GPS 4.3" Widescreen

[Pete Masterson]

I  have a Magellan Roadmate 3050. It's satisfactory as GPS devices go... The maps are sometimes not as up-to-date as I'd like, but I suspect that's a problem with any brand. (The caution is, take the advice of the GPS with a grain of salt, but watch the highway signs to make sure there hasn't been a change. Most problems I've had with mis-direction appears to have occurred where freeway ramps were rebuilt sometime in the past couple of years (based on the "new looking" concrete/pavement, etc.).

However, the Magellan customer service leaves a LOT to be desired. After a year of ownership, (and having had the GPS 'freeze up' due to location/map discontinuities), I decided to update the maps. This required getting a CD and installing new maps in the GPS memory. Magellan had the most difficult, annoying customer service system. You had to "prove" you owned one of their GPS by providing serial numbers just to buy the $#@^ map CD. When I attempted to make the purchase on their web site, it gave me an error message (turned out the site was being "updated") and then the web site delivered a message "If you're having difficulty ordering, please call this number: 800 xxxxx". When I called the number -- and went through the irritating series of press this and press that and waiting and waiting, I finally got a resident of Bangalore who barely spoke  English. I was informed that they were not allowed to take payment information and could not place the order.

Several days later, I had to go through and repeat the online order process (the ONLY way to order) and FINALLY, I was able to successfully order the Update CD. Once received the CD required more hoops to go through to ensure that I was not "stealing" the data (enter the serial number of my unit AND a code number from the invoice). 

I will never buy anything from Magellan ever again. I suggest others do likewise. Go with the Garmin Nuvi -- but make sure that it is compatible with your computer, if you ever wish to interface with it or update your maps.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On the road at Carlsbad, NM

On Nov 28, 2008, at 9:51 PM, George Burke wrote:

I am looking at giving my self a early Xmas gift,(Guy code for I don't want the wife to Know about this just Yet). I have narrowed it down to the Garmin Nuvi 205W, and the Magellan Roadmate 1412. I like the 4.3" wide screen on these units, and they are currently on sale at roughly $150. The Magellan has maps of the U.S. and Canada, while the comparable Garmin only covers the lower 48 + Hawaii & P.R. Both carry a 1 Yr. P&L warranty. Would like to hear from any of you who own one or more of these things. Need input on the pluses and minuses of both units. If you had a bad experience with one or the other, would love to hear how either of these companies took care of you. Thanks, George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte