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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg TomTom XXL 530S and XXL 540S feature larger, easy-to-read display. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=232751)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/tomtom-go-740-live-small.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Sept. 15, 2009

TomTom 740 Live shown – Will the portables finally decimate the pricey OEM Navigation marketplace?

TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps announced the latest models in its award-winning portable navigation product offering – the TomTom XXL 530S and TomTom XXL 540S. Drivers can now enjoy TomTom’s premium technologies, including the highly acclaimed IQ Routes™ Technology, on an extra-large five inch screen.

“The new TomTom XXL devices enrich our product portfolio by providing our customers with new offerings that cater to individual preference and need, like the larger, easy-to-read screen” said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. “The introduction of the XXL range is in line with our strategy to increase the depth and breadth of our product offerings, based on customer feedback.”

Optimal Routing

The TomTom XXL 530S and XXL 540S devices enable users to always drive the smartest and most efficient routes, whenever or wherever they go. The TomTom XXL 530S and XXL 540S include TomTom’s exclusive IQ Routes™ technology. The technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of day and for every road segment, from large highways to small local roads. In up to 35% of all cases, the use of IQ Routes results in driving a faster route, saving significant travel time, money and fuel.

In addition to the above mentioned features, the new TomTom XXL devices come with:
Full maps including both the US and Canada.


TomTom Map Share™ technology, so users can instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on their device and benefit from corrections made by others.


TomTom Help Me menu, so users can easily access local emergency service providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.


TomTom’s newest user menu with an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation.


Award-winning Fold and Go EasyPort® mount, folds flat against the device, making it easy for users to transport.


TomTom HOME, the free desktop application to keep users’ devices up-to-date at all times.
Features unique to the TomTom XXL 540S:
Advanced Lane Guidance for realistic representations of complex highway junctions and lane-specific visual directions that take the stress out of navigating these otherwise challenging areas.


Full Preloaded maps including Mexico, the US and Canada.


Seven million points of interest, so users have access to information and location details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before.


High-quality black finish, for a sleek look.
Availability and Pricing

The new TomTom XXL devices will be in retailers across the United States and Canada in October 2009.

TomTom XXL 530S: $279.95

TomTom XXL 540S: $299.95

Will the portables finally decimate the pricey OEM Navigation marketplace?

I know I quickly made the decision to pass on the Insight's Sat-Nav option because my two-year old, $200 Garmin unit was better, by far. Of course there's more to the story -portable sat-navs are in danger of having their market completely usurped by smartphones.

Garmin also has "ecoRoute" which performs many of the same functions as TomTom's IQ Routing. I'm glad to see the marketplace take such an interest in helping fuel-conscious drivers.

Has anyone had a chance to actually use one of these new fuel-friendly features? Do they really work?

JP

In up to 35% of all cases, the use of IQ Routes results in driving a faster route, saving significant travel time, money and fuel.

And in the other 65%?

I know I quickly made the decision to pass on the Insight's Sat-Nav option because my two-year old, $200 Garmin unit was better, by far. Of course there's more to the story -portable sat-navs are in danger of having their market completely usurped by smartphones.

Garmin also has "ecoRoute" which performs many of the same functions as TomTom's IQ Routing. I'm glad to see the marketplace take such an interest in helping fuel-conscious drivers.

Has anyone had a chance to actually use one of these new fuel-friendly features? Do they really work?

JP

I have a Garmin Nuvi 205W that came with the EcoRoute. I mainly use it as a guide to estimate my FE. I took me a while to get the numbers close because the GPS bases it on speed. Since there is no connection to the car to know what gear or RPMs you are running at it can be wildly inaccurate for us hypermilers. I would imagine thought that it would be pretty close for a typical driver. My EPA rating is 20/28 I had to tell the GPS that my rating was 33/30 to get even close to what I really get.

As far as the routing it again bases it on road speed assuming that your cars most efficient speed is around 45 MPH. While a 45 MPH road may be efficient for steady speed driving there are often lights and traffic you have to contend with. So that aspect isn't really effective for hypermilers, but probably would work for most people.

I mainly use the driving challenge feature which gives you a score of 0-99 based on speed, acceleration, and deceleration. It gives a instantaneous score on the map that you can touch to get your total score on the trip and shows you, using the 0-99 scale, where you can improve your driving.

Generally speaking the EcoRoute will probably work well for most drivers out there, but people that drive to get every mile they can it is nearly worthless, but fun.

(Sorry about the long post, it just kept flowing out.:o)

My Tomtom saves me lots of fuel by helping me to drive right to a place I have never been without missing turns, etc...
it also keeps me from speeding. Now I don't speed intentionally, but if I am on a downhill, or the speed limit changes without my noticing it I could get caught, so I have a cow in my tomtom that has a loud annoying MOOOOO if I start to drift over the limit! :D

so I have a cow in my tomtom that has a loud annoying MOOOOO if I start to drift over the limit! :D

OK....that alone is cool enough I may have to go TomTom instead of Garmin next time.