Magellan RoadMate 2035Some people that are looking for a GPS device that is under $200 may end up thinking twice since these devices often deliver the short end of the stick with minimal features. Ordinary drivers may not mind as long as they can safely reach their destinations. However, the whole purpose of getting a GPS is to have the best driving experience possible. Magellan has always been known for their budget models that may have performance issues, but the new Magellan RoadMate 2035 is hoping to change that. While it may not have as many features, it does have some useful additions making them fine replacements for the older RoadMate series. Latest Update: The
Magellan RoadMate 2035 is Now On Sale at Amazon.com
DesignThe Magellan RoadMate 2035 features a curvy bezel and adequate 4.3-inch touchscreen display for viewing maps and navigating the interface. It still maintains its thin profile and weighs just around 5.2 ounces. This makes it a good device to mount in the vehicle or carry around short distances. User Interface
The second unique user interface feature is called QuickSpell and it shows off a large QWERTY keyboard that takes up around half of the display. Users can key in any destination they like, but QuickSpell highlights the letters to guide them to spell the destination correctly. It also uses SmartCity search which suggests the complete name of the destination after a few key presses. Key Features
NavigationThe Magellan RoadMate is one of the more affordable GPS devices out there, but it is very capable with colorful graphics in both 2-D and 3-D map views. In dim conditions, the map display automatically updates using the auto night view feature which improves visibility. The other features are similar to the older RoadMate models, but the 2035 is the better choice simply because it is outfitted with the latest software and maps. It comes with preloaded premium maps right out of the box including United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico maps. The number of POIs is just about the same totaling around 6 million, but the locations are updated and cover all the maps preloaded in the device. In addition, highway exits get some special coverage as it tracks POIs in that area so planned exits can be made ahead of time. Points of interest include coffee shops, popular restaurants, ATMs, gas stations, and others. There are also some AAA-approved locations that show detailed information about these places including contact numbers for even better planning. The multi-destination routing feature makes it easy for people to plan long-term vacation trips by inserting or reordering planned routes. The estimated time that it takes to reach one point is displayed as well. Combined with the spoken street name guidance using text-to-speech technology, the driving experience is smooth as each turn calls out the street name so more focus can be made on the road. The biggest addition to the Magellan 2035 is the lifetime traffic support which gives drivers all the traffic information they need to avoid traffic jams and plan fast routes based on the current traffic conditions. No subscription is required to make use of this feature so this should save a lot of money especially since it costs less than $200. Bottom LineThe Magellan RoadMate 2035 may not have as many flashy extras as the 3000 series or Maestro models, but the affordable $169 price tag is good enough for drivers to reach their destinations faster and safer. Plus it is very accurate as a GPS device and the preloaded maps are very much up-to-date. List Price : | ||
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