Magellan RoadMate 1470 Review

The Magellan RoadMate product line-up has been successful in serving average consumers in navigating the roads faster, safer, and easier. The success of these products were also acknowledged by frequent travelers, but none of the current models at that time had any advanced features that will interest these types of travelers.

While the Magellan Maestro may suit them better, the higher-end models cost as high as $300 and may not fit their budget very well. The recent launch of the new Magellan RoadMate 1470 answers that crowd by combining the easy features that the other models had with some premium features for a powerful navigational unit.

Magellan 1470

Magellan RoadMate 1470 GPS Navigator

Design

The Magellan RoadMate 1470 is a sleek GPS device with a very thin profile. But what separates it from the previous RoadMate models is its larger 4.7 inch touch screen display. This allows you to see more and use the zooming features without sacrificing visibility.

Interface

One you fire up the device and immediately want to locate your favorite restaurant or mall, all it takes is a single touch with the OneTouch favorites menu. The menu contains a set of your personalized bookmarks leading to your favorite places and an optional search for travelers.

Navigation

The Magellan RoadMate 1470 allows you to travel anywhere in the US, Canadian, and Puerto Rico areas. All these preloaded maps of the mentioned areas are filled with millions of points of interest including coffee shops, gas stations, ATMs, and popular restaurants. Some of the POIs have a logo representation so you can easily spot them. Even POIs near highway exits can be searched whenever necessary.

When it comes to route planning, you have a handful of options to play with. First, you can use the QuickSpell feature to find street names and cities just by typing a few of the letters. QuickSpell will do the rest by highlighting what letters to press on screen to complete the name. From there you can compare different routes to that location based on the fastest time or shortest distance. If you like or dislike freeways, you can conveniently modify your route to suit those parameters. You can even add multiple stops when big trips are needed and apply route optimization so you can save time and money.

Actual User comment:
"The NEW Magellan RoadMate 1470 offered at a price of less than $239 and is currently the best value for your dollar. This full feature Portable Navigation Device offers all the features you will need to route from point A to Point B anywhere in North America, Puerto Rico and even Mexico if you select to purchase the optional unlock code for this expandable GPS device. Magellan have introduced the most affordable full feature GPS currently available and I feel they have accomplished this successfully. " - J.Keh (San Jose, CA)

Maps can be viewed in both 2-D and 3-D modes and look gorgeous on the 4.7” display. Even when night falls, the Magellan RoadMate adjusts to that by changing the color and contrast for night readability automatically. You don’t even have to pay attention to the screen at all times thanks to the Text-to-Speech engine that says the street names for you. Problems with the lane can also be solved with the highway lane assist signs feature that helps you choose the lane ahead of time so no turns are missed.

Extra Features

When you want to find quality AAA certified restaurants and hotels, you can make use of the AAA TourBook which does the work in providing descriptions and recommendations for maximum savings. This requires registration, but it will also let you use the roadside assistance which lets you contact tow truck and repair shops while sending useful location information.

The Magellan RoadMate 1470 is currently the top of the series, yet it is only priced at $250 list. That is a wonderful deal for a feature-rich GPS device for serious travelers.

Technical Specifications

Display: Color LCD, 4.7 inch widescreen
Screen resolution: WQVGA
Antenna: Built-in
Map coverage: United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
Battery: Lithium ion
Dimensions: 5.2"(W) x 0.7"(D) x 3.3"(H)
Weight : 10.0 ounces
Expansion Slots: MicroSD card
GPS Accuracy Position: 3-5 meters
Included Software: NAVTEQ™ ON BOARD software
Voice Capabilities: Yes, navigation instructions and street name announcements
Bluetooth compatibility: No

More user reviews:

• "I've been a Magellan user for several years - have owned 4 of their GPS systems, and always appreciate how they have improved their products. This unit is my 5th, and replaces a Magellan 4040. After using it for a while I've confident in saying this is the best one yet! The most visible change is the actual size of the unit. The screen size has been increased, but the unit is thinner and lighter. Very sleek appearance, and the screen is a real joy - sharp, clear graphics even in the sun, and bigger on-screen buttons for easy use. The mounting system has also been streamlined, and looks and works well. In terms of routing, Magellan offers four options (fastest, shortest, most use of freeways and least use). You can see all four options on the map (as a summary) at the same time so you can pick the best one for your needs. Perfect!" - Comdet (USA)

• "I just received this and have traveled about 1000 miles with it on a road trip. Firstly, the actual maps and navigation prompts have been very good. I also have a Nuvi and although I like my Nuvi, this GPS model does have some advantages. The highway assists are excellent and the audible tone at turns are very good as well. The graphics are very easy on the eyes. The one touch feature is very cool! Basically, a shortcut icon that can potentially save you a lot time if you find yourself typing in the same POI constantly (Starbucks anyone?). Adding routes are easy and a nice feature that my Nuvi does not support. The unit is also very sleek and fairly portable for such a large screen." - WH (CA,USA)

Average User Rating :