New Here With Questions.

[William Young]

Just registered in here .
Today I bought a Tomtom XL 335.SE . Is that a good one ? I have never had a GPS before. I didn't want the model with bluetooth and all that stuff. Just wanted directions to address's .
I hooked it to the computer and had downloaded everything I think was necessary except on one page I saw they wanted anywhere from $49.00 to $79.00 for maps. What was that all about. Of course I skipped that option. If I have to pay for all those I will take it back for a refund.

I have managed to put my home address in and it shows on the screen . However I'll be darned if I can get new address's to stay in. I can type Town, and street number and street name but can not find how to save them . Does all that go in with no spaces or dots or commas between them ? I think I have tried both ways.
Anyone feel like helping out this greenhorn GPS new owner ? .

One more question. Can it be charged by just being plugged into the computer via the usb cable with the computer on and the GPS off ? Or does it have to be charged with the cigarette lighter cord in the vehicle.

 

[William Young]

Sorry I have not go a reply to my original questions yet but I have another problem that I can't seem to overcome.
When doing a demo the volume will only work if I touch the bottom corner. If there is a turn coming ahead it will speak that one but it won't speak any more unless I keep touching that area.

I wish I could find a user guide or owners manual for this model. When I go into the help part of the Tomtom download it shows a whole bunch of different models but not mine which is XL 335.SE Special Edition.
Do I have an oddball one that only Walmart puts out ?

 

[Rick F.]

Hi William,

Welcome to TomTom forums.

I have the XL-335TM (TM = lifetime traffic & maps). Not sure if your model might be the same. I got mine from Target for $149 last month.

The easiest way to adjust the volume is to tap the lower left portion of the screen ? which causes the TT to repeat the last instruction. Then there is a slider where you can adjust the volume level.

If you're not getting all of the turn instructions, try adjusting the volume down to below 85%. There's a bug in some models (TomTom knows about this already) where the application (or Navcore) cuts off some instruction if the volume is set too high.

Here's a link to general instructions for the XL model:

http://download.tomtom.com/open/manuals/xliqr2/ReferenceGuide-US/refman/TomTomXL-en-US.pdf

Hope this helps.

 

[canderson]

Just registered in here .
Today I bought a Tomtom XL 335.SE . Is that a good one ?

Depends upon your expectations for a GPS. The 335SE uses the "EasyMenu" system, so certain features aren't available from the front panel that are available on other units. Having never used a GPS before, there are some things you won't miss because you aren't expecting them.

I hooked it to the computer and had downloaded everything I think was necessary except on one page I saw they wanted anywhere from $49.00 to $79.00 for maps. What was that all about. Of course I skipped that option. If I have to pay for all those I will take it back for a refund.

There are all kinds of map options for other countries, subscriptions for updates of the map you have, etc. What you didn't mention is whether you might have purchased an XL335SE-T, M, or TM model. If there's an "M" there, your unit came with a lifetime map update subscription. But you don't need to purchase anything additional to use your unit as it is.

I have managed to put my home address in and it shows on the screen . However I'll be darned if I can get new address's to stay in. I can type Town, and street number and street name but can not find how to save them .

Are you trying to save specific destinations? One way to do so is to save them as Favorites.

One more question. Can it be charged by just being plugged into the computer via the usb cable with the computer on and the GPS off ? Or does it have to be charged with the cigarette lighter cord in the vehicle.

The computer can be used to charge just like the vehicle. It may take a little longer to charge that way (the port on the computer can't supply quite as much current) but it works fine.

 

[William Young]

Thanks Guys for the replies. Much appreciated. I have a 14 day return policy on this GPS so will work with it gor a while yet.

XL335SE-T, M, or TM model. If there's an "M" there, your unit came with a lifetime map update subscription. But you don't need to purchase anything additional to use your unit as it is.

Mine does not have any of those letters behind it except SE and Special Edition.
That is why I was wondering if it was just a special edition to WalMart. Will I still be able to get updates years from now without paying for them?

Another concern is putting in places of business when I don't have the address for them . For example A&W restaurant in my town or any town . The keypad doesn't even have a "&" on it.
And Time Hortons Coffee Shops all across Canada where I live . Do I have to go somewhere and find a phone book first to find an address before I can program names of business's ? These are big recognized chain stores . I Was hoping it would be able to find them without finding exact stree address first.

 

[canderson]

Thanks Guys for the replies. Much appreciated. I have a 14 day return policy on this GPS so will work with it gor a while yet.


Mine does not have any of those letters behind it except SE and Special Edition.
That is why I was wondering if it was just a special edition to WalMart. Will I still be able to get updates years from now without paying for them?

Yes, the SE was for WalMart. However, if you want lifetime map updates, the ONLY units you should be looking at will have the letter "M" in the suffix. There are a number of TomTom models that come bundled with that, but not the 335SE. If you don't want to purchase a map subscription later to keep maps updated, you need to be looking for one of the many models with either "TM" or "M" in the suffix. Note that otherwise identical models can come either bundled with the map service or not.

Another concern is putting in places of business when I don't have the address for them . For example A&W restaurant in my town or any town . The keypad doesn't even have a "&" on it.

That can be tricky if your model doesn't include the "special characters" icon at the bottom to switch you to that page. However, if you search restaurants near you, a nearby A&W should show up in any case.

And Time Hortons Coffee Shops all across Canada where I live . Do I have to go somewhere and find a phone book first to find an address before I can program names of business's ? These are big recognized chain stores . I Was hoping it would be able to find them without finding exact stree address first.

Look at Navigate to > Point Of Interest > Restaurants > Find > {type in Horton}.

 

[William Young]

Thanks again.
I have this unit all packaged up as original and deleted the Tomtom file from my computer and returened the unit to default settings. .
I will be taking it back my next trip to Walmart (120 km from home)

I would like an unbiased opinion of which make would be best for me within the $150.00 range . I am mostly interested in ease of operation.

Canadian Tire store here has 4.5" screen Magellan ones on sale for $129.00 but seems like an odd brand name to me .
Walmart has various models of Magellan and Tomtom and Garmin.
I have been told Garmin is the most user friendly but that could be coming from ones that have not experienced the other brands.
Walmart has a couple Tomtom's on sale for $99.00 but small screen which I don't want.

I do not want anything to do with bluetooth or cell phone capabilities . Only for directions to address's .

 

[canderson]

A similar model, but with full functionality and lifetime maps, would be the XL340TM (traffic and maps) or XL340M (maps only).

Here's what I see at Amazon today:

XL340M = $120 with free shipping
XL340TM = $140 with free shipping

Both would be superior in several ways to the 335SE.

 

[William Young]

Thanks .
Great informatiom although I am always a little leary of ebay in case of needing a return. The big box stores are SO good about returned merchandise if within their return policies.
You have given me a couple good model numbers to consider.

I understand this is a Tomtom forum and if anyone has preferences to another make and would prefer to not post it here I am open to PM's. I want to do it right the next time because I live in the Rocky Mountains of BC and cities are quite distant from me.

Now where did I say I live ? Oh ya . . . just remembered . . lol . .
I am 74 years young but as my last name states I will always be Young

 

[canderson]

Thanks .
Great informatiom although I am always a little leary of ebay in case of needing a return.

I didn't recommend eBay for this purchase. Suggested Amazon as a price demonstration, but you will find that they're also good about returns from Amazon stock.

I understand this is a Tomtom forum and if anyone has preferences to another make and would prefer to not post it here I am open to PM's. I want to do it right the next time because I live in the Rocky Mountains of BC and cities are quite distant from me.

Our Rocky lumps here near Denver are a bit closer to civilization. No problem with talking about other brands here, either. I just suggested the 340T/TM since it's good bang for the buck with the map subscription thrown in, and both fit right into your price range. Unless you're planning on traveling to a major city or three regularly, the traffic option won't do you any good, so in your shoes, I'd stick with the 340M and save a couple of bucks.

 

[William Young]

OOPPSS . . my bad about mistaking ebay with Amazon.

I have had many fine dealings with Amazon over the years . I will read all the specs for the 340M on Amazon and will probably order one but better be sure Walmart is going to take my present one back first.

 

[Rick F.]

Canderson offers good suggestions. The XL540 (TM or M) comes with USA, Canada and Mexico map. I chose the XL-335TM over the XL-540TM as the 335TM doesn't have Mexico. Thinking I'd never drive to Mexico - not having that map might give me more room for future map (USA & Canada) updates. The prices are similar... I got my XL-335TM at Target for $149.

 

[William Young]

After posting my previous message I went to Amazon and read all the specs and everything on the XL 340M and ordered it because Walmart is so good with refunds that I won't loose any sleep worying about getting a refund from them.

Only after that did I start reading the reviews on it and some of them are just awefull and wouldn't want to have to go through what some of them have to get them set up and running and locking up and giving wrong directions and spending days with TT's support department etc . .etc . . .

One point of interest in one review was

I would recommend that any user, Mac or Windows, download the most current version of TomTom Home and install it before plugging the unit into your computer for the first time.

The unit has not yet been shipped and I still have time to cancel but if I decide to have them ship it would it be wise for me to download the latest version of Tomtom Home before it arrives or do I have to wait till it gets here.
If it would be wise to do that now could someone please give me a link to that download?

 

[Rick F.]

William,

It wouldn't hurt to get TomTom Home ahead of time. Here's a link for TomTom Home:

TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems

There are two links... one for Windows and one for Mac. Don't know what you're running.

About the reviews on Amazon... I agree, some of them can be scary. But I think some of the reviews are either written by nitwits or TomTom competitors.

One thing everyone here recommends...

It's a very good idea to make a Windows Explorer backup (rather than a HOME backup) of your new TomTom. This way if anything goes wrong you can restore everything. Here's a copy of a post that Mikealder wrote:

(mikealder)

Start up Windows Explorer on your computer then plug the TomTom in to the PC with it switched on, it will ask about connecting to the computer, answer YES.

You will see another drive letter appear with a TomTom icon next to it, click this to open the drive letter associated with the device, in the right hand window of Explorer will be all the files and folders listed, simply scoop these up with the mouse so they are all highlighted, put the mouse of any of the files/ folders that are highlighted then right click and select "Copy"

Right click on your computer desktop and select New/ Folder name it TomTom_BackUp _12_03_10 right click on this new folder and select "Paste" this will copy the contents from the TomTom to the folder on your PC - Mike​

 

[William Young]

Thanks a bunch Rick.

Yes, I agree some reviews can be scary on a wide variety of items and I also take many of them with a grain of salt for the very reasons you mentioned. .
I will download TT Home from the link you provided ( I have a windows PC) and see how it goes when my unit arrives .

 

[Rick F.]

William,

I edited my post above while you were writing. Please read as there's instructions on how to make a backup.

 

[William Young]

Sounds good Mike.
I will refer back to this and do that as soon as my unit arrives.

ETA is Nov 26 to Nov 29. Will probably have an exact date as soon as they ship and provide a tracking number.

BTW, I downloaded TT Home and it only took about three minutes.

 

[canderson]

Thanks a bunch Rick.

Yes, I agree some reviews can be scary on a wide variety of items and I also take many of them with a grain of salt for the very reasons you mentioned. .
I will download TT Home from the link you provided ( I have a windows PC) and see how it goes when my unit arrives .

We recommend the following backup procedure to ALL TomTom users. If you follow these instructions, there is almost nothing we can't help you back out of or recover if things ever go south for whatever reason. While a TomTom GPS is a great unit, TomTom Home is NOT the most robust application and we don't trust it to perform backups. Doing this yourself will assure you can always return to where you started:

https://www.tomtomforums.com/genera...4-how-backup-contents-your-unit-computer.html

 

[Rick F.]

We recommend the following backup procedure to ALL TomTom users. If you follow these instructions, there is almost nothing we can't help you back out of or recover if things ever go south for whatever reason. While a TomTom GPS is a great unit, TomTom Home is NOT the most robust application and we don't trust it to perform backups. Doing this yourself will assure you can always return to where you started:

https://www.tomtomforums.com/genera...4-how-backup-contents-your-unit-computer.html

Thanks Canderson,

I searched for that link late last night but didn't find it. I knew there was a sticky someplace but must have searched wrong forum. . dhn did a good job on that one.

 

[William Young]

I have an external WD backup hard drive running all the time. Would that not do the same as backing it up on my PC hard drive ?
It's this one

WD SmartWare

I was provided with a link to the 335SE user maual earlier. I have now returned that unit and am awaiting arrival of a XL340M.
Is the same manual used for that one ? If not , could someone please give a link to the 340M manual .

I would like to study the manual while waiating for arrival of the new unit.