I love it!!!
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...
33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Don't buy
Magellan Customer service is the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. They offer a free 30 day map update since all of their products ship with out of date maps. This would be a good thing except it is in the fine print of their products and their customer support email address that their website list is the wrong address. I had to get through to their...
Magellan Customer service is the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. They offer a free 30 day map update since all of their products ship with out of date maps. This would be a good thing except it is in the fine print of their products and their customer support email address that their website list is the wrong address. I had to get through to their customer service by posting a bad review on their website. By the time they responded my unit was beyond the 30 day limit and they refused to give me the update. This is a bad business practice. Garmin has a 60 day guarantee which is posted directly on their website in plain view.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I ordered the Magellan because 1) it was on sale, 2) I was about to take an extended road trip and thought that a GPS would come in handy. When it arrived I looked for the instruction manual. There isn't one. It comes with a CD to put in a computer and you can print your own instruction manual. You pay for a product and the company asks you to use your paper and ink to see how to use it. Well, the CD said to simply plug the unit into a 12 volt outlet and go. I took it to my car, plugged it in and got the message that the battery was at critical low level and to recharge the unit. I took it back inside, looked through the package for the charger but there wasn't one. I put the CD back on the computer and it had no mention of a charger. So I went online to Amazon and found that you have to buy a charger separately. In my experience, even cheap electronic devices usually come with a charger. So I order one and when it arrived I plugged the Magellan into the wall socket. I gave it a day and it was still at critical low level. I gave it 2 days and it was at critical low level. So I plugged it back in my car hoping it would charge up as I drove. It charged up enough to enter my destination for my trip, but upon hitting the road the unit kept shutting itself off due to a critically low level with the battery. I contacted Magellan's online support department but never recieved a response. I sought to get a replacement from Amazon and found that there were no more in stock so I got a credit to my account instead. A very disappointing experience.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
After hours of troubleshooting, following online instructions, changing USB cables, etc. I still could not connect to my PC. I then contacted "customer service". The Indian rep asked me why I wanted to connect the unit. He said forget it and just try to use the unit as-is. (It was one of those "HUH" moments) I told him that as per factory instructions the first thing a user was supposed to do is update firmware and maps. Finally he told me that my unit/ serial number was not compatible with Windows XP Pro SP3 or Vista. He told me to find a friend with a different operating system that may work. (you can't make this stuff up) :>)
Since this was an unacceptable response I wanted to escalate the problem. As many of you know, finding a stateside/ corporate contact is virtually impossible. I found a media contact in France who initially denied affiliation with Magellan. She said the name of her company just sounded like the GPS company. This was a lie since her company website had the same registered Magellan logo referencing Magellan products. Simply amazing.
Finally I was given some medium level technocrat/ managers in the US. They were completely useless suggesting that I upgrade to Windows XP Pro SP4. As most of you may know, there is no service pack 4.
Magellan horror stories abound on the web. There are many manufacturers selling GPS units. Magellan is a rogue company. They are totally oblivious to providing even the minimum level of customer service. Avoid Magellan at all cost. You will be very happy you did.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
(
Saving...
