Magellan RoadMate 700 - 3.8 in. Car GPS Receiver
- Form Factor: Fixed
- Map capabilities: Internal, Download maps
- Receiver Type: 12 Channels
- Enhanced accuracy: WAAS enabled, EGNOS enabled
- Screen Size: 3.8 in.
- GPS Type: Automobile
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How did I get along without this?
Pros
Sharp screen, accurate directions, pleasant voice, heavy duty windshield mount
Cons
No A/C or computer adaptor included, less points of interest than Garmin product
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Highly recommend. Roadmate 700 beats the Streepilot 2620 handily. I am addicted to not getting lost and learning new places to stop.
I had a chance to compare a Magellan Roadmate 700 firmware 3.20 and a Garmin Streetpilot 2620. I chose the Roadmate 700. They both have built-in hard drives that contain all of the street level mapping data, touch screens, points of interest built in, and voice instructions so you can keep your eyes on the road. I highly recommend one of these units. I have waited until now because I refuse to mess with uploading parts of the country as I need them via computer. This review will focus on contrasting the two units.
Screen: Screen size and resolution set these two units apart early on. The Roadmate has a screen size of 2.25"x 3" with beautiful "high resolution/color" screen while the Steetpilot has a screen measuring 3.3" x 1.7" with only 8bit color. The size makes a big difference when dealing with small screens. The Roadmate is 76% taller. The Streetpilot looks blurry compared to the Roadmate. The Streetpilot information panels cover up a lot mapping real estate compared to the Roadmate. You can hide it, but then you have to touch the screen to get it back.
Directions: The Roadmate is more accurate in my area. There were some roads not on the Garmin that were on the Roadmate. Magellan uses Navteq as it's map source. That is the same source used for in car systems for Volvo, Audi, Landrover, and BMW. The voice was more pleasant on the Roadmate and the "ding" at the actual point of turn on the Roadmate is comforting, especially when there is a lot of traffic and it has been a while since the last verbal direction. The Streetpilot leaves you hanging after the last prompt of 300 feet or so. There is a 3-D view on the Roadmate that is very helpful at confusing intersections and highway ramps.
Mounting: The Roadmate has gotten a black eye for the vent mount that was originally the only included option. It is confusing to use and does not work well. Magellan now includes the suction windshield mount (make sure your unit comes with one). It is heavy duty and lets you really customize the location. The Streetpilot bean-bag mount does work well, but the unit is slanted with my dashboard.
Accessories: Garmin does score points for including an A/C adaptor for indoor use, USB cable for connecting to PC, and a second option for mounting to a dashboard. The Roadmate only comes with a D/C adaptor and windshield mount and the "never should have been invented" vent mount.
Points of Interest: The Garmin wins this category hands down. They advertise 5 million points versus Magellan's 2 millions points. I test all new automotive units by how useful they are for locating the nearest Starbucks (then I actually go there). The Streetpilot found the nearest Starbucks and the Roadmate did not. Garmin also includes campgrounds and post offices which are not found in the Roadmate. Don't misunderstand. The Roadmate did contain most of the useful entries that are in the Streetpilot including my local Walmart, all the good restaurants in Fort Worth that have been here for over 1-2 years, Tourist Attractions, ATM's, groceries stores, etc. I called Magellan customer support and he said they are increasing the POI's in the yearly release, but could not be specific as to what area or how much.
Reception: The Streepilot lost reception multiple times where the Roadmate did not. Anecdotal experience? Yes, but there seems to be a trend in the reviews that the Roadmate gets better reception and holds onto it.
Data Entry: I need to mention the remote control for the Streetpilot. It allows you to enter data without leaning forward to touch the screen. Unfortunately, you have to select letters with a joystick. It is much faster to use the touch screen. It is nice for points of interest, but I found myself resorting to screen touch in combination with the remote. The remote helps to manage the smaller screen of the Streetpilot, but is just another loose object in my car. I prefer to always use the screen touch which is much easier with the larger screen of the Roadmate.
Overall, I much prefer the Magellan Roadmate 700. I really like the Garmin company, but they lose this battle. The Magellan automotive GPS has a slick interface with a beautiful screen and accurate directions. They would do well to significantly increase the number of POI's. However, I don't know how I got along without a GPS on my dash. This product will help us out until GPS units are standard in every car.
Screen: Screen size and resolution set these two units apart early on. The Roadmate has a screen size of 2.25"x 3" with beautiful "high resolution/color" screen while the Steetpilot has a screen measuring 3.3" x 1.7" with only 8bit color. The size makes a big difference when dealing with small screens. The Roadmate is 76% taller. The Streetpilot looks blurry compared to the Roadmate. The Streetpilot information panels cover up a lot mapping real estate compared to the Roadmate. You can hide it, but then you have to touch the screen to get it back.
Directions: The Roadmate is more accurate in my area. There were some roads not on the Garmin that were on the Roadmate. Magellan uses Navteq as it's map source. That is the same source used for in car systems for Volvo, Audi, Landrover, and BMW. The voice was more pleasant on the Roadmate and the "ding" at the actual point of turn on the Roadmate is comforting, especially when there is a lot of traffic and it has been a while since the last verbal direction. The Streetpilot leaves you hanging after the last prompt of 300 feet or so. There is a 3-D view on the Roadmate that is very helpful at confusing intersections and highway ramps.
Mounting: The Roadmate has gotten a black eye for the vent mount that was originally the only included option. It is confusing to use and does not work well. Magellan now includes the suction windshield mount (make sure your unit comes with one). It is heavy duty and lets you really customize the location. The Streetpilot bean-bag mount does work well, but the unit is slanted with my dashboard.
Accessories: Garmin does score points for including an A/C adaptor for indoor use, USB cable for connecting to PC, and a second option for mounting to a dashboard. The Roadmate only comes with a D/C adaptor and windshield mount and the "never should have been invented" vent mount.
Points of Interest: The Garmin wins this category hands down. They advertise 5 million points versus Magellan's 2 millions points. I test all new automotive units by how useful they are for locating the nearest Starbucks (then I actually go there). The Streetpilot found the nearest Starbucks and the Roadmate did not. Garmin also includes campgrounds and post offices which are not found in the Roadmate. Don't misunderstand. The Roadmate did contain most of the useful entries that are in the Streetpilot including my local Walmart, all the good restaurants in Fort Worth that have been here for over 1-2 years, Tourist Attractions, ATM's, groceries stores, etc. I called Magellan customer support and he said they are increasing the POI's in the yearly release, but could not be specific as to what area or how much.
Reception: The Streepilot lost reception multiple times where the Roadmate did not. Anecdotal experience? Yes, but there seems to be a trend in the reviews that the Roadmate gets better reception and holds onto it.
Data Entry: I need to mention the remote control for the Streetpilot. It allows you to enter data without leaning forward to touch the screen. Unfortunately, you have to select letters with a joystick. It is much faster to use the touch screen. It is nice for points of interest, but I found myself resorting to screen touch in combination with the remote. The remote helps to manage the smaller screen of the Streetpilot, but is just another loose object in my car. I prefer to always use the screen touch which is much easier with the larger screen of the Roadmate.
Overall, I much prefer the Magellan Roadmate 700. I really like the Garmin company, but they lose this battle. The Magellan automotive GPS has a slick interface with a beautiful screen and accurate directions. They would do well to significantly increase the number of POI's. However, I don't know how I got along without a GPS on my dash. This product will help us out until GPS units are standard in every car.
