Portable Nav Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad CA
Portable Nav Question
I know lots of folks use the Garmin but I was wondering if anyone has a Magellan Maestro 4040. It seems to have all the same stuff as the Garmins but I like the bigger screen (4.3). The Garmins I could find in similar price range all had the smaller 3.5 screens. I am looking for the protable device because I want the flexibilty of moving it from vehicle to vehicle. I don't seem to read much about the Magellans on this forum.
TIA
TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,666
Likes: 14
From: Mission Viejo CA
I also have the Garmin 660, but I believe it is a couple hundred $ more than the Magellan model you are asking about. I have no experience with the Magellan, but can tell you the Garmin 660 performs very well.
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 13
From: Gainesville Georgia
Garmin Nuvi 660 for me, it performs xcellently getting me from point A to point B and back. However, UPS is taking it on Monday back to Garmin in Olathe, Kansas where it will be replaced with a new unit. The voice/sound on my 660 has become garbled and the bluetooth connection with my cell phone is sporadic at best. I called Garmin and a lady named Cheri helped me out and after listening to the sound of the unit over the phone determined I needed mine replaced. Guess I bought a lemon. By the way, this unit's in store price was $900 at Circuit City where I got it for their online price of $800. A few days after I purchased it my wife saw it at Sam's Club for $748. I went back to Circuit City and they matched the Sam's price. Before 30 days after buying the unit I was in Sam's again and saw the price had dropped even further to $600, back I went to C City and again got another price match. I hear that the new Nuvi 680 is similar to the 660 but has 2 features that the 660 doesn't. Something about the 660 one should be aware of, I've been told not to lose the power cord, it'll cost me $200 to buy a new one.
Last edited by Atomic Orange; Jul 7, 2007 at 12:41 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 74
From: St Pete Beach FL
I know lots of folks use the Garmin but I was wondering if anyone has a Magellan Maestro 4040. It seems to have all the same stuff as the Garmins but I like the bigger screen (4.3). The Garmins I could find in similar price range all had the smaller 3.5 screens. I am looking for the protable device because I want the flexibilty of moving it from vehicle to vehicle. I don't seem to read much about the Magellans on this forum.
TIA
TIA
The Magellans are catching up with Garmin, but they still have a gap to go. Garmin tends to have the most updated maps, as well as the best software. With a Garmin, you do not need a book and mine (Zumo for a bike) rarely is ever makes a mistake. I am on my 3rd portable (as well a 4th in a car, gadget freak) and the current Garmins are the best. And yes, that includes the Vette Nav, BMW Nav, and the Pioneer AVIC
As a note, while the wide screen does look nice, it is really of limited value. The routing keeps up with where/when to turn, and on a well done system like Garmin you rarely need to glance at what is ahead---should not need to be watching the street 4 blocks parallel to your travel, just in front.
There have been a few recent tests in magazines etc on current Navs, and the Magellans tends to be 3rd or worse. The real competitor to Garmin is the Tom Tom. From everything I've found, the Tom Tom is as good or better in Europe, but the Garmins wins in the states.
A fair review can be found at http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/04/r...estro_4040.php . It should be noted, he is comparing to an erlier Garmin Nuvi -- mine recalculates routes very quickly
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 74
From: St Pete Beach FL
All of the Garmins are top choice. With the 350 you do not have a wide screen and a few high end features that you may not use )FM modulator, nav traffic (an upgrade on even the high units)---but you do have a top notch NAV system. A friend of mine bought a 350 two months ago and LOVES it. Suggest you search on line for a price (pricegrabber.com is a good source), and let that narrow the field. The 350 is great, but you might find the next up unit for little more
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad CA
All of the Garmins are top choice. With the 350 you do not have a wide screen and a few high end features that you may not use )FM modulator, nav traffic (an upgrade on even the high units)---but you do have a top notch NAV system. A friend of mine bought a 350 two months ago and LOVES it. Suggest you search on line for a price (pricegrabber.com is a good source), and let that narrow the field. The 350 is great, but you might find the next up unit for little more
Might that next one up be the Nuvi 360? I found it for $430. Still a little more than I really wanted to spend. I prefer the body size and shape of the Nuvis (and the Magellans). I can't understand why I can't find one without the useless (to me) MP3 player and crap like that.
Also, I wonder how good the speakers in these things are? Do you have to drive around without the radio on the hear them?
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