Magellan Maestro 4370 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just got my refurb'd 4370 in a couple of days ago since we're going to go on a couple of trips in the near future.I initially wanted to use my iphone 3G with Navigon but have found that the it only intermittently works - think the 3G is too slow and it kills the GPS process and is constantly showing no GPS signal though google maps picks up the GPS signal (blinking blue dot just fine) but the software seems to work fine on my brother's 3GS.I already have a built in GPS unit on my 05'Accord Hybrid that is super easy to use but can't take it with me when we fly.I love the navigon maps on the iphone and their lane assist/reality view but I wanted something much more reliable and here are my initial impressions:

Upon opening the box:
1) Unit looked brand spanking new
2) Only sign that it was a refurb unit was the white box as well as "rf" stamped at teh bottom of the unit in very small letters
3) All parts were in the box:USB cable, CD, quick start, traffic code coupon, slip case, car charger, and wall charger

Upon powering it on:
1) Boots up fairly fast
2) Was expecting it to take awhile to aqcuire a signal since I was inside (though I do have windows in my office) but it acquired a signal fairly quickly (~30 seconds)
3) I downloaded the Content Manager software and plugged in the unit - found that the maps were already up to date but there was a new OS update.Update was quick.
4) Was able to pair it with my iphone fairly quickly - though the mic sounded super soft when I tried calling myself to test
5) Copied over an avi video file to an SD card and it worked great - not sure how often I will use this feature since can't watch and navigate at the same time.It won't recognize any of my music files (m4a extensions).Don't want to go through the trouble of converting it to MP3.
6) the visual crispness of the maps looked great on the screen
7) Did notice some lag inbetween some of the screens as others have noted

Upon driving around to test the unit:
1) The built in speaker is decent and loud enough
2) Tried the FM transmitter and it worked ok.Sound quality is ok - not great - but definitely understandable
3) Though the unit is labeled as TTS for speaking street names, I found that it ocassionally only spoke the names of the street.Seems like it doesn't like announcing numbered streets (ie 20th ave, etc.).This was a bit of a disappointment since I was hoping it would like Navigon does on the iphone.
4) The 4370 didn't seem to provide a lot of directions compared to Navigon or my accord's nav system.Granted that my destination was fairly straight forward, it didn't provide any guidance on slight curves/turns while my car's GPS was providing guidance so I was a little disappointed.Some of the intersections I passed would have been confusing if I wasn't already familar with the area that I was testing.The 4370 seemed to assume that if the route was on the same street, there was no need to provide verbal guidance even at a fork in the road (for those in SF area, 19th ave and Junipero Serra right coming from hwy 280).
5) I tried deviating from the recommended route and it recalcuated very quickly and provided an alternate
6) Traffic seemed to work fine though don't expect it to be instantaneous when an accident just happens - will require some delay to get the accident reported.
7) Lane guidance seemed ok but the doesn't seem as visually appealing as Navigon on the iphone.
8) Love the fact that the unit will auto shut-off if you are using the car charger and turn off the engine.
9) Wished the car mount would fold flat so you can store it better and not worry about breaking it.

Overall, seemed to be decent unit and for the price is a good deal.Just wished the 4370 was more chatty and provided more directions/instructions as well as speak street names more vs turn left/right...

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Thought I'd provide some additional comments after taking a 4 day trip using the Magellan....
Things that I liked:
1) The auto night/color adjustment.It auto dims and changes to the night high contrast colors based on time of day as well as if it knows that you're on a route that take you through a tunnel.
2) Chiming before turns -subtle feature but it reinforces when you should turn
3) Maps are fairly up to date - worked perfectly even though my Accords nav maps had no idea how to get around in the small town of Copperopolis, CA.
4) Very quick recalculations of directions when needed
5) When it loses GPS signal it doesn't stop in its track like some other units or like the Navigon software on the iphone.It assumes your maintaining the same speed in the same direction until it acquires the GPS signal again - (ie when you lose line of sight when you go through a long tunnel)
6) Battery life is decent - if you decide not to plug it in.
7) Address entry is easy - love the fact that to get started you can just enter in the zip code, then the street address versus having to type in a state then long city name.The address book is a useful feature as well since it allows you to pre-enter all of the destinations of your upcoming trip.

Things I didn't like as much:
1) The unit froze up once on our 4 day trip.There was no indication/error except I realized the map and distance to the destination wasn't changing (was on a long stretch of back country roads so everything looked the same on the map)Had to power cycle it.Luckily this thing boots up fast and continues onto your current destination.It hasn't frozen up since but would have caused lots of trouble if there was an exit that was missed due to the freezing up.
2) Dual plug - USB power and 3MM traffic plug that you have to plug into the unit (though both are on the same cable) - would have been nice if they could have integrated it together so that all you have to fiddle with is a single plug.
3) Traffic - It comes with 3 free months - after that, it's $39.99 per year - haven't had the unit reroute that often due to traffic so not sure I'd renew this when my trial is over.My wife has also taken it on a couple of other trips to Baltimore & Atlanta without any issues and she loves it compared to the nav in her 01' TL.

After using it I'm upgrading my rating to 4 stars and with the price drop to $109 for the refurb unit, I'd highly recommend it and may pick up another one for a family member.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan Maestro 4370 4.3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Product Description:

This is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.Effortless navigation! The new OneTouch menu, featured on the Magellan Maestro 4370, gives you instant access to your favorite places and searches. Simply customize the OneTouch icons to display the points of interest you want easy access to--restaurants, banks, businesses, and so many more. OneTouch also saves searches. Program your favorite coffee shop to a OneTouch icon and you can easily search for that shop anywhere you are at the moment.


Advanced 2D and 3D navigation on a 4.3-inch touchscreen. Click to enlarge.
The Magellan 4370 also makes the perfect travelling companion with maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Getting to your destination is made easier with announced street names and directions, voice guidance, lane guidance, and 3D buildings to easily spot landmarks. Live traffic reports allow you to navigate around heavy or stationary traffic, while Pedestrian mode makes it easy to continue your route once you've parked the car.


With 6 million points of interest, the question isn't "how do I get there" but "where do I go next".OneTouch Menu
Easily bookmark favorite destinations and searches with personalized bookmarks so you can find them anywhere you travel. Find your favorite caf� or restaurant in any city with a single touch.


4.3-Inch, WVGA Color Touchscreen
Provides clear, crisp on-screen graphics and seamless touch panel control.


3D Landmarks
Navigation gets easier with easy-to-spot visual cues--in color.Spoken Street Names
Announces street names and directions at each turn, so you get a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.


3D landmarks provide easy-to-spot visual cues, so you can get your bearings.
AAA assistance gives your location details and the AAA phone number.
Bluetooth Compatibility
Connect your compatible cell phone via Bluetooth and use your Magellan Maestro as a hands-free device: initiate and receive calls, send and receive SMS messages.Lane Guidance
Get a clear image showing you exactly which lane you should be in--ideal for complicated highway exits or intersections.


Live Traffic Capability
Provides you with real-time incident reports to the screen with alerts for slow downs, accidents, road closures, severe weather, and more. Should you come up on an incident, the Maestro 4370 will automatically prompt you to reroute when a quicker way is available.FM Transmitter
Hear voice guidance through your car's FM stereo with the built-in FM transmitter function. Allows you to connect without the nuisance of an auxiliary cable.Built-in AAA TourBook
No membership required� The Magellan-exclusive built-in AAA TourBook guide provides ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.


AAA Roadside Assistance
Screens gives your location details and the AAA phone number. In case of a flat tire you know who to call and what to tell them.


Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and millions of other destinations are searchable from the huge POI database.
SmartDetour automatically prompts you to route around sudden slow freeway traffic.
6 Million Points of Interest (POIs)
Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and millions of other destinations are searchable from the huge POI database.


QuickSpell
Auto-Complete feature makes it easy to enter destinations with just a few touches of the screen and even corrects spelling.Pedestrian Mode
Allows you to continue on your route once you've parked your car.SmartDetour
Automatically prompts you to route around sudden slow freeway traffic. Different detours are calculated using the same routing method that was used to create the route, and a list of alternate routes is displayed.Rechargeable Battery
Lets you navigate for up to 4 hours when power is unavailable.Automatic Re-Route
Missed a turn? Forced to detour? Automatic re-route quickly gets you back on track.Customizable Route
This method lets you select your preferred route from options displayed with driving time.Integrated Media Center
Insert an SD card into your Magellan Maestro with audio, video and picture files. Listen to your favorite music during navigation, and view pictures or watch video files while not driving.Watch Your Speed
Drive safe with the optional speed limit warning. A voice and icon will let you know when you are exceeding the speed limit.

What's in the Box

Magellan 4370, USB Cable, AC Adapter, FM Traffic Antenna, Windshield Mount, Cradle, Protective Pouch, Quick Start Guide, User's Manual

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Magellan Maestro 4250 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So after reading a ton of reviews on Amazon, I realized that a lot of the reasons people rated something positive or negative was because they were comparing their new GPS to an older one.So to be fair, this is my first GPS, so I have nothing to compare it to.First off, it arrived from Amazon in three days using their free standard shipping, which was great.It looked brand new and included every accessory you would need, AC and DC chargers, USB cable, travel case, window mount and dash mount adapter, along with some software to help get you started.

Like some of the other reviewers, the first thing I did was upgrade the firmware to v.4.60.It took me about 10 minutes which included registering the unit with Magellan, which is required to download the upgrade.Since I didn't use it before the upgrade, I can't really speak to the benefits, but I haven't had any issues with the unit freezing up or crashing.I also signed up for the 3 month Traffic Service trial online.

Overall, the menus are very intuitive and easy to use and for the price, really can't be beat.Comparable Garmins seem about twice as much.The unit starts up fast and is quick to determine routes and re-routes.The only negative thing I've noticed is it does take longer to start up after parking the vehicle in a garage as opposed to on the street, either way, 30 to 45 seconds vs. 10 to 15.The traffic service is surprisingly accurate and updates constantly.The accuracy of the maps and POI's seems to be about 2 to 3 years off, which from what others say is about average for units of this price.Mine came loaded with S/W version 29.Magellan is selling an upgrade to version 31 on their website for $80 and calls it their 2008/2009 map.So I'm guessing this is the 2006/2007 map.

The Bluetooth syncs up fairly easily to make and receive calls, but I could not get it to sync up my phonebook or text messages with either of two different Motorola cell phones.The volume is pretty weak and call clarity is about what you could expect, but in a pinch, it makes a decent hands-free device.Can't really be used with the windows down.Overall, for $129 with free shipping, I think this is a great little device and have had no issues with getting it refurbished, although be aware it does only come with a 90 day warranty.Hope this helps.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan Maestro 4250 4.3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

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Magellan Maestro 4250 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spent a lot of time researching a GPS unit to purchase. I "settled" for the Magellan 4250 because I couldn't justify the additional $100-200 to purchase a similar Garmin product and I stayed away from TomTom because a retail store rep mentioned that those units were returned pretty frequently.

I took this unit with me to Las Vegas and it got me from point to point without issues. Directions are clear and the interface is pretty straight forward. Entering addresses is quite easy, route calculation is reasonably fast. It has a day/night mode and is quite visible even in direct sunlight. My only complaint with the screen is that the unit is still too bright when in night mode and the brightness is set to the lowest level.

I used the Trip Planner to enter multiple destinations for my trip up to Vegas. This made going from one point to the next easy as I didn't have to make any address entries or search for a POI. I just click on Guide Me, select the destination from my saved Trip and I'm on my way.

POI was very useful. You can search POI by Name, Category or AAA TourBook and then search near you, in a city or near an address. I like the breakdown of POI Categories, very user-friendly. If you have a Bluetooth compatible phone, you can contact the POI if they include the phone number. Just select the phone number and you'll be connected via the built-in speakerphone, which works pretty well. A feature that I didn't think I would use is the ability to choose what POI icons (coffee shops, shopping areas, gas stations, atm/banks, etc.) appear on the map. I found this feature quite useful in searching for a nearby coffee shop.

AAA information is great, I actually used this to find a nice breakfast restaurant. It gave me the restaurant hours, diamond rating and dress attire. Additional AAA TourBook information include these categories: Accomodations, Restaurants, Destinations, Attractions and Events. I found the Events outdated, but I was told by a Magellan sales rep that AAA will be releasing quarterly updates. As of this review, AAA still has not released any updates, they hope to have it up sometime in late 2007. Looks like they are waiting up to the last minute.

AAA Members have additional benefits, see AAA's website for more details. One notable benefit is an extra year warranty.

The Voice Command feature is a nice extra, but it will most likely go unused.

Bluetooth was not compatible with my phone (Cingular 8125), however, I was able to test it using the Sony Ericsson W800 and it worked flawlessly. When you receive a text message an icon appears on the map and you can read the message directly on the screen. The same goes with phone calls. The only downside is that you can't import your contact list.

Live Traffic information is free for 3 months and it looks like $40 per year subscription, quite reasonable. When you have the unit plugged into the FM power/receiver, you'll see an icon on the bottom right hand of the screen indicating traffic status, or if there are any issues on the way to your destination. I have yet to determine how fast/accurate the traffic updates occur.

A nice feature with this unit is that once you have entered your destination, you can look at the direction list and if you see a street that you don't want to include (let's say because you know it has heavy traffic), select that direction/step and you can exclude this from your route. Nifty.

If you are into customizable icons/voices, they are not built-in.

Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and would gladly recommend it to family, friends and strangers reading reviews on Amazon.com.

Job well done Magellan!

*** 2007-11-29 Update****

I've had the unit for about a month now. I have additional comments.

Auto Detour: If you are in traffic, the unit will suggest a Detour. I've only used it once, but it came in very handy.

Traffic: I've come to the conclusion that this is pretty accurate, though I wish there was an option to use the Auto Detour feature before actually hitting traffic.

Exit POI: While on the freeway, I can check to see freeway exit Restaurants, Lodging, Gas Stations and Auto Service Shops. The unit displays the distance to each Exit POI.

Voice Command: I didn't think I would use this much, but with proper annunciation, I found it more convenient to say "MagellanGo Home" instead of pressing the options on the screen.

Size: Since this is my first GPS unit, I may be taking it's size for granted, but I like that I can fit it in my jacket pocket.

Customer Support: When I first got this unit, I couldn't register the product, so I called Customer Support. They were very helpful in helping me register my product. I also had to call them a second time to get assistance in activating my Traffic Subscription, again they were very helpful and was able to resolve my issue.

My Complaints:
- At times the unit is a little slow to respond when an option is selected
- There is no quick/easy way to add a POI by name to the Trip Planner
- Text to speech doesn't always come off well (i.e. Los Angeles/CA-60 W is read "Los Angeles Forwardslash C A Dash Sixty W")
- Searching for a POI by name takes about 15 seconds
- I upgraded my phone to the AT&T Tilt, Bluetooth usage is limited to making and receiving calls

That's about it. I still recommend this unit.

*** 2008-07-30 Update****

I upgraded the firmware on my unit to version 4.60 and I felt the need to update my review. Magellan has improved quite a few things:

- Improved visual cues on the map makes navigation easier
- Bluetooth connection is now automatic, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from a friend without having the need to re-connect my Tilt. I was even more pleased when I was able to dial a POI phone number without re-connecting. (Still no SMS or Contact support for my Tilt, but that is probably an OS issue)
- Map scrolling is faster
- Re-route calculation is noticeably faster
- Magellan even fixed the text to speech issue I mentioned in my last update

One of the features I wish Magellan would improve is the time it takes to do a POI Search By Name. I use this feature quite a bit and waiting the 15 to 20 seconds to display a result set just seems too long.

I'm pretty sure there were other improvements that I haven't seen, but the fact that Magellan has released at least 2 firmware upgrades since I bought my 4250 states that they are committed to improving the user experience for their products.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Job well done Magellan!"

*** 2009-07-12 Update****

Magellan released yet another firmware update, version 4.86, and I have to applaud them for their latest fixes/additions:

- POI Search By Name time has finally been reduced! I searched for a store (whoselogo resembles a bullseye) and search took 4-5 seconds, very fast! There are still times when it takes around 10 seconds, but that didn't happen too often.
- Map drawing speed has also been increased when you scroll around, it is quite noticeable.
- Voice Command is more responsive.
- Lastly, Magellan added 2 new turn chimes, one for a left turn and another for a right turn. Very nice.

Alright, consider this my last review update (unless Magellan releases another firmware upgrade). I officially have no more complaints.

Thanks Magellan!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan Maestro 4250 4.3 Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
Maestro 4250

Say a command and enjoy hands-free control of your Maestro! Make phone calls with your Bluetooth-enabled phone. Get LIVE traffic reports! Maps of the U.S. and Canada, 6 million points of interest (POI) and AAA TourBook information enable you to easily find destinations. Use the intuitive menu on the 4.3" wide color touch screen and get an instant route with voice guidance.

Features:

Voice command: Voice Command & Control enables hands-free operation. See video.

Sophisticated and simple: Amazingly easy-to-use, route to your destination in seconds without even needing to read the instructions.

Ultra-thin & stylish: The thinnest personal navigation device available combines style and functionality in a pocket-sized design.

4.5" WQVGA color touch screen: The large touch screen shows your position, Points of Interest, route, ETA and more on the interactive map.

Hands-free phone calls: Bluetooth® wireless technology and built-in microphone enable you to make calls using your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone.

LIVE traffic capability: Integrated traffic receiver sends real-time incident reports to the screen with alerts for slow-downs, accidents, road closures, severe weather and more. Maestro automatically prompts you to reroute when a quicker way is available. A FREE 3-month service subscription makes it easy to avoid traffic. (Requires activation. Fees apply after introductory period.)

AAA TourBook™: Built-in guide gives you instant access to AAA approved and rated lodging and restaurants, recommended attractions, discount locations and roadside assistance.1

Pre-loaded North American maps: Built-in maps enable you to travel all 50 United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

6 million Points of Interest: Pre-programmed POIs make it easy to find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee and more. Search by name or category near your position or near any city.





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Magellan RoadMate 1400 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought & returned 6 different GPS units including the Tom Tom, Garmin and a few others.First, when you enter the address (which is by far the easiest address-entering compared to any of its competitors) it knows where you want to go.It always brought me to the exact spot that i needed to find.It has over 6,000,000 points of interest compared to 1-2 million on every other competitor.it is small, thin and very lightweight.THIS GPS ROCKS!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1400 4.3 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
Get full turn-by-turn navigation at a breakthrough price with the Magellan RoadMate 1400. Pick a destination and choose how you navigate to virtually anywhere in the continental United States and Hawaii. Features include a 4.3-inch wide color touchscreen, intuitive menu options, and an ultra thin design.
Clear 4.3-inch QVGA color touchscreen shows your position, POIs, route, ETA, and more on the interactive map.


The Magellan RoadMate 1400 is uniquely stylish, with a 4.3-inch wide-format, full color interactive touchscreen and an ultra-thin design.


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. Built in maps of the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico, plus 1.3 million pre-programmed Points of Interest make it easy to travel the country and easily find gas stations, ATMs, hotels and much more.


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 4.3-inch WQVGA wide-format color 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.
Turn-by-turn voice guidance saves time getting directions before leaving the house and enables you to keep your eyes on the road.
Intuitive User Interface and menu options make it easy to pick destinations and choose how you navigate, without even reading the instructions.
Uniquely stylish and compact ultra thin design makes it easy to transfer your Magellan GPS between vehicles or toss it in a suitcase to take anywhere.
Travel the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on the included SD memory card.
1.3 million pre-loaded points of interest make it easy to 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.
Interactive POI icons let you select the types of services and amenities you'd like to see and interactive icons appear on the map. Touch an icon for a nearby service to see address, phone number (when available) and get an instant route.
Convenient "tow-truck icon" shows detailed information about your current location with a single touch so you can provide clear direction to roadside assistance.
Program any location into the "Home" button and find your way back from wherever you are.
Enter destinations with a few keystrokes. QuickSpell feature searches locations and checks spelling to provide you with a simple list of available destinations.
SmartDetour feature 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.
Auto re-route feature makes sure you never miss a turn and quickly get back on track whenever you take a detour.
With Auto NightView color and contrast adjusts 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.
Select up to 20 destinations with multi-destination routing and choose the order to plan a trip in advance and repeat the same trip again. Easily reorganize, add or remove destinations.
Address Book: Create and save personal Points of Interest for easy reoccurring trips.
Navigate up to 3 hours when power is unavailable with the 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 1400 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

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