Customer Reviews

Magellan Maestro 3220 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is my first GPS, but I assure you it does everything I need/want it to do. It is NOT widescreen, but the screen is still plenty big enough to see easily. It has options to search for local banks, restaurants, gas stations, etc. The voice is sufficiently loud and clear as it gives out step by step instructions. One thing that confounded me a bit was I had to go into "options" to turn on the text to speech. The default setting only announces whether you take a right or left. Once you turn on the text to speech, it says the street names and everything. In fact, if you enter custom addresses, it will announce those, too. Very nice GPS!!!

The feedback for this gps is misleading a lot, in my personal eyes. The bad feedback is only regarding company service, rather than the GPS tool.
I didn't deal with issues with Magellan company, so I don't know how that is. However, this GPS is actually the best one since I owned. In past 5 years, I owned one GPS from MIO, one GPS from Garmin, two GPS from Megellan, and another one GPS connecting with PDA. In general, Garmin 350 and this one are the best in my mind, but this one is much cheaper. I've recommended many friends around me for this tool.

I bought a Garmin and a Magellan and drove around the country (I'm a truck driver) with them side-by-side. One of the things I loved about the M was the uncluttered screen. (The stock picture looks a little cluttered because it is set for a option that you don't have to use). The G was too graphics-heavy for me. I love the simplicity of the M screen. Most importantly was the M's ability to quickly reroute me when I missed a turn (given that there is no truck-route option, I just pass by the roads that I'm not allowed on and rely on the GPS to continually reroute me as much as necessary). The G lagged much behind in this regard. The M chose the better route about 95% of the time. In order to keep this brief, I'll just say that after two weeks of comparison I kept the M and returned the G.

As for the minor annoyances, the one that bothers me most is that you must choose the city first, then the state. Often times a city name (or some version of it) will show up in up to all 50 states requiring you to scroll through a long list to pick the correct city name and state. Another minor annoyance is that when I pull into a rest area, suddenly the GPS has no clue what city it's in. Another reviewer complained that his did not come with a charger; mine did so I don't understand why his didn't. I also have not had the customer service issues others have complained of. I found them to be easy to reach and willing to help although, as is the standard today (except for T-Mobile), you can forget talking to something that speaks English well.

Another reason I was unable to even consider keeping the Garmin is that I was not able to set a time zone. The G automatically changed as I drove into different time zones. I work on eastern time regardless of where I am so the G changing according to location made it difficult for me to use the estimated ETA. One of the huge bonuses of the M over the G was the three options of choosing either ETA, miles to destination or drive hours to destination. The G only had one option.

Overall, I've driven about 250,000 with the help of this GPS and although you still have to use common sense and an atlas, I've been really happy with this GPS and would recommend it.

A little background--I had resisted getting a GPS unit for different reasons in the past, but after hours of researching specs and feedback of myriad units, I decided I would buy.
My decision was based a lot on price-to-value and the addition of MEXICO MAPS as a STANDARD feature, not a $40 or $60+ option for only some selected units such as Garmins. I chose over TomTom available models mostly due to the fact that Magellan has a SD slot for map upgrades and for backup/restore ability vs. TomTom not having any media card slot at all. Other less popular models offering some sort of Mexico maps, e.g., Mio, Pioneer, etc. were not seriously considered.
Not only that, but also the 30 day Magellan free map upgrade (2009 Spring) offer which cost only $10 dollars for shipping/handling of the 2GB SD media card.
Right after the purchase, I made trip plans to see relatives in north central Mexico. Let me emphasize that limitations on Mexico map coverage are explained ahead of time and I only was going to see how it operated more out of curiosity and fun, since I already knew how to get to our location. Also, the unit was as is--that is, the latest software upgrade was not done nor had I received the SD map upgrade yet.
The 1600 mile one-way trip had us going through MS, LA and TX going down; TX, AR on the way back.
Observations:
Magellan Maestro 3220 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech
-Fast satellite(s) acquisition--investigative DIY work explains why the hardware in this unit is top-level.
-Highest volume setting more than loud enough.
-Exit POIs feature did not operate correctly--selected POIs did not show but instead Gas Stations/Auto Repair/Restaurants would always come up. This to be fixed with a software update which I have done but I have not traveled on interstates yet to see the updated results.
-Map view is enhanced and improved at least on local streets that I have driven after the software update.
-Brightness adjustments not good enough--night time levels too bright for my liking and during night time levels, accessing menu or other screens is blinding, since they are not likewise dimmed but instead remain bright at all times.
-Loved the text-to-speech and split-view screen features.
-Loved the current gps position screen that includes a real-time readout of altitude--this especially enjoyable as we experienced sea level all the way to 3770 meters (yes it has feet but I used metric while in Mexico).
-Would "feel better" if I knew the USB/power port connection was robust as I have my doubts. I am wondering if it is a "weak link" as I have experienced with my previous Blackberry port failure.
-Extremely surprised and pleased with the level of maps in Mexico, even in rural and small town areas.
-Contrary to what I anticipated, I do not miss having a wider (4+ inch) screen to view. This 3.5 inch unit will be perfect for traveling when I go to Puerto Rico. Understand that as opposed to units that might have only US or US and Hawaii, or US and Puerto Rico or US and Canada, this has US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii AND Mexico maps.
-I have dealt with Magellan sales and service twice, speaking with native English speaking reps and have had only excellent experience--no problems as mentioned by other reviewers.
Finally, I am so happy with the product as I have a superior--price-to-value, added value, call it what you will--product that is uniquely capable. Would I change things/design/ergonomics if given the opportunity? Absolutely, as with anything, but real-world experience is outstanding.

I plan to update once I get more experience traveling after the software update, the 2009 map update and a business trip to Puerto Rico.

This is a perfect GPS for your car. Its a plug and play application, ready to go out of the box. The interface couldn't be easier. And for $90, this little baby does everything you need. Don't spend big money on $extras$... this talks you through the directions, has a big clear and easy to read screen. Its maps are current and it gets you where you want to go. I'll never buy a car with a $3000 GPS unit installed again... $90 gets you there with a vacation in Hawaii on top of it.

I updated the firmware and ordered the latest 2009 Spring map before I tested this unit. The sound volume is barely loud enough and can be better. The screen color is kind of washed and difficult to see in daytime. Here I am comparing functions of the Magellan to my 3 years old off brand GPS with Text-to-Speech.

Pros: 1. Very easy to make entries for destinations
2. Much better POI
3. Very cheap for a branded unit
Cons: 1. Routing is odd. I tested my 7 miles trip from home to work. No matter what routing options I picked, the direction was always the a long city route even though the freeway was just next to it.
2. Text-to-Speed was very busy especially at tight turns, making the feature very annoying at times. Occasionally, the speech would stop when a few turns happened within a short distance. Confusing.
3. No indication of destination to your left or right at times.
Summary: I highly recommend this unit for the exceptional cost to feature ratio (if you can get it cheap). Routing may be odd in some cases but accurate. Very Good no frill unit.

There are not many GPS units that offer as many maps as this little jewel. I've used it extensively for driving in Mexico and Mexico City. I have been extremely happy with this unit and own three of them. I would not recommend anyone drive in Mexico without having this GPS. The map may have been dated but I got to where I was going in Mexico City without any problems.

If you want a true workhorse GPS with a bunch of maps - especially Mexico - this is the unit for you. I've studied most models and this one is turn-on and go - literally.

For the money - under $100 in most cases - you can get a better deal anywhere. So what if you need to update the maps - new map costs $70! However, the core information and mapping is extremely reliable.

I cant say enough about this product. I'm considering the 4220.

I hope Magellan does not discontinue this product and offers other units with these maps.

Jerry

I all ready had a Megellan GPS. This one is nice because it has Mexico maps. It is also smaller than my other unit so it can be carried in the hand when I am not in a car. I don't know how the Mexico maps work yet. So I will update my review when I get back from my trip in June 2010.

I had waited to purchase this until I found just the right one for my needs (maps of U.S., Canada, and Mexico). I appreciate the easy installation, the easy and clear directions that it gives, and its' size.
I had read up on the product more AFTER I had purchased it and realized I would have to update the maps in addition to the purchase (it does not come with the most current maps!) Though I was frustrated with having to order the update and then thinking I had ordered the wrong update for the product I had purchased, my experience with the technical support people was VERY helpful. He assured me that it was just marked wrong and that I did indeed have the correct update. He then assisted me by phone in installing it over the internet. It was really easy. I found the support people very helpful...unlike the reviews I had read about. I enjoy my product and would recommend it to anyone nervous about driving in big cities...it is great.

At first, I wasn't too sure that it would help, since I wanted it for travel when going to AZ. Needless to say, I was happy to have it. Also, I really like the compact size so that I can carry in my purse.