So let's start with what the TomTom ONE XL doesn't have. It's missing frills found in the more expensive GPS units like Bluetooth hands-free for mobile phones, multimedia playback and text-to-speech capability for reading out street names. It's also without an AC charger, so you have to use the car charger to keep it juiced up - problematic if you're using that socket for other things, like an MP3 player.
 
But for straightforward navigation, the TomTom ONE XL does the job like a trooper. It's a delightfully straightforward device that you can just pick up and use: power it up by pressing the On button, select menu items and enter your destination by tapping on the touchscreen display, and receive routing assistance by way of the detailed 3D maps and turn-by-turn verbal guidance. Of course, there are loads of options to tinker with once you've mastered the basics, such as creating an itinerary for multiple stops per trip and configuring speed camera alerts. Australia-wide maps are pre-loaded on an SD card, and it comes with a mount (improved from the previous version) for attaching the TomTom ONE XL to a car windshield.
 
One of the best things about the TomTom ONE XL, aside from price, is that it doesn't look or feel like an entry-level device. A vibrant 4.3-inch widescreen display takes up most of the front, with excellent visibility in sunlight and wide viewing angles, and while it's too large to be fit in a pocket, it's certainly thinner and more portable than TomTom's earlier devices. 
 
Something TomTom's worked on since the last ONE XL is the speaker. Even if you've got the car stereo blaring, there's no question you'll be able to hear the voice guidance above it, and unlike many devices that distort at maximum volume, the TomTom still sounds perfectly clear at the loudest setting. The only quibble we have is the lack of external volume control: to adjust the volume, you either have to dive into the settings or tap on the next-turn button on the main mapping screen - a shortcut that isn't obvious from the user interface. The default voice is the pleasant 'Jane' with a mild English accent, and you can change this to Tim (also from the UK) or Ken from Australia - more voices can be added using the included software or by downloading them from the TomTom website.
 
If you're buying into GPS for the first time, it's worth noting that TMC support, which adds real-time traffic data to GPS navigation, is forthcoming and will be available for the ONE XL using an add-on accessory. According to TomTom's local marketing manager, the company expects to make an announcement regarding the traffic service soon.