Hassle Free Car Journeys (TomTom XL Traffic)

Member Name: Katy_roberts85

Product:	TomTom XL Traffic
Date:	19/09/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use. clesr display, brilliant technology

Disadvantages: No carry case, can be tricky to stick to windscreen on first attempt

Car journeys were mine and my partner's worst nightmare. We'd always get lost or confused by AA route directions and end up having an argument. Always without fail every new journey was a problem.

Then enter TomTom XL Traffic - a wonderous device of joy that has revolutionised driving. It really is worth every single penny.

With Tomtom's award winning software it is easy to us. Literally you switch it on from the box and it is ready to go. It has an easy to use touch screen which is really simple to navigate.

There are limited voice options but really there are enough to choose from unless you are picky. Several accent choices in both male and female selections. If you want more then you can download extras from the tomtom website either for free or for a small fee.

This has a wide screen so it is easy to see everything when driving. The colours have daytime and nighttime intensities so you don't have a really bright screen at night. The display is very informative it has a clock, details your speed, howlong left on your joruney, advses of the next juntion or instruction coming up and how long until you need to alter your direction.

If you go wrong it recalculates the journey very quickly and either tells you to turn around or replans a new route for you.

This device does not name streets or road names which would be useful but to be honest the maps and instructions are so clear so I would not think this is really needed.It would only be a useful add on.

Ocassionally the device does get it wrong in terms of the speed limit you are in i.e. inidcates you are in a 40 when in a 60 etc but this reallyisn't problematic. It would only be a real problem if you reliedsolely on the device but any sane person would only use it as a guide. You still need to read road signs and pay attention to the road (please!)

It also remembers previous journeys so when you go again it remembers the route. It also has a 'home' function so wherever you are you can always devise a route home very quickly.

It offers a plan your route function so you put in address A and destination B (even if you are not located currently at either location) and it will tell you the route. This means you can be super organised and plan journeys and journey times in advance.

The only negative thing is the power cable can be a little tricky to get into the slot on the device but easy once you have got the knack. It just needs a wiggle to put it into the slot. Also the mount toattach it to the windscreen can be tricky to attach. you need to stick it on with the sucker then rotate the wheel to create the vacuum to hold in securly on the window. If you don't turn thw wheel fully it will stick for a short while but fally off whilst driving which is annoying, You then need to click the device ontot the mount and that needs to be firmly secured, you will know when it is in place properly because there will be a loud click and it will feel firmly in place. Once you have the knack on attaching it all and setting it up it is really easy but takes one or two run throughs to getit sorted. The mount is really good because it folds flat so is very easy to secure.

It would be good if the device came with a carry case to protect it as I would never leave it in the car but don't want it damaged in my bag carrying it around.

It also has built-in RDS-TMC traffic receiver and a Daily Fuel Prices Optional Service but I haven't tried using these services yet.

I would really recommend tomtom to everyone it makes driving completely hassle free.

Can be purchased from many place for between £150-£200. It is worth shopping round to get the best price and remember to consider the postage options as some places have cheap unit prices but then hike it u witih postage fees!

Summary: A life saving and time saving must for everyone!