 |
|
Magellan RoadMate 300 GPS Portable NavigatorUser Review: - ExcellentUpdate: I'm still happy with my Roadmate but foresee a problem when the maps start getting stale. I've already visited friends in new subdivisions and the new roads of course aren't in there as expected, but will they ever?? I couldn't find any info on Magellan's website about updated maps, but Garmin has a list of updates maps that sell for $75 a piece. This Roadmate is a good buy, but long-term I kind of wish I got a Garmin. I spent a lot of time reading reviews of the RM300, RM700, and Garmin 2620. In the end I chose the 300 for the price, features, and frankly I didn't want a hard drive because solid state should be more durable and run cooler. At first, it was slow picking up a signal, but then I figured out that the windshield mount's arm is bendable. I repositioned it with a better view of the sky and now I can get a signal in under a minute consistently, even after powering down and unplugging every time I stop. Does it drain the car battery to leave it plugged in all the time? The interface is very good, the touch screen is responsive and easy to read. Glare can be a problem if you point it at the rear windshield, just angle it up or down a bit. My only gripe is the software being slow to build and upload maps, and I have a decently fast computer (Athlon64 3000+, 1 GB RAM). But once you have your local region's maps uploaded, you're set. My free 256 MB SD card is on its way, so I have yet to see how the unit performs with the SD card. Rerouting from internal memory in the city is pretty quick and accurate. I'm going to drive across the US in a couple of months so I might try to load 4 240 MB regions onto a 1 GB card. Hopefully it'll be ok. I really don't want to build new maps on my slow laptop while in a motel. For someone who is fine with the internal memory for their detailed mapping needs, this is a great device for the price. Just make sure it's positioned properly so you can get a good signal, or you might need the external antenna. SD card performance yet to be determined. User Review:  - denisewalksWe decided to get the Magellan 300 because it had all of the features we wanted without shelling out the $400 more for the 700 model. We weren't dissapointed in our decision. Like the directions say, the GPS took about 30 minutes to find us the first time we used it. After that, it has only taken a few seconds for it to locate us. The most it has ever taken has been about 20 seconds. The first week we got the GPS, we did run into some trouble with the model not being able to pick up a signal. A call to Magellan customer support solved the problem quickly. The customer service rep was very helpful and walked me through the steps needed to fix whatever went wrong. I would read the features of both the 300 and the 700 before deciding an which model to buy. The 300 fits my needs just fine. I do a lot of driving to different addresses every day and the 300 has never sent me astray. In fact, it has often given me even better directions (quicker routes) than the ones I was using before. User Review:  - Useful with few inconveniencesUseful out of the box. Recognizing the signal for the first time took 15 min. Afterwards, it took less than a minute. The touch screen input and voice prompts are good. The unit mount is sturdy. Here are the inconveniences: Sometimes the directions are like alternate routes rather than the actual route. No battery. So, you cannot use it as a personal navigator. The address lookup is by street rather than zip or city. The Magellan Manager software doesn't recognize the unit, if there is a SD card in it (unnecessary restriction). User Review: - A Must Have for this Cable InstallerThat's right. I install cable TV. I'm in a different city or area of a city almost everyday. I used to spend probably about an hour or more throughout the day trying to figure out where my next appointment was, and how to get there. Not anymore. I bought the 300 a few days ago, and I don't know how I lived without it. I put it through its paces daily with 15 or more addresses. The trip planner is great! I get my workload in the morning. Spend about 10 minutes entering all the addresses into the address book, then go through my work orders and create a trip planner in the proper order. Then boom I'm off...don't have to know where I'm going...just follow the directions and I'm at the customers house. I give this unit a 4.5 out of 5. I use the "shortest route" mode a lot and noticed that it sometimes takes me past a road I could turn onto. It takes me a block or two further then back tracks a block or two. Not sure why, but when I'm in unfamiliar territory I guess backtracking 1 block is better then staring at a map for 5 minutes. If you know your area, don't be afraid to take the most direct route, or the short cuts you know. The unit is quick to re-calculate and get you to your destination. The accuracy I'd say is definitely within 30 - 50 feet, which is great when looking for addresses. When it says, "you've arrived" it's usually the next house...or driveway. I've had no problems locking onto satellites. At most maybe 2 minutes, and I do shut it down at every appointment, so it has to re-lock at start up several times throughout my day. It hasn't held me up at all while searching for satellites. If your tech or windows savvy, you'll probably pick up the interface quickly. If not then read the manual, it's really pretty intuitive, just read carefully, sometimes it asks a question differently then you assume it does. So if you hit the wrong button...well you won't get the screen you want. Just read the screen questions carefully. The touch screen is great (even for my big fingers). I do recommend the firmware upgrade available at Magellan's website under product support I think. My wife and I went house browsing today in a near by town, and this little thing was great. We were able to "window shop" about 20 houses in just 2 hours. I'm afraid I'll have to buy another one for my wife's' car now, she loved it. If you're still reading this tirade then I hope it's helped you. Now what are you waiting for? Go buy one :) User Review:  - Terrible ExperienceI live in Boston - but I'm not from Boston, and get lost more than I'd like to admit. After the last hysterical phonecall from me ("Where am I?!") my husband decided to purchase the Magellan 300 for me. It was a waste of our time, but not our money since we just returned it. The Magellan struggled to pick up a signal (like other reviewers, I want to point out that I live and drive in a major metropolitan area, so why is the signal so bad?) every time I used it; clouds and trees seem to knock out the signal entirely. What good is a a GPS system if it takes 15 minutes to find you? If you are considering purchasing a GPS system, look elsewhere. |
GPS ReviewsReviews by BrandRelated
|
About: Home, Contact, Site map, Resources |