The Magellan Roadmate 700 is an amazing GPS auto navigation system that’s ready for the road. Often compared to the Garmin Streetpilot, the Magellan Roadmate GPS receiver is an ideal addition to any car.
Magellan is a global leader in GPS technology and this WAAS-enabled unit sets a new standard with unmatched accuracy and extra features.
Depending on where you purchase your Roadmate, it comes equipped with a pre-loaded map and points of interest database for either North America or Europe. Magellan offers a new version of the firmware on a regular basis, to keep the database up-to-date.
Small N' Portable
The unit is very lightweight (13 oz.) and measures a mere 3.3" x 6.5" x 1.5". Thus, the Roadmate is very portable and is easy to move back and forth between vehicles. It is not designed to be a standalone handheld, though some users have rigged battery packs to allow use outside a car.All the usual accessories are available, including AC adapter, 12 V power adapter, memory cards, an external antenna, windshield mount, and swivel mount adapter. For portable use, accessories include portable dash mounts and travel carrying case. Users with multiple cars will want to purchase extra universal mounts
As you can imagine, this unit is quite expensive. Therefore, you’re advised to shop around to find the lowest price; you may find a good deal at one of the discount electronics stores.
The Pros
- Database - The Roadmate’s database beats the competition, storing 2 million (yes, that’s right, 2,000,000) points of interest.
- Ease of use - This unit has a built-in tutorial, so there’s no need to drag around the user’s manual.
- Screen clarity - The 3.8" (diag.) color screen of the Roadmate is easy on the eyes and readily adjusts to any lighting condition.
- Autonav - Just tell the Roadmate where you want to go and it will guide you there. As with all automotive navigation systems, the voice prompting allows you to keep your eyes on the road instead of reading the screen.
The Cons
- Cost - Naturally, this feature-packed device does not come cheaply. Still, it is less expensive than the factory-installed models used by most automotive companies.
- Speed - Some customer reviews have cited slow operation, particularly when it comes to screen refreshing.
Using the Magellan Roadmate 700: Some Basic Facts
A quick review of the manual will get you started with the Roadmate. It’s that easy to use. And, since it has a built-in map and database, the Roadmate is ready to use right out of the box.This unit comes with a number of handy options. For example, there are four ways to select a route. You can choose the shortest time, shortest distance, least use of freeways, or most use of freeways.
What’s more, the screens can be adjusted to suit your needs; you can select a "true" view that shows an image of the road ahead, a normal map view (that’s zoom-able), or just a detailed list of instructions guiding your turns along the way.
The Roadmate has a built-in address book that can hold up to 100 addresses per user (up to 3 users). This handy feature makes your GPS device even more useful - almost giving it a PDA quality. These addresses can be selected by the user and the unit will show you the way. (Of course you can also input addresses that you choose not to store in the address book.)
Simply put, whether you’re on a long journey into parts unknown or simply looking for the closest ATM while driving in your own hometown, this unit is a handy tool for any vehicle. Just turn it on and go.
About the Author
Janette is a hobbyist writer who enjoys using her GPS devices and educating people about GPS cell phones, Magellan GPS units, and everything GPS!