TomTom XL 340 and XL 340S Auto GPS Navigators Review

TomTom’s XL 340 and XL 340S feature a larger 4.3 inch widescreen for easier viewing of navigation information compared to smaller screen navigators. The touchscreen has a WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) resolution. Other headline features of the 340 models are the advanced route calculation of TomTom’s IQ Routes Technology and the assistance provided to drivers at intersections by TomTom’s Advanced Lane Guidance.

The two models are the same except for the XL340S having text-to-speech capability to announce street names as part of navigation instructions. It gives the driver confirmation that they are on track without taking their eyes from the road - definite safety benefit.

TomTom XL 340

TomTom QuickGPSfix

QuickGPSfix provides quicker GPS satellite acquisition times through storage of GPS satellite orbit predictions (almanac data). Usually the orbit data is only updated when the TomTom GPS device is connected to a PC or Mac running TomTom’s HOME software. With the XL 340/S data connection updates are more frequent and automatic.

TomTom’s IQ Routes Technology

The TomTom XL 340/S have TomTom’s innovative IQ Routes Technology, which calculates routes based on historical travel time information for every road, every day of the week and now even the time of day. The travel time information is made possible by the contributions of a network of millions of global TomTom customers in the form of anonymous traffic flow data as they drive. TomTom over the past two years has recorded data for more than 1.8 trillion miles of roads.

Advanced Lane Guidance

Using a more realistic view of highway junctions on the navigation screen combined lane indicating arrows and vocal instructions drivers are better able to navigate their way through lane changes required.

Text-to-Speech

Text-to-Speech (TTS) is a safety/convenience feature which allows street names to be announced as part of navigation directions rather than simply stating the turn direction. TTS improves added driving safety by providing confirmation that you are on route without needing to check the map display.

Help Me!

Help Me! is another safety feature which provides information about the nearest car repair service center, police station, or hospital. It also allows users to either locate or call the closest emergency service provider. Apart from allowing users to quickly identify their exact location, Help Me! can also provide this information to emergency service providers for a quick response.

Maps

The TomTom XL 340 and XL340S come preloaded with maps of the US (including Alaska and Puerto Rico), Canada & Mexico and more than 7 million Points of Interest including restaurants, gas stations, shopping malls and golf courses.

Map Share

Map Share gives users the ability to personalize their maps and correct and improve available maps. With Map Share TomTom users can; 1) change street names and direction 2) add, remove or rename POIs and 3) (un)block streets on their own device. Using the data connection TomTom XL 340/S users map improvements are shared/available far quicker.

TomTom HOME

TomTom’s free software HOME allows you to manage, update and personalize your TomTom as well as purchase and install maps, make back-ups and download software updates.