Nextar W3-01 3.5-Inch Touch Screen GPS Vehicle Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this recently, knowing nothing about any GPS models and the differences between them.I was attracted by the low price and decided I would take a chance.If it didn't work well, I would simply return it within the 30 days.

It didn't take long for the unit to establish my location (home).Figuring out how to use it took less than 10 minutes.Entering destination information is easy, simply tapping on the screen, and the unit allows you to store favorite locations.Voice instructions are clear and easy to follow and there have been no misdirections.Amongst a number of cool features, I like the fact that you can do a "demo" run - sort of like a trial run of the journey before driving - very cool! So far, no problems at all and I wish I had bought one earlier, instead of trying to follow printed MapQuest directions.I would like to come back and rereview once I have used this for longer.

One reason I have not given this 5 stars at this time, is that the mounting unit (which for some reason does not match the picture in the instructions) is a little short, which makes positioning in the car a little challenging.Not enough of a problem to bother me though.

Also a little troubling, is sometimes it doesn't recognize a street name, which means that you have to either be familiar with the area or experiment a little to help the unit pinpoint the exact location.I can do this in the state where I live.Not sure I could do this in other states though.

Overall, so far so good and, as it hasn't got me lost yet, I am very satisfied with performance and price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nextar W3-01 3.5 Inch Touch Screen GPS Vehicle Navigator

Product Description:
Never miss a turn again with the Nextar W3-01 GPS navigator. Preloaded with maps of the 50 U.S. states and equipped with 1.6 million points of interest--including gas stations, restaurants, movie theaters, and more--the W3-01 makes it easy to get just about anywhere. Simply enter information on the navigator's 3.5-inch touchscreen display and let the voice prompts guide you to the destination. The navigator is also notably versatile, with both 2D and 3D viewing modes, along with a night mode feature that adds light to the screen for easier viewing. And should you make a wrong turn or take a detour, the navigator automatically recalculates the route and gives you new directions.


The navigator sits at an easy-to-read angle on your dashboard.Other details include a built-in MP3 player that will entertain you en route, a Secure Digital (SD) card slot for added memory, an address book with room for up to 300 addresses, a speed alert that tells you when you're exceeding the speed limit, and a built-in rechargeable battery. Bundled with a DC adapter, USB cable, pouch, and suction cup, the W3-01 measures 5.19 by 2.99 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and carries a one-year warranty.

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Magellan RoadMate 1412 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros:
4.3 screen, slim design, good build quality, nice screen, nice graphics, text-to-speech works well, acquire signal fast, uses Navteq map and routing works the way you would expect if you didn't have a GPS and had to map the route yoursself, no round-around routing, has 4 routing options, fastest, shortest, maximum freeway, minimum freeway, a compass is built-in and shown in the upper left corner, plenty of POIs, 6 million of them, good quality windshield mount

This model locks in signal EXTREMELY FAST and it works indoors too
The first time you use you may notice some screen sluggishness but after that it's very responsive, my take is that it might have to do with some kind of first-time initialization

Cons:
No home AC adapter, only car adapter, windshield mount arm is a little short, a bit heavier than most other GPS but probably due to the case but this should not be viewed as a negativeI picked this up at Costco with a $50 off coupon and at $150 this is one of the few GPS on the market that offer text-to-speech, Navteq map and 6 mil POIs. This model uses the Centrality Atlas III GPS chipset which is considered to be even better than the SIRF III chipset

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1412 4.3 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The Magellan RoadMate 1412 is pocket-sized, ultra-thin, and stylish, and features an extra large 4.3-inch wide-format, full color interactive touchscreen. The expanded Points of Interest database offers 6 million built-in destinations for an incredible value. Find fuel, food, lodging, ATMs and hundreds of other businesses and services with a few touches of the screen. Plus, it includes built-in maps of the entire United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Clear 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen shows your position, POIs, route, ETA and more on the interactive map

Use the intuitive menu options to pick your destination and choose how you navigate to virtually anywhere. If you want to stay on the freeway, avoid freeways, travel the shortest distance or arrive in the quickest time, your Magellan RoadMate enables you to navigate the way you want. You can even exclude specific roads or freeways from your route and also avoid toll roads.


SayWhere text-to-speech tells you street names with every turn-by-turn direction.


The advanced QuickSpell feature intelligently searches addresses and Points of Interest, offering you a simple list of available locations. It even checks spelling so you can enter a destination with just a few touches of the screen.


SmartDetour prompts you to route around sudden slow or stopped freeway traffic and automatically re-calculates the fastest detour.


The integrated rechargeable battery offers navigation for up to three hours. Search destinations, plan trips and enter addresses and personal Points of Interest from a meeting place, restaurant or anywhere power is unavailable.
Innovative easy-to-use interface makes it a breeze to find the route to your destination in seconds--without even needing to read the instructions.
Click to enlarge.


Adjustable mount for your windshield or dashboard.




Key Features Include

Large wide-format color 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen shows your position on the map, route, destination, ETA, surrounding Points of Interest, signal strength, next maneuver, street names and more at a glance.
6 million Points of Interest: Easily find what you need. Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs and hundreds of other businesses and services are intuitively categorized and searchable from the built-in POI database. Most include the phone number.
Expanded NAVTEQ maps let you Travel the entire U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on the included SD memory card.
SayWhere text-to-speech lets you hear street names with every voice direction and have a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.
Bold, intuitive menu options make it easy to pick destinations and choose how you navigate, without even reading the instructions.
Uniquely stylish and compact, it's easy to transfer your Magellan GPS between vehicles or toss it in a suitcase to take anywhere.
Select the types of services and amenities you'd like to see and interactive POI icons appear on the map. Touch an icon for a nearby service to see address, phone number (when available) and get an instant route.
Program any location into the "Home" button and find your way back from wherever you are.
Enter destinations with a few keystrokes. QuickSpell searches locations and checks spelling to provide you with a simple list of available destinations.
SmartDetour prompts you to route around suddenly slow or stopped freeway traffic and automatically calculates the quickest detour. No fee or subscription is required.
Clearly see your surroundings in 2D or 3D with Birds eye 3D view.
Never miss a turn with Auto re-route and quickly get back on track whenever you take a detour.
Auto NightView controls color and contrast adjusting automatically for easy viewing at night.
Choose the way you want to navigate to use the most freeways, least freeways, fastest time, shortest distance and avoid toll roads. Exclude specific streets or freeways after a route is calculated to get there the way you want.
Multi-destination routing: Select up to 20 destinations and choose the order to plan a trip in advance and repeat the same trip again. Easily reorganize, add or remove destinations.
Create and save personal Points of Interest for easy reoccurring trips.
Navigate up to 3 hours when power is unavailable with its rechargeable battery:
The Centrality Atlas III processor with integrated GPS receiver provides superior GPS performance for accurate and reliable positioning and navigation within three meters.

What's in the Box
Magellan RoadMate 1412 4.3-inch widescreen portable GPS navigator, adhesive disk for dash mounting, basic cradle, swivel mount, vehicle power adapter (12-24 watts), quick reference guide and CD, alcohol pad

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TomTom XXL 550 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATE: Tomtom has just released a software update that brings back some of the missing features to EasyMenu. Here are some of the features restored with the 9.150 update:

- Routing preferences (avoid highways, tolls, ferries, etc)
- Avoid part of route (by street)
- View route as text (and Route demo or pictures)
- POI (show on map, custom POIs)
- Volume options
- Brightness controls

However, a few other missing features have not yet been restored:

- Itinerary planning
- Compass options
- Dynamic brightness (dim between instructions when on batteries)
- A few other minor options

If you don't care about those missing items you can ignore the EasyMenu -> Full Menu conversion instructions mentioned in this review. At least we know that Tomtom is listening and are fixing the EasyMenu interface.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Original review:

If you have a choice between the XXL 540 and XXL 550, go with the cheapest. They are virtually the same, save for the inferior EasyMenu on the 550 (which can be remedied, as I'll explain below). In fact, if they are at the same price point, go with XXL 540 and save yourself the trouble of converting the "EasyMenu" to "Full menu".

I would normally use expletives to describe TomTom's new EasyMenu interface on their XL/XXL *50 models, but Amazon probably wouldn't like that very much. ;) Let's just say that EasyMenu is bad. Everyone hates it, and with good reason. It lacks every type of advanced customization you can think of, like proper routing (i.e. lacks toll road or highway avoidance preferences), route planning, itinerary, alternative routes, turn by turn text, the ability to disable IQ Routes, and many many other options that are available in the older XXL 540 and XL 340 versions. Yes, EasyMenu sucks. It's literally a dumbed down version of the original TomTOm menu. It is so limited that only your technologically impaired friend will be able to appreciate it. If you are one such person, I guess EasyMenu will be OK for you. EasyMenu's only pro is that it has sharper graphics, but I don't care much about sharpness when essential routing options are missing.

Unfortunately, TomTom decided to ship all their newest units with this dumbed down menu system. They apparently interviewed a bunch of people, and the interviewees said they don't care about anything other than getting from point A to point B. I guess TomTom took their word literally, and created the freakish EasyMenu.

So far it seems like this device is nothing but a failure, so why not give it 1 star? Well, the internet folk has figured out a way to enable the full menu on these newer EasyMenu-based TomToms, that's why! It's a very simple tweak, and can be done in less than a minute as long as you follow the instructions. I can't post links to the instructions here in the actual review, but you can find them in this review's comments section. Or you can search "easymenu menu options" on Google, and click on the first result.

Yep, you can enable the fully featured menu, if you care about any advanced option. All those features that were missing on the EasyMenu will now be enabled and fully functional. Proper routing, itinerary, advanced planning, road avoidance, advanced POI management, ability to turn off IQ Routes and all other options will be there. All these features are in fact already built in the preinstalled OS software. TomTom in all their wisdom chose to hide them. I don't understand this intentional dumbification, and the lack of a simple option to allow us more advanced users to enable the advanced functionality. But as long as there is a tweak to overcome that, I am happy.

In any case, the tweak is very, very simple. Simply create a text file called TomTom.mnu, copy paste the customized menu structure (follow the links and read the threads!), save the file, create a folder called "SdkRegistry" in your GPS navigator's root directory, and finally copy paste the "TomTom.mnu" file you created in there. If the file is present, EasyMenu is disabled and the full menu is enabled. If the file is not present (or has a different name), the full menu is disabled and EasyMenu is enabled. That simple. Just follow the instructions in the links found in the comments section.

After replacing the "EasyMenu" system with the full menu, this is what I gained:

- Route customization (ability to avoid a specific road)
- Itinerary (planning a route through multiple stops in a specific order)
- Ability to actually see a list of upcoming turns in text form. You can even play a demo of the route.
- Ability to avoid highways, toll roads, and other road types.
- Full Point of Interests management and customizations, including alerts.
- Compass, customization of data that's displayed in the main navigation view
- Backlight and Brightness options (yes, you can't change the brightness on EasyMenu)
- Audio warning customizations

These are all features that are missing from EasyMenu. And now I have them all enabled. The sleek new navigation interface is intact, and you get to use all these advanced options. Seriously, applying the tweak is a must.

Before you do anything though, backup, backup, BACKUP your device. You never know when something might go wrong. However, do NOT use
TomTom Home for that task (the backup feature has issues). Instead, copy-paste everything (including hidden files) manually from your
TomTom to your PC.

So think about it. This tweak literally makes the XXL 550... a XXL 540. But with the ability to switch between EasyMenu and Full Menu at anytime. Because if in the future TomTom wises up and adds those missing features to EasyMenu, you might want to switch back to it. ;)

A few thoughts about the hardware:

- The specs are exactly the same as XXL 540. If you have one of those, you already have the XXL 550.

- It still uses USB 1.1 instead of 2.0. I backed up everything to my computer as soon as I connected the device, and that process took almost 40 minutes (1.82GB of data, with 620KB/s average speeds). It's truly unfortunate to be in 2010 and see this kind of outdated technology still implemented in new devices.

- Audio instructions are VERY loud. Louder than Garmin 1350, in fact (a good thing). I didn't have any trouble hearing them over my car's loud engine and moderate radio volume. Street name pronunciations are also very clear.

- I know some people have issues with the EasyPort mounting system, but I didn't encounter any. It's a very simple "hold and rotate"
process. The unit stays in place even during bumpy rides. I find both the Garmin and TomTom mounts adequate.

UPDATE: After a few uses the EasyPort suction cup stopped holding. The slightest bump causes the unit to fall down. However, it can be fixed by pouring some water over the suction cup just before attaching it to the windshield. It becomes so attached to the window when you do this, that it's actually hard to detach. :p

- Battery life is around 4 hours (3 hours 50 minutes to be precise on Day mode). This was after activating the "Dim screen between instructions" function (automatically lowers the brightness to a minimum when it isn't giving you any new instructions, like in the middle of a long highway stretch, and increases to full brightness for about a minute before and after each instruction). This option is, of course, only possible when using the Full menu. With EasyMenu it stays at full brightness all the time, and that is bound to shorten battery life. Yep, another good reason to switch to Full menu. ;)

Again, read the comments section of this review for instructions on how to enable the Full Menu.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom XXL 550 5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The TomTom XXL 550 is complete 5.0-inch widescreen navigation--and, since TomTom has the industry's most accurate and dependable maps, you'll have access to one million more miles of roads than you would using other GPS brands. Navigate to any location in the US, Canada or Mexico--or directly to one of 7 million preloaded points of interest. Finding your way has never been easier, using TomTom's new EasyMenu and spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names.
Complete 5-inch widescreen navigation.


Expand your horizons with a 5-inch extra-wide touchscreen.


The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds into the back of the device for maximum portability.


Only TomTom has IQ Routes*. This exclusive technology evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of day. You'll always be directed to the quickest, most efficient route. Advanced Lane Guidance** provides extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won't miss your turn or have to make dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use.


Eighteen percent of the nation's road information changes every year. With TomTom's exclusive Map Share On-Demand Updates, you have the ability to update your own map instantly or download verified updates from other drivers. Update your TomTom daily or whenever you wish.


The "Help Me!" menu lets you travel with peace of mind. It provides added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations, and hospitals. The "Where Am I?" feature pinpoints your exact location so you can accurately communicate it to emergency resources.


The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds neatly onto the back of the device, so both are small enough to fit into your pocket or bag.


Maps of US, Canada & Mexico
TomTom is known the world over for the accuracy and extensive coverage of its maps. TomTom maps include 1 million more miles of road than other GPS brands and have been rated highest in terms of quality and reliability.


EasyMenu
Easily access all of TomTom's powerful features through its simple and intuitive two-button menu. Just a tap gets you started, and easy-to-follow commands and recognizable icons lead you through a quick start-up process to get you on the road in no time.


7 million Points of Interest
Comes preloaded with more than 7 million points of interest in over 60 categories. Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels and more on your route. Or, seek out a new tourist attraction, nightlife spot or shopping center and navigate directly to it. Customize by adding your own favorites.


IQ Routes*
Despite posted speed limits, traffic traveling along a road at 8 a.m. moves at a different pace than it does at 2 p.m. Actual traffic speed is affected by rush hour, traffic light changes, pedestrian traffic, day of the week, and more. Only TomTom offers exclusive technology that evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of the day.


Advanced Lane Guidance**
TomTom provides extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won't miss your turn or have to make dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use.


Announces Street Names
Keep your eyes on the road while your TomTom announces turn-by-turn directions, including street and place names.


5-Inch Touchscreen
Expand your horizons with a 5-inch extra-wide touchscreen. A wide screen allows an expanded driving view and easier menu operation.


Fold & Go EasyPort Mount
The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount provides maximum portability. It folds neatly onto the back of the device, so both are small enough to fit into your pocket or bag and can be taken with you wherever you travel.


Traffic Update Service* (Optional)
Outsmart traffic. Optional traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic conditions to minimize potential delays. Based on incoming traffic information, your TomTom will recalculate travel time and suggest alternate routes. Traffic updates available in the US and Canada.


*Feature available in the US and Canada only
**Feature available in the US only

All TomToms Feature

Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.


30 Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.


TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.


Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.


TomTom HOME--Always up to date.


Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.

What's in the Box

TomTom XXL 550 device, EasyPort mount, USB cable, adhesive disk, car charger, and user guide

About TomTom

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high quality products and services.
TomTom is the world's leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further our commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so we can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.


We have our own mapping company!
Did you know that every year roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.


Why TomTom?
At TomTom, we believe that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. We develop smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

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Magellan RoadMate 1212 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the 1212 from a big box store recently and so far I like it. It is very easy to use and the interface (Windows CE Core 5.0) is easy to use and the voice direction is clear and easy to understand. There are a few quirks though....
1. Sometimes the system lags when you press a button and you have to press it again or wait.
2. If you enter into a submenu from the map or route screen it is difficult to get back to the original map menu. Though the system seems to still keep you on track and let you know about turns etc...
3. The included software link and software on the installation package are not very useful. You get a standard PDF version of the user manual which contains a good amount of information on the operation of the product and was useful. The software POI (Points of Interest) editor allows you to enter additional points of interest and upload them to the GPS. Only one problem with this software. Unless you know the longitude and latitude coordinates of the place you want to add you won't be able to and the software is very basic in that you can only enter known information and there is no way to look it up or select it. Other software Vantage Point and Mapsend and mapsend manager are not for this unit and therefore do not work.
4. This may not be a problem with the routing algorithms of the software but it insist that I take a turn into a oneway street to get to my house which is not possible. On the upside is that if you turn around and go another direction the unit quickly calculates a new route for you. Same thing it does if you miss a turn. As a side note: the maps for this unit according to the magellan site are from 2007 and the site lists the unit as a new product and there are no updates for it. I have not contacted magellan asking them about an update but the other products seem to have one so eventually we'll see one for this one.
In the box:
The unit comes with a suction cup windshield attachment kit and a power cord to plug into your car lighter. If you want to connect it to your PC you will have to purchase a separate usb to usb mini cable.
Some other neat features it has..

-You can edit (from the unit) and add your own points of interest.
-The unit contains a SD card that you can backup and restore saved information on.
-the unit can be carried with you around town and so if you are walking it will tell you where you are, direction etc...
- the screen has "+" and "-" buttons to easily adjust the topview detail. again the lag sometimes hits here.
-It is sensitive to where I am moving and even vertical direction when moving around just inside my home office here.
-If you touch and drag your finger on the screen it will move the map accordingly though with a slight lag.

When purchasing this unit I also looked a the comparable Tom Tom 130, I chose this unit because the text talk (where it speaks the street, destination and road names). The tom tom unit had that as an add on for ~$100
All in all for the less than $200 that I paid for this unit I think I got my money's worth and I like the unit so far. Only time will tell if my needs out grow or the maps become dated too quickly.
I you are looking for a unit under $200 and are willing to put up with its little quirks then you will be quite happy using this little gem.

One thing you might consider before purchasing any GPS unit is to figure out where you want to install it. I have not found the perfect position but I am thinking that on the drivers side near the door on the windshield near the dash. So I would have to operate it left handed. But that seems the most out of the way. I also tried installing it way up by the rear view mirror but it seems a little close to my head to read easily. The windshield attachment is fully adjustable and is about 6 inches long fully extended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1212 3.5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
Affordable, thin, and amazingly easy to use, the Magellan RoadMate 1212 enables you to find virtually anywhere in seconds without reading the instructions. The sharp 3.5-inch color touchscreen adds pleasure to driving. See your position on the interactive map, plus distance to the next turn, distance to destination, estimated time of arrival, street names and more, all at a glance. The simple touch-screen menu presents easy options! Voice guidance offers worry-free driving with spoken turn-by-turn directions so you can keep your eyes on the road.

Clear 3.5-inch QVGA color touchscreen shows your position, POIs, route, ETA and more on the interactive map




Easily find your way around town with built-in maps of two North American countries and Puerto Rico. 6 million pre-programmed Points of Interest (POI) enable you to search and select nearby services, and recreation and business locations. Find gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs and more. Phone numbers are included (when available) so you can call ahead for information and reservations.


The Centrality Atlas III processor and built-in high-sensitivity antenna provide the fastest position acquisition in the industry for reliable navigation. QuickSpellTM intelligently searches and checks spelling so you can enter your destination with just a few touches of the screen. SmartDetour prompts you to route around sudden slow traffic.


The integrated rechargeable battery provides navigation for up to3 hours when power is unavailable.


Thin, elegant and completely mobile; take your Magellan RoadMate anywhere for easy, accurate navigation.
Innovative easy-to-use interface makes it a breeze to find the route to your destination in seconds--without even needing to read the instructions.
Click to enlarge.


Adjustable mount for your windshield or dashboard.




Key Features Include

SayWhere Text-to-Speech that clearly announces the street name of your next turn.
3.5-inch QVGA color touchscreen that shows your position, points of interest, route, estimated time of arrival and more on the interactive map.
Built-in pre-loaded maps enable you to navigate the Unites States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
6 Pre-programmed million of Points of Interest (POIs) make it easy to find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs and more. Search by name or category near your position or near any city.
Thin and stylish--Combines style and functionality in a pocket-sized design.
Innovative and amazingly easy-to-use, route to your destination in seconds without even needing to read the instructions.
Touch an onscreen interactive POI icon for a nearby destination to see name, address, phone number (when available), and get an instant route.
QuickSpell, predictive spelling, guides in you address entry by eliminating irrelevant characters as you type.
SmartDetour automatically prompts you to route around sudden slow traffic.
Centrality Atlas III Processor provides superior GPS performance and navigation.
Rechargeable battery lets you navigate for up to 3 hours when power is unavailable. Recharges while driving via the included vehicle power adapter.
Automatic re-route never lets you miss a turn and quickly get back on track whenever you take a detour.
Customizable route method help you select Fastest Time, Shortest Distance, Least or Most Use of Motorways, and Avoid Toll Roads.
Create and store personal Points of Interest for easy reoccurring trips.
Auto night view adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing.
SD-card compatibility so you can back up your address book.

What's in the Box
Magellan RoadMate 1212 receiver, vehicle power adapter, adhesive disk for dash mounting, windshield mount, basic cradle, preloaded map on SD card, user manual on CD-ROM, quick-start guide, reference manual

Get 68% OFF

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Magellan RoadMate 1220 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Competition is good and I am happy to see another respectful contender in the GPS navigation arena. But competition is competition, so for the purpose of this review I have borrowed my wife's Garmin Nuvi and ignoring other drivers raced eyebrows, drove around for several weeks with two GPS navigators.

First, what I really like about RoadMate:
- it is small and slick and fits into my shirt pocket
- it has three hours of battery life
- it has fast and very well organized user interface
- its address input feature is just great; in general I am able to enter a destination address in RoadMate two times faster than in Garmin.
- RoadMate shows exit services and has lot of useful location-sensitive information only a touch away
- it has a pretty loud speaker
- it finds satellites faster than Garmin and loses them less frequently
- when building the route, it allows you to select several travel options for that route (fastest, shortest, most highways)
- it understand multiple intermediate points and optimize the route among them

Now, things I am not particularly fond of:
- the screen is two times dimmer than Garmin's screen, but still perfectly usable
- it takes RoadMate 35 seconds to start up (Garmin's startup time is 20 secs)
- it never bother informing the driver when it lost satellite reception, conveniently freezing the display with no further directions
- it never informs the driver about missing a turn, recalculating the route in silence (now I appreciate Garmin's "recalculating" message)
- the map has bugs and is not yet upgradeable (I hope this is temporary)
- no maps for countries other than USA and Mexico are available (I hope this is temporary too)
- the so called 3D map is hardly 3D and has limited zoom capabilities
- the text to speech system suffers from chronic tonsillitis and is sometimes difficult to understand

Now for real problems:
It is sad when an almost perfect design is nearly destroyed by two drawbacks. Each problem may be relatively minor, but their combined effect is disastrous.
The first small, annoying bug: when the unit zooms into the map at an intersection, it never returns back to the original zoom. This means that after the first turn you get maximum zoom and unless you adjust it manually while driving, you have no clue as to what lies ahead.
This problem alone could be OK if not for numerous bugs in voice prompts. This is the part where improvements are overdue.
RoadMate voice guidelines software is way behind the competition. It may tell you to "stay on the current road" several times and then suddenly tell you to take exit. It may bother you with multiple advices to "stay on the current road" without any visible reason. At the fork it may or may not tell you whether to keep left or right. It may prompt you to take a "slight turn" just because road bends but sometimes it really means a turn. Even worse - if right exit happens to bend to the left, the unit sometimes tells you to take a "slight left turn".
To be frank, voice prompts are usually correct, but bugs mentioned above are too often. In the end I just want to see the next turn at the unit's screen.
It all boils down to the simple question - would you turn your attention to the road and rely on buggy instructions or start adjusting zoom level at 3.5 inch GPS screen?

In comparison, Garmin unfailingly starts prompting you for any turn enough in advance to let you make any necessary changes, and keeps reminding you of the turn. It almost never makes mistakes in voice instructions. It always tells you whether to keep left or right. Also, Garmin always zooms out to show the next turn (unless the next turn is a few hundred miles away).

Well, RoadMate is not a terrible GPS system, but in light of other choices, I would not necessarily recommend this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1220 3.5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The Magellan RoadMate 1220 device boasts the acclaimed OneTouch menu, a 3.5-inch color touch screen, and a pocket-size design. Preloaded maps and points of interest for the contiguous 48 United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico make the RoadMate 1220 ideal for around town and vacations. Easy-to-use features give you confidence on the road and deliver a rewarding navigation experience. Turn it on and go!


Turn it on and go! Click to enlarge.
OneTouch favorites menu affords instant access to your personalized bookmarks of favorite places and searches anywhere you travel. Click to enlarge.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, helping you save time and money. Click to enlarge.
QuickSpell with SmartCity search narrows your address and city searches, making destination entry easy. Click to enlarge.
Preloaded maps give you information and directions as you travel the contiguous United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
The Magellan RoadMate 1220 includes many premier features, starting with Magellan's exclusive OneTouch favorites menu, QuickSpell with SmartCity search, and highway exit point of interest (POI) search, to name a few. Magellan's attention to detail delivers a superior user experience.
Intuitive and robust navigation
The RoadMate 1220 lets you bookmark your favorite destinations and searches with the OneTouch favorites menu so you can access them anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
QuickSpell with Smart City search help you quickly enter addresses and narrow your address and city searches, making destination entry easy.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, helping you save time and money.
Safety first on the road
You can keep your eyes on the road as you drive because spoken street name guidance announces the street name along with audible turning cues.
Ready to roll
You're ready to travel with preloaded maps and points of interest for the United States and Puerto Rico that make the Magellan RoadMate 1220 ideal for both business trips and vacations.
With millions of points of interest at your command you can easily locate gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more.
When you're traveling down the Interstate and need to find gas, food, or lodging in a hurry, touch the highway exit POI icon to see which upcoming highway exits have the services you need.
Do you often find yourself tied up in traffic? The RoadMate 1220 is Traffic Link compatible, offering live onscreen traffic-incident reports. (The Traffic Link accessory is sold separately).
Turn it on and go!
The Magellan RoadMate 1220 is loaded with premier features you'll need to get you where you want to go.

Magellan RoadMate 1220 Features

OneTouch favorites menu affords instant access to your personalized bookmarks of favorite places and searches anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
3.5-inch color touch screen provides powerful navigation that's easy to view and use.
Spoken street names and directions so you can hear and see where you need to turn next.
QuickSpell with SmartCity search narrows your address and city searches, making destination entry easy.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, saving you time and money.
Preloaded maps give you information and directions as you travel the United States and Puerto Rico.
Millions of points of interest (POIs) help you easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more.
Highway exit POIs search shows you gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more near upcoming highway exits.
Branded POIs display your favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and more by their respective logos.
Traffic Link provides live, onscreen traffic notification updates. (This accessory is sold separately).
Customizable route method lets you select the shortest distance, fastest time, most use of freeways, or least use of freeways to customize your route.
Address book enables you to create and store contact information.
Auto night view adjusts your screen's color and contrast for easy night viewing.
Automatic re-route lets you quickly get back on track in case you missed a turn.
Plan route on map by simply touching a destination on the map screen and then directly routing to it.
Rechargeable battery gives you the freedom to drive wireless or plan your trip when your vehicle's engine is turned off.

What's in the Box
RoadMate 1220 GPS receiver, Pre-loaded maps of the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, Windshield mount, Adhesive disc for dash mounting, Vehicle power adapter, User handbook

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Magellan RoadMate 1200 / 1210 / 1212 / 1340 / 1400 / 1412 / 1430 / 1440 / 1470 GPS Portable Wall Plug-in AC Home Charger Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great - especially for the price, it seems to work fine and it's handy to be able to charge your unit in some place other than the car and then use the unit inside a hotel room or house. My only frustration is that the charger does not show when the unit is fully charged, like having its' green light turn off or give me an idea in some instructions how long a full charge will take. However since I am using this for the Magellan 1340 that fault might also lie within the Magellan. I wish the information that the unit cannot be overcharged was listed in an instruction sheet that should be included .

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1200 / 1210 / 1212 / 1340 / 1400 / 1412 / 1430 / 1440 / 1470 GPS Portable Wall Plug-in AC Home Charger

Product Description:
Magellan RoadMate

Want to read more honest consumer review about Magellan RoadMate 1200 / 1210 / 1212 / 1340 / 1400 / 1412 / 1430 / 1440 / 1470 GPS Portable Wall Plug-in AC Home Charger now ?