TomTom XL 330-S 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Clam Shell Packaging)

Reviews

1. don’t buy it!!

   by sondguru

   this is a nice enough GPS unit, but if you have a problem like I did, forget about any real help from TomTom.
   
   for one, they give you 72 hours (3 days) to respond to any response they give, but they don’t hold to that themselves. took me 5 days to get my first response. I still have not gotten any satisfaction from TomTom.
   
   I simply wanted a newer more updated map. I paid $49.95 for a download of a map. when I tried to install onto my TomTom, the unit tells me there isn’t enough memory. BUT, the software will remove some unused stuff and get the room I need, cool! however, the whole process froze up for over an hour, so I shut it down (no longer online for download, just communication between my HP and the TomTom unit). tried several more times, but now each time it tells me, it cannot free up enough memory for the new map. TomTom support tells me to move the current map to my computer, then I can install the new one… NOT!! still tells me there isn’t enough memory. so now my GPS is totally worthless — it has no map!! several times more back and forth with TomTom support and I am still in the same position. I have asked for my money back for the map (figure I have lost the money to purchase the GPS), but TomTom has taken to ignoring me. at this time I am updating the support question every 3 days to keep it active, but get no answer from TomTom.
   
   BLEEAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!

2. GPS TomTom 330S vs. Garmin Zumo (motorcycle)

   by Jeffers

   I figure I’m a pretty good GPS test rider for a couple reasons.
   
   One because I use GPS at least 5 times a day, 5 days a week to find addresses in high traffic conditions.
   
   And two, because my sense of direction and memory is probably below average.
   
   Since my zumo stopped working I’ve borrowed a TomTom from my son and been using it all this week in the ‘take no prisoners’ traffic conditions of Orange County. The TT and Garmin program for putting in a destination are a bit different. And I’ve found the TT to be faster with less room for error. The TomTom’s directions given while driving are way clearer and easier to understand while driving. The Garmin voice directions will give you street names which sounds like a good idea in theory, in practice it only complicates things. I shut the voice directions off on the Garmin for this reason. I also stopped using the map display on the Garmin and started using only text directions, because that was the only way I could stay far enough ahead of where my next turn on the freeway was going to be. That way I could read down the text, past all updates of what I was passing, and get to the next ‘real’ direction change I would need to make. I actually ordered a TT while in Palm Springs during my trip without ‘text to speech’ because my experience with Garmin’s was so bad. Later after using the borrowed TT, I canceled that order. And reordered the TT with ‘text to speech’ because it worked so well on the borrowed unit.
   
   The TT gives more clear visual directions as well, and large enough count down to the next turn that I don’t have to have my reading glasses hanging off my nose to read them.
   
   My perception buying a motorcycle specific GPS was that I was getting a much more robust unit. And it is, in that it’s waterproof and has a much more durable case and mounting system. But other that, I don’t think they’re anymore reliable than an automotive unit (my Zumo’s broken twice) that’s 1/6th the price. Garmin has a $150 flat rate for repair, I order a new TT for $100. And they make a lot of aftermarket motorcycle mounts for it. This last time my Zumo broke a friend was nice enough to point me to a replacement touch screen and I’ve got one those ordered from china. Hopefully that will fix the Garmin and I’ll probably put it up for sale. Maybe I’ll include a couple of touch screen replacement pictures. So bottom-line, I’d say don’t be like me and spend $700 on a motorcycle specific GPS. Get an automotive unit of your choice, (I recommend TomTom) buy yourself an aftermarket mount, and keep it out of the rain. When it breaks, $100 replace the unit.
   
   The ability to make routes on Garmin’s Map source has been difficult enough for me that I haven’t chosen to use it.
   
   I’ve followed some routes. Like the one Chuck made and emailed to me. It was a back roads trip to Alice’s restaurant that was kind of fun to follow. As it worked out we got separated early on in the trip and each followed the same route and met at Alice’s. I’m thinking the ability to load Google Map tracks might be a plus for me with the Tomtom. But I’ll have to wait and see. Or it might make Garmin’s Map source seem easy in comparison. But if it will load. There’s some great routes on Google Maps that I’d be more than happy to use without changes. What I have done with the zumo is find roads on Google Maps, then browse them on my zumo, (not Map source), then ‘touch screen’ and point on the road and save it to favorites.
   
   Then when I get within strike range, I select favorites, and it lists them in order of closeness. Then I can decide from there which one to choose next. That way I’m letting the GPS do what it does best, straight to a destination, as opposed to certain route. I might change my mind and find a road on the way that looks better, and it will just recalculate till it uses the road I chose to get to the point I selected. Actually I’ve wanted to convert Google Map tracks to something I could use on the zumo ever since I’ve gotten the zumo.
   

3. Very powerful unit

   by mikecq

   I have had this unit for a few years and was VERY satisfied with it until I traveled across country. The map is not 100% accurate. I would be traveling on the highway in places and it showed me way off into the bushes. The gps chip in the unit is one of the most powerful I have seen. I am inside the house about 5 feet from a window and it picks up the satellites. This is good for cities.
   
   I bought a Garmin Nuvi which has a more accurate map of the USA and Canada, but I find planning for a trip, the TomTom is far easier to plan a long trip with lots of side stops and vias. The Garmin is far superior to the TomTom.
   
   I plan to get the Western Europe map and try it out for accuracy. From what I read and observed, Garmin North America map is more accurate, but in Europe and the rest of the world TomTom is king.

4. Better than expected

   by JoNana

   Extremely useful to me. I reviewed the ratings on TomTom XL 330-S before purchasing and all the good things said was true. Very easy to install and use. Had no trouble hearing vocal as some stated. It is perfect for me.

5. First GPS

   by Manuel A. Alvarado

   The instructions are just pictures and I had some questions that they didn’t answer. Couldn’t get the voice to work initally, but found a 12 year old, who figured it out. Can be touchy to use, but a great deal for the price.

6. a very basic GPS

   by tlh

   I bought this after a ton of research on other navigation systems in the same price range. This one got glowing reviews and I didn’t need the navigation system to do anything more than have text-to-speech and accurate maps so I didn’t think I was going to be disappointed. When I received it, I plugged it into my computer and updated the map. This was fast and easy. All that left to do was to test it out. This is when I was disappointed. The Tomtom did NOT say the names of streets. I have read other places that this is just a setting that needs to be enabled, but I cannot figure out where it is in the Tomtom and no manual comes with the product – you have to find one on the Tomtom website and I still can’t find out how to fix this problem. Also, I passed a few turns because of the confusing timing of the alert to turn. I found myself having to ignore the voice and just watch the map which was annoying and probably not so safe. I considered that this might be because this is my first navigation system but then I remembered that I have no problem with the Google Maps navigation on my cell phone (T-mobile G1).

   Honestly, I was hoping that if I got this navigation system I would be able to downgrade my cellular service and save some money. It is sad that the navigation system on my phone is SO much better. Faster, more accurate and efficient maps, speaks the street names, MUCH more intuitive software navigation, more responsive touch screen and I can search for an address on it. The latter is something that I thought the Tomtom would be able to do and it sadly is not. It is annoying and antiquated that one must know the addresses of everywhere they want to go in order to have the Tomtom take them there. If I go to a store and they don’t have what I need but a salesperson suggests another store, I then have to find out the address of that store instead of just being able to search for it on the Tomtom. This thing is like something out of the Flintstones compared to my phone. The only plus I can think of is that its speaker is super loud. Unfortunately that’s not enough for me.

7. Worst ever

   by Richard V. Mancini Jr.

   This is our 3rd GPS and is absolutely the worst I ever bought. Unfortunately, we ordered it online and tossed the box. The suction cup would not stick onto the windshield. I had to use the adhesive cup and even then if pushed slightly the suction cup would come off. After a week of being on the adhesive cup, the suction cup would finally stick on the windshield. Now I have an adhesive disk that I’m afraid to even try to remove. At best, the suction cup will stick, however, if I try to adjust the direction of the GPS, it falls off of the suction cup holder. Finally, we used it and found that we could not see the LCD screen during the day, even if I switched between day and night use. I’ve never had this problem with either a Garmin or a Magellan. This Tom-Tom XL 330 is absolutely worthless during the day. I feel like I’ve flushed my $$$ down the toilet.

8. Bad News After A Decent Start.

   by John E. Holmes

   The device arrived in a timely manner, and it did work appropriately at first. Setting my HOME location was easy, as was connecting to my pc. Then it was all downhill, with multiple problems developing like an avalanche. END result after the device stopped recognizing my pc and erased data … returned for a refund and spent more money on a Garmin nuvi at a local, reliable retailer.

9. Don’t expect too much

   by J. Polak

   There are a few serious shortcomings.

   1) If you are in a county rather than a city, you must know EXACTLY what neighborhood you are in or it WILL NOT recognize the valid street name. For example: I am in Baltimore County along Reisterstown Road. Pikesville is next to Garrison which is next to Owings Mills which is next to Reisterstown MD… all Baltimore County. If I enter Garrison and the street is on the border in Pikesville and not in Garrison the street will not be found. I called TomTom support about this and there is no way around this. This means I must have an ADC Map book to look up the address first. Given the available technology, that is pretty bad! I should be able to enter Maryland or Baltimore County and have it see the address.

   2) On a city street, the GPS says “you have reached your destination” right when you turn the corner. You could be 10,15 houses away but it can’t report on less than the block level.

   This is a very study unit and it is rather easy to use. The USA customer support was very good!

10. Defective Tom Tom

    by Julia Rogers

    My Tom Tom is defective. It still says I’m in Ventura, CA even when I’m in Sacramento. It is not functioning properly and I need to return it. Can you please give me an authorization code for product return with the proper return address?

    Thank you.

11. TomTom XL 330 4.3 inch widescreen

    by Catherine Baier

    I bought this unit to use to travel home from New Smyrna Beach, FL. I made many stops along my journey, Tallahassee, FL, Montgomery, AL, North Augusta, SC, Roanoke, VA, and Harrisburg, PA. Every leg of the trip was flawless. I am 64 years old and learned to operate the TomTom with no trouble. I would highly recommend it.

12. car charger died less than 6 months after purchase

    by Mother of two

    I bought this less than 6 months ago, and the car charger has already lost its insert and is no longer functioning. The charger, of course, is not covered by the warranty. So I am no longer able to use the GPS (the battery is drained now) without buying a new charger, which is close to $20.

    Honestly, I’m thinking of switching to Magellan or another brand at this point, because this Tomtom is pretty clunky to use – a particular annoyance for me is that the volume setting reverts to an inaudible level and needs to be reset every time – and getting to the volume setting takes quite a few steps. Overall, I’m not happy with this purchase.

13. MET EXPECTATIONS

    by Henry E. Fish

    MY FRIENDS HAVE A GARMIN AND I WAS A BIT RELUCTANT TO GO TOM-TOM.. I HAVE USED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE FIELDS IN THE BUFFALO ,NY AREA FROM ERIE PA- TO PARTS OF BUFFALO AREA UNKNOWN TO ME.. IT DIRECTED ME THERE PERFECTLY.. I AM STILL TRYING TO LEARN ALL ITS FEATURES, AND I FIND THE INSTRUCTION BOOK LACKING IN PRINTED DETAIL. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER PUTTING SEVERAL DESTINATIONS IN MEMORY, I HAVE TRIED TO DELETE ONES I NO LONGER USE.. WHEN I PUSH DELETE, IT COMES UP” DO YOU WANT TO DELETE ALL THE DESTINATIONS ? YES OR NO.IF YOU PUSH YES, THEY ALL DELETE.. IF YOU PUSH :NO”- THEN IT JUST GOES BACK TO THE PAGE BEFORE SHOWING ALL THE DESINATIONS..

    SO FAR I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT HOW TO DELETE JUST “ONE” OF THEM..I CAN’T FIND MY CABLE CONNECTION TO MY PC, SO I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY..

    OTHER THAN THAT I AM VERY HAPPY SO FAR

    HENRY FISH

14. Software Does Not Work

    by Lawrence Elton

    As advertised, the XL330-S worked “out of the box” but everything froze up when I attempted to go online to install Tom Tom software and update map. I spent two long sessions waiting for a support rep, then spent more time as the support people talked me through corrective steps–to no avail. The second rep I talked to suggested I get a new computer. But I didn’t give up. I sent the unit back and ordered another, but got the same results. I tried using my computer at work (Mac OS X 10.4.11) to see if the problem was my home computer–same bad results. So I asked my computer-savy son to give it a go. After several hours he too gave up. Enough! I am returning the unit to Amazon to ask for refund.

15. Excellent!

    by Jasha M. Levi

    I find it easier to use than my previous GPS’ Magellan and Nuvi. Love it.

16. Worthless GPS. Don’t buy unless you need a headache

    by Joel C. Walker

    I bought this unit over a year ago and have had nothing but trouble out of it. At first it worked fine, had some roads not on its maps but traveling around wasn’t that difficult. I decided to upgrade the maps and bought a years worth of maps and updated my gps. After updating the maps, the street I live on disappeared. It was on the original map that came with the gps, but not on the updated maps. I complained but got no response. I was able to navigate better through some of the cities because the updated maps had the road changes in them. Then a short two weeks after ordering and downloading the maps, my gps went crazy during an upgrade through TomTom Home. I lost everything and could not get the gps to respond or accept any programs/updates. I contacted TomTom and they said for me to do a soft reset, a hard reset and to format and let it search for its programs. It wouldn’t work. I finally got it to work but I cannot upgrade through my computer. So I lost the price of one years worth of updated maps and the cost of the GPS.

17. I love it!

    by William W. Weatherby

    It works great. I downloaded the Beaves and Butthead voice, it was free. One bad thing is that it seems to cost a lot to update the map.

18. Great GPS… Easyport, not that easy…

    by Sebastien

    This unit is a fantastic GPS. I’ve had it for few months now, and waas lucky enough to get it when it was on sale for ~$80 (new, not refurbished).

    + Very simple to use. The Tomtom software is really, really, easy to use and incredibly intuitive. Some options are buried in some menus and not immediately available but nothing that requires you to read the manual.
    
    + the GPS has an option to switch automatically from day to night display based on ambient brightness
    
    + Text to speech is really neat (keep in mind that only computerized voices can be used). You can still download all the funny voices you like but they won’t say street names
    
    + Very light unit. My Tomtom one, 3rd generation, was smaller, and much heavier
    
    + The fix time is really fast, especially if you turn the GPS on close to the location you turned it off. It takes a little more time if you are 1000s miles away from your previous location, and still, it’s really fast. Make sure you update and download the GPS fixes as they come out
    
    + The tomtom home software works for both Mac and PC and is really easy to use – it also allows you to download new POIs and maps, very easily.
    
    + It comes with a “latest maps guarantee” which enables you to download newer maps, should you unit come with out of date data.

    - I’m not a big fan of the Easyport. First of all, it makes the unit much thicker when it’s folded and it will NOT fit in most of the cases you can buy online. This would not be a problem if it were easy to take off – but it is not as easy to remove as the traditional suction cup, in which you slide in your GPS (see previous Tomtom models).
    
    - It does not feature advanced lane guidance (but for this price, it might be hard to find such an option – and I don’t really miss it)
    
    - The GPS is somewhat subject to glare in direct sunlight
    
    - The internal memory is really small, which means that, in order to install the latest maps, you will need to make some room by deleting extra voices (languages you never use). This is poorly explained, but a well documented problem on internet boards.
    
    - no bluetooth support.

    Overall, a really good product, especially for a widescreen GPS, with a fantastic software. If you can deal with the Easyport frustration every once in a while, this is what you need.

19. TOM TOM

    by Baila A. Janock

    It takes a long time to catch up when one starts on a know route

20. Great Buy!

    by K. Olson

    I recommend this product. It was easy to use and a great buy. The only downside is that the dash mount comes loose easily. Otherwise, a great product overall.