TomTom XXL 540M 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition) Review. TomTom XXL 540M 5.0 GPS with Lifetime Map Updates, USA, Canada & Mexico Maps, Over 7 Million POIs, Text to Speech...
"Excellent!" 2010-04-29
By Carl Kogut
Although I just got this unit, I am very impressed! It's very quick starting up, very quick in determining my location and seems to be very accurate in terms of exits, roads, etc. My only disappointment is that the "lifetime" map feature is based on the "useful lifetime" of the device and TomTom reserves the right to determine what the useful life is and can withdraw support for it whenever they choose to. That significantly reduces the value of the "lifetime" map offer, but for an extra $30, it's probably still worth it, assuming they don't stop supporting it within a year!
"Easy to use, slow to update" 2010-08-06
By Gary (Oakley, CA)
Easy to use GPS, clear and concise directions provided, easy to see screen. This is my first GPS and I have found it very easy to get set up and learn. However, TomTom Home is extremely slow to update, both when downloading a map update from the web and updating the GPS memory. Total process took over 3 hours! Downgrading to the prior version (2.6) of TomTom Home did not help, so I went back to the latest version (2.7x). So far this is my only disappointment.
It is very accurate and timely showing streets and announcing upcoming turns, even is rural areas. Screen is easy to see, even in bright sun on the dash. Window suction cup works well for mounting unit. So far, I love it.
"Happy with my new TomTom" 2010-07-23
By Allison1076 (Washington DC)
I just wanted to provide this small tip to new users of the TomTom. It's about the suction cup for the windshield - I've read review that it doesn't hold well, and one person said that if he wet the cup before sticking, that worked for a while. The windshield mount that comes with the TomTom actually is designed to hold - but the instructions aren't clear. So here's how you get it to hold really tight - you couldn't even pull it off.
You will need to figure out the position of the mount first, then separate it from your TomTom, since you can't do the rest of this with it attached. With the suction cup facing the windshield (away from you), turn the disk that is in the center all the way counter clockwise. Then stick the mount onto your windshield where you want it, and while you push it with your hand, use your other hand to turn the disk in the center all the way clockwise. That motion, turning it clockwise, makes the suction cup really tight. Then you can put your TomTom back onto the mount.
Hope this helps some folks. My mount fell off a couple of times, then I realized what I'd done wrong.
When I went to the web site to set up the My Tomtom account and check for updates, I have to say that it wasn't super intuitive - at first it wouldn't take my code. Not sure why that is, but after going through some stuff I was able to do it. The GPS itself is very nice, I like the choices of voices, and the display is nice. It does reroute quickly when you make a different turn than it tells you.
"Love it. Big screen, easy to use, says street name. See below if you live in a congested city.." 2010-08-18
By Two kids mom (NM United States)
*Great
Quickly locates you, even inside the house. My older GPS units take a few minutes, this one usually takes less than 15 seconds.
Big screen, easy to see and to use the touchscreen.
SAYS street names. This is really important when driving. (Note, if yours is NOT saying street names you need to switch to one of the computer voices)
Lifetime updates of maps.
Shows you which lane to be in on complicated interstates.
Easy to program, maybe too easy, since my kids keep changing all the settings on mine.
Comes with both car charger and USB charger. The USB port is a little recessed, so not every standard USB cable will fit it, although many will.
*OK
Updating maps the first time can take several hours on DSL. I think if you are one of the few with dialup it would be years....
*Might concern you, or might not
It does not have traffic built in, you need an extra receiver for this, which is fairly expensive relative to the GPS. Not all cities get the traffic either, although they do tend to be the cities with...well ....traffic. You can check the Tom Tom website to see if your city is included.
*Not great
Does not come with a carrying case, it does fit, barely into the Case Logic GPSP-2 Professional GPS Case for 4.3-Inch Flatscreen GPS Navigators even though it says it is only for 4.3 inch which is a nice case and inexpensive.
You have to set up a separate account if you are using more than one Tom Tom on the same computer, that required a different email address.
Updates will fill the device memory almost to completely full. You can delete extra voices and stuff to make room though.
We live on a gravel road. Every time we set up to leave it asks us if we really want to take an unpaved road. SOLUTION FOUND,see comments. This choice is under "planning preferences"
I am giving this 5 stars because it is the best GPS I have used so far. The traffic issue does not merit dinging the unit, since I would not want to have to pay for the traffic function in a place where there is not much traffic. Easy to use, does what it needs to do and does it well.
"great product and customer service" 2010-06-25
By John W. Leckwatch
After i ordered my tomtom 540m i discovered these reviews of the tomtom.all i can say is do not believe everything you read. I read some of the reviews and they made me wonder if i made a mistake in buying this product.when I received my tomtom, i tried to enter my life time free code number, it would not take it and said a error had occurred. I was half afraid to call tomtom customer service because of some of the reviews that said how bad the customer service was. I finally called and got a very helpful girl with no waiting time at all. she was very nice and took me step by step through the process,and when she got me to where it was going to download the new map,etc,she told me she could not stay on the line with me for the 2 hours it would take but told me what to do to finish it, and call back if i had any problems.She gave me a reference number and we hung up. Before the program finished its download it went out because or a time restriction. i called back and got another nice girl,no delay again, who took my reference number and got me back to the download to complete it. no problems at all as some reviews complained of long delays to get technicians,dropped calls,etc. I was very pleased with the customer service so do not believe all you read. I have my update installed and am ready to go. very pleased with my second tomtom gps purchase
By Carl Kogut
Although I just got this unit, I am very impressed! It's very quick starting up, very quick in determining my location and seems to be very accurate in terms of exits, roads, etc. My only disappointment is that the "lifetime" map feature is based on the "useful lifetime" of the device and TomTom reserves the right to determine what the useful life is and can withdraw support for it whenever they choose to. That significantly reduces the value of the "lifetime" map offer, but for an extra $30, it's probably still worth it, assuming they don't stop supporting it within a year!
By Gary (Oakley, CA)
Easy to use GPS, clear and concise directions provided, easy to see screen. This is my first GPS and I have found it very easy to get set up and learn. However, TomTom Home is extremely slow to update, both when downloading a map update from the web and updating the GPS memory. Total process took over 3 hours! Downgrading to the prior version (2.6) of TomTom Home did not help, so I went back to the latest version (2.7x). So far this is my only disappointment.
It is very accurate and timely showing streets and announcing upcoming turns, even is rural areas. Screen is easy to see, even in bright sun on the dash. Window suction cup works well for mounting unit. So far, I love it.
By Allison1076 (Washington DC)
I just wanted to provide this small tip to new users of the TomTom. It's about the suction cup for the windshield - I've read review that it doesn't hold well, and one person said that if he wet the cup before sticking, that worked for a while. The windshield mount that comes with the TomTom actually is designed to hold - but the instructions aren't clear. So here's how you get it to hold really tight - you couldn't even pull it off.
You will need to figure out the position of the mount first, then separate it from your TomTom, since you can't do the rest of this with it attached. With the suction cup facing the windshield (away from you), turn the disk that is in the center all the way counter clockwise. Then stick the mount onto your windshield where you want it, and while you push it with your hand, use your other hand to turn the disk in the center all the way clockwise. That motion, turning it clockwise, makes the suction cup really tight. Then you can put your TomTom back onto the mount.
Hope this helps some folks. My mount fell off a couple of times, then I realized what I'd done wrong.
When I went to the web site to set up the My Tomtom account and check for updates, I have to say that it wasn't super intuitive - at first it wouldn't take my code. Not sure why that is, but after going through some stuff I was able to do it. The GPS itself is very nice, I like the choices of voices, and the display is nice. It does reroute quickly when you make a different turn than it tells you.
By Two kids mom (NM United States)
*Great
Quickly locates you, even inside the house. My older GPS units take a few minutes, this one usually takes less than 15 seconds.
Big screen, easy to see and to use the touchscreen.
SAYS street names. This is really important when driving. (Note, if yours is NOT saying street names you need to switch to one of the computer voices)
Lifetime updates of maps.
Shows you which lane to be in on complicated interstates.
Easy to program, maybe too easy, since my kids keep changing all the settings on mine.
Comes with both car charger and USB charger. The USB port is a little recessed, so not every standard USB cable will fit it, although many will.
*OK
Updating maps the first time can take several hours on DSL. I think if you are one of the few with dialup it would be years....
*Might concern you, or might not
It does not have traffic built in, you need an extra receiver for this, which is fairly expensive relative to the GPS. Not all cities get the traffic either, although they do tend to be the cities with...well ....traffic. You can check the Tom Tom website to see if your city is included.
*Not great
Does not come with a carrying case, it does fit, barely into the Case Logic GPSP-2 Professional GPS Case for 4.3-Inch Flatscreen GPS Navigators even though it says it is only for 4.3 inch which is a nice case and inexpensive.
You have to set up a separate account if you are using more than one Tom Tom on the same computer, that required a different email address.
Updates will fill the device memory almost to completely full. You can delete extra voices and stuff to make room though.
We live on a gravel road. Every time we set up to leave it asks us if we really want to take an unpaved road. SOLUTION FOUND,see comments. This choice is under "planning preferences"
I am giving this 5 stars because it is the best GPS I have used so far. The traffic issue does not merit dinging the unit, since I would not want to have to pay for the traffic function in a place where there is not much traffic. Easy to use, does what it needs to do and does it well.
By John W. Leckwatch
After i ordered my tomtom 540m i discovered these reviews of the tomtom.all i can say is do not believe everything you read. I read some of the reviews and they made me wonder if i made a mistake in buying this product.when I received my tomtom, i tried to enter my life time free code number, it would not take it and said a error had occurred. I was half afraid to call tomtom customer service because of some of the reviews that said how bad the customer service was. I finally called and got a very helpful girl with no waiting time at all. she was very nice and took me step by step through the process,and when she got me to where it was going to download the new map,etc,she told me she could not stay on the line with me for the 2 hours it would take but told me what to do to finish it, and call back if i had any problems.She gave me a reference number and we hung up. Before the program finished its download it went out because or a time restriction. i called back and got another nice girl,no delay again, who took my reference number and got me back to the download to complete it. no problems at all as some reviews complained of long delays to get technicians,dropped calls,etc. I was very pleased with the customer service so do not believe all you read. I have my update installed and am ready to go. very pleased with my second tomtom gps purchase
