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TomTom XXL 550
Superior Driving Intelligence on an XXL widescreen device
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (954 reviews)
5 stars
412
4 stars
332
3 stars
130
2 stars
49
1 star
31
782 out of 954(82%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for XXL 550
Review 1 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
3
out of
5
Value
1
out of
5
RayManny
Location:Virginia Beach, VA
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:18-24
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Problem, after Problem, after Problem
Date:September 18, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use, when it worked
Everythime I went to update the lifetime maps the device froze. Less than two year old, I've received two refurbished units and now it's frozen and I've been told to go out and buy a GARMIN
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Accuracy
3
out of
5
Value
4
out of
5
Silver Bullet
Location:Detroit, MI
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Sometimes fickle, Sometimes mixed
Date:July 12, 2012
Favorite features: IQ Routes™ Technology, Advanced Lane Guidance, spoken street names
I have used the the TomTom 550TM for a year and a half, mainly on several routes from Boston to Detroit--through the US and Canada-- and Boston to Florida (at least 15 trips on these routes). I find the the touch screen either not sensitive enough when I am using it--I have to tap on it several times--or too sensitive when I position it on the dash and the palm of my hand brushes the screen and changes the mode. It is also too heavy a unit to be used in a GPS holder that attaches on to the air vents and the holder always falls off the vent. When I went to Florida in March, I had to use it in a much publicisized solar storm on a long trip to place I had travel to on a deadline. The solar storm really put me off course and I can within 5minutes of missing the deadline, when I should have had 45 minutes to an hour to spare. Since that time the gps is not quite accurate about 300 to 500 feet off. On my last trip the the metal pieces from the contact point on the cigar lighter cord that TomTom supplied just fell apart and I lost them. While these are the bad points I experienced, there are good points. Last summer while driving to Omaha I encounter a terrible storm while crossing the Mississippi River. It blacked out everything almost like a tornado. I only had the TomTom to guide me off the bridge (as a pilot would I was driving using my instruments) into the next exit to wait out the storm. I do have to say it probably help me avoid any disaster. I found that remarkable that I had to rely on this little screen on my dash to guide me through. Sometimes I find it remarkable where the gps routes you through. For example, when making trips to Florida from Boston, if I hit NYC at morning rush hour it routes me not on the freeways that are filled but on surface streets right past Central Park. In doing so, it has save me time. Also it has saved me time when driving through Canada during the middle of the night. On those trips from Boston to Detroit it has saved my butt a few times. (Copyright 2012)
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
2
out of
5
Accuracy
1
out of
5
Value
4
out of
5
epiq
Location:DC, Capital, USA
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Makes you use your brain
Date:April 30, 2012
Favorite features: IQ Routes™ Technology
After using the product for almost 2 years, the best thing I can say is that the GPS will not make you loose your brain functioning. It works great as a reference guide along the route but will not always show everything that could be useful. I end up using the browse map and map details a lot before I leave to get an idea of the overview, otherwise it can be frustrating.
A consistent problem mentioned through out all these reviews is the annoying habit of telling you to 'keep left' or 'don't exit' while showing the distance to an irrelevant way-point or exit. Instead it would be nice if it showed the total distance to the exit you should be taking, not just showing you how far you are from an exit you should not be taking.
TomTom in general seems to be missing a lot of POIs, updated exit locations, user generated issues. I live in in D.C. and roads that I have corrected and uploaded to the map sharing corrections over 6 months ago still come incorrectly.
It is very difficult to use the map correction feature to change exit locations (from right exit to left exit for example).
It is not so bad that I have felt like getting a new one after two years so that must be a plus.
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
1
out of
5
Value
2
out of
5
Wooky1
Location:Rockford, IL
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Useful toy, but don't depend on it!
Date:April 22, 2012
I just got back from my first major trip using the TomTom 550XXL. I found it fairly easy to plan routes with, and it is useful to be able to see the map as I was going along. The "Advanced Lane Guidance" (ALG) feature can be helpful, BUT it is NOT a dependable resource if you are on a route you are not familiar with. Fortunately I was going to a place I have been to numerous times about 230 miles from home. The first "annoyance" was on the tollway, where the 550XXL treated each toll plaza as an "exit", computing mileage only to the next plaza. (I would have rather known the distance to my next ACTUAL exit.) Then it advised me to pass through the "Open Road Tolling" (ORT) point, with no understanding as to whether or not I had the IPASS/EZPASS needed to be able to legally do so. Again this could be VERY confusing to someone unfamiliar with the area and ORT. The next annoyance was the ALG totally ignored several complicated interchanges I passed through that could have been confusing if I was in unfamiliar territory, while giving me DETAILED instructions on passing through a number of totally inconsequential and simple interchanges that had nothing to do with the trip I was taking. Again, mileage was computed only to these unimportant junctions, rather than to the next ACTUAL exit I needed to know about. Add to this the fact that the 550XXL has yet to figure out where my ACTUAL home address is (not only does it show the wrong location, the address numbers are actually going in the wrong direction on my street), causing me to have to create a "POI" that substitutes as my actual home. The accuracy and value ratings are definitely NOT good. Fortunately I didn't pay full price for the unit.
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Anonymous
Location:Bedford,Va.
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:35-44
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Very simple
Date:April 8, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use
Very simple to use. The wife loves it and now that we've downloaded a new voice offline, she loves it even more. Unlike using online mapping sources if you miss a turn or are detoured for some reason, like stoppig for gas or food, your screwed as you have to remember how you got to those places. NOT with the TomTom though as it will just recalculate and get you back on course withing a minute. You can even ask it to show you where the closest gas stations and restraunts are and it'll lead you right there! Wish I had bought one sooner as my trips to both SC & KN would have been a lot less stressfull than they were.
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
2
out of
5
Value
3
out of
5
randy
Location:prospect ohio
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
wrong way directions
Date:March 29, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use, spoken street names
i went on the road today and tg i had my other gps i would have gotten lost , the tomtom 550 sent me 15 mkile out of area , i had to double back to my home, and get my other gps and i got to where i was going with right directions. tyvm tom tom, gas is to expencive to be trapcing around in farm land, in a new state and gas stations are far and few between here, the closet is 5 miles the next is 15 from my home!!!
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Review 7 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Coop
Location:Nationwide
Primary Use:Business Travel
Age:25-34
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
TomTom XXL550
Date:February 29, 2012
Favorite features: Advanced Lane Guidance, spoken street names
Works good. Love the software update, now I can actually enter Lon/Lat. Downside is device has to stay plugged in b/c it does not hold a charge. Recommend tomtom to anyone.
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
4
out of
5
dispatcher812
Location:Connecticut
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:25-34
Where Purchased:Online
Power down
Date:April 5, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use
I like this product but I wish it had an option to shut down upon losing the external power. My old Go 910 had an option that when plugged into my trucks power port and I turned of the truck, the unit would shut down automatically. It would then Turn on automatically when I restarted the truck.
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Review 9 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Accuracy
3
out of
5
Value
4
out of
5
Wooky1
Location:Rockford, IL
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Date:April 5, 2012
Favorite features: Advanced Lane Guidance, Ease of Use
Just got the TomTom today. So far it seems pretty easy to use, except for the fact the it can't seem to find my house - at least not at the correct location. Still trying to figure that out.
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Review 10 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
1
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
1
out of
5
husadoo
Location:Denver
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
AUTO ZOOM FEATURE
Date:January 24, 2012
Software works fine but the "Auto Zoom" feature makes it impossible to use. Wise up and change your software!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
LoriKal
Location:Norwalk,CT
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Where Purchased:Retail Store
The best navigation system ever
Date:January 23, 2012
Favorite features: IQ Routes™ Technology, Advanced Lane Guidance, Ease of Use, Spoken Directions including street names
I have had several different nav systems and TomTom is by far the best one you can get. The driving directions are real time. There is no telling you to turn after you have missed the turn. What I like most is when I enter an address, the TomTom brings me rite to where i want to go TomTom brings me rite to the door of the address. Not like some other Nav systems that bring you somewhere around where you want to go. I will never use anyother Nav system ever. and the life time updates is fantastic. You can't go wrong with the TomTom xxl550. I higly reccomend this Navigation system to everyone!
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Mazella
Location:Fort Pierce, Florida
Primary Use:Vacation
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Where Purchased:Gift
Mounting the device
Date:January 22, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use
I got my system as a Christmas gift. It works great while laying on the dash of the car. However, when I had a terrible time trying to mount the device on the windshield. I cleaned the window and the rubber suction on the device but none of that helped. It was only after a friend came and put water on the rubber suction did the device stick to the windshield. It would be helpful to add this to the instructions. It could help someone else avoid a lot of frustration.
1 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
1
out of
5
ssonchaser
Location:Virginia
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Poor advertising
Date:January 21, 2012
Favorite features: Ease of Use
I ordered this GPS online with points system. On website, it was advertised with lifetime maps. Now I find, I am unable to get maps unless I pay $60.00 a year. Updates too expensive.
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
3
out of
5
pelota
Location:Warrenton, VA
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Good Navigation Aid
Date:January 21, 2012
Favorite features: Advanced Lane Guidance, Spoken Directions including street names
The maps are mostly accurate and takes you where you want to go by the best possible route. My home is on an extended street and does not show up on Tom Tom. It thinks my house is on the adjacent street.
It does not tell you which side of the street your destination is on. This is especially frustrating when looking for a restaurant or coffee shop.
It does not tell you which side of the street your destination is on. This is especially frustrating when looking for a restaurant or coffee shop.
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
4
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
road&sky_warrior
Location:Columbus, Ohio
Primary Use:Business Travel
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Good Basic Machine, but loses favorites
Date:January 21, 2012
Favorite features: IQ Routes™ Technology, Advanced Lane Guidance, Spoken Directions including street names
Boought this because I am an engineer that travels to Europe frequently, and we have family in Toronto, Canada. Very simple to use. However, when I change the map for Europe my favorites from my previous European trip disappear. When I reinstall North American maps favorites disappear. Major PITA. I now manually save the mapsettings file on my computer before changing maps, and then copy a saved mapsettings file back to the device. This works, but is cumbersome. Tom Tom really needs to fix this in Tom Tom Home as the forums are full of people complaining of losing their favorites every time they change maps. Also, the unit needs more memory. The Europe map won't fit in this device and I have to select Northern Europe or Southern Europe. This is also a pain. It takes more than an hour to change maps, and this simply isn't practical when you drop off a car at the airport and have to catch a flight in a hour. I'd give the unit 5 stars if it weren't for these these two issues.
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Review 16 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Mike
Location:Orlando,FL
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Date:February 28, 2012
Large enough to easily veiw. Had a smaller unit so I'm pleased. Increased memory is also a +.
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Review 17 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Stanley steamer
Location:Rochester MIlls Pa
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Stay the course
Date:December 20, 2011
Favorite features: Ease of Use, Spoken Directions including street names
I like how the programing has not strayed from the original format. It has been the same for the last six years since my first one.
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
5
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Accuracy
5
out of
5
Value
5
out of
5
Muriel
Location:Wakefield, MA
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Where Purchased:Online
Love my Tom Tom
Date:December 14, 2011
Favorite features: Advanced Lane Guidance, Ease of Use, Spoken Directions including street names
This is my second Tom Tom as my first was broken by my daughter. I love having the Tom Tom to help me navigate to unknown places so I don't have to try to read a map or directions while I am trying to drive. Tom Tom takes me the easiest and quickest routes to whereever I am going, it gives me adequate time to get to the right lanes for exiting I just can't say enough good about it. It definately makes my traveling much simpler and safer.
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Review 19 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
4
out of
5
Features
3
out of
5
Accuracy
1
out of
5
Value
3
out of
5
donyelo
Location:Fayetteville, AR
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Online
Not good on one way streets
Date:December 10, 2011
Out of the box I drove 20 miles to a nearby town. It tried to take me the wrong way down (2) one way streets and although it found the POI I was looking for it had it on the wrong side of the city square. Hope it does better. Good value for something that doesn't route very well.
2 of 2 found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for XXL 550
Overall rating
Ease Of Use
3
out of
5
Features
1
out of
5
Accuracy
1
out of
5
Value
2
out of
5
Disappointed
Location:Chatt tn
Primary Use:Everyday Use
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Where Purchased:Retail Store
Date:December 5, 2011
Favorite features: Ease of Use
It doesn't show altitude, directions or alot of local streets.Would like to take back to store.
3 of 6 found this review helpful.
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