TomTom XL 330S Car GPS Receiver

Electronics Review by Mr. Peter Kim
IT Professional, Graduate Student and perennially lost...

I previously owned a TomTom One as a gift and used it a lot until it was stolen. Although distraught, I quickly went to Best Buy and looked for a replacement. I picked this unit primarly due to the larger 4+ inch screen size and its sale price ($199). For some reason, my first unit only lasted two weeks. It would always "search for signal". I went back to Best Buy and got a replacement.

After a few months with this unit, I have a few observations. The TomTom XL 330s combines an improved mount, a large screen, good navigation abilities with a budget friendly price in this price elastic market. The first thing that I like is the mounting device; it is excellent for staying put on your windshield. The previous model had fallen off a few times. The second thing that I notice is the larger screen; it is great for me since it does not require me to strain my eyes staring at a tiny screen. I will admit, I do not leverage the special features. I do not subscribe to the traffic features or use the blue tooth. I don't use the multi destination routing. I don't care for anything besides the 4 or so preloaded English language voices.

Here are my gripes. The battery life leaves much to be desired. On a trip from NY to MD, I have to plug the unit in after 2.5 hours. Therefore I have it plugged in all the time. The other problem is the reliance on the satellites and sometimes a slow re-routing algorithm. For example, if I'm in Manhattan and want to visit a friend in Hoboken, I will use the Holland Tunnel. Driving in the tunnel means no signal, but once I get out, the unit may take over a minute to retrieve its satellite signal. I also would have liked a carrying case with this unit.

I realized how much I rely on this TomTom XL 330s navigation system. I use it even if I know how to get somewhere. I like seeing how fast I am driving and what the estimated time of arrival is thanks to my GPS unit.