Customer Reviews

Magellan Maestro 2008/2009 Map Update

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I've been a happy Magellan 4040 owner up until this map update software. I followed the installation instructions exactly. It appeared as though it worked but when I turned the unit on, it displayed a map error. I had to send the unit back for repair. After weeks of waiting for it to be returned I called Magellan customer service. Apparently since I didn't use their preferred shipper, they had no record of it (so rude). After several phone calls, I tracked it to the wrong address. Turned it on and of course they didn't install the map update like they were supposed to. So now I get to send it back again on my dime so they can install the map update because they will not allow me to return it.
This will be the last map update I will ever purchase and most likely the last Magellan product I will buy. I would rank Magellan customer service as the worst I have ever experienced. They actually blamed me for nearly losing the unit beacuse I didn't use their suggested shipper. Took 2 phone calls to find an agent willing to look up a tracking number. Horrible.

Make sure your battery is fully charged before you do it! Then you will not have any problems. Don't count on the USB power to get it going, charge it first then do it, because if you stop halfway you GPS will lock up and that will be ugly.

Truthfully, I was not particularly enthused about having to update a barely year old GPS system (and having to pay for the priviledge), but if you want your points of interest/road layouts and such to be more recent - notice I didn't say current - it doesn't hurt too much if you find the upgrade for a decent price. I can get rid of some of the saved destinations I had to enter because they didn't show up on the old version, but probably won't bother. There is at least one obvious enhancement: the turn arrow displayed when you are heading to a destination is large and orange now (as opposed to smaller and green?). I would strongly suggest having a wall adaptor plugged in when upgrading your unit, because 1.) it takes a couple of hours to run, 2.) the upgrade will not start if it detects that the unit is not fully charged, and 3.) any termination of the upgrade process before completion could render your unit unusable. Have a nice day.

They say they update maps every 18 months and with theis map having 08/09 it should have had streets that were over 2 years and it could not find some of them. This is my 3rd GPS in less than 2 years (mapping issues and slow start up, finding my location), so I tried something new. It was cheaper to buy this referb unit and the update map provided you got the Amazon Visa card that took $30.00 for opening an account, which made the update DVD Maps costing about $30.00. I like the unit and it has a lot of features. I use it for speaker phone and just checking out how accurate the map is in town. I found that a lot of streets that were over 2 years old were not on the update. That is not a bad reflection on the unit just the people who make up the map. I had good luck with customer service at Magellan who instructed me how to add more POIs from free 3rd party sites like Poifreind.com and the use of the provided POI editor that came with the GPS. I can add update all USA or region businesses like Walmart, Krisby Kream, Unos, etc but no street additions. Magellan provides 6M POIs and that was the main reason why I went with it. I will figure out the other voice command stuff later but if I would have found a Garmin in the same price range with the same features I think I would have gone with a Garmin because most of the models are rated pretty high.

Unless you live in LA, Chicago or NYC, save your money. Wait a year or two and buy a new GPS w/current maps instead. For those who live in anything but a metropolis, there are practically NO changes.

Purchased this to update my Magellan Maestro. Installation was easy, just had to follow the directions. Adds subtle new features to your unit. I have notice it places large arrows on the map showing your upcoming route as well as reworking slightly how the unit announces your next turn.

You have to buy a extra memory card to update the software or update the maps. They forget to tell you that.

Also, a update of maps will only update one unit. I bought two units and was expecting to update both. Between the memory card and the map update price I just should have bought a newer unit that was completely updated. Also, their update site and procedures are horrible. I am still not updated.

I am no expert but this upgrade loaded onto my Magellan 4050 without a problem, However, pay attention to the labels on the DVD's and used the disk with your model number. Otherwise you get an error message.
Haven't used it enough to verify additions but seems to work fine.

GREAT update with extra POI, including my own business location with contact information! Update software was flawless ... went in with no problems.

Purchased this product after waiting the 18 months for their update to come out. Very disappointed to find that major highways and tollways that had been built in the last 5 years were not updated in Austin, TX - the 15th largest US city! When I called Magellan to file a complaint and request a refund I experienced horrific customer service - hours on the phone, rude agents, & frequent disconnects with no call back. They claimed the problem is with the vendor that provides the map, but Garmin uses the same map vendor and their maps show the updated roads. They then said once the software is installed, they will not provide a refund - for any reason. Of course, you can't find out if the maps are useful until you install them - catch 22.

Do yourself a favor and buy a Garmin. They update their maps more frequently, cost less for the update, and provide much better support. I purchased a Nuvi 760 immediately after my ordeal with Magellan tech support and I'm very satisfied with it.