Compare Prices on Magellan Maestro 4050
Do you really need a GPS intention?? If you are reading this review the respond is probably yes.
We have weak them for a number of years and I'm now at the point where I wonder how we ever got along without one. No more trips to the computer for confusing Mapquest directions or frantic searches to earn the car atlas after a disagreeable turn. Both facts leading to a distinguished reduction in "marital moments."
I could give many examples where GPS has "saved the day". Here is a unique one:
This summer my wife and our three diminutive children traveled from Chicago to South Dakota for a wedding (I had to work) . Like many rural wedding, each share of the event was in a different station. The church was in one town, the reception in another and their hotel in a third. After the wedding she wanted to visit cousins on their farm in Southern Minnesota, followed a finish in the Twin Cities. Lastly, she was going to go to Northern Minnesota to expend some R-n-R at a lake cabin.
The night before the gigantic stagger I added all of the addresses in our GPS unit. I then labeled them: church, reception, hotel, farm, Twin Cities, cabin. Now all she had to do is press the honest address and go. No worries about missing a turn or taking the rotten road, even on a pitch unlit rural night. If she decided to change her plans the Magellan would grasp care of it. GPS units figure out the route from where you are to your dwelling, something Mapquest can't do. The peace of mind that the Magellan gave both of us was worth its catch mark alone.
I have to snort you that even a basic GPS unit could have done the above routing task. In fact, for most people, a basic unit is all that they need. However, sometimes you want something more. Does the Magellan Maestro 4050 impart this "more? " Read on to gather out!
Unit Overview
The Magellan Maestro 4050 is really an evolution of the celebrated Road Mate series. However, there are many famous improvements. First is the fact the 4050 has a mammoth 4.3" shroud. Although the typical 3.5" mask would work heavenly, I like the larger conceal as I suffer from FFS or Chubby Finger Syndrome. A bigger veil gives me a bigger on-screen keyboard when typing in an address. This results in less error and less growling on my fragment.
The icons have also changed with this series and now they have a friendlier, more polished witness. The Maestro units exhaust the very approved (and highly sensitive) SiRF star III GPS chipset which acquires signals rapidly. Like other Magellan units, the underlying OS is Windows CE. The Maestro also has a built in battery that should allow a couple of hours of utilize. This would design it possible to exhaust the unit outside of the car for a short period.
Routing
In my notion, routing is the most notable function of any GPS unit. Magellan units, in general, have always had suitable routing engines and the Maestro is no different. The maps on my unit are dated from behind 2006 and so they are handsome fresh.
Adding an address (or intersection) is a snap. Older Magellan units (like the Roadmate 300 series) ask for a street first. When you added a popular street name like "River" or "Washington" you were forced to remove from a dozen or more choices ("North River," "River Drive," River Road," etc.) . Later models, including the Maestro series ask for the city first eliminating a lot of confusion. It is fabulous what a simple change can do to create a product more useable. Thanks Magellan!
I had no problems entering addresses, even difficult ones that have confused other units. I mediate that this is in section due to the fact that the maps are newer and therefore, more just. Magellan units always ask for your route preference ("shortest time," "least exercise of expressways," etc) . Many other units require that you dig into menus and sub-menus to do this which often causes undesirable results. For instance, when traveling in a city during urge hour it may be easier to assume regular roads in lieu of expressways. Since the Magellan always asks routing preferences this is easy to carry out.
Naturally, it is very easy to exclude a particular street or routing direction (perhaps you know that street is under construction) . You can also route up to up to 20 different locations using the "slouch planner" option. The Maestro will then "optimize" the list for you making the move more efficient. This option would be mountainous for a delivery driver who has to recede to multiple locations on his route. The Maestro also tells you what side of the street your destination is on. Surprisingly, many other brands do not. Luminous what side of the street your destination is on can be really necessary, especially if it is on a busy, multi-lane street.
The unit can exhibit method data either as 3D ("bird's explore concept") or in a venerable 2D intention concept. It will automatically switch to a nighttime draw at night. I really like the fact that Magellan products always give you a certain indication what direction you are traveling by placing your direction directly on the cover. This is distinguished more convenient than using a "north pointing" arrow which other units have.
The Maestro is very honorable at giving your multiple, sure, auditory and visual indicators of your next maneuver. I have faded other units (the Mio note) where I couldn't even figure out what the maneuver icon was telling me (it looked like a letter from the Klingon alphabet) . This has never happened using Magellan units (and I have veteran them for years) .
A really useful feature on Magellan units is the "locate" key. This function tells you were you are, the closest heinous streets and even a computer generated address (when possible) . When you are on an expressway it will remark you the last and next exits and their distance. The locate button is really useful if you ever need roadside assistance (or when you unbiased want to know where the heck you are) .
The Maestro also has a "detour" function. If you are traveling on highway at lower than expected speeds, the Maestro will ask you if you want to catch a detour. If you agree you can determine the length of the detour in miles. The Maestro will then catch you off the highway for the designated number of miles and return you befriend afterwards. Big if an accident is up ahead.
The Maestro features text to speech (or TTS) which will give your specific verbal directions, like street names. Professional reviewers appreciate this feature. I mediate it is handsome chilly, but units that don't have this function are perfectly useable too.
Like other Magellan units, the Maestro is fine at recalculating your route where you go off course. If it can calculate a route based on the fresh road that you are on, it will do so. Other brands can sometimes allege that you need to win their current calculated route and they will convey you to "turn around" or "beget a U turn" when you don't have to.
POI Data Base
If the heart of a GPS unit is its routing engine, its soul is its POI Data snide. Virtually all GPS units have such a data nasty and virtually all have inaccuracies and omissions. With that said, using a POI data spoiled can really enhance your slide. I assume the Maestro has the best POI data defective ever. It feels like the programmers were thinking of me when they designed it.
First, you have a standard POI data evil, but it is vast at 3.5 million entries. Even more principal, it is reasonably unique. I didn't salvage stores that had closed years ago as I have in other systems (including some older Magellans) . The data horrible is very extensive covering tons of categories beyond core POIs (gas stations, auto services, ATMs, hotels, restaurants) . There are many categories perfect for people like me, who go on family car trips. Campgrounds, grocery stores, pharmacies and even veterinarians are listed (to name a few) . When appropriate, a general category will offer subcategories. For instance, the grocery category includes grocery stores, specialty food stores, convenience stores and Liquor stores. Stores like Target and Wal-Mart are typically under represented on many GPS units, but well listed on the Maestro. I was able to come by both when searching locally. The standard POI data faulty not only gives you distance but also direction from your plot (some other brands do not) . It may be easier to go to a store that is 20 miles ahead rather than backtracking 10 miles. Naturally, you can not only search from your new residence but you can also search around another address/city, like your destination. Perfect if you have to reserve a hotel room.
Many Magellans, including the Maestro have a novel and useful feature called "exit POIs." When you are on an expressway you can search for core POI services at upcoming exits. The Maestro will affirm you the distance to the exit and the core services available (like gas) . Touching the gas icon will then allow you to study at the various choices for that category (like Shell or Mobile) . Since it only gives you services around the exits, the "exit POI" function can be extremely useful when traveling.
The 4050 also has the AAA Tour Book built in. This is a unbelievable resource that combines the power of GPS state with tour book data. Now, when you view for a restaurant, you not only glean a name but a detailed description, plus a rating. The AAA Tour Book gives information on rated hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, popular auto repair shops and other information like special events that may be happening in a particular residence. You also rep a phone number so you can originate your reservation. The Tour book will also lisp you if you can earn an AAA discount (for AAA members) . It is a really incredible and modern resource. No other GPS manufacturer has it.
In addition to all of this, you can add custom POI databases that you beget or download from the internet (there are hundreds available) . For instance, if you like drive-in movies, you can salvage a POI data nefarious for this. Then when you are on vacation a simple search will insist you the closest one. Custom POI data bases are little to 5000 entries per data irascible (although the number of data bases that you can have are unlimited) . Custom data bases typically include a name and a computer generated address. In most cases this is enough, but it would be nice to have an additional data field for a phone number. I believe Custom POI data bases are very useful. However, the fact that the Maestro has an satisfactory general POI data inferior as well as the kindly AAA tour book makes it less likely that you will need to spend them.
Fluff and Stuff
GPS units are basically computer running an OS (often Windows CE or Linux) . Because of this it is very easy to add extras like a calculator or basic MP3 player. The Maestro does not have any of these extras. This is attractive with me. If I need a calculator I'll assume one at the dollar store for a buck rather than risking dropping an expensive GPS unit.
Traffic
The 4050 comes with a traffic receiver and a 3 month trial subscription for traffic data. The traffic receiver picks up digital data from local FM broadcasters (broadcast on a "hidden" subcarrier signal) . The Maestro can alert you to road problems ahead and then route around them. Graceful frigid...but. Traffic information is only available in about 50 cities across the US and only on the major expressways. Don't forget you can earn the same information for free by listening to the traffic describe on the radio.
If you often go to the center of major cities you may accumulate this feature fine. Otherwise, go for one of the Maestro units that have the traffic receiver as an option and place a few bucks.
Bluetooth
OK I admit it, Bluetooth is a attractive wintry and useful feature. It allows me to connect my Treo 700 series phone to the Maestro wirelessly. With this connection I can acknowledge and spot calls directly from the Maestro, using it like a speaker phone. If I pick up a hotel in the POI data unfriendly I can directly phone for a reservation by pressing a single button on the Maestro without ever having to lift my phone out of its holster, suitable!
Although there is a Bluetooth standard, Bluetooth is not standardized. Therefore, accomplish distinct your phone is listed on the Magellan website to get determined that it will work with the Maestro.
Voice Command
Cool, but not ready for prime time. With yell remark you can actually give verbal commands to the Maestro. My unit is kind of deaf and requires multiple attempts before it asks me for "my express". Although the list of commands is diminutive, some are quite useful. Unfortunately, you can sometimes gain ridiculous results. Once when asking the Maestro to secure me "quickly food" it said, "did you say Jewish food? "
Conclusion
I mediate the Maestro 4050 is a wonderful unit with features that are original and that definitely site it apart from other competing brands. The programmers that designed the Maestro seem to have read my mind. Marvelous, easy to utilize routing combined with a really wonderful and original dwelling of POI data bases. Come perfection for the traveler!
PS...If you want to build some cash you could also contemplate the Maestro 3140. It has a smaller cloak and it is absent of some features like Remark reveal but it smooth has all of the enormous stuff for hundreds less.
Since the maps and GPS chip in this model are the same as the Garmin NUVI 660 what sets them apart feature wise is the 4050s AAA database, and its' assert control (which isn't as useful as you'd mediate) --and the Nuvi's MP3/Picture player/Calculator/etc. Since the unit is likely destined to sit on your run and help as a GPS, the Garmin's features don't strike me as sincere incentives either.
What you accumulate here is a robust, and solidly built unit with a strong mount, loud and distinct explain, and responsive touch veil. by disagreement the Garmin disclose seemed quiter, and the overall effect quality left me wanting more. The Garmin feels flimsy. the Magellan is built like a tank.
The unit gets strong signals even indoors, and the routing engine is very lickety-split. It re-routes off course in only a few seconds, and the POI database paired with the AAA database is a Mountainous plus. The traffic feature is actually lovely elegant, and useful if you drive at different times of the day.
Also, everything is self contained in the
I had no danger connecting my Motorola SLVR to the Blue Tooth receiver, and the POIs have phone number attached that can automatically be dialed. If you are a AAA member th choice is a no brainer. to be able to search for restaurants, car rentals, hotels, etc. that give AAA members discounts is awesome. objective search your station and hold your common to route too.
There is no perfect GPS though. A couple of times the sing sounded gurgly (probably a CPU overload) and the declare assert feature takes a few trieds to hear you sometimes. Unlike the other reviewer I have never had the order recognition near on unless I directly addressed it.
After a fling to LA and using Hertz neverlost we were clear to secure a GPS. While the Neverlost was bulletproof, this GPS feels the closest to it. The Garmin looks splendid too, it fair feels a itsy-bitsy lacking in quality and the blutooth/traffic receiver being in the lighter bothered me. Also, the mount is smaller, so for those of you who drive a truck the GPS might honest be out of come with the Garmin.
EDIT - Unprejudiced wanted to add that this thing caluclates time almost exactly. I have yet to approach at any destination more than 5 minutes (more or less) off from the 4050s estimates. Considerable!
June 12, 2007
I have obsolete portable GPS units for some time, namely my dilapidated Garmin 2720, which has been a trouper over the years. The biggest quandary was when we updated the software, and Garmin stopped getting satelite reception whenever it was turned off. This could be quite annoying, with the only solution being to narrate Garmin that you were not in the status you were actually in, so it would utilize a wider search pattern. Because of this terrible experience, and noticing prices were remarkable cheaper now, I went with a different note, and tried what I idea was top of the line.
The Maestro met all my initial expectations. It linked up with satelites like a flash even when I was surrounded by spacious buildings. The maps seemed more updated than the updated Garmin way I was using. The diagram style was improved over Garmin, and the detail level better. You could have POI's expose up on the blueprint, even if you were not routing to them. The enlighten prompting was great better, and had more customization (not dispute but what information is communicated) than Garmin. The turns were described better (not everything is left and just some you hold on the highway you are on) and pictures described the turns as well. All the basic things were better.
Then there was the insist recognition.
The whine recognition comes on all the time, even though it is only supposed to approach when you say Magellan. When it does, you can unbiased say execute, but the popup is annoying. And if you verbally abolish route, it does not default abet to the procedure. There are not a lot of affirm drawl options either. A lot of time the yell recognition stops responding, and will only inaugurate up again when you 'reset' the diagram. Overall, you objective want to cessation up the microphone with a wad of bubblegum.
And then I saw an add for this same model (in Bright Home I reflect) which mentions an mp3 player, which my machine does not have. Which I conception it might, since it has a slot for an SD card.
This machine is handsome in the basics, but the rest is fair messed up. I am hoping to secure a software update to glean the kinks ironed out of this one.
July 10, 2007 UPDATE...
Well, understanding I might add a few updates to this review, as it takes a while to fully test a GPS unit, especially one that is quite loaded with features. So, let me fair say that there is Detached no official update to the software on this unit, which I purchased on memorial day, and I rep this a bit surprising. I drawl they are trying to accept a fix-all patch, or a combo firmware software update. If they ever do fetch a fix, I feel I owe it to you to let you know if they have it and how well it works...
Address/POI routing: Most attempts have been fine cessation(I usually utilize the address, not POI's), but the ones that are off might be off MORE than 1 block (happened at least four times to me) . One time, when I POI routed to Radio Shack, Magellan told me it was five miles north of Shawnee. I found a natural gas well at the true space it routed me to. But collected, overall, heavenly helpful with address routing.
POI's: Mostly unique, but some quite out of date, and it seems to be missing some places I would put a question to (like Bass Pro Shop, and Abuelo's in OKC) .
Traffic updates: Coverage is very sparse (say it microscopic to interstates in Oklahoma City), but I have not been routed to a major construction delay. I have, however, been routed to a 10 mile stretch of construction on I-35, but it did not point to to be considerable of a delay. Now, you could call that failure of the system, or you could say that the traffic update was geared towards traffic DELAYS. I don't know what to acquire of it.
08/01/07 Update
Miscellaneous Weirdness: Interupting the power while routing can cause catastrophic reboot. Basically what happens is if your DC car outlet switches off with your engine, and you happen to finish for gas while you are routing, it can cause problems. You might query this, and it was a true pickle with my older unit because it took some time to relocate the satelites. In general, relocating the satelites is not a plight this unit, and you can interupt the power on the unit any time and initiate up again while routing without a jam. In fact, since it has a battery, when the power is interupted it goes into a 30 second countdown if you want it to go into sleep mode. Yet, on at least four occassions, I have had a scrape with the unit under power interuption circumstances. Basically, it wont reach befriend on. Normally, when you restart the power, it comes out of sleep mode, but on these occassions, even when I have double checked the power connections on both ends of the cord, the unit does not power up. When the power button is held for a few seconds (the normal contrivance of powering up the unit), the unit does not power up. When the button is held for longer than a few seconds, the unit does not power up. Only after the button is pressed several times for extended periods of time does the unit power up. And then, when it does, it shows a progress bar, which indicates that it has rebooted. The routing is not reset however. I have not tried the reset button, however, although it has occurred to me to try it next time...
Till later then...
