Good for the directionally challenged.
Pros:
Safer than using a map.
Cons:
When streets are close together, it has trouble catching up to where you are.
The Bottom Line:
Good GPS. Makes traveling easier and safer.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
This was a Christmas Gift from my parents in December 2007. So I've been using this item for approximately 4.5 months.
BACKGROUND:
I live in Tampa and I am directionally challenged. When I lived in West Palm it was easy. Everything was clearly North, South, East or West. But Tampa makes no sense. And after living here for 5 years, I still get confused. So my family obviously got tired of me calling them frantically asking "Do I go North or South on the Interstate!?"
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
Ease of Use: I am sure I am not the only person to be intimidated by new gadgets. So many buttons, how do you ever get it to do what you want. But honestly, it's pretty easy. You type in an address and away you go. You can either save the address in your address book - or just type it in and go.
Safety: I quickly want to touch on the topic of safety. Using this item is a lot safer than the alternatives of (a) reading a map while driving, (b) reading a MapQuest printout while driving or (c) calling friends and family as you try to navigate traffic while catching the right exit. The Magellan even warns you ahead of time when you need to make a turn and what exits you need to take.
Accuracy: In the past 5 months, the GPS has led me "astray" only once. It insisted that the exit for the Interstate was on my left - not on my right. Now, it could actually have been correct and I was just missing it. But I saw the sign clearly on my right - so I went in that direction. Otherwise, it has been accurate down to the minute it says I will arrive at my destination.
Address Book: You can save all of your addresses or oft-used destinations in the Magellan's address book. Then, when you get into your car, just push the Address Book icon, choose your destination and go.
Previous Destinations: Another nifty feature is that the Magellan remembers a list of previous destinations, even if you did not enter them into your address book. So let's say you used it to get to a playdate - not realizing you'll make it a weekly affair. The next time you go, just look in your Previous Destinations option. And you can even save it permanently into your Address Book from there!
Route Options: When you being your route, you can choose: (a) the fastest way, (b) the least distance, (c) least use of highways, and (d) avoid toll rolls.
Smart Detour: During my trips, if there is congestion I can have the Magellan devise an alternate route (SMART DETOUR FEATURE).
Home: And, once I reach my destination and need to return home, there is a quick access button to return home.
Windshield Mount: It mounts to your windshield.
Size: It's approx. 4 by 5 inches. And the display is 4.3 inches. Easy to read.
Charging/Battery Life: To charge it, you hook it up to your car's power adapter. Once charged it lasts about 2 hours. Which is good, because I also plug my son's DVD player in for longer trips.
Quick Spell: And, once you start typing in an address, it starts to narrow it down for you so you don't always have to type in the whole thing. For example if you type in TAM for Tampa. It'll probably finish it for you. (QUICK SPELL FEATURE).
Voice: The Magellan speaks directions to you. It uses a pleasant (robotic) voice, easy to hear.
Touch Screen: You type in everything using the touch screen. It is very accurate. And, it is easy to see the map in daylight and at night.
OTHER:
Has a power on/off button on the side.
It's black and silver.
When you buy it, it comes with the windshield mount, USB data cable, AC adapter and a protective pouch. Everything you need.
