TomTom XL vs 530 vs550 - pros and cons

AlanK

Aggh!!!!

I planned on getting TT for the iPhone until I found out how rubbish is is and the fact it will cost about the same as an actuall TomTom unit for less functionality.

So here I am about to go to their site and pick up a new TomTom (last time I had one it was a 510) but then got hit by all the different models numbers. Thought the ones were always a bit cheap and cheerfull when I have seen them so though the XL would be good, then started wondering if it is worth the extra for the 530, then realised the 550 is comming out and cost less. Confused

Is there a simple comparison thing anywhere to understand the differences or can someone briefly highlight why the higher model 550 costs less and what the 530 has over the XL?

I am not interested in live part of it since it will mainly be used for SCAM database and only adhoc route planning. New car will have bluetooth so dont need voice dialing part either. However it is a new car and will be sitting out pretty much all the time so I want a reasonably solid/permanent installation that can easily be heard and used and does not look too naff.

Cheers

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

The x50 is a connected device i.e. it has a GSM radio inside and with a subscription it can access TomTom's HD Traffic service and other LIVE services.

The 530 lacks this feature so I'd be surprised to hear that the 550 was cheaper?
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Darren Griffin

AlanK · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry, meant the 540 was cheaper.

Since I dont really need that thinking the 530 or XL will do me. Have to just see which is the neatest unit for being primarily a speedcam warning.

Both seem to be about the same price.

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

The 530 is a better specified device than the XL but if you don;t need the features then an XL will offer the same POI warning functionality.

So price would be the deciding factor.
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Darren Griffin

mikealder · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

XL IQ will probably be the best option if you can live without the following capability:
Handsfree for mobile (waste of time as you have a car that does it)
mp3 player - you have a stereo in the car
FM Tx - not needed as per line above
Text To Speech is all you will be missing out on where the device reads out road names, I find this really handy but its not a major issue running a device devoid of such capability.

To be honest the XL IQ is a great unit and well worth looking at, add the Speed Camera database from this site and the spoken alerts for the camera warnings and you won't go wrong - Mike

AlanK · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:58 am Post subject:

Cheers guys

Will take a look at both units at lunch time as it will probably come down to what set looks the nicest and what has the most suitable mount for my purposes then since Amazon seem to have them both available for around the same price. Was just going to order the 530 for that reason last night but then noticed the mounting system looked difference so off to play with it today me thinks.

Thanks again!

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