22. Reduced POI Database - Does it Matter?

The Magellan RoadMate ships pre-loaded with a Points of Interest (POI) database of approximately 1.5 million entries. By comparison, some other units have in excess of 6 million POIs. At first I thought this would be a major issue - surely a POI dataset 1/4th the size of Garmin's would be missing lots of data. However, when I tested the units side-by-side, I actually found that the Magellan RoadMate frequently had more POIs than my trusty Garmin nuvi, which boasts a POI database of over 6 million.

I tested the more popular POI categories, such as restaurants, Gas Stations, and Banks. In all three categories the RoadMate had a more complete set of POIs than the Garmin nuvi. At first I was surprised, but then I remembered that the Magellan RoadMate 2200T uses newer NAVTEQ mapping data than the Garmin nuvi does. As a result, newer establishments were included in the RoadMate POI database that are actually missing from Garmin's larger POI database.

Figure 82: POI Database Test - Garmin Nuvi 660

The list above shows restaurants, listed in order of closeness. Notice that the next closest restaurant after "El Mariachis Mexican Restaurant" is Arby's.

Figure 83: POI Database Test - Magellan RoadMate 2200T

Although the RoadMate has a reduced POI database of only 1.5 million, it contained more restaurants near my current location than the larger POI database on the Garmin nuvi. Notice that on the Magellan RoadMate, the next closest restaurant to "El Mariachis Mexican Restaurant" is "Boston Market". I found similar results for the Gas Station category, as well as the Bank/ATM category.

It is true that the RoadMate has a smaller POI database than some other units. However, that fact is offset by the fact that the RoadMate's database (provided by NAVTEQ) is newer than Garmin's, and therefore contains POIs that were not available in the earlier dataset Garmin is using (also provided by NAVTEQ). Moreover, at least in the more popular categories, I actually found the RoadMate to be more complete than the Garmin POI database.

23. Pros

• Updated NAVTEQ mapping data (NAVTEQ is better than Tele Atlas)
• SiRF's high performance 20-channel GPS receiver (SiRF's chipset is a major improvement over previous generation receivers, allowing strong reception even indoors or behind buildings)
• Good routing engine
• Flexible routing options
• Route Exclusion feature allows you to exclude certain roads or highways
• Well designed map screen
• Exit POI feature allows you to view POIs at upcoming highway exits
• Locate feature useful for telling emergency services where you are
• Multi-destination routing capable (via the Trip Planner)
• Ability to search for an address by zip code
  

24. Cons:

• Dimmer screen than some other units
• Slight vibration in the mount while driving
• Cannot route to longitude/latitude coordinates (Magellan plans to sell an outdoor/geocaching kit that will make this possible)
• No ability to optimize a multi-destination route
• Unit sometimes feel a bit sluggish
• Photos in the manual show different (older) mounting hardware than the mount that ships with the unit
• Manual is inaccurate or missing information in several places. For example, the manual calls My POIs "Custom POIs", and makes no mention of the "Premium POI" button at all. There's also no mention of integrated traffic data anywhere in the manual
• Cannot play music while navigating, making the music player fairly useless
• You have to exit the navigation application altogether to adjust the volume (although you can mute the volume directly from the map screen)
• Text-to-speech not as good as some other GPS units, including Garmin and TomTom
• Reduced POI database (1.5 million vs. 6+ million on some other units)

25. Conclusion

The Magellan RoadMate 2200T is a strong performer. It offers many features unique to Magellan, such as Exit POI, Instant Locate, Route Exclusion, and SmartDetour. I’ve long been a fan of Magellan’s map view, and the 2200T benefits from Magellan’s years of experience with in-car navigation systems; the map screen is among the best I’ve seen, presenting the information in a pleasant, easy to understand way. The RoadMate 2200T has a routing engine that’s significantly improved over the RoadMate 2000’s routing engine, making the $100 upgrade price between the 2000 and 2200T well worth the cost. The 2200T is a rugged, well-built unit that can be upgraded to include outdoor topographic maps, is water resistant, uses NAVTEQ mapping data,  and includes SiRF’s high performance 20-channel receiver. Combined with an excellent routing engine and the ability to save multi-destination trips, the RoadMate 2200T is an excellent GPS that’s both compact and elegant.  

My only real complaints are that the music player is poorly implemented, making it impossible to use while driving, there’s no way to enter coordinates as a destination, the volume control is awkwardly buried in the menu system, and sometimes the unit was a little sluggish.  The text-to-speech is not as good as Garmin’s or TomTom’s, and the mount vibrated slightly while driving. I also would have liked the ability to optimize a multi-destination route. Perhaps most curious is that there is absolutely no mention of integrated traffic capabilities anywhere in the manual (Magellan says the traffic kit will be available later this month for $99 plus $59/year subscription fee).  Still, with an estimated street price of around $400 (as of 12-15-2006), the 2200T is the best GPS in its price category. Even if you don’t care about the traffic capability, water resistance, music player, or photo viewer, the 2200T is worth the $100 cost increase over the RoadMate 2000 just for the improved routing engine alone.

The 2200T has a current street price of around $400. For that price, it's in competition with Garmin's c530, which is essentially a c330 that's been upgraded with SiRF's receiver. If you want absolute ease-of-use, then I recommend that Garmin c530 over the RoadMate 2200T. Garmin's interface is slightly easier to use than Magellan's, and their routing engine can't be beat. However, if you need more features (such as multi-destination routing, route exclusion, Text-to-Speech, and a traffic add-on capability), or are interested in a cross-over GPS that can be upgraded for use outdoors, than the RoadMate is the better option. If you're considering an Alpine Blackbird, or TomTom ONE, I recommend the Magellan RoadMate 2200T over both those units. The 2200T is a better unit than the One or the Blackbird. Compared to Garmin, it's more a question of your needs and preferences.