TomTom’s feature set can be confusing, but the chart below should go a long way towards clearing that up. The links at the top of the chart go to our TomTom reviews. A couple of notes; the Bluetooth feature refers to units that support hands free cell phone use. Some TomTom units have Bluetooth but use it solely for TomTom PLUS services. Also, older and discontinued models have been moved to a separate chart further down the page.
NEW: Click on column headers to sort chart. You can also click here for descriptions and more information about various features.
| Model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | Live traffic | Blue- tooth | Advanced Lane Guidance | Lifetime maps | Menu | Voice command | IQ Routes | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO LIVE 1535M | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 2505TM | U.S. Canada | 5″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 2535M LIVE | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 2535TM WTE | U.S. Canada Mexico Europe | 5″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| VIA 1405TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| VIA 1435TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Lifetime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| VIA 1505M | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5″ | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| VIA 1505TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| VIA 1535TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5″ | Yes | Lifetime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 540M | U.S. Canada | 5.0″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 540S | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5.0″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 540S WTE | U.S. Canada Mexico Europe | 5.0″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 540TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 5.0″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 540TM WTE | U.S. Canada Mexico Europe | 5.0″ | Yes | Lifetime (US & Canada only) | No | Yes | (US Canada Mexico only) | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 550TM | U.S. | 5.0″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | Yes | Easy | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| Model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | Live traffic | Blue- tooth | Advanced Lane Guidance | Lifetime maps | Menu | Voice command | IQ Routes | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASE | U.S. | 3.5″ | Yes | No | No | No | No | Easy | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 630 | U.S. Canada | 4.3” | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | No | Standard | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| ONE 130S | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | No | Compare prices  |
| XL 325 | U.S. | 4.3″ | No | Option | No | No | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 325S | U.S. | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | No | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 325SE | U.S. | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | No | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 330S | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 335S | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices |
| XL 335SE | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Easy | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 335T | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 335TM | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Lifetime | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 340M | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 340S | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Option | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 340S LIVE | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XL 340TM | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | Yes | Lifetime (US & Canada only) | No | Yes | Yes | Standard | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
Even older discontinued models
| Model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | Map Share | Traffic | Blue- tooth | FM trans- mitter | iPod control | MP3 player | Remote control | Voice command | IQ Routes | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO 720 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Option | No | No | Compare prices  |
| GO 730 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 740 LIVE | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
||||
| GO 920 | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Compare prices  |
| GO 920T | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Compare prices  |
| GO 930 | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| GO 930T | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Compare prices  |
| ONE 3rd edition | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| ONE 125 | U.S. | 3.5″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| ONE 125SE | U.S. | 3.5″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices |
| ONE 130 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| ONE 140 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| ONE 140S | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| ONE XL | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | No | When updated | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| ONE XL-S | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| XL 330 | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Compare prices  |
| XL 340 | U.S. Canada Mexico | 4.3″ | No | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| XXL 530-S | U.S. Canada | 5.0″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Compare prices  |
| Model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | Map Share | Traffic | Blue- tooth | FM trans- mitter | iPod control | MP3 player | Remote control | Voice command | IQ Routes | Compare prices |
- Speaks street names – Formally known as text-to-speech, this function allows the device to call out the name of the street for upcoming turns, so you’ll hear “approaching right turn, Maple Street” instead of just “approaching right turn.” A very helpful feature.
- Live traffic – A nice feature that isn’t quite ready for prime time. Expect lots of inaccurate reports as well as incidents that aren’t reported. Delivered via FM, this service is provided by the Traffic Message Channel, hence you will sometimes see it referred to as FM-TMC. Here is a link to a coverage map. “Lifetime” indicates no subscription fees.
- Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use – Another nice idea, and I’ve seen signs that TomTom’s sound quality is better than that of other brands.
- Advanced lane guidance – Provides a visual representation of exits, and displays the number of lanes and proper lane(s) to be in.
- Lifetime maps – Lifetime map updates provided (typically quarterly) at no extra cost.
- Menu – The “Easy Menu” is simplified, but these models offer less customization options and other features than units with the standard interface.
- Voice commands – Too bad it isn’t that great of a feature. For one that is, check out my Garmin nuvi 880 review.
- IQ Routes – This feature 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. Routing behavior is greatly improved, even to the point of directing you to locally known shortcuts.
- iPod control – Control your iPod via your TomTom touch screen
- Map Share – Allows you to make certain map corrections on the device, share them with others, and receive their corrections as well. Found on all current models.
Return to GPS Tracklog
December 16th, looking at what is available in South Africa (today) Tom Tom Stsrt up v2, looks good, tells you were you are, but you can not put in a GPS address, this is avaialble @ R899.95
One that does, is over R3000, as a pensioner, it is a pity that the “jump” is so large, but I believe s/h ones are available, I’m checking the local papers daily.
Any info, woud be apreciated, Jim (PLEASE PRINT THIS) Thanks, J
Our daughter has a TomTom, not sure of the model off the top of my head, but we’re trying to update it and keep getting error messages while the USA-Can-Mex map is trying to install internally. I remember reading sometime back when I purchased the unit someone recommended deleting a lot of the extraneous files, but I can’t remember what those might be and don’t know quite how to do that. Do I go into the TomTom Home and delete the files there? I’m thinking they suggested getting rid of the other languages, but not sure if there were other files as well. Any advice? And do you think this would help the problem? All I know is that the “update” took approx. five hours to download, then couldn’t be completed. UGH!
Here are some how-to’s that should help:
http://www.tomtomforums.com/t24014-deleting-voices-tomtom-xxl-540-tm.html
http://us.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6591/c/2356
http://us.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7798/c/2356
http://us.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6222/related/1/c/2356
bought a tom tom with unlimited map updates new when i plug in they say im not eligible for updates, unless i have my receipt from walmart where i bought it 2-3 months ago.
prity much saying thanks for the extra $70 for nothing
Chris:
Check the documentation that came with your TomTom. It should contain an 11 digit alphanumeric Acvtivation Code.
Once you have the code, create an account using the “My TomTom” web application.
Once you have created the account connect your device to your computer. After being connected, click on the the green “My TomTom” button in the upper right hand corner of the web application. From the drop down list select “Activate Code” Follow the instructions.
Once your device is activated and your signed in to My TomTom you should see the updates (maps etc.) available for your under “My Overview” and you can install the updates accordingly
Hope this helps
Here in Canada, I’m seeing TomTom XL 350W for sale ($100, regular $180) and TomTom VIA 1400 ($60, regular $150). I don’t see those models on the chart above. Why not?
Which one is a better value?
The models vary by country and I can’t list them all. The ones above are US models. The VIA series is newer and between the two I’d probably go for it.
thinking of buying a Tom Tom. have a Garmin that loses Satellite connection constantly. Is there a Tom Tom that is more reliable?
thank you,
Nancy
Which Garmin do you have? Have you ever updated the firmware on it?
So I bought a TomTom XXL 540TM (lifetime traffic & maps) in March 2011 (for $121.04 on Amazon after all discounts, tax, and free shipping was applied). Wanted to give a report on how it has held up after 1 yrs. time. Unfortunately, just last week it fell off its dashboard holder (AGAIN!!!), hit my gear shifter, which created a diagonal crack across the screen, and now it doesn’t work. GRRRR! So obviously that is going to affect my overall rating of the product and I can only HOPE that this doesn’t become one of those “Murphy’s Law” issues where the thing breaks JUST AFTER the 1 yr. warranty expires. That would REALLY SUCK!! Overall, I would rate the product a 2.5 out of 5 and here is why:
A) As mentioned, even after I secure the unit *very* tightly onto its dashboard suction, the thing will suddenly fall off and tumble to the floor while I’m driving. VERY annoying!
B) The cradle piece that actually holds the unit to the suction is *very* stiff and the TomTom pops out of it *every* time I try to adjust the cradle while the TomTom is in it – regardless of how tight it is snapped into the holder (which the locking “snap” isn’t very tight to begin with). Sometimes this will cause the loss of suction, too, so when I’m driving and this happens I have to pull over and put everything back to together. VERY annoying!
( C) Although I’m not overly tech savvy, I’m not dumb either and I found the TomTom website to be *very* UNuser-friendly. All I would ever need to do is update the lifetime maps and even that is a huge hassle and my unit wouldn’t always recognize the website when plugged into my laptop. Takes at least 10-15 min to get this one task done! I’m just a basic user who didn’t need all of the “bells & whistles” that the unit may have but I did take the time to explore these features initially so I know they are there.
D) The unit itself isn’t very “user-friendly” (in my opinion) when it comes to adjusting settings. Menu options just don’t have things in “logicial” places and I have to constantly hunt for certain things I want to adjust. GRRRRR!
Anyone else have any of these issues? If I’m “S-O-L” through either TomTom or Amazon when I inquire about the warranty, I will purchase another GPS but DEFINITELY NOT ANY TOM TOMS!!!!! Granted, this is the first and only GPS product I have ever used but I can’t imagine the other products would be that much worse than this one!
Thanks Jennifer. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of the integrated mount either. I actually prefer using Garmins with a friction mount.
Rich, I continue to have trouble with GPS functionality of my TT 540. I’ve undpated (lifetime maps) regularly but the GPS is what is malfunctioning, i.e., searching for satellites when I’ve been using it for hours and still out in thw wide open blue skys. Then it suddenly shift into telling me to turn left in the middle of a freeway or some other crazy move. It most often loses connectivity to the satellite when I’m approaching a large city and need it the most. TomTom offers no solution. How do I upgrade the GPS firmware and what is the latest firmware for the 540? Thanks, you’ve been such a big help in the past, I hope this one has a simple fix??? ray
Rich, How do I upgrade the GPS firmware and what is the latest firmware for the 540? Thanks, you’ve been such a big help in the past, I hope my errant GPS has a simple fix??? ray
Use the TomTom HOME app to update the firmware…
http://www.tomtom.com/services/service.php?id=16&tab=87
bought a Tomtom 1000 about 18 months ago – really liked the mounting & cabling system. Operation was good BUT hated the My Tomtom web site cant find what I want & after logging in it continues to ask me to log in again!!! Eventually I get in, find what I want & perform update as requested. Next day same message to update , do it again & next day etc.
Other much more annoying problem is battery life. Approx 8 months after purchase the battery died completely. Unit was replaced under warrantee with a Go 1050. Also very nice to use – same issue with My Tomtom web site. 5 months later battery in this one dies too. Now it requires a couple of minutes to turn on each time I use the car & has zero useable time out of it. Still happy with the way it performs in general but after the last (mandatory) upgrade it no longer keeps any changes I make to screen colour etc. Today it also ‘lost’ my home address. Bluetooth is good; even does text to voice on my sms’s but when I try to call back bluetooth drops out?
Except for the battery problem I’m happy with the unit but I dont want to be paying for a service call evry 6 months for a new battery. Are others having the same problem? Both batteries quit suddenly on hot days. Tomtom say battery cant be changed by the owner – anyone tried?
Don
Reading your page for the 340-S it stated that the 340-S added lane guidance, IQ routes, and Mexico maps. In your comparison chart however it shows both models having those features. Is a correction/clarification needed somewhere?
Which model besides the 340S are you talking about?
Sorry. I was comparing against the XL 330S.
Elvin, I think what happened is that TomTom went back and added those features to some older models. I try to keep the comparison charts current but don’t always update older reviews.
Thanks Rich for the reply. This is a fantastic interactive grid for those of us who are shopping for TomTom’s new or old.
Rich,
I’m guessing you’re already aware that something is wrong with displaying the tomtom comparison charts on the webpage right now. Tested Safari, Camino, and Firefox on the Mac.
-elvin-
No, I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. With 1800+ pages, that’s often the only way I find out about errors. Hopefully it will be fixed in the next 24-48 hours. I’m waiting to hear back from my theme developer.
Rich Owings has always provided excellent help and comparisons for which I remain very grateful. My problem tonight after being a TomTom user for many years with three different TomTom GPS devices (GO 920 “my favorite”, XXL 550 TM, XXL 540 TM) is that I’ve concluded that TomTom has too many flaws to be considered a premium product. My problems started years ago with a crazy total loss of functionality (flashing, uncontrollable screens) in the 920 due to dirt under the bezel. That was fixed by using a piece of cardboard and clearing the debris between the screen and the bezel. This fix was not something that TomTom had on their web site but was the result of an Internet search. However the biggest problems have been with the total loss of GPS signal and thus total loss of device functionality while driving in unknown, large city routes in a motorhome when suddenly, with a clear, uninhibited view of the sky, the 540 lost satellite signal and stopped functioning. This was not only inconvenient, it was frustrating when you need a GPS the most, it dies due to a non-fixable “loss of GPS signal” when the bright blue sky was all around. Lastly, and the final straw, the service from TomTom and the web site is one of the most “unfriendly user” service and site I’ve experienced. Tonight, based on Rich’s excellent advice, I tried to fix the GPS loss of satellite signal problem by reinstalling the latest Home program. I tried to do this simple step using a new laptop. My GPS evidently had code from my prior updates embedded and explicitly tied to my old laptop and consequently it did not recognize the new computer and consequently it did not allow me access to Home. The instructions from TomTom, once I found them on their web site were not difficult to navigate, but good code in this day and age should never require manual intervention for something as common and simple as logging in using a different computer. I even established a new account with a different email address and password to no avail. When I went to TomTom online help to find a simpler way to deal with the problem, the technician wanted $30 to offer me the help I needed. Earlier, when my first 540 malfunctioned right after I had purchased it and wasn’t fixable, returning it was difficult and after I returned everything in the original box, I was told I shouldn’t have shipped everything back — just the device itself. TomTom did correct the return with the rest of the charger, etc., but the experience was nothing as quick and simple as I’ve experienced with the likes of Amazon, Dell, and other online-initiated repairs or returns. So my bottom line, compared to a competitor’s product I recently purchased, is that TomTom is OK but at the low end of average relative to online support and help. It’s possible that I’ve just used these devices for too long and others have not experienced any of these problems. There are many things I like about a TomTom, especially user inputs for updates, and the user-friendly use of the device itself. If my problems are unique to me, I hope others speak up and calm the waters compared to my experience. I hope these comments are helpful to TomTom and to others who are considering purchasing a new TomTom device.
Thanks for taking the time to share that!