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| Magellan RoadMate 300 GPS Portable Navigator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Magellan
Category: CE
List Price: $349.99
Buy Used: $75.00
You Save: $274.99 (79%)
Used (5) from $75.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 10599
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Tracks: 20
Batteries Included: No
Native Resolution: 320 x 240
Includes MP3 Player: 0
Shipping Weight (lbs): 9999
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 7.8 x 3.5
Array:
MPN: 980668-02
Model: 980668-02
UPC: 763357109337
EAN: 0763357109337
ASIN: B0002Y22VE
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 denisewalks July 28, 2005
We decided to get the Magellan 300 because it had all of the features we wanted without shelling out the $400 more for the 700 model. We weren't dissapointed in our decision.
Like the directions say, the GPS took about 30 minutes to find us the first time we used it. After that, it has only taken a few seconds for it to locate us. The most it has ever taken has been about 20 seconds.
The first week we got the GPS, we did run into some trouble with the model not being able to pick up a signal. A call to Magellan customer support solved the problem quickly. The customer service rep was very helpful and walked me through the steps needed to fix whatever went wrong.
I would read the features of both the 300 and the 700 before deciding an which model to buy. The 300 fits my needs just fine. I do a lot of driving to different addresses every day and the 300 has never sent me astray. In fact, it has often given me even better directions (quicker routes) than the ones I was using before.
Useful with few inconveniences July 25, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Useful out of the box. Recognizing the signal for the first time took 15 min. Afterwards, it took less than a minute. The touch screen input and voice prompts are good. The unit mount is sturdy.
Here are the inconveniences:
Sometimes the directions are like alternate routes rather than the actual route.
No battery. So, you cannot use it as a personal navigator.
The address lookup is by street rather than zip or city.
The Magellan Manager software doesn't recognize the unit, if there is a SD card in it (unnecessary restriction).
A Must Have for this Cable Installer July 25, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
That's right. I install cable TV. I'm in a different city or area of a city almost everyday. I used to spend probably about an hour or more throughout the day trying to figure out where my next appointment was, and how to get there. Not anymore. I bought the 300 a few days ago, and I don't know how I lived without it. I put it through its paces daily with 15 or more addresses. The trip planner is great! I get my workload in the morning. Spend about 10 minutes entering all the addresses into the address book, then go through my work orders and create a trip planner in the proper order. Then boom I'm off...don't have to know where I'm going...just follow the directions and I'm at the customers house. I give this unit a 4.5 out of 5. I use the "shortest route" mode a lot and noticed that it sometimes takes me past a road I could turn onto. It takes me a block or two further then back tracks a block or two. Not sure why, but when I'm in unfamiliar territory I guess backtracking 1 block is better then staring at a map for 5 minutes. If you know your area, don't be afraid to take the most direct route, or the short cuts you know. The unit is quick to re-calculate and get you to your destination. The accuracy I'd say is definitely within 30 - 50 feet, which is great when looking for addresses. When it says, "you've arrived" it's usually the next house...or driveway. I've had no problems locking onto satellites. At most maybe 2 minutes, and I do shut it down at every appointment, so it has to re-lock at start up several times throughout my day. It hasn't held me up at all while searching for satellites. If your tech or windows savvy, you'll probably pick up the interface quickly. If not then read the manual, it's really pretty intuitive, just read carefully, sometimes it asks a question differently then you assume it does. So if you hit the wrong button...well you won't get the screen you want. Just read the screen questions carefully. The touch screen is great (even for my big fingers). I do recommend the firmware upgrade available at Magellan's website under product support I think. My wife and I went house browsing today in a near by town, and this little thing was great. We were able to "window shop" about 20 houses in just 2 hours. I'm afraid I'll have to buy another one for my wife's' car now, she loved it. If you're still reading this tirade then I hope it's helped you. Now what are you waiting for? Go buy one :)
 Terrible Experience July 21, 2005
5 out of 11 found this review helpful
I live in Boston - but I'm not from Boston, and get lost more than I'd like to admit. After the last hysterical phonecall from me ("Where am I?!") my husband decided to purchase the Magellan 300 for me. It was a waste of our time, but not our money since we just returned it. The Magellan struggled to pick up a signal (like other reviewers, I want to point out that I live and drive in a major metropolitan area, so why is the signal so bad?) every time I used it; clouds and trees seem to knock out the signal entirely. What good is a a GPS system if it takes 15 minutes to find you? If you are considering purchasing a GPS system, look elsewhere.
 Great value for the price July 17, 2005
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have been using the Roadmate 300 for about one month now and really like it. I was interested in the Garmin C series but purchased the RM300 because of some added functionality, the abilty to clearly see labeled cross streets, the bright screen, the price, the shape/portability of the unit (I fly to cities and then drive -this unit fits nicely in my briefcase.)
Overall I am happy with the RM300. It generally chooses the same routes I would although occasionally chooses a round-about route. I find myself looking at the map more than I thought I would so good thing it is fairly large, bright, easy to read, and doesn't get too washed out by the sun. I also like the fact the unit shows the current street and next turn street while navigating.
There are some areas I would recommend for improvement. I would like a way to add vias or a POI stops in the middle of a route while traveling. For example, on a long trip while navigating, it would be nice to be able to look up gas stations or restaurants without exiting the existing route. You can see the POI while routing in certain map views but this isn't too effective. The maps seems to be at least 2 years or older in some cases. Also, the POI database is not very robust. Many common and long term restaurants and gas stations are missing and there are few retail stores included. Finally, the map software takes some getting used to and could be simplified, but most PC literate folks should not have a problem. Also, the unit only follows your PC created trip route if you use it as a series of shorter routes. For example, I created a route to travel on roads that the unit would not route me on by adding trip points along the way. These trips points are listed in the trip route. If you route to the final destination, the unit will try to select the route the way it is programmed to go instead on following the trip route you created.
I added a 1GB SD card and have loaded over half the states with lots of room to spare. One major concern I have read about is the time the unit takes to acquire satellites. If moving around with the unit off (like flying to another city), it is important to enter the current location as this greatly speeds up the satellite acquisition. I have not had significant problems acquiring satellites.
All in all this unit works well especially for the price.
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