As with all new technology, there are people who love the TomTom One XL, others who hate it, and still others who have both good and bad things to say about it. When you start looking at the various GPS models in the attempt to find the one you want to buy, it's easy to be confused by all of this conflicting information. However, if you read carefully, examining both sides of the issue should ultimately help you make a smart decision.

The TomTom One XL could arguably be called the best GPS available for the price. However, when you get down to brass tacks about it, you'll find that it isn't all that much different from other Tomtom One units. About the only change that was made is in the size of the display screen. While the other models had 3.5" screens, the XL is equipped with a large, 4.3" screen which makes the display easier to see. You'll have to ask yourself, though, if the additional screen space is really worth the higher price you'll have to pay to get it.

You might be tempted by name brand products, such as Garmin and Sony, or by the many fancy gadgets you can get with many of the other GPS models. This is one instance, however, when fancier isn't always better. There's such a thing as buying a unit that's more complex to operate than what you really want to learn how to do. In addition, why pay extra for features that you don't really need? For example, you can buy pricier models that have Bluetooth integration for hands free operation of your phone. However, if you don't have a Bluetooth-compatible phone, you'll either have to buy one (more cost!) or not use the feature anyway.

Tom Tom is reputed as having the best customer service that is available. Hopefully you won't find a need to contact customer service, but if you should have to, it's nice knowing that a company has one you can rely on. They also offer an excellent website where you can easily access a lot of additional information. Many users have reported, however, that the One XL is so simple to use that they haven't even needed to refer to the product manual.

Some of the other good points about the TomTom One XL include:

* Screen is easy to see both day and night

* Maps are accurate and up-to-date

* It recalculates quickly

* Tomtom traffic provides up-to-the-minute information about road conditions

For course, the Tom Tom One XL isn't perfect, no matter how many good features it may possess, and you need to know about its negatives in order to make smart decisions. Some of the complaints about the system have included:

* No text-to-speech function

* Does not adjust to light automatically

* Doesn't turn on/off when the car does; has to be operated manually

* It's hard to keep the volume stable

* The unit is too heavy for the mount, so it pops off when driving on bumpy roads

So now you've read some of the good and some of the bad things about the TomTom One XL, and it's up to you to decide if it's right for you. Don't let the list of negatives deter you, especially if they aren't issues you really worry about.

Paul Julian is a firefighter and internet entrepreneur who is committed to giving away $500,000 to various charities and groups by his 50th birthday. You can follow along on the journey to give away 500k at http://www.QuitYourRealJob.com

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