3. What's in the Box

Figure 1: Magellan Maestro 4250, Box

Figure 2: What's Included in the 4250's Box

Magellan's Maestro 4250 includes the following items in the box:

• Magellan Maestro 4250 receiver
• Windshield mount and adhesive disc
• Cigarette lighter power adapter (12-24 volts)
• USB data cable
• AC power adapter
• Protective Pouch
• Basic Cradle
• Quick reference guide and CD

Figure 3: Magellan Maestro 4250, Front

The Maestro 4250 is one of the best looking GPS units Magellan has ever produced. The slim, elegant wide screen model has a glossy black border around the 4.3-inch color touch screen.

Except for the power button on the top of the unit, there are no physical controls; all GPS functions are operated via the touch screen interface.

Figure 4: Maestro 4250, Back

The rear of the unit is home to a single internal speaker (lower-right), and an external GPS antenna connector. Most users will have little need for an external antenna, thanks to the 4250's use of SiRF's high performance StarIII indoor GPS receiver.

Figure 5: Magellan Maestro 4250, Left Side

The Maestro 4250 is slightly thinner than previous Magellan models, measuring 0.7-inches thick.

The 4250's case is constructed of silver and black plastic, creating an elegant two-tone look. The left side of the GPS has no controls or connectors.

Figure 6: Maestro 4250, Right Side

The right side of the 4250 has an FM (traffic) antenna connector, USB connector (also used for power), and an SD/MMC memory card slot.

Figure 7: Maestro 4250, Top

The top of the 4250 is home to the unit's only physical control: the power button. Pressing the On/Off button for 1-2 seconds powers the Maestro on or off.

Although it's not indicated anywhere on the case, the GPS antenna is located in the top of the unit. When mounting the GPS in the car, you'll want to make sure the top of the Maestro has an unobstructed view of the sky through the windshield to ensure the best GPS signal reception.

Figure 8: Maestro 4250, Bottom

The reset pin is located on the bottom of the Maestro 4250. Using a paperclip or something similar, press the reset pin to reboot the GPS. In my testing I never had to reset the GPS. But if the unit should freeze up or become unresponsive, pressing the rest pin should get everything back to zero again.

Figure 9: Magellan Maestro's Windshield Mount

Magellan has standardized its mounting hardware across the entire product line, utilizing the same basic mounting hardware on all it's models.

The mount itself consists of a large suction disc that attaches to your car's windshield (you can use the included adhesive mounting disc if windshield mounts are illegal in your State), and a dual-axis arm that can be articulated into the desired viewing angle. Two large knobs on the mount allow you to tighten the mount once its in the correct viewing position.

Figure 10: Attaching the Bracket to the Mount

A cradle, or mounting bracket, connects to the end of the windshield mount and holds the GPS in place (see below).

Figure 11: Maestro 4250, Connected to the Windshield Mount

An including mounting bracket attached to the tip of the windshield mount, allowing the Maestro to be quickly snapped into and out of the mount.

Figure 12: Magellan's Windshield Mount vs Garmin's Mount

Using such a large suction cup disc might make sense for Magellan's much heavier CrossoverGPS, but given the light weight (5 oz.) of the Maestro 4250, Magellan's windshield mount feels like overkill. Compared to Garmin's suction mount (shown above in figure 12), Maestro's mount looks outright huge.

Magellan's mount did do a good job holding the GPS in place when driving, which, after all, is what really counts. Still, there's room for improvement here as the mount could be quite a bit smaller and more elegant. For example, Garmin's mount does an excellent job holding the heavier nuvi 600/700 in place and is less than half the size of Magellan's mount.

Figure 13: Included 12v Power Adapter / Traffic Receiver

Unlike previous traffic-enabled Maestros, the 4250's traffic antenna is integrated into the 12v cigarette lighter adapter -- a welcome change that makes it easier to install the 4250 in the car, and less clutter on the dashboard.

Figure 14: 12v Power Adapter / Traffic Antenna Connectors

Notice that the cigarette lighter power adapter actually has two connectors: the USB connector provides power, and the mini-plug connector provides the FM Traffic data.

Figure 15: USB Cable

A standard USB cable is included in the package, and can be used to connect the Maestro to a PC for updating the firmware, or uploading custom POI files.

Figure 16: Included Carrying Case

A neoprene carrying case is included with the 4250.

This is a re-designed case that's an improvement over the pouch that shipped with previous Maestros (the case that ships with the 4050, for example, has a smaller opening and it's difficult to get the Maestro in and out of the case).

Figure 17: Adhesive Mounting Disc

If you happen to live in a State or country where it is illegal to mount anything in the windshield of a motor vehicle, you can use the included adhesive mounting disc to mount the Maestro on your dashboard instead.

I'm personally not a huge fan of this method, as it is a much more permanent commitment than a simple suction cup on the windshield glass. Nevertheless, local laws may dictate that you use this method, and Magellan includes it in case you need it.