When Magellan first released the RoadMate 2000 and 2200T last year, they also announced the RoadMate 2500T, all all purpose GPS designed for vehicle navigation as well as outdoor and marine use. Magellan subsequently pushed out the release date for the 2500T, and re-branded it the CrossoverGPS. I first saw the CrossoverGPS at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. I finally got my hands on the CrossoverGPS and have completed my in-depth review.

Table of Contents

1. Features
2. Specifications
3. Magellan's New RoadMate Product Line
4. Unboxing
5. Installing the CrossoverGPS in the Car
6. GPS Signal Strength - The Mighty SiRF
7. Powering on the CrossoverGPS for the First Time
8. Routing to a Street Address on the CrossoverGPS
9. Address Book
10. Routing to a POI (Point of Interest)
11. Setting the Home Address
12. Magellan's Handy Locate Screen
13. Multi-Destination Trips
14. Enhanced POIs
15. Reduced POI Database - Does it Matter?
16. Routing Engine Performance
17. What About Real-Time Traffic?
18. Music Player
19. Photo Viewer
20. Configuring Vehicle Navigation Options
21. Marine Navigation
22. Setting Marine Navigation Options
23. Outdoor Navigation
24. PROS
25. CONS
26. Conclusion

1. Features

• Built-in street and topographic maps - Detailed street maps of United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and topographic maps of the 48 contiguous United States
• 1.5 million points of interest (POI) - Easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, airports, parks and more
• Waterproof to IPX-4 - (unit can be subjected to the rain, but cannot be completely submerged in water)
• Traffic upgradeable - Get LIVE traffic incident reports when you add the Magellan TrafficKit. (Requires service subscription after introductory period)
• Turn-by-turn voice and visual guidance
• Text-to-speech - Hear the street name of your next turn
• Multi-destination Routing - Select up to 20 destinations
• SmartDetour - Automatically routes you around sudden slow freeway traffic using your own custom settings
• 3D map view
• Digital Music Player
• Photo Viewer
• Auto re-route - if you miss a turn, the GPS will automatically re-calculate the route
• Auto night view - Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing
• QuickSpell™ - Easily enter addresses with efficient auto-complete feature
• Interactive POI icons - Touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination; see phone number and get an instant route
• 4 routing methods available - Shortest time, shortest distance, least use or most use of freeways, avoid toll roads
• Address Book and Favorites List - Create and store personal points of interest to easily route to places you go to often
• Instant locate - One touch shows your location; quickly advise roadside assistance or emergency services
• Compass
• Speedometer
• 1 year manufacturers warranty
  

2. Specifications

PHYSICAL

Case: High-impact plastic
Base Map: Pre-loaded with detailed street maps of 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and topographic coverage of the 48 contiguous United States
Size: 3.4" H x 4.3" W x 1.1" D
Weight: 8.5 oz. with Sport Guard™ 9.4 oz.
Display: 3.5" color touch screen display, 2.11" x 2.81" (53.6mm x 71.5mm)
Memory: 4 GB hard drive pre-loaded with maps of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and topographic maps of the 48 contiguous states
Data Storage: Unlimited / Secure Digital (SD) Card compatible
Antenna: Built-in multidirectional patch
Operating Range: 14 to 140°F (-10 to 60°C) Battery charging temperature 32 to 113°F (0 to 45°C)

PERFORMANCE

Receiver: 20 channels, SiRF Star III
Acquisition Time: Hot: 1 second, Cold: 40 seconds, Initial: 5 minutes
Accuracy: 3 to 5 meters (10 - 16 feet) - WAAS/EGNOS, < 7 meters (15 feet) - GPS only
Languages: English

POWER

Source: Li-Ion rechargeable 1900mA, 12 V AC or 12 vehicle adapter (sold separately)
Battery Life: Over 8 hours continuous use

3. Magellan's New RoadMate Product Line

Over the past 12 months, Magellan has completely updated it's popular RoadMate Series of GPS units. The RoadMate 800, 860T, 760, 700, 360, 300, 3000T, and 3050T are now discontinued, and although Magellan's website still lists those models, they should no longer be purchased. The RoadMate 6000T is still considered current, but it too will be replaced soon.

The new RoadMate lineup consists of the RoadMate 2000, 2200T, and most recently, the CrossoverGPS. Magellan introduced the 2000 last year, and released the 2200T several months later. Originally, the CrossoverGPS was called the RoadMate 2500T, but Magellan quietly removed all references to the 2500T and renamed the 2500T as the CrossoverGPS. The original product name made sense, as the CrossoverGPS shares the same base features and form factor as the 2000 and 2200T, but adds off road topo maps and a protective rubber sleeve for outdoor use. Magellan felt the 2500T name didn't accurately convey the fact that the CrossoverGPS is designed for roads, hiking, and boating, and thus changed the official product name.