Customer Reviews

Rand McNally 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

From the moment I saw the packaging, I knew I had "Navigation For Dummies," which made me relieved and eager to dive right in. I have found the Rand McNally device to be superior to others in that it provides ample warning time prior to making turns, allows me to preview streets off the freeway for alternative routes, and thereby resetting itself, and offers a soothing voice that is far from robotic. It comes with a sleek stylus, but also responds to direct touch. Finally, the maps are colorful and easy to read. This is a great system for those needing some extra help in orientation.

This is my first time writing one of these... Hopefully it helps someone out.

Anyway, I am in pharma sales and NOT technical at all. Needed a GPS device to help navigate between doctor's offices. I sampled a number (i.e. Garmin, Magellan, etc.) of them - their too expensive to make the wrong choice! -before selecting Rand McNally. Here is what I like...

Pros:

1) WAY easier to use than others. Very intuitive. I didn't have to read the directions. I just felt my way through and got to the feature I wanted . I tested the others... Always bumbled-stumbled into the wrong areas and found myself asking the sales clerk what I did wrong. Drove me crazy!

2) The RM starts up faster than the others. Sounds like a small thing, but when your running from one meeting to the next and need quick directions, it's really nice. (and cause less consequential stress!!). The Garmin took foreverrrrrrrrrrr.... I would still be waiting.

3) The RM has pre-programmed roadtrips. I haven't used them yet, but I thought it was kind of cool. Figure at some point I will... And at least I trust Rand McNally (i.e. make maps!) more than others.

Cons:

Only Con since using last few weeks is I keep misplacing the dang stylus. It has place to put in back, but instead I just use my finger... It works fine on touch-screen, but not as sophisticated as using stylus I suppose.

Overall it works great. I'm very happy. It is a solid product.

This is a great GPS device! It is very simple to set up and use immediately because the directions are very clear. It also comes with a small Rand McNally atlas and mount for the windshield.

When you are actually driving the directions are given in a clear voice with plenty of warning time before a turn. It also includes estimated time of arrival and mileage for that trip. I can plan different routes with different stops and if I choose to go a different direction, the GPS will self correct and give me a new route.

I have not used the MP3 yet, but I plan on loading songs soon.

Great new product!

The locater and maps are quite accurate and I was pleased that they included new roads. Directions were direct and precise, and the voice prompts provided clean instructions and correct distances before required turns. If you deviate from the intended route, the device immediately calculated a new course. The settings are functional and easy to adjust. I especially enjoyed the point of interest software, which easily directed me to nearby attractions, shopping, restaurants, etc. I have not used the MP3 player but plan to. The companion road atlas and trip planner are useful. Overall, I liked the system.

Simple set up and ready to use right outside the box! I loved the multi-destination feature...quick and easy to input. I'm on the road a lot with multiple appointments, I simply enter everything in before I leave and let the GPS unit do the rest. In addition, I haven't lost a signal yet - I previously owned a Garmin unit that always dropped its signal. This unit has always been accurate too - what more is there?

This is a great unit and a great purchase! Everyone needs one.

This is a good piece of self contained gear. I got it last week & the next day went off to a meeting taking place more than a hundred miles away in a remote area of a native american reservation. This GPS gave me accurate guidance the whole way, including when I drove off the preferred road to explore a by-way -- it recalculated the route instantly & let me use back roads as I wished. Set up was easy and intutive. This is my fourth gps unit over the years -- I started with one of the old green magellen units. I know there are gps devices with lots more bells & whistles, but this just helps me find out where I am going and then leaves me alone. I like that a lot.

The device is easy to use and plugs into your cigarette lighter. I have enjoyed the points of interest selection because it allows you to find nearby gas stations, ATMs, banks, and stores. It recalculates routes if you change course and allows you to navigate home by pressing "home." I've enjoyed having this GPS system in my car.

I purchased this item as a gift for my husband. His first reaction was that he didn't need it, but now he loves having it. He finds it to be very accurate. By giving him a different route to a place he regularly travels to, it cut 15 min off a 45 min.trip. He has never had one before so has nothing to compare it with, but it seems to be a great value for the price. It provides all of the necessary functions in an easy to use format. One negative is that the voice gives directions such as turn right or left, but doesn't give actual street names. However the directions are so clear that it hasn't been a problem. Another negative is that it must be connected to a power source (car battery thru the cigarette lighter) all of the time or the information programmed in by the user will be lost when the charge runs out. This means leaving it in the car all of the time at night and when it is very cold. However we have learned that there is an adapter available, sold by an electronics chain for about $30. which allows it to be kept in the house when not in use. If you don't need a lot of fancy features, this is a great buy for half the price of the more complicated ones.

When you input the address, it is very easy and quick because you could input zip code first. If you put zip code first, GPS instantly show the matching city name. Other, enen garmin, takes more time and effort to input every singly address.

I have never had a GPS before, having been intimidated by the technical know-how other units demand. But, a friend told me about this one that she had received and I thought I'd take a chance. Fortunately, I've liked it!

The Rand McNally GPS is extrememly user-friendly and has a lot of added bonus features that make it a great value! Directions were straighforward and accurate and the voice prompts were very clear and provided well enough in advance so that they were easy to follow.

I also liked the additional attractions feature-- we used it to find a restaurant while we were traveling.

Meanwhile, also having a companion map helps to provide further information.

Really like this GPS!