GPS Sat Nav Systems

With the introduction of TomTom XL LIVE IQR, the satellite navigation maestros are certainly on the measure of combining the best of both the worlds. The latest model of TomTom’s widescreen satellite navigation system comes in a low-end price with high-end features like Live, which is a service of the pricier GO range. This move is a one that makes good sense as the Go models can be a little over the top for a UK driver who simply wants navigation for holidays and the occasional far-flung wedding. This 200 pound satellite navigator sits right at the top of TomTom’s lower-end XL range, and it boasts to be the only XL model of the company to use its Live technology. With the availability of Live technology, the GPS will be able to link to the internet, which allows it to download the traffic warnings and some other information.

The new XL Live IQ Routes edition Sat Nav Unit has connection to latest real-time route information, including TomTom HD Traffic, Road Angel Safety Camera Alerts, Local Search with Google and Fuel rates, and so, you will always have anytime-anywhere access to useful and relevant information en route, saving you heaps of time, money and fuel. Thus, it is clear that the TomTom XL LIVE IQR is a Jack of all trades for sure, but is it master of any too? Read our complete review of the model to find out.

Simple and Stylish Design:

At the very first glance of the device, you will find that the XL Live looks very similar to its higher end Go cousin. TomTom XL LIVE IQR sports an uber-wide 4.3″ touch display and possesses the same general interface. The screen is bright and is a convenient size to glance while driving. The construction is quite solid with neat black bezel and sleek lines that measures (H x W x D) 123 x 80 x 18mm, however the mount and suction pad makes it about 40mm deep; a dimension that you will easily able to throw into most bags or even cargo pants pocket without too much of hassle. The 4.3” display handles all the controls, save for powering on and off the device; a discrete button on the top handles that job. In the bottom, there is a mini USB that accepts power from the 5V source in your car and also updates the unit through TomTom Home software on your PC or Mac.

Installation:

However, you will find the differences between the XL model and GO to be obvious as soon as you try to mount the XL in your car. Instead of the streamlined Active Dock screen attachment that is offered with the new Go Live models, this XL model only has the Easyport model of XL and One range. This unit makes the process of moving the device from car to car very simple as the mount can be left attached. But, we also have to say that the sat nav is not that easy to detach and reattach to the mount; you will have to plug in the USB connection for the car power adaptor first. One thing that we never forget to mention about is the suction mount. Some of the mounts will not last you journey, spilling your precious sat nav into the footwell somewhere on the M1. The EasyPort Mount of TomTom is not just secure, but is also blindingly easy to use. We just cannot fathom why others do not follow the suit.

Interface:

Standard:
The overall interface of the XL LIVE IQ Routes Edition Sat Nav device follows the standard design of TomTom and it has not changed for a few generations now; yet, the menus have been streamlined for recent iterations. Little is the change in the menu system that TomTom has been having for years now. While the competitors strive to find some sort of innovative twist in their interface, TomTom remains to be the easiest one to actually use. Being able to input numerals and alphabets from the onboard keyboard is just an example, which means you will be able to enter a postcode a straight forward action.

Detailed displays:
The map occupies the lion’s share of the display along with a bar beneath, offering you with pretty much every single piece of information about your journey that you probably might want to know. The plain presentation of this bar makes the morass of details feel rather opaque at the beginning, but it will be extremely handy when you get used to it. And the traffic bar down the side is similarly functional.

LIVE Snapshot:
LIVE Snapshot feature offers the user all the relevant information on your surrounding from the word go. You will be able to get all the real-time information at a glance, including traffic conditions, safety cameras and fuel prices, making your drive more relaxed.

Maps:
The TomTom XL Live IQR is currently only available with full European maps for forty two countries and it is also the first UL LIVE device to be offered with HD Traffic functionality beyond the United Kingdom, although it still just covers Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The map also includes the connecting roads of Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. If European mapping does not interest you, there will also be a UK-only version of the XL LIVE that costs a few pounds lesser. Tom Tom offers its Latest Map Guarantee, entitling you to a free map download if a newer map is released during the first 30days of your purchase. Simply download via Tom Tom Home and check out all the other additional free features you are entitled too.

Navigation:
Setting up your XL LIVE IQ route is extremely easy, for both immediate use, as well as for future planning. To navigate, tap on the “Navigate To” option in the main menu followed by “Address”.

When you enter an address, you can choose from the options of city centre, street, house number, postcode and crossing or intersection.

As soon as you enter a destination, XL LIVE IQR presents the routes and turn by turn information in a very clear way. Once the route calculation is done, tap on done and your TomTom satnav will warn you about any traffic delays and immediately begin to guide you to your destination, using both spoken instructions and on-screen directions.

Alternative Route:
Once the route is planned, you might have to change something about the route, without changing your destination. For this, tap over ‘Find Alternative’ in the main menu or, you will also find this option in the route summary screen. A ‘Recalculate Original’ option is available if you prefer to go with the original route after all.

Avoid Roadblock:
The ‘Avoid Roadblock’ option is available if you spot a roadblock or a line of traffic ahead. You are also given an option to choose how much of the route ahead you wish to avoid and you get options of 100m, 500m, 2000m and 5000m. Then, the XL will look for another route from your current location to the destination. If the roadblock seems to be clearing off, tap on ‘Recalculate Original’ in order to return to your original route.

Travel Via:
Travel Via option allows you to change your route so that it passes a particular location, perhaps to pick up your friend on the way. And when you do this, a marker is shown on the map for the location that you wish to travel via. You will be able to choose the location in the same way that you choose the destination and so, you will be able to choose from the options of Address, Favourite, Point of Interest and Point on map.

Additional Options:
Some of the other options offered by XL LIVE include ‘Recalculate Original’ to return to the original route without deviations to avoid roadblocks or travelling via particular locations. ‘Avoid Part Route’, as the name indicates, avoids a part of the route and there is also a ‘Minimise Delays’ option to recalculate you route such that it avoids the traffic problems as much as possible. Note that, this button is only available with TomTom Traffic enabled.

View Map:
Some people criticise the visually basic map display, but in reality, you would want to be keeping your eyes on the road and not watching the pretty flit by on your sat nav. But when you are in need of some more info, TomTom offers clear lane guidance with signage. To see the map in the same way that you might look at a traditional paper map, select the ‘Browse Map’ in the Main Menu. The maps in TomTom XL LIVE IQR can be viewed in 2D and 3D modes.

The Options menu sets information shown on the map, which includes Points of Interest, Favourites, Traffic and under the Advanced option, you will also find Names, Markers and Coordinates. Position the cursor at a location on the map and tap the cursor button and then, you will be able to choose from a wide range of options including Navigate There, Set Position Marker, Find a POI nearby, Correct Location, Add as Favourite, Add as POI and Centre On Map.

Features:

Features wise, Tom Tom XL Live IQ Route Widescreen Sat Nav lacks none of the major innovations that have made the last couple of GO Generations which are one among the best all round sat navs on the market. Of course, there a few features compromised and in that list, gone is the excellent voice  activation system that allows you to control most aspects of the GO LIVE verbally, just after a single press to kick off the feature. Sadly, there is no Bluetooth connectivity or FM radio transmitter built-in. Out of all these omissions, it will probably be Bluetooth that will most sorely ruled and this will be because, you cannot hook up the XL LIVE feature to your mobile and just use it as an in-car hands-free kit.

TomTom LIVE:
When we experienced TomTom’s Live system in shape of its GO 540, we could immediately say that it was certainly a huge leap forward in the technology of SatNav. However, in testing we also found that it was not just perfect, however, we still think that the Live Technology will remain to be one of the most significant development for some years. The Live Technology had remained as a premium feature requiring monthly subscription and as we said earlier, is available in only the top of the range devices.

HD Traffic:
Fortunately, the core Live features has been left unchanged. The main advantage of the Live feature is HD Traffic which goes far beyond the capabilities of the usual RDS-TMC traffic services that are offered by other manufacturers. We can blabber a thousand words just on what is HD Traffic and how it works, but in a nutshell we can say that it provides updates on more roads than services based on the TrafficMaster camera information. The HD Traffic information are also more frequent as they are delivered to you via the mobile data link every three minutes rather than over an FM radio signal every fifteen minutes. In our long term testing, we found the HD Traffic system to be more effective at avoiding nasty traffic jams than anything that went before and less often does it demand second-guess suggestions from time to time.

Fuel Prices Service:
The other features of Live also revolve around the built-in mobile data link. The Fuel Prices service links into the petrol station category of the Points Of Interest database that allows you to not only find you convenient pumps, but also the cheapest ones (now, there can be none around who will not be tempted to use this feature). You will be able to find the fuel stations and prices nearby, on your route or at any location you wish to choose. The prices are regularly updated for each of the fuel types, and surprisingly, we have found them to be accurate most of the time.

Google Local Search:
The LIVE service also incorporates Google Local Search; a feature that offers access to a much larger database of Points of Interest than what is stored locally on the device and also goes far far beyond the usual categories. For instance, you will be able to find pet rescue centres and racing tracks by name and approximate locations without the need to enter the full address. The mobile data link allows you to download the very latest safety camera locations and weather forecast information for any destination including Europe. In a nutshell, with the Google Local Search you will be able to punch in pretty much anything and get the local live results that are ideal for finding a chemist or pie when you really need one.

IQ Routes:
As in the case of most of the latest TomTom XL satnavs, the XL LIVE model also incorporates the IQ Routes. We really loved the fact that TomTom makes it very simple for you to plot out your route for a certain time of day in the future, giving you a decent indicator of your actual time of arrival, rather than the one based on theoretical maximum speeds on the roads. It is also intelligent enough to know that motorways do not always make for the fastest driving, but at the same time, minor roads make a poor selection. As most of us know, it is all about experience and TomTom seems to be getting them just right with its IQ Routes stepping in with its local knowledge to guide you along. Hence, instead of just using the speed limit or distance to calculate the optimal route, this feature also takes into account some of the real average road speeds at particular times of day. For instance, if a route is always jammed during rush hour, IQ Routes will calculate a quicker option through less frequented streets when travelling during that period.

Advanced Lane Guidance:
The TomTom XL Live IQ Routes Sat Nav System  also incorporates the Advanced Lane Guidance feature, which is TomTom’s take on the now ubiquitous full screen graphics that makes sure that you are in the correct carriageway in a complex motorway junction. This information pops up ahead, giving you ample time to avoid the mad scramble across from one lane to another when you realise that your turning is rapidly approaching.
For some exits and junctions, an image shows the turn and lane that you must take. For the other exits and junctions, the XL shows the lane that you have to take in the status bar. If you do not prefer the images, select Hide Lane Images in the preferences menu and to turn the guidance off, tap on Change Preferences -> Status Bar Preferences and clear the check box of show lane guidance.

Route guidance is just excellent.

TomTom Safety Alerts:
The TomTom Safety Alerts service warns you about a variety of locations including:

• Safety camera locations.
• Accident blackspot locations.
• Mobile safety camera locations.
• Average speed camera locations.
• Toll road camera locations.
• Traffic light camera locations.

Map Share:
With the availability of the Map Share feature means that the task of updating maps within the TomTom community is just incredibly simple. TomTom Map Share feature allows you to correct errors on your map and also share those corrections with other people of TomTom Map Share community and hence, also receiving them.

For instance, if you find a street that has been recently blocked to traffic which was open before, the Map Share feature can be used to correct the map and then share correction with the other Map Share members. Some of the map share correction options available are, Reverse Traffic Direction, Edit street name, Change turn restrictions, Change road speed, Add missing POI, Edit POI and Report other error. This feature can be used to send and receive map corrections during the first year after the map’s release date. This means that one year after the release date, you will no longer be able to send or receive map corrections for that version of the map; you will still be able to make corrections to your own map for use on your own device. You choose the type of corrections you want and each time you connect your TomTom XL to TomTom HOME, the map is automatically updated.

Types of Map Corrections:
There are two types of map corrections. One correction is the one that is shown immediately on the map and these include changing the traffic flow of a street, blocking or renaming a street and adding or editing POIs. This type of change is immediately shown on your own map. You can hide these corrections at any time in the Map Share preferences menu. The second type of correction is the one that is reported to TomTom but not shown immediately on your map. These include, missing streets, errors in motorway entrances and exits and missing roundabouts. This type of correction is investigated by TomTom and once verified, is included in the next map release. These corrections are therefore not shared with the Map Share community.

Finally, to join the MapShare Community, tap on Map Corrections in the Main menu followed by download corrections made by others and then tap on join. A few correction preferences are also offered, which includes the trust level slider that allows you to choose the type of corrections from the Map Share community you would want to use on your maps, decide on if you want to share your corrections with others and show or hide the report button in Driving View.

Other XL LIVE Services:
Some of the other XL LIVE services are TomTom Weather and QuickGPSfix. The TomTom Weather feature gives you five day weather reports for any location on your map and the QuickGPSfix contains information about GPS satellite positions which helps your TomTom XL find your position faster.

Subscription woes:
Although the TomTom XL Live model is much cheaper than any of the GO Live models or GO range itself, the LIVE services cost exactly the same. Three months of free trail is included in the package, but after that, the prices start at the rate of £7.99 a month. Remember that some of the basic features line safety camera updates come under the LIVE service and it will just be a mere two years before the subscription cost equals that of the unit. Although the LIVE Services are undeniably good, you still need to be a very frequent traveller to justify the extra expenses. Eureka! We found you a way out, you could always subscribe it just for the month that you are heading for holidays and you do not have to have the service when you do not need it, perhaps for 10 months of the year, takes the sting out of the ongoing costs.

Points Of Interest:
Of course, you also get Points Of Interest with your TomTom with the phone numbers where available. With the availability of the Google Search feature, you will be able to get to virtually anyplace. TomTom also allows you to manage your POI such that, you could create POI categories of your own and POIs to them. For instance, you can create a category known as “Friends” and add all your friends addresses as in POI category. You can also add your friend’s phone numbers with their address, so that you can call them from your XL LIVE. The options available to manage POIs are, Add POI, Warn when near POI, Delete POI, Edit POI, Add POI category and Delete POI category.

European Motoring:
Yet another feature that is new to TomTom XL LIVE IQR Satellite Navigation System is the added support for European motoring. TomTom has a really huge following in its native Holland, but you will also benefit from HD Traffic in Germany, France and Switzerland and other Live services too depending on your territory.

Not a Portable Media Player:
The company has always made clear that GPS is simply about navigation and not about entertainment and so, the model will not be a portable media player for you.

Voice:
The instructions and warning voices of the XL LIVE are loud and clear. To change the voice used by the device, tap over Voice Preferences in Preferences menu and finally on Change Voice button.

Safety:
TomTom has also offered a lot of safety preferences which you will be able to set in the preferences menu. The options offered include:

• Hide most menu options while driving
• Suggest driving breaks
• Show safety reminders
• Warn when near places of worship or schools
• Warn when driving faster than allowed
• Warn when driving faster than a set speed
• Warn not to leave the device in the car

Performance:

When we took TomTom XL LIVE GPS System for a test drive, the planned route worked well as long as we stayed on it. But, when forced off track by a road closure or with a wrong turn, it was disappointingly slow to calculate the new route. At one point, we even thought that we might have to stop for the device to catch up. We have seen heaps of other GPS devices that plot new routes much quicker and almost instantly in most cases.

Battery life:

The unit does sport an internal battery, but on journeys over a couple of hours, you would really want to just make sure that you have got your cable packed in.

Guarantee:

The Tom Tom Go 740 Live comes with one year manufacturer’s Guarantee.

Verdict:

TomTom XL LIVE IQR has become one of our favourite sat navs. The display size is just practical enough to know your route at a glance and the HD Traffic just contributes to an already leading navigation system.

It is really refreshing to see the LIVE feature already filtering down to the less pricey members of TomTom’s Sat Nav range. But, with the subscription still costing a lot, we cannot say that it is really live for the common masses. We really cannot criticise TomTom for offering the feature in a lower-end model without annoying the GO LIVE owners, but it still dilutes the XL LIVE’s argument to some extent. While it is about £100 cheaper than the equivalent GO LIVE 740 with full European maps, the identical monthly subscription fees means that it is not quite the value proposition , even though it is still a great satellite navigation device.

Check TomTom One V4 Sat Nav Review in this website.

TomTom XL LIVE IQR GPS System – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	TomTom
Model Name	XL Live IQ Routes Satellite Navigation system
GPS Application	Car
Colour	Black
Dimensions (W x H x D)	118 X 80 X 25 mm
Weight	170 grams
Display	16:9 LCD widescreen
Display screen size	4.3 inch
Display resolution	320 x 240 pixels
Navigation views	Turn by turn
Memory type	2GB Internal Flash Memory
MP3 Player	No
Maps included	Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Vatican City. The map coverage also includes the connecting roads of Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine and the Russian Federation
Voice	Navigation instructions Voice command recognition
Connectivity	GPRS Connectivity with three months LIVE services USB 2.0
Audio	Optimised integrated microphone and speaker for high quality hands-free functionality
Compatibility	Windows and Mac OS X 10.3 and above
GPS Module	Highly sensitive GPS chipset
GPS Receiver	Highly sensitive GPS Receiver
Features to reduce driver’s stress	Latest map Guarantee Active Dock Advanced Lane Guidance
Features to save time and money	HD Traffic IQ Routes technology Safety Alerts Fuel Prices QuickGPSfix
Enhanced safety features	Hands free calling Help me – emergency menu Safety preferences
Additional features	8-digit postcode Real-time traffic information High quality speaker QuickGPSfixT and high sensitivity GPS chipset Built-in receiver for LIVE Services Advanced lane guidance Text to Speech Light sensor for an optimal view TomTom MapShare technology Speed camera locations from Road Angel
Included GPS Software	TomTom HOME
Included accessories	Tom Tom XL Live GPS device, a suction cup, a docking station with USB Cable, 12-24V cigarette lighter adaptor that is suitable for cars and trucks, a CD ROM containing Tom Tom Home Software, Quick Start Guide and User Manual
Battery type	Internal lithium ion
Battery life	Three hours
Guarantee	One year