Magellan RoadMate 2055 Review

A GPS device that is optimized for car usage that costs $200 is neither expensive nor cheap. It is a device that falls in the midrange which means that users should expect a diverse assortment of features. This makes it difficult to make a good choice especially since some feature-rich devices lack on some of the things that matter most like accuracy and interface. Some may even encounter some of the all-around Magellan Maestros at this price point leaving these users with even more options in front of them. However, the Magellan RoadMate has an identity of its own with a unique blend of features without exceeding the $200 barrier.

Magellan RoadMate 2055 GPS Navigator

Design

Magellan successfully brings thinness and curves to their 2010 family of RoadMate devices. The Magellan RoadMate 2055 sports advantages on all fronts as it weighs a bit less than the older models and the curvy thin look definitely impresses and does not look like a cheap entry-level device. The 4.3" is a good choice for a size because it still makes the device portable and users can still carry it with one hand and mount it easily to the windshield.

User Interface

There are hardly any changes as far as the interface is concerned but that is a good thing because previous devices had positive reception over the simple interface by consumers. Even the users of Maestro models should have no problems in operating the device out of the box.

Magellan's OneTouch Menu

The interface puts the most important features up front starting with the new OneTouch Favorites Menu that puts all of the favorite points of interests and destinations in one very convenient grid of icons. Several icons are already placed in the menu by default such as "Home", "Gas", and "Emergency". The rest of the locations are user-assignable so that any favorable location whether it is local or remote may be added to this favorite menu. Appropriate icons can be assigned for easy touch access where the route is calculated automatically after an icon is chosen.

The QuickSpell feature is still a solid alternative in quickly making a route if the destination isn't found in the favorites menu. Users can type in a destination by touching the letters on screen just like any other GPS device. But the QuickSpell feature highlights any letters that can be pressed to finish up a known location. Even if the word is not completely spelled, a list of possible locations appears for quicker entry.

Navigation Features

The navigation features are a bit more in-depth than the cheaper Magellan devices which are welcome for people that spend a lot of time on the road. Getting real-time traffic information is important for people that need to arrive at a certain destination on a specific time. Fortunately, the RoadMate 2055 offers these traffic alerts without the need for a subscription and more importantly without a charge. This along with the 6 million points of interest preloaded in US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii maps make route planning very flexible. For advanced route planning, the multi-destination routing can fine tune the route by configuring multiple stops in sequence. This feature is ideal for situations where automatic route planning is undesirable. Drivers can rely on the accuracy of the RoadMate 2055 both day and night since the display automatically adjusts the contrast for suitable night driving.

The Magellan RoadMate 2055 is an ideal choice for highway driving because the Highway Lane Assist and Highway Exit POI Search work nicely together. The High Lane Assist activates whenever a route involves taking a critical highway exit. The feature directs the driver to the right lane in preparation for a highway exit turn. Then the driver can optionally use the High Exit POI Search to find any places to eat, get gas, or stay near the exit.

It is also very unlikely to miss turns with the RoadMate 2055 when the text-to-speech feature kicks in. It actually reads the street names out loud to avoid confusion and minimizes the need to look at the screen. The Bluetooth function also serves as an additional safety feature where drivers can make and receive phone calls without holding the handset as long as the handset has Bluetooth and is in close proximity. It can store up to 1000 phone number entries and the noise cancelling microphone performs well for a hands free setup.

Bottom Line

The $200 price tag is very reasonable for a 2010 device with all these nice features. The Free lifetime traffic updates save drivers even more money since other devices require a paid subscription that can add up to high amounts in the long run.

List Price : $179.99

Click Here For Latest Offer on Magellan RoadMate 2055
Enjoy Free Shipping & Secure Shopping