Customer Reviews
Caution - No longer made by Rand McNally 
2006-12-27
As of about July, 2007
Rand McNally no longer makes this item and has no suuport link on their website. I question if any updated maps or product improvements will be available. They now suggest Garmin navigators.
Couldn't be simpler! 
2006-11-20
From the moment I saw the packaging, I knew I had "Navigation For Dummies," which made me relieved and eager to dive right in. I have found the Rand McNally device to be superior to others in that it provides ample warning time prior to making turns, allows me to preview streets off the freeway for alternative routes, and thereby resetting itself, and offers a soothing voice that is far from robotic. It comes with a sleek stylus, but also responds to direct touch. Finally, the maps are colorful and easy to read. This is a great system for those needing some extra help in orientation.
Simple, Accurate & Value for Money 2006-11-12
Simple set up and ready to use right outside the box! I loved the multi-destination feature...quick and easy to input. I'm on the road a lot with multiple appointments, I simply enter everything in before I leave and let the GPS unit do the rest. In addition, I haven't lost a signal yet - I previously owned a Garmin unit that always dropped its signal. This unit has always been accurate too - what more is there?
This is a great unit and a great purchase! Everyone needs one.
Great gadget and portable 2006-11-10
This is a great GPS device! It is very simple to set up and use immediately because the directions are very clear. It also comes with a small Rand McNally atlas and mount for the windshield.
When you are actually driving the directions are given in a clear voice with plenty of warning time before a turn. It also includes estimated time of arrival and mileage for that trip. I can plan different routes with different stops and if I choose to go a different direction, the GPS will self correct and give me a new route.
I have not used the MP3 yet, but I plan on loading songs soon.
Great new product!
Great GPS! 2006-11-09
I have never had a GPS before, having been intimidated by the technical know-how other units demand. But, a friend told me about this one that she had received and I thought I'd take a chance. Fortunately, I've liked it!
The Rand McNally GPS is extrememly user-friendly and has a lot of added bonus features that make it a great value! Directions were straighforward and accurate and the voice prompts were very clear and provided well enough in advance so that they were easy to follow.
I also liked the additional attractions feature-- we used it to find a restaurant while we were traveling.
Meanwhile, also having a companion map helps to provide further information.
Really like this GPS!
Rand McNally GPS Navigator 2008-06-24
I personally would not recommend anything from Rand McNally. I trusted there products and purchased the GPS and then they shortly thereafter discontinued this model and started selling Garmin's. They told me they have no intentions on updating the maps in the future for the Rand McNally Navigator (go figure, and they are the map experts!) My rating = Thumbs down to Rand McNally for lack of product support and not making available updates for a GPS bearing the Rand McNally name.
Worth the price 2007-02-11
I've been looking at GPS systems for some time now and that it met my needs for the price. Needless to say, I have been more than pleased. This thing does all it is advertized to do and without a lot of hassel. It goes without saying that since this was my first GPS purchase, I was a little hesitant about my purchase, but when it arrived the packaging was impressive, as was the instruction material. It was straight forward and easy to understand. I also appreciated the 2 disks that came with the GPS and also contained the instructions on how this thing would work. A it turned out, I really needed the extra help. My first and only real problem came not in working with the unit but trying to put the holder onto the unit. It seems that the hold is "REAllY" hard to snap onto the unit. As a result, I ended up calling tect support and they were extremely helpful in helping me get the holder attacted to the unit. It also seems that I was not the only person who had this problem so expect it. The only other problem I had was with the extension device that attached to the holder and would extend it beyond its' normal reach making it easier for you to reach. Mine came with a striped out thread. When I called the tech support people again, they said that they would send me out a new piece but I have not received it as yet -- and it's been over a month. So, I'll give them a call again later. All in all, the unit is great! The voice directions are loud enough to be heard over the noise of the road and the instructions are timely and clear. The directions also come well in advance of your turns which is indeed helpful. However, like someone commented -- it would be great if the unit could tell you on what side of the street the destination was located. This would be helpful when your desitation is in a busy section of town and traffic is all around you. In a situation like this you don't want to be on the wrong side of the road and need to make a quick cross over in front of someone. One final thing, I also like the dark and light feature that allows you to turn down the brigthness of the unit at night -- really nice on a long drive. All in all, well worth the money and especialy with the rebate offered by McNally when I purchased my unit.
Best Buy for the Price 2007-01-19
I purchased this item as a gift for my husband. His first reaction was that he didn't need it, but now he loves having it. He finds it to be very accurate. By giving him a different route to a place he regularly travels to, it cut 15 min off a 45 min.trip. He has never had one before so has nothing to compare it with, but it seems to be a great value for the price. It provides all of the necessary functions in an easy to use format. One negative is that the voice gives directions such as turn right or left, but doesn't give actual street names. However the directions are so clear that it hasn't been a problem. Another negative is that it must be connected to a power source (car battery thru the cigarette lighter) all of the time or the information programmed in by the user will be lost when the charge runs out. This means leaving it in the car all of the time at night and when it is very cold. However we have learned that there is an adapter available, sold by an electronics chain for about $30. which allows it to be kept in the house when not in use. If you don't need a lot of fancy features, this is a great buy for half the price of the more complicated ones.
Excellent GPS! 2007-01-11
When you input the address, it is very easy and quick because you could input zip code first. If you put zip code first, GPS instantly show the matching city name. Other, enen garmin, takes more time and effort to input every singly address.
This is why I bought it... 2007-01-10
This is my first time writing one of these... Hopefully it helps someone out.
Anyway, I am in pharma sales and NOT technical at all. Needed a GPS device to help navigate between doctor's offices. I sampled a number (i.e. Garmin, Magellan, etc.) of them - their too expensive to make the wrong choice! -before selecting Rand McNally. Here is what I like...
Pros:
1) WAY easier to use than others. Very intuitive. I didn't have to read the directions. I just felt my way through and got to the feature I wanted . I tested the others... Always bumbled-stumbled into the wrong areas and found myself asking the sales clerk what I did wrong. Drove me crazy!
2) The RM starts up faster than the others. Sounds like a small thing, but when your running from one meeting to the next and need quick directions, it's really nice. (and cause less consequential stress!!). The Garmin took foreverrrrrrrrrrr.... I would still be waiting.
3) The RM has pre-programmed roadtrips. I haven't used them yet, but I thought it was kind of cool. Figure at some point I will... And at least I trust Rand McNally (i.e. make maps!) more than others.
Cons:
Only Con since using last few weeks is I keep misplacing the dang stylus. It has place to put in back, but instead I just use my finger... It works fine on touch-screen, but not as sophisticated as using stylus I suppose.
Overall it works great. I'm very happy. It is a solid product.
