Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM Review

2010 has been a big year for 5-inch devices because of the usefulness of car GPS devices in general. Car GPS devices are not only reliable but highly convenient and fun to get to their favorite destinations in less time without hassle. Having a larger screen device only spells more advantages in viewing maps and browsing the interface with a tiny bit of weight added to the device. Although some people like to take their car GPS devices with them, some prefer them resting in their mounting position. The Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM is not only large but it has some great features to make it worthy of keeping for a long time.

Design

The 5.0-inch display is the real attraction here and it makes the maps much more visible. The curvy bezel adds to the aesthetics and the weight is exceptional at 6.4 ounces.

User Interface

Actual user review:
• "I never used a GPS before so I was pretty amazed at how the technology has progressed and all the features that this small device can do. Due to the review about the change in data base used in the Magellan I was very concerned but that seems to be fine at least where we live. It does beep before you turn which is very helpful. It also tells you when the turns are coming up 2 miles, 1 mile and 1/2 mile ahead of time. The "lane assist" means that it will show you the freeway exit signs that are coming up (they appear on the screen just as they do over the freeway) and which lane to get into so you are on the right road and what lane you need to be in to make the turn. You can also set it so that it will show you which exits coming up will have gas or food and the names of a few of the restaurants available. It even has phone numbers and addresses for these. We've had it for a month and other than needing to reboot it every so often it seems to be a good product. I really enjoy not having to look at a map or call a store for directions. I just enter the address and away we go." - Happy Mom (CA, USA)

Key Features

Navigation

The freebies top the list of navigation features as this is an LM device. This translates to free lifetime map updates and lifetime traffic alerts. Initially, the Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM comes with 6 million points of interest scattered across US (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, and Puerto Rico areas. Several of these points of interest can get obsolete over time while new ones may be added. Although points can be manually added, the free lifetime map updates is more convenient and they roll out four times a year. Like other Magellan RoadMate devices, the AAA TourBook guide is included to provide descriptions and ratings to AAA-approved areas.

The Lifetime Traffic Alerts populate these maps so better routes can be planned in order to minimize traffic interruptions. Magellan has a few built-in features that calculate the best route according to the shortest distance or shortest time. Lifetime Traffic Alerts is more useful when planning multiple routes using the multi-destination routing which includes optimization features to transform even the biggest routes into smooth paths.

Multi-destination routes often include highways and there are some instances where a turn needs to be made towards an exit but the driver cannot proceed because he or she is in the wrong lane. The Highway Lane Assist feature solves the problem by highlighting the lane in 3D view in advance. Important signs are also brought to the screen and look great on the 5-inch display. Before the exit is reached, drivers can perform a Highway Exit POI search to find any nearby POIs in case an emergency stop is needed.

Spoken Street Name Guidance continues to be a valuable asset to RoadMate devices including the RoadMate 5045-LM because it keeps the drivers fully focused on the road. The device will promptly voice out the instructions complete with the voice names so no turns are ever missed. In unlikely events where turns are missed, the automatic re-route feature saves some of the inconvenience by setting a quick route back to the course.

Bottom Line

There are not many 5-inch devices on the market making Magellan's offering one of the best out there. The $250 price tag may seem much compared to the entry-level GPS car units that cost almost half of this price. But remember that there are free lifetime traffic updates as well as map updates so the device should last for years without a need to upgrade.

More user reviews:

• "As the owner of an older model Magellan GPS, when it came time for us to buy a GPS unit for a Christmas present for my recently-retired father and his road trips, I knew we'd call on Magellan to fill his needs. He has used the GPS for about a month now and he LOVES IT! The interface is very clear, precise and easy to use. And the lifetime map updates and traffic information will be invaluable for his travels. In fact, he called me recently and told me about how the GPS popped-up a traffic alert about a traffic light being out a few miles down the road at a specific intersection, and it offered alternative-routing suggestions. Just to see how accurate the information was, he stayed on his preset course and eventually came up to that intersection and, sure enough, the traffic light was out. That kind of feature will be SO HELPFUL for him and any others who travel in high-traffic areas. We are incredibly pleased with our decision to purchase this model from Magellan." - mj23ChiFan (USA); Amazon Verified Purchase

• "This is the first GPS I have ever owned. I find it very east to operate and the large screen makes easy to read. I an hearing impared and the sound quality is excellent.It can be made loud and the sound is very clear. I highly reccomend this unit." - Martin D. (NJ, USA); Amazon Verified Purchase

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