Magellan RoadMate 800 Portable GPS vs. Tablet PC vs. Pocket PC and UMPC |
I’ll admit thinking about these portable GPS systems a couple times when visiting the nearest Costco. The Magellan RoadMate 800 Portable GPS ($699.95, affiliate) looks like it could be a good product.
Like any good specialized device, the Magellan focuses on doing just one thing better than the rest: telling us where to drive.
System specs
- 20 GB hard drive containing street level maps of all 50 states including Puerto Rico and Canada. Unlock maps of 27 European countries for an additional fee ().
- includes 4.5 GB user storage space for music, images
- SD or MMC card
- high resolution touch screen
- fits in any vehicle and provides verbal direction commands via windshield suction cup. Something I wondered: the voices be changed? I remember writing about Ozzy voice skins. Seems like the answer as of this writing is no, these voiceskins won’t work, but they are working on it:
We are currently in discussion with a number of manufacturers regarding the development and support of fun voices for their software.
Why not just use another, more flexible portable device?
This seem kind of pricey considering I can use my Tablet PC with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005 and GPS to emulate a lot of the same functionality. Just read that I can upgrade to Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 version for $39.95 and get voice navigation). And on a bigger screen too. The problem with this setup, however, is:
1) you need a tablet pc and those are much more expensive than $700
2) still need to buy the GPS and software separately.
3) it is not touch screen enabled (although you can buy some Tablet PCs that are touch-screen enabled)
4) Tablet needs some sort of stand to make it safe to view/use while driving (separately). I used a drum machine stand for our Relay which works ok with my M1400 tablet, but it’s a bit hokey.
UMPC or Pocket PC with GPS
When Ultra Mobile Portable Computers (UMPC) come down in price, these might rival specialized portable GPS like the Magellan. There is also the possibility of using a Pocket PC / PDA / Smartphone, but I wonder if the screen would be too small? The Magellan screen isn’t much bigger than my Pocket PC, however. Anybody reading that uses their PDA this way? Then again, add up the price of buying the PDA plus the GPS and you are at or near $700.
Parting ponders
These GPS seem useful for vacations, trips and those who spend a lot of time in the car visiting new places (like Real Estate Agents). Do any readers own one of these portable Magellan GPS? Are they worth the 700 bones plus tax? I think it might have been a little cheaper at Costco. Don’t own one? Would you consider buying one? If so, why/why not?
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I don’t have that particular Magellan unit, but I do have a Garmin one (the Nuvi). I’ve found that the fact that it’s sole purpose is navigation has meant I use it more - I had an ipaq cradle set up in the car and needed the software/hardware to use it, but never got round to buying it. It just all seemed so much trouble. But now I just slurp the Nuvi onto the windscreen and go - it’s easy enough that I can lend it to my parents, which I don’t think would be the same with an ipaq (and I wouldn’t want to lend my tc1100 out as it’s my primary computer).
While it doesn’t get used every day, the reassurance of knowing that I can get where I’m going makes a big difference - I’m now relaxed and on-time when I arrive somewhere new, rather than stressed and either massively early or running late. But then perhaps not everyone is as neurotic as I am!
Comment by Chris Davies — June 5, 2006 @ 2:10 am PST
Hi Chris - I definitely like the fact it’s specialized. I checked this model out at Costco yesterday and see that it’s 100 bones less ($599). Our windshield in our new car is too far back I think for it to be viewable with my sucky eyesight, so I’d have to put it somewhere else, maybe in the drink carrier beneath the radio. Would fit our other care pretty sweet though. Hmm … this device might have just made it to my wish list. I see they have another version with even more space, the 860T, and that comes with 10GB of user space.
It’s too bad they don’t have one of these with satellite radio built-in. Or … do they?
Comment by TDavid — June 5, 2006 @ 7:52 am PST
I’ve not heard of one with satellite radio, but then our digital radio over here (the UK) is DAB not satellite, so I probably wouldn’t know if they did.
As for your eyes, well, I find that it’s the verbal instructions that are most helpful. That and glasses!
Comment by Chris Davies — June 5, 2006 @ 11:52 am PST
Look at anywhere map. I am a pilot and bought it for use in the plane, but the street maps function works great.
Comment by Shannon — June 6, 2006 @ 3:05 pm PST
I agree with the earlier comment. I have a Garmin and I like it because it’s just for my automobile. I heard that Garmin is giving away free stuff on their blog — www.garmin.blogs.com. Maybe they’ll give away a free nuvi and then you could have the choice between it and your PC.
Comment by Andy — June 7, 2006 @ 1:43 pm PST
I travel back country often in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. A simple Gazetteer for the appropriate state gets me EXACTLY wherever I am going, without fail. For me, a GPS would merely be another toy to buy batteries for.
Comment by Duane Wood — January 1, 2007 @ 5:06 pm PST
I bought a netbook, a touchscreen kit, a bluetooth gps a stand, and the software. 300$ for all. And I can upgrade and do everything I want with the netbook. a LOT better and infinite options.
Comment by x — February 22, 2009 @ 2:36 pm PST
Today’s pocket PC’s and Tablet PC’s, even the laptops and desktops do come with an in-built satellite radio.
Comment by Simon — October 13, 2009 @ 3:47 pm PST