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Reviews (1)
05 November 2010
Know where you are going
3 of 3 found this helpful I purchased the Tom Tom XL 350 TM GPS mostly as a toy but intended to use for finding places locally and in nearby Atlanta. I used the GPS on a recent vacation to Orlando. I live in a newer community, less that 10 years, but the GPS did not have information on my specific location but found a point in a nearby highway intersection. I suspect this is more related to the mapping information and less to the actual GPS unit specifically. Since the unit was new I jumped right in and started to program the trip. When asked about tolls rather than read the notes I just checked no! There are tolls in the Orlando area but I did not think of that at the time. A little later I'll explain why that may be important! Leading from my home to the starting point of the trip the unit was correct and actually took me on the back roads that I would have used anyway. The travel out and into Florida is fairly direct so I really did not need the know the information but was interested in how the GPS would provide directions. Upon entering the Orlando area I was directed past interstate 4 that I would normally use taking a course through downtown Orlando. I was directed to an exit that was toll and unattended. Although the amout was change I did not have exact change. I continued to the next exit thinking I may have to reverse course. Upon exiting I entered another toll road and followed directly into the Kissemee area where I wanted to be. The route was more direct and avoided the downtown traffic that would have been during the time I arrived. When I programed the GPS for a return and asked about tolls I checked yes, again not reading the small print. This time I was directed to Interstate 4 and passed the normal toll road leading back to Georgia and continued on I-4 east. I soon realized the GPS was taking me out of the way, maybe 100 miles, just to avoid about five dollars in tolls. So the point being a GPS is helpful and fun to use but you better have an idea where you are going and know something about the route. A GPS like anything else is only as good as the person or persons that made it. The mapping information it appears is older in some ways but generally consistent in providing helpbul directions. I like the touch screen of the 350 TM and how easily it is updated with a computer. This is my second GPS. I have an older unit purchased about 10 years ago and am amazed at the improvement. The 350 TM has all maps and provides much useful information along the route. The older unit only held a few mapping areas and needed to be updated frequently. I think the Tom Tom 350 XL 350 TM is reasonably priced, has lifetime map updates and traffic information. I don't need the bluetooth technology anyway so that is not something that I would pay extra form. Happy traveling but remember it is a good idea to know where you are going and don't just let this technology lead you away. The human capacity for evaluation and understanding of direction and specific location information can never be programmed into a machine, at least not for the near future!