Magellan RoadMate 700 Portable GPS Navigator

The Magellan RoadMate 700 offers a powerful dash-mounted navigation tool with turn-by-turn voice prompts, making it easy to get to new and unfamiliar locales anywhere in the lower 48 U.S. states and Canada (For a fee it can be loaded European maps using the Magallen web site and the included USB connection cable). It also features a bright color TFT LCD screen (2.25 by 3 inches), touchscreen input, WAAS reception (for 3-meter accuracy), and multiple ways to select your route and then view it on screen.

True View 3D navigation shows you the actual road layout.

The RoadMate 700 is one of the few GPS devices that's ready to go as soon as it's unpacked. Its whoppingly huge 20 GB internal hard drive comes preloaded with detailed road maps for all of the U.S. and the southern (most populated) section of Canada, so you won't have to fiddle with selecting map regions from a CD-ROM and having to transfer the data from a PC. If you keep your addresses on a PDA with IrDA capabilities then you'll enjoy the RoadMate's ability to upload the addresses wirelessly and point you right to your destination. In fact each of the 3 profiles that the unit keeps track of is allotted space for 100 addresses, making a total of 300 addresses available. Of course the most important address, home, can always be accessed with just a few clicks and from any menu and the RoadMate 700 will guide you back with ease.

You can also choose a map view, or the maneuver list.

Quickly locate points of interest and amenities along your route.

But the RoadMate 700 shines as a virtual co-pilot. During our tests, it consistently acquired a satellite lock quickly (within a minute) and displayed our current position. From there, we searched through the vast library of POIs (points of interest) to find our destination (Seattle's baseball stadium). The RoadMate 700 has four different modes of getting you to your destination--shortest route, shortest distance, least use of freeways, and most freeways. Selecting shortest route got us to this venue using very practical directions that weren't far off from what we normally would choose.

If you're traveling to a destination that's not a widely known POI (such as a friend's home), no problem. You can enter the exact address into the RoadMate 700--using the touchscreen to tap letters and numbers into several search screens--to have it create a route. (You can also save 100 destinations in the address book.

QuickSpell minimizes typing.

Overall, we were quite thrilled with the RoadMate 700's features: the color screen was bright and readable even in direct sunlight and the voice prompts were clear and not distracting to our driving. Best of all, the UI (user interface) screens are easy to navigate and--thanks to its large hard drive and map database--it's ready to go as soon as you open the box. While the price is not for the faint of heart, it will be a very valuable tool for many drivers (from business folk to parents) who need to get to unfamiliar locations quickly and smoothly. -- Agen G.N. Schmitz

What's in the Box:
RoadMate GPS, a windshield suction cup mount, a 12V DC vehicle power adapter, 110V AC power supply, USB data cable, universal cradle and a user's manual. Unit always ships with most current firmware.

Product Description
Imagine having a personal assistant in your car, guiding you turn by turn, with a friendly voice and visual signals, even when you don't know the address. That's exactly what you get with the Magellan RoadMate 700 portable GPS Auto Navigation System. Forget about sorting through large folding paper maps or taking the time to print out Internet directions. With a built-in map database of the entire U.S. and Canada there's no need to download mapping information from your computer. Simply turn it on, select a destination using the latest in full-color, touch screen technology or the dynamic backlit keypad and within seconds you're on your way.Built on the famous Magellan technology found in the Hertz NeverLost system, proven and road-tested by over 4 million drivers, the Magellan RoadMate 700 makes your driving adventure easier and more enjoyable.Lightweight and truly portable, the Magellan RoadMate 700 goes wherever you go, from your personal vehicle to your business car, to your RV.The Magellan RoadMate 700 has over 2 million points of interest built-in, making it easy to find your destination quickly and easily. Search by name or category for gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, sights, amusements and more, whether you're driving cross-country or to an unfamiliar address across town.The Magellan RoadMate 700 is ready-to-go, right out of the box, putting the convenience of a personal assistant and the accuracy of vehicle navigation literally at your fingertips.Turn it on and go!