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.
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It would be helpful to have the date the units were introduced. This would give me an idea how long the life of the unit and the map updates would be.
I purchased two different brands in 2008 and they can not be updated.
Thanks for the suggestion. I need to rework the charts, but there’s limited space. I actually have a separate post that does this for nuvis, but not for TomTom…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/05/dissecting-the-garmin-nuvi-series.html
I am retired and looking to buy my 1st auto GPS unit. There is a plethora of models making it confusing. However, I have narrowed it to Garmin vs TomTom.
Your TomTom chart I found on gpstracklog is the best source of info I have found for TomTom. I went on TomToms website and they don’t have a model comparison chart, and I emailed them to complain.
I just want a simple point to point GPS with at least 4″ screen, no Bluetooth or Traffic reports, with spoken street names and directions. One that is recent and not discontinued. How do I choose one for a 1st time user?
TomTom scares me because of the reviews(340S) where a map update wont fit in the memory. unforgivable. Gives me a bad feeling for TomTom but a good feeling for reviews like yours. Any suggestions?
I hear more complaints about map updates for TomTom units than Garmin, but each have their problems. Garmin units tend to come with an SD slot, so you have that option should a map update exceed the unit’s built-in memory.
Good basic models that meet your criteria include the Garmin nuvi 1300 and (as you noted), the TomTom XL 340S.
Rich: First I want to thank you for the info on how to remove my TomTom 920 bezel so I could clean under it to stop the terrible problem of having rapid-fire and uncontrollable screen changes on my 920. Before tacking that somewhat complex job, I obtained a thick piece of construction paper (cardboard stiffness) and used the trick someone had suggested on your website of using the corner edge of the cardboard to thoroughly clean under the bezel. The cardboard cleaning under the bezel did it! I waited to write you back until I had about two months of continuous “zero defects”, i.e., no unwanted screen changes. There is nothing on TomTom’s website about this simple, yet effective trick.
One quick question. Why don’t GPS manufacturers include altimeter readings on their devices? Their multiple satellite readings provide all the information necessary to also make available elevation info. When a GPS with the extensive functionality of my TomTom 920, maybe even a TomTom XXL 540 with lifetime quarterly map updates, includes altimeter readings, I will add it to my GPS collection immediately. ray
I’m glad it worked!
I believe you can add elevation to your TomTom with the use of a third=party add on such as TripMaster. Garmin nuvis have this information available on the satellite screen, and it can be added to map data fields on some units.
I had a Navigon that had elevation, but I think they have pulled out of the U.S. market.
Ray, I read you have a 920. I miss mine incredibly. There are some available on amazon but wondered what problems,if any, you have had as TT no longer make/support them?
Do any of the new TomTom units with lifetime maps/traffic also have MP3 player ability. I’ve got a GO720 with an MP3 and love it.
Thanks
Bill
I don’t believe so. The GO 740 LIVE TM has an iPod accessory, but that’s as close as they come. TomTom is supposed to start selling a lifetime map update package separately in the near future. Once they do, you could go that route.
Thanks for the info.
Bill
Rich,
I’ve been searching for a GPS informational site and stumbled upon yours and it’s by far the best!! Thanks for running such an easy to use site.
I was hoping you could help me with a quick question. I’m looking to buy a new TomTom because my current unit is about 4 years old. I’m likely going to buy the XL340TM, but I’m taking trip to Italy and wanted to bring my unit so I didn’t have to pay to rent one from the rental car store which I’m not familiar with. I did some research and I found that you can pay $60 for the Italian Map or $90 for the Western/Central Europe map (http://www.tomtom.com/products/maps/select.php?D=68&M=720). Maybe I’m a sucker, but the latter option seems better because I travel to Europe often. My questions are
1) The Europe Map update is 2,309mb and I’ve read a lot about the size problems with the unit. Do know if I would be able to download these. (I’m trying to avoid stepping up to that world version if possible).
2) I assume these maps would be includes with my free map updates via the “M” attribute right?
Thanks Rich!
David
David,
I did some research in the European map issue a while back (your #2 topic). One thing I’ve got out of it is that the European map updates are NOT included in ‘M’ attribute, not even with the WTE model. Seems to be different divisions of TomTom or something.
Correct, European maps are not included in the lifetime map updates. I think your best bet would be to get a model with an SD slot, so as to avoid the memory issues. Hmm, it looks like TomTom’s site is down now, so I can’t check. I don’t think the XL’s have a slot. Not sure about the GO series.
The GO 740 and 730 have micro-SD slots. I don’t believe any other current models do.
Rich,
Thanks this is extremely helpful. I actually wrote to TomTom to see if there anyway i could download the Western/Central Europe maps and only upload certain countries to the device, or pay for the full download but they should give me the Italy only download. Hoping they have some creative suggestion, will let you know what they come back with. Thanks so much!
David (thank you Gis as well!)
Just a note to say thanks for the fantastic site. I am going to get my first GPS tomorrow for Black Friday, and wanted to compare models. I think I’ll go for the TOMTOM XXL 540-S
Great choice! Glad you found the site helpful.
Thinking about purchasing XXL540M. How “handy” is this unit when onfoot (say, when in a city)? I envision loading multiple “sites of interest”, and when wandering around, knowing proximity to them.
It works, but I find it a bit awkward. I prefer a 2D map for pedestrian navigation, holding it flat, just like a paper map. But in this view, there’s nothing pointing you in the direction to go, because unlike handheld GPS, most car units lack a compass screen.
However, you can use it in 3D view, just like you would in a car, with it giving you turn by turn directions. If you get turned around though, it can be difficult to reorient yourself. One advantage certain Garmin auto units have, is the ability to show your “track,” displaying where you’ve been, which can help orient you.
Regardless, you might want to mute the sound to keep from attracting unwanted attention…
Hello, thanks for the site. I’ve been pulling my hair our trying to see the difference between the XXL540TM and the XXL550TM. Surprise their site doesn’t tell you. Anyway what is “Easy” menu? as thats the only difference you list.
Is the 550 newer than the 540?
Is one better than the other?
Thanks you.
It’s a simpler interface, with fewer options. A recent firmware update brought back some features like being able to view a list of turns in a route. But if you want a full complement of options and feature, go with the 540 over the 550.
Thanks Rich,
I did opt for the 540M today on Amazon for $90 delivered.
I returned the 550MT to BB that with tax was $140.
Thanks for your help and this site.
Excellent! Glad to have helped.
Rich, After reading your blog, studying your charts, querying you, and looking at the product websites, I, like Larry, jumped on the fabulous Cyber Monday deal that Amazon was offering on the TT XXL 540M ($90).
After receiving the unit and backing up all the initially installed files before doing any map download … as recommended by so many of your bloggers and yourself … I then registered the unit and began to download map updates. I was a bit perplexed when the website identified my unit as a 530M and began downloading.
Question #1: Did I get snookered by Amazon or are the map and attendant files for the 530M the same as those for the 540M?
Question #2: After downloading and installing the complimentary new registrant maps and update files, I used the backup program on the TT Home page. Does this program save to a different location than Program Files/TomTom DesktopSuite folder? This is the folder that I dragged and dropped when I created that pre-registration backup and it takes up 1.92 GB … a lot of disk space. If I don’t need this folder anymore, I’d like to delete it.
Question #3: Obviously, since the dump of the original XXL 540M unit created a TomTom DesktopSuite folder that is 1.92 GB, that is how much space is gobbled up on the TT unit. Since I have read on your blog that some have had trouble downloading map and file updates because they took up more space than available, are there some files on the unit that I can delete/eliminate to free-up space on the unit, e.g., languages, voices, POIs, etc.?
Question #4: I was delighted to make use of the user map correction capability on the TT because the name of our road has ALWAYS been misidentified on every GPS unit and mapping website. Does a correction on TT get shared with other mapping services? Or are we still incorrectly identified on all other services? Also, I was able to download other user corrections when I uploaded my correction, but I haven’t been able to get any new user corrections since. Is this user corrections only available if I have some correction to exchange/offer myself? Or am I dealing with coincidence?
Thanks for all your wisdom and shared experience.
Steven
Great site, No advertising or pop-ups. You should make TomTom send you a check.
Thanks. We try to keep it pretty clean. We do make a small amount from sales, and there are some other ads on the site. Have to or we couldn’t justify the time spent on it!
Hello,
I am a little confused. I would like to purchase the XXL 540TM edition, but after reading reviews, I am a little hesitant. They state that the map updates are only good until your TT unit runs out of memory. WOW…is that a gimmick to sell more units? One post actually said to buy the World traveler edition and only update US maps because it has twice as much memory. What is your opinion on that? Do you think it is worth the extra money?
Also, I have often wanted to program my old TT unit to allow for several stops, which did not work. Can the 540TM do that? Are there any TT models that can do that? And, one last question, is the only difference between 540TM and 550TM the easy menu? I really do not think I will like the easy menu!
You just have to delete the current map before installing the new one, but they do cut it close on memory. Its possible that the map data will be too large in the future, forcing you to leave out some regions (e.g., Canada).
I do think that lifetime map updates are a good deal.
The 540 does multi-destination routing. Tom Tom calls this an Itinerary. I don’t believe the 550 series has this option. Several other advanced features are missing as well.
Great! Thanks for the advice and the most helpful website! I will be ordering the XXL 540TM as soon as I see it for $129.99…do you think I am dreaming??? LOL
Just a guess, but I’m thinking it will hit that price again. Keep an eye on our other site… http://bestgpsdeals.net
hey Jenny the xxl 540tm is $119.99 at staples Sunday & Monday (Dec 12 & 13) only.
Thanks so much for the update! I ordered one on amazon earlier this week! Merry Christmas.
That’s wrong. The sale ended yesterday (11th). Staples wants $210 for the 540TM now, excluding the 15% coupon. So total price of $178.50+tax.
Amazon does list them in stock though…
Oops, the guy I talked to was wrong. You can get it for that price, if it’s in stock.
Jenny- It’s in the Sunday Staples flyer showing $119 price good for 2 days only – Sunday & Monday for the xxl 540tm. A friend was going to get the “M” model and got this one ™ instead for that price. They ordered via phone order because that price didn’t show up online. On the phone they had to find the flyer, then adjusted the price for them. Enjoy it. It’s worth whatever you paid.
I got it for 149.00 w/free shipping on amazon. I think that is still a great price! I had a tomtom before and someone broke into my van and stole it. I am so glad to get the new one, I hate being w/o one!
Sorry Opie, you commented just as I was entering mine.
Okay then, I am shopping for my first GPS unit. Most people I talk to tell me to get a Garmin. I will be using this mostly for trips in the USA. I like a lot of features as long as they are very easy to use. Dependability is the most important feature. Should I get a Tom Tom or a Garmin and which one?
Personally I prefer Garmin, which (broadly speaking) is easier to use, while TomToms allow more customization. Broadly speaking.
I would need to know more about your budget before making a recommendation. Also, are you in a large metro where you would benefit from live traffic?
I don’t really have budget. I just want to get one that works the best for me. Lets just say keep it under $230. If I find one for $100 great. I live in the Grand Rapids Michigan area so live traffic is not a must. Accurate maps and ease of use I think would be the most important to me. Maybe once I started using one I would appreciate things like live traffic.
Will smart phones hurt the sales of gps units? I don’t have one of those yet either. Is bluetooth a nice feature with a gps or should you seek other devices for that app?
Ah, Grand Rapids. My wife is from there, well, Jenison actually.
For TomTom, I’d recommend the 4.3″ XL 340M or 340TM (the latter if you want traffic) models. Both include lifetime map updates. Or if you want a 5″ screen, the XXL 540M or 540TM.
For Garmin, in 4.3″ models, I’d go for the nuvi 1350LMT or the 1450LMT if you want a 5″ screen.
The larger screens are popular, but I find them a bit too big. Yes, smartphones are cutting into sales of GPS units. But they aren’t as easy to use for navigation. For rare to occasional use, they may work for you. For regular use, I’d get a GPS. Another option is the nuvi 295W, which has wifi, letting you check your email around any open hotspot (with no need for a $30/month data plan!). Bluetooth sound quality leaves a lot to be desired. You’re better off with a headset for that, which puts the mic closer to your mouth.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Rich! Jenison eh……my first job was working at the Jenison Mickey D’s at 160 Chicago Dr. back in 1974. I actually live in Byron Center now. I just saw a video on the Garmin Nuvi 3790T.
http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/garmin-nuvi-3790t/4505-3430_7-34079084.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Is that like way more than a non-techie would ever need? I think I will stick with Garmin and go with the 1350LMT or get crazy and go with something like the 3790T. What do you think?
If I could afford it, I’d go for the 3790T or 3790LMT in a heart beat. Otherwise, the 1350LMT is a solid choice.
Hi
Interesting stuff!
I’m looking at the Tom Tom Go 650 Live and Tom Tom Go 750 Live. I would be keen to hear the plus and minus.
I plan to use it mostly in Southeren Africa but take very occasional trips to Europe, and the 750 is advertised with European maps.
Please let me have your opinion – much appreciated
Mike
I don’t think those models have been introduced in the US yet. You can read my impressions of the 740 LIVE though…
http://gpstracklog.com/2009/05/tomtom-go-740-live-review.html
I both BOTH don’t know which one to keep or send back I have TomTom 540M and the Garmin nuvi 1350-LMT 4.3″ GPS w/Lifetime Maps & Traffic. My question I like the 5′ screen on tom tom, but does not have bluetooth. What is the purpose of bluetooh? Verses Not
It’s for hands free calling, but I don’t think either model has that. I’d keep the Garmin, but that’s just me.
I am looking for my Mom she is 68 and gets lost easily. She has had a couple small strokes and has a hard time remembering things so I need one that is easy for her to use. Any technical things I can do for her. I just need simple and needs loud voice her hearing is not 100% either. Any suggestions?
thanks
First of all, I’d go with a Garmin nuvi due to the simpler interface. The 5″ 1400 series has a louder speaker than many earlier models. The nuvi 1450 is the simplest one, lacking the bells and whistles of some other 14xx models…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/02/garmin-nuvi-1450-review.html
Given what you’ve said, that would be my choice.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THE INFORMATIVE COMPARISON CHART! It is soo helpful!
Question: I have (2) unopened TT’s (340M & 335T) and have never used a GPS so hoping you can give insight on which model would be best for my needs.
TT 340M – Sears $99 (+ $15 lifetime warranty/replacement)
TT 335T – Target $79 (has protective carrying case, no addn’t warranty purchased)
I called the TT Cust Service for clarity and looks like the difference between these two is: The 340M offers the free lifetime MAP update feature(but NOT an option to add lifetime traffic feature) and the 335T has the free lifetime TRAFFIC service (and option to purchase lifetime map update feature for $50/yr – which would essentially turn it into a 335TM).
You list the “traffic” feature as one of the “don’t needs” since it’s rarely accurate info. I live in Seattle and traffic is ALWAYS the issue but current way I track is via webcam on laptop (I don’t have internet on my phone) or radio. If traffic feature was even somewhat accurate, it would be a good selling point and useful service for me and make the 335T the better choice (esp. since I can add the map upgrade service if I want to). But conversly, the 340M would be the better choice if the traffic feature really was useless but it doesn’t allow for upgrading (would be better off to return the 340M and purchase a 340TM).
Soooo….. what do you think is my best option: Use 335T “as is” (no lifetime map feature – LMF), upgrade 335T w/ LMF for $50, or use 340M (no lifetime traffic feature and no option to add this). Breakdown of final cost would be $129 ($79+$50) for 335T vs. $99 for the 340M. Amazon & Best Buy 335TM AND 340TM = $119. Most cost-effective to return BOTH products and purchase a 335TM or 340TM but what becomes the difference between these two then?
Wow, I had no idea they wouldn’t sell a traffic receiver for the 340M. Strange. Traffic info tends to get better in the larger metros, so I would go that route.
The 335T has a very limited feature set, so I’d choose the 340TM if at all possible.
Hope that helps!
Just talked to TT Cust Svc again and they confirmed that there is no point in purchasing a receiver for XL 340M b/c the model isn’t capable of providing the traffic info (it’s an older model). So this one isn’t useful to me if I want traffic updates.
Cost for adding MAP update service to XL 335T: A) 1 yr. subscription (4 updates) = $39.95, B) Lifetime = $99.95. So $79.99 + $39.95 = $120 BUT the cost to purchase XL 340TM (includes receiver/charger AND lifetime map & traffic updates) = $120 (Amazon & Best Buy).
But then there’s the XL 350TM for $98.99 (Amazon)+ free 5-7 day shipping and it’s everything the 340TM (including lifetime traffic & maps) but has 2-button interface instead of “classic view”.
So the REALLY BEST BUY is the 350TM – yes?
Actually, the more I read the reviews for the XL 350TM, the more I think that the 340TM is the best model overall in the 300 series. Seems like TomTom tried to upgrade the 340TM to a more simplified, user-friendly model and it backfired. Apparently simplier isn’t always better. Reviews, overall, for the 350TM are just not very favorable unfortunately.
Unless someone can provide a compelling reason why I shouldn’t get the 340TM, that’s the one I’m going with.
Jen
My only compelling reason NOT to get the 340TM is you should get the 540TM instead. If you look at the 4.3 inch screen next to the 5 inch, there is a big difference you wouldn’t expect. You would be wise to stay away from the x50 models. They are Tom Tom’s way of competing with the simple to use Garmins which allow for little custom changes.
Jennifer,
My take is that the 340TM is the best followed by the 350TM, followed by the 335T+M. The 350 series has received an update which gave it the most important missing features, and will be fine for most people…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/09/tomtom-eases-in-expanded-feature-set.html
Some of my decision will be based on cost so if the 340TM is significantly less than the 540 series, I may have to go with the 340 first (easing into this as a novice GPS owner) and then eventually upgrade. But I’m definitely going to steer clear of the x50 series at the moment and they just don’t seem as “user friendly” – even with changes/updates to the earlier series.
Thanks for the info! Merry Christmas!