GPS manufacturers produce many different models, in an attempt to provide choice. Often however, the result is confusion. Hopefully, the chart below will help you plow through Magellan's choices and lineup.
Before we get into all the details, here's a brief look at the various series offered by Magellan:
- RoadMate 1200 series - This budget, entry level lineup has a 3.5" screen
- RoadMate 1400 series - Still a very basic navigator, the 1400 series bumps the screen size to 4.3"
- Maestro 3100 series - This first generation Maestro series has a 3.5" screen, but at 1.14", is fairly thick
- Maestro 3200 series - This second generation Maestro series slims down to 0.7" thick
- Maestro 4000 series - These units bump the screen size to 4.3"
Listed below are all the units reviewed so far on GPS Tracklog.
| Model | Maps | Screen size | POIs | Speaks street names | Thick- ness | Traffic | Blue- tooth | AAA TourBook | Voice commands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RoadMate 1200 | 49 states | 3.5" | 1.3M | No | 0.69" | No | No | No | No |
| RoadMate 1220 | 49 states | 3.5" | Unknown | Yes | 0.7" | Option | No | No | No |
| RoadMate 1400 | U.S. | 4.3" | 1.3M | No | 0.73" | No | No | No | No |
| RoadMate 1412 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.73" | No | No | No | No |
| RoadMate 1440 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | Unknown | Yes | 0.7" | Option | No | Yes | No |
| RoadMate 1470 | U.S. Canada | 4.7" | Unknown | Yes | 0.7" | Option | No | Yes | No |
| Maestro 3100 | 49 states | 3.5" | 750K | No | 1.14" | No | No | No | No |
| Maestro 3140 | U.S. Canada | 3.5" | 4.5M | Yes | 1.14" | Option | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maestro 3200 | 49 states | 3.5" | 1.3M | No | 0.7" | No | No | No | No |
| Maestro 3210 | U.S. Canada | 3.5" | 6.0M | No | 0.7" | No | No | Yes | No |
| Maestro 3250 | U.S. Canada | 3.5" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.7" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maestro 4000 | 49 states | 4.3" | 1.6M | No | 0.8" | No | No | Yes | No |
| Maestro 4040 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 4.5M | Yes | 0.8" | Option | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maestro 4050 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 4.5M | Yes | 0.8" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maestro 4200 | 49 states | 4.3" | 1.3M | No | 0.7" | No | No | No | No |
| Maestro 4250 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.7" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maestro 4350 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.7" | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maestro 4370 | U.S. Canada | 4.3" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.7" | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maestro 4700 | U.S. Canada | 4.7" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.6" | Option | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maestro 5310 | U.S. Canada | 5.0" | 6.0M | Yes | 0.79" | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Model | Maps | Screen size | POIs | Speaks street names | Thick- ness | Traffic | Blue- tooth | AAA TourBook | Voice commands |
- Maps - Where it says 49 states, the pre-loaded maps include the entire U.S. except for Alaska.
- POIs (Points of Interest) - I recommend getting a unit with at least 4.5 million. Here's a post for further reading on points of interest (POIs).
- Speaks street names – Formally known as text-to-speech, this function allows the device to call out the name of the street for upcoming turns, so you’ll hear "approaching right turn, Maple Street" instead of just "approaching right turn." A very helpful feature.
- Live traffic – A nice feature that isn’t quite ready for prime time. Expect lots of inaccurate reports as well as incidents that aren’t reported. Delivered over FM, this service is available in certain metropolitan areas -- a coverage chart is available on Magellan's website.
- Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use – Another nice idea, though sound quality often leaves something to be desired. Here is a list of supported phones.
- AAA TourBook - Rates five categories (accommodations, restaurants, destinations, attractions and events), and provides detailed information. For restaurants these include types of cuisine, description, hours of operations, parking/credit cards accepted, ratings and cost. The AAA roadside assistance screen shows phone numbers for AAA roadside assistance and membership enrollment, and some basic information about your current location.
- Voice commands – Too bad it doesn't work that well. For one that does, check out my Garmin nuvi 880 review.
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