I have been looking forward to your 3000T review. From my research and in-store trials, I agree with much of what you have to say. Definitely not in the same league, packaging-wise, as the Tomtom and Garmin units. Unfortunately for Magellan, a lot of people will dismiss the 3000T at a glance, which is too bad because it seems like is works pretty well. It should do OK because of the price advantage, and there are lots of customers with no great interest in the bluetooth or traffic features. You should probably mention in the body of the review that Magellan has planned units with those features that are otherwise identical to the 3000T (to be called 3050T, 6000T, 6050T). Also, I would have liked to here more about how the GPS functionality compares to the Garmins, which also uses Navteq maps.

I'm sorry but I don't see how you can think that Magellan has the best user interface in the business??? It really looks to me like a couple of grade school kids scratched the graphical user interface out on a storyboard during their recess. D'oh!

Garmin's finger touch user interface is so much more refined (and better looking) that it's not even funny. Thus, it puzzles me that you've stated in your other review (on the c550) that Garmin's UI is in need of a re-design. I think that Garmin's UI is bar far the best in the business. I guess this just goes to show you how folks can differ so much in their individual likes and dislikes.

Unless... You're referring to the underlying layout/design/setup of the user interface and not the graphics that is.

It's been a while since I've used a Magellan GPS unit, and now I remember why. I'll stick with Garmin thank you.

Nice review and thanks for all of your hard work on this wonderful site. Kudos to you!

TheOfficeMaven - thanks for the support! I do my best at GPSmagazine.com!

As for the UI, you're correct. I'm referring to the underlying usability (layout, etc.) and NOT the graphics per se.
--Fletch

My very in car GPS unit was the Magelland 500 series. I love the interface the maps. But on frustration with Magelland has always been the speed of the unit. The Garmin is just soooooo much faster.

Khanh

I greatly enjoyed your reviews of these products. I have Garmin (3207)Chartplotters on my boat and find them very useful.
I am now searching for another for my car. The 2820 just got released, have an opinion on it?

Khanh,
I would not buy the 2820 if I were you. The 2820 is the only new Garmin that does not use the new high performance SiRF GPS chipset. You really want to get a GPS with the new SiRF StarIII chipset. GPS' that use this new chipset are an order of magnitude better in performance than the previous generation. If you like Garmin, I'd get the StreetPilot c550.
Hope that helps.
--Fletch

Khanh,
I agree with you 100% about the speed probelms of the Magellan units. The strange thing is, they've basically had the same problem across three generations of units. It's like they don't even know it's a problem. The fact is, if the Magellan was speedier to use, I'd of given it a much higher rating.
--Fletch

what made you have the change of heart from "Meh, s'okay" to "Best sub-$600 GPS to date"?

does anyone knows a way i can load my address book into my 3000t without manually entering them

I just bought a 300T based partly on this review. It does not come with an AC-charger and the winshield mount is not the one pictured!! It is the same one as the 700 series. The new mount pictured here and in the user man is not available till October. If you want it you have to buy it from Magellan's website

I bought the Roadmate 3000 and enjoy it during my getting acquainted period. I've not been able to program in country addresses like "214 N. 825 W." Ended up taking it back because of that and errors in street/county road names.

I drive a truck anywhere from Mass. to Va. and I had a 300 and it worked fine, til the internal pin in the power supply broke(Magellan wants $145 to fix it since it's out of warranty)so I bought a 3000T,big mistake. The unit keeps freezing, which is quite annoying since you have to pull over to reset the unit with the small hole they provide, anyway customer support now tells me I might need a external attenna($50)because I have satellite radio and they interfere with each other. Never interfered with my 300.I think Magellan would put a warning about satellite radio in the manual or on the box if this is true. Before I give Magellan another penny I am going to check out the competition, a local dealer is letting me test both Garmin and Tom Tom.
Have you or anyone else had this problem with the Magellan 3000 ?

Fred - I highly doubt this issue is related to needing an external antenna. Lately I've also been seeing some lock-ups on my MRM 3000T. Feels like buggy code more than anything else...
If I were you I'd get the Garmin StreetPilot c550 instead.
--Fletch

Hi.
I liked the review and I agree that bluetooth connectivity is a serious issue. However, what about route tracking. Is there a new gps model ot there that offers it?
Anil

Anil - by tracking I assume you mean breadcrumbing as you drive so you can save the route. I'm not aware of any unit that does this, other than Geocaching oriented units, like the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx.
--Fletch

I recently bought a 3000t to use in my commercial truck. It worked well enough for a few days and now freezes up constantly. By constantly, I mean every 20 to 30 miles. They tell me its because of my prepass and satellite radio. I took them both out and it made no difference. The store I bought it at won't take it back because of the dont take it back to the store sticker in the box. I spend $500, I expect to get something I can use.

I purchased the Magellan 3050T in early October 2006 at a Costco in Arizona for $499.00. In the parking lot of Costco, I installed the suction cup of the support bracket to the windshield of the rental car letting the base of the support bracket rest upon the dash. Plugged in the power supply to the cigar lighter and fired the 3050T up. No problems. For the following 30 days I put on close to 3,000 miles traveling to various parts of Southern Arizona. Almost all of it with the GPS unit functioning. It worked fine, although I think some newer roadways in Arizona have not been "mapped" yet to the software. Additionally, "WARNING" notices of unpaved roadways were inaccurate several times. The asphault pavement certainly looked like it had been there for several years.
Which begs the question. How will the mapping software be updated? Is this something I may have to purchase as an add on later?
Another question... how long is the GPS unit expected to last? One year, five, ten?
A feature I do like is that I can disconnect the GPS from its base and take it with me in seconds.
At 500 bucks, and not doing any shopping around, I think I still did well with the purchase.
Before I end... twice on a crowded Phoenix freeway the map went "nuts"... it only lasted a second or two, but it was long enought to catch my attention. Wonder what that was all about?

After searching the internet for reviews on GPS systems I found your site. Your reviews were very helpful in helping me make an informed decision. When I first began to look at GPS my heart was set on finding the right "Magellan" for me because someone I know gave me a recommendation. I instead read all of your reviews so that I could make an Informed decision. Your reviews helped me be optimistic and understand the general Pros and Cons of the different GPS manufacturers (Garmin, Magellan,Tomtom, etc.) My Wife bought me the Magellan 3000 a few weeks ago before she read any online reviews. After reading all your reviews and your "Units to Avoid" section I took the unit back. After reading that you and many other users were having problems with Magellan units sometimes being sluggish and freezing I decided to start researching the different Garmin units. It seems that Garmin does have many very reliable units. I saw that you made the Garmin Nuvi 660 your "Editors Choice". Among other things, I really like this unit's sleek design. Since I can not afford this unit, I figure the Garmin Nuvi 350 is my next best choice since the "Blue Tooth" and "Traffic" features are not important to me. I narrowed down my search between the Garmin Nuvi 350 and the Magellan 2200. I like both units because they are affordable and have many of the newest technology upgrades and features used in GPS. I know you did not review the Garmin Nuvi 350 but looking at similar Garmin reviews and this Magellan 2200 review I am planning to purchase the Nuvi 350 from Walmart for 440.00 and cross the Magellan 2200 off my list since the only thing I can find it has better is that it is water resistant. I was hoping you and the other readers could tell me if I am making the right decision. Thanks again Fletch your reviews are second to none!

i'm planning to buy a GPS Magellan 3000T....can I use it in Italy ?...do I have to buy an additional map or something ?

thanks tony

Great review. I wish I'd seen this site before buying the 3000T. I'bve had nothing but problems with the unit. The old windshield mount broke early on, and had to send it back and get replacement shown in review.

After two months, the unit began gvining wildly erroneous directions. Offshore customer service is terrible, and don't think I'll be able to get my money back. Beware of buying a Magellan product. Their customer support is terrible.

Are there any map upgrades available for the Magellan 3000 T GPS? Where would I find them?????

Thanks

William Field

We recently bought a Magellan 300T GPS and have been trying to find an AC adapter. It seems the shops sell the system but no accessories. We live in Canada. I found one web site with accessories but they sell only in the USA.

This is our first attempt with a GPS.Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks

i just bought a magellan poadside 3000T;in my opinion,after learning to use it, it is a marvelous GPS;the side buttons are very helpfull and it is better than having to use the sceen especially when driving.
whatever the review,even if it is a little bulky,
i just love it;the maps are complete, it recalculates fast and it is very accurate.the side buttons are very practicle.

I forgot my Magellan Roadmate 3000t password is there any way i could unlock it. Could any body help my if there is could somebody send me a message at hush_baby237@hotmail.com

I recently purchased the map upgrade for the 3000T. They mailed me an authorization code that did not work. After about a week of getting the run around thru technical support in some third world country, I still don't have the correct code to load my new maps that I paid $80 for. I'll think twice about buying another Magellan!

I wish my freezer would freeze as much as my 3000T. No satellite radios, no CBs, nothing but a car or motorcycle and it still freezes up every 10-15 miles. I wish I had done more research. My fault.

Rented the 3000T from AAA for a long weekend trip in the US. Wanted to compare it with the Tomtom that I had rented in England. Got off the route with both units. The Tomtom immediately re-routed me or told me to turn around at the first opportunity. It put me back on track to my destination. The Magellan just let me be lost. Message at bottom of screen said "return to route" but nothing to help me find a way to return. I have eliminated Magellan from my list of brands to consider for purchase.

Nancy,

You experience is odd. I owned a Magellan 3000T for two years and it auto reroutes when you miss a turn. Perhaps the people you rented it from turned this feature off on the one you used? In any case the 3000T is out dated now.