550tm, or use that same $200 toward a Garmin unit (assuming that you want both lifetime traffic and lifetime map updates). I know my question is a bit vague, but I’d appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks and happy 4th of July!
Here are a couple of things that might help…
I’ve seen lifetime map updates (nuMaps Lifetime) available online for as low as $75. Looks like they are running around $83 at Amazon right now.
Also, Garmin is selling a few units with lifetime map updates now…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/05/garmin-nuvis-with-lifetime-map-updates-lmu-hit-market.html
Personally, I prefer Garmin over TomTom, but there are plenty of fans of the latter out there.
Hope this helps some.
as a senior citizen I am concerned about price as well as ease of use. the Garmin 1490t and the tomtom xxl550tm are within 30 dollars at Costco, but the lifetime maps on Garmin is costly, every year our trip would cost 120.00 for the map update. what do you suggest?
I’ve seen Garmin lifetime map updates (nuMaps Lifetime) on sale at Amazon for as low as $80.
I just bought one of these & before I could even power it up the suction cup fell apart & I can’t put it back together. If that will happen every time I put a little pressure on it it’s uselss. For that reason alone I’ll return it & get a Garmin.
I don’t blame you. I’m not a fan of that mount. If it came off like I think it did, you can just pop it back on. You can see me do it about 1:20 into this video…
http://www.youtube.com/gpstracklog#p/u/5/PokR5n9FOlk
I think the part of the mount you were trying to move will loosen up over time, so it should soon become less of an issue.
Is there a way to search for a store by name on this unit? Example: Search for Office Depot close to current position?
Yes, now whether Office Depot is in their database is another question. I believe the 540 has more points of interest (POIs).
Can you tell me how to do that kind of search?
Thanks,
Plan Route > Point of Interest. You can then narrow the options and you should be able to type in a portion or all of the name.
I bought Tom Tom xxl550 TM at $169.00 and think it’s a great unit for the money. Personally I don’t need all the phone call bells and whistles , I am very impressed with the features, I have to admit that just out of the box it had basicily nothing , but after downloading the sTom Tom software to my computer and all the updates , the adjustable screen brightness, the lane assist , and other features, plus map updates for free.I have no complaint , I just tossed out a Magellan mastro with many more features, but if it gives you unrelable information who needs it!
So far the Tom Tom XXL 550 TM is serving me well.
Glad to hear. The new update added some nice features.
I have a TomTom XL30 I am selling. I am either going to get a Tom Tom XL 340TM or 350TM. What does one have that the other doesn’t. Do they both have text to speach
Yes, both have text-to-speech. A recent software update brought improvements to the x50 models, but the x40 units still have a lot more options re: preferences:
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=137412
When I go to the TomTom website to see whaat model my GPS is, it comes back with XL (30 Series) TTS* / 330S – 1GB. Does this mean I have a XL 330S?
Is there much difference between the model I have and the XL 340TM (beside the lifetime traffic and maps)?
It sounds like that is what you have. TTS means text-to-speech (i.e., it calls out the names of streets for turns). 1 GB is the internal memory.
The most noticeable difference is that the 340 series added IQ Routes, TomTom’s historical road speed database, which should result in improved routing around routine traffic problems.
I haven’t updated my map since I bought the XL 330-S in April 2009. I am going to go to New York City in about 2 weeks. Do you think I would be safe with the map I have now or do I need to update the map before I go (I couldn’t imagine that much has changed in NY since Apr 09). Rather than update the map on mine, I would probably get the XL 340TM.
Does the 340TM contain for POI’s than the 330S
I wouldn’t update, but that’s just me. Are you driving there, because that might make a difference?
It’s possible the 340 series has more POIs. It says it has 7 million, while the 330 series simply says “millions,” often a code word for a reduced number.
No, I am flying there. I will be driving only after I get there.
You might check major routes before you go (airport to where ever you are staying, etc.) You could compare them on your device vs Google Maps. Even if there are changes, there’s no guarantee they would yet be incorporated into new maps for the device.
I am looking for a GPS unit that has the best route coverage in Mexico. The TomTom XXL550TM seems to be a well featured unit that includes maps for Mexico. Do you have any information on how good they are. It is impossible to buy maps in Mexico that are up to date with the new roads and signage is frequently misleading or just missing.
Thanks,
Chris
You can browse Tele Atlas’s current Mexican maps here…
http://mapinsight.teleatlas.com/mapfeedback/index.php
They should match up pretty well with what TomTom is using.
With the Black Friday sales tomorrow, if you had to choose between the TomTom XXL550TM selling for $130 or the Garmin nuvi 1450LMT selling for $160, which would you choose?
I also noticed that other GPS models have a built-in AAA TourBook guide, which seems to be a really nice feature to have. What’s your take on this feature?
Thanks,
Allen
Personal preference comes into play here. I prefer the Garmins, if for no other reason than the brighter screen.
The AAA feature is alright, but not nice enough to push me to Magellan!
…I prefer the Garmins, if for no other reason than the brighter screen…
Could you tell me the reasons? Thanks.
Hoe
Brighter screen? Seriously, it’s kind of subjective. Generally, if you want a no fuss, drop dead easy interface, go with Garmin. If you want to tinker with settings and customize things, choose a TomTom.
The Garmin 1450LMT deal at Target for $159 is sold out. I certainly tried to get one yesterday. One Target store rep told me that another location nearby had 20 in stock when in fact they had none. Among other things, I found out that Target’s inventory management system is totally antiquated at they only update their system wide inventory status once a day at 8AM. Beyond 8AM, their internal inventory system has no clue what’s actually in stock at other Target locations.
Price Club and other vendors are selling the Garmin 1450T for about $200. Radio Shack is selling the 1450T for $150 but they are currently out of stock. I will check with Radio Shack today to see if I can order one anyway for that price. I can see where it might be very useful to get lifetime traffic updates but is it worth spending more to get lifetime map updates too? How important is it to get lifetime map updates?
Price Club and Best Buy are selling the TomTom XXL 550TM for $130 through Sunday, which looks like a very good deal. I’m thinking of buying the TomTom XXL 550TM by Sunday and if a better holiday deal comes along soon with the Garmins, I’ll return the TomTom.
Rich, In December 2008, you posted the following comment regarding traffic updates:
“Traffic – I recently saw that 50% of people with live traffic on their GPS don’t use it. Great idea, but it ain’t ready for primetime yet. You’ll get plenty of erroneous reports, and you’ll also come across lots of bottlenecks that go unreported.”
Is the above comment still valid? Are the traffic updates still of minimal usefulness? Is it worth spending more to get traffic updates?
Yes, traffic still has plenty of false positives and false negatives. I think that, in general, the larger of a metro area you are in, the better it works. If you’re in one of the top ten traffic metros, I imagine its worth it. Really, it doesn’t add much to the cost if you buy a unit with lifetime traffic, and it may prove worthwhile if it just helps you once in a while. I’d just take the reports with a grain of salt.
Here’s a deal on it for $149…
http://bestgpsdeals.net/gpscity-com-black-friday-deals/960/
Rich, Thanks for the hot tip on the Garmin 1450LMT deal for $149. I ordered mine online last Saturday and look forward to receiving it this week.
i just bought a xxl 550tm for 130.00 at best buy. i’ve never owned or used one before. hope i’m not disappointed!!!!!!!!
I think its a very good unit and I expect you’ll be happy with it. There’s been a recent firmware update that brought some new features…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/09/tomtom-eases-in-expanded-feature-set.html
Yours may or may not have come with it. To update it, connect it to your computer and let it install and run TomTom Home.
Hey Rich,
Thanks for making this easy to use and helpful website/guide.
I was planning on getting the TomTom XXL 550TM but I noticed that it had been said that it does not offer a list of upcoming turns. Is there another GPS that is really close to this model but has that feature?
Once again thank you for your help and time.
ST
A recent firmware update added this feature…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/09/tomtom-eases-in-expanded-feature-set.html
Even so, the XXL 540TM has more options and capabilities (despite the lower model number!)…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/05/tomtom-xxl-540tm-review.html
Allen,
Glad you got the deal. If you get a chance, once you have had some time to play with it, please consider posting your impressions on our nuvi 1450LMT page.
Rich,
Just picked up the XXl540tm. Thanks.
Enjoy the holidays.
Rich, great review… I’m glad I stumbled on it. I’m now in “analysis paralysis” with deciding which unit to go with (TomTom XXL550TM or Garmin Nuvi 1390LMT). I’ve pretty much settled on the TomTom, but I have two concerns: 1) Will 2MB be enough memory to download updated maps, safety cam info, and other TomTom Home features (mostly concerned with map updates and safety cam info), and 2) Are there any options for running TomTom Home with Windows 7 64 bit? For the latter, I’ve read that you can run it in XP mode; is that true?
Thanks, again, for the great review. I appreciate your help!
1. No, a lot of people report problems with this, having to clear off extra voices and other extraneous files before doing map updates.
2. Not sure about this. I can check, but it will be sometime tomorrow before I can.
Thanks, Rich, and tomorrow is fine for the Windows 7 question. Regarding the memory issue, it almost seems pointless to have a lifetime map feature if you can’t update the maps without running out of memory; am I being overly concerned? I really like what I’ve read about this unit, but I am concerned with not having enough memory for map updates and safety cam info. It seems like these advantages are misleading. Everything else seems to favor the TomTom over the Garmin (other than bluetooth, which is not really necessary). Now I’m leaning back to the 1390LMT. Hmm…
No, I don’t think you’re being overly concerned. Another option would be the GO 740, which has an expansion slot, but it will probably cost quite a bit more to get lifetime maps with it (as opposed to the models you’re currently looking at).
I bought both the XXL550TM and the XXL540TM on sale last week at $130 each.
As Rich has stated the 540 has a more comprehensive menu of items whereas the 550 has minimized the menu to EasyMenu. More importantly the 550 has 1GB of memory vs the 4GB in the 540. I am keeping the 540 and returning the 550.
Chris,
Somebody else brought this up recently, but I don’t recall if it was resolved. The TomTom 540 series page says it has 2GB…
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/car-navigation/xxl-540-series/#tab:specifications
Can you verify what it actually has?