Conclusion:

The TomTom XL340-S 4.3 inch touchscreen portable GPS is a feature packed little device that is definitely worth considering for your navigation needs. The compact housing is sleek and attractive, and the EasyPort mount makes it easy to attach securely in a variety of configurations. You can easily transfer it from car to car, or because it is so easy to install you might actually put it away when your car is parked so that would-be thieves can't see what kind of goodies you have inside your car.

Navigating with the XL340-S was as good as I would expect from a trusted name like TomTom. After checking routes that other units have failed to provide the best directions for, I was pleased to see the XL340-S actually know the best way to go. And for those occasions where you might not like the directions provided by the XL340-S, you can always update routes yourself at your computer or use 'corrections' that other users have shared online. Plus, the IQ Routes feature may come in handy, as it will learn from actual driving speeds to determine if a different route may be better despite perhaps having a longer distance or lower speed limit.



On top of taking care of the basic GPS functions rather nicely, the XL340-S offers an intuitive menu that is 100% driven by the touchscreen for convenience. You can customize just about every feature to your liking, and you can access other services to complement what the XL340-S already offers. Access to local gas pricing, safety cameras, and traffic data are all things you can do with the TomTom XL340-S (but with extra hardware and fees).

What I discovered to be the main downside to the unit was the time it took to acquire a GPS signal. It was never less than one minute, but sometimes it would approach three minutes before it locked in a few satellites. The issue might not seem as severe if the screen didn't have a timer on it letting you know exactly how long you were waiting, but hopefully you aren't in a rush to get going if you need the XL340-S to get you to your destination.

Otherwise, the other semi-annoying issue was with some of the spoken word instructions. Sometimes the pronunciation of what seemed like simple words would be mangled, and other times the idea of exactly what you were being told to do could have been more clear.

Geeks.com's every day price for the refurbished TomTom XL340-S is $121.99 (US), but it is currently a Geek Special at $99.99. The Bigbruin.com shopping pages show that a new TomTom XL340-S typically sells for about $170, but that Amazon.com lists them for much less. Visiting the Amazon.com product page reveals that new ones are $120, while refurbished units are $95. Just a bit cheaper than the Geeks price, but in the same general range and I would consider this sub-$100 ball park to be a good price for a GPS like this. You can definitely get some new GPS devices for less money, but considering the features, performance, and like-new appearance of the review sample I would consider this to be a good deal.

In the end, the TomTom XL340-S 4.3 inch touchscreen portable GPS from Geeks.com earns the Bigbruin.com "Good Value" award.



Pros:

» Screen provides clear view of your route and other critical information
» Highly customizable interface
» Directions have proven to be very accurate
» IQ Routes feature adds extra intelligence to routing, and it works
» Advanced lane guidance can be very useful at confusing or busy exchanges
» EasyPort mount makes installing the device quick and easy
» Plenty of extras can be used:
   » Corrected maps available online
   » Traffic service (extra hardware required)
   » Safety camera access
   » Gas pricing
» Priced at just under $100

Cons:

» Slow to acquire GPS signal - sometimes takes a few minutes at start up
» Directions aren't always as clear as they could be
» Some basic words spoken by the device come out terribly mangled
» Extras generally cost extra and may require additional hardware

Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.