Customer Reviews
Love it, but hate the potential confrontation with customer service! 
2008-05-12
I love my Magellan 3225. I don't like the low POI, but I can live with it. I had the 3100 and upgraded it to the over 6 million and POI and found it very useful with the additional POIs. The 3100 did not speak street names, which is why I gave it to my nephew. The volume sometimes is low, but there is a headphone jack to help in that matter. The menu is easy to use even though I am a bit confused still between "Address Book" and "Trip Planner". I wish a battery indicator was on the main screen. You have to go through a series of menus to find out the battery level on this GPS. I was going to keep this GPS, but decided to take it back because I was reading way to many horror stories about Magellan's lousy Customer Service. So, as much as I like it, I just don't feel like going through the experince of bad customer service. I love the fact that this model says the street names, which is extremely helpful when there are streets very close together. The window suction cup is not the easiest thing to configure. No wall charger comes with this unit, unless you buy it from Costco. You have to have this unit fully charged before you can do updates. So you might have to charge it in your car first, before you do any kind of update. For the price I paid, about $160 after taxes, it is really a good buy for what you get.
I love Magellan, but.... 
2008-04-10
I wish this model had more features, such as mp3 player and bluetooth. I had a 3100 that I forgot in my car and someone smashed my window and got it. I bought a Garmin 360 for my wife but because I liked the clear display of directions on my stolen 3100 more than that of the Garmin (my wife will disagree) so I decided to get another Magellan just for this reason. I like the split screen that shows you an enlarged arrow to indicate turns and exits as you get closer. I also like the more options (more than Garmin), such as Fastest Time, Shortest Distance, Most Use of Freeways, Least Use of Freeways, Avoid Toll Roads, unlike the Garmin (you can select for each trip). In the Garmin 360, there is one settings for all trips. I think that saying Street Names makes following the directions easier, although I was fine with model 3100 inability to say Street names. I just wish that the street names have the same nice tone of voice as the rest of the directions. I like the estimated time of arrival, showing on the bottom of the route map. The unit comes with 1.3 M POI, but I was able to download 6 M POI from the Internet. I connected the GPS to my computer, renamed the original POI file and copied the downloaded file to the same folder on the GPS and I was able to see more points of interest than before. The unit comes with software to allow you to add your own POI by entering the coordinates. I am wondering if I could use them overseas where maps do not exist...just curious how the unit will behave! I like the ease of removing the unit from the cradle so that I do not leave it visible in the car and get my car broken into again. Finally, I bought it from Amazon for $150 and I am glad I did it at the right time because the price went up just after I bought it. Someone on the Internet said it can't be used in NJ, but I live in NJ and it's working great. I used my 3100 in NJ and CA and it worked great too. The only thing I had to do when I was in CA was to click the Reset and enter the address of the hotel...after that I was able to use it without problems. Same with this one, out of the box, it thought it was in the factory in California so I had to Reset and enter the address of my current location.
excellent for the price 2008-04-01
My experience with car navigation systems is from factory installed systems in an Acura and a Toyota, both of which were 2 thousand dollar options. I bought this Magellan unit for my new car. Since the new car has Bluetooth built-in, I am only interested in basic GPS functions, which this unit does very well. The text to speech feature is remarkable at this price point.
While the screen is only 3.5 inches, it is adequate, and also makes for a very compact unit. So far the routing logic seems to be at least as good as the factory systems. Spoken instructions are clear and timely.
Due to the price, Magellan has reduced the POI to just 1 million. But I am intrigued by the previous reviewer's comment about upgrading it to 6 million for free.
In summary, I do believe a factory installed GPS system is better because of the larger screen and always being right there at the center console. However, for people who seldom use the GPS or who want to save some money, this Magellan unit cannot be beat for the price.
Great unit for the price 2008-03-29
I recently purchased this from C----o for $150 because of their more liberal return policy, but I don't think I'll be returning this unit unless it fails. Some background: I've been using a GPS unit via my HP iPaq running OnCourse Navigator for several years, so I'm familiar with GPS units in general, and have been looking for a replacement for a long time because the OCN software seemed to quit at the most inopportune times. I've also had the opportunity to play with my dad's Nuvi 350, which is a very nice unit, but costs at least $100 more. Because of my experience with OCN, I had a minimum set of needs that had to be met, and the 3225 has done this in spades. In particular, I see these units as mostly disposable, because once the maps get out of date (important if you live anywhere where new streets may be added), it's not very cost effective to pay for the map updates vs. buying a new unit, especially at this price point (as an aside, I will be keeping an eye on the Dash Express Two-Way Internet-Connected Portable GPS Navigator because it overcomes many weaknesses of all the current units -- for a price).
The set of requirements I had for a replacement GPS were: 1) small form factor (needed to fit in a shirt pocket) 2) TTS (text to speech, ability to say the actual street name) 3) fast satellite acquisition (most units can do this) 4) low price point 5) good POI database 6) intuitive interface. Note I did not include good customer service as a requirement, which would have eliminated Magellan. However, I am tech savvy enough that I do not foresee any need for service, other than if the unit fails. After using the 3225 for about a week, here are my observations:
Pros:
Low price given capabilities
Great POI database (if you "upgrade" to the 6M POIs, just Google around)
True text-to-speech, says a synthesized version of actual street names, that, even if mangled, helps significantly in navigating
Nice bright screen
Fast satellite acquisition
Fast user interface response (very little lag when entering info)
Gives good advance warning prior to turn ("turn right in 0.5 miles followed by a left turn")
Very portable -- fits easily in pocket
Most accessories included (AC adapter, USB cable, mount, car charger)
Cons:
No Bluetooth, mp3 or video player (these don't matter to me, but shouldn't expect these features at this price point)
No external battery charge indicator (in order to see charge state, need to power on, go to System Status, and view the status on the screen, which slows charge since screen is on)
Maps may be getting a bit dated (mostly fine in my area, but others have complained; I've read that this is not Magellan's fault but Navteq, the map-making company, and that the next major map update is due this summer)
Relatively low battery life (3 hrs vs. many other units at 5+)
Routing may not be as good as Garmin (but YMMV)
No carrying case (but you should be able to find something acceptable for not much at your local Target or Walmart)
I've mounted mine on the Bracketron UFM-100BL Nav-Mat GPS Friction Dash Pad because windshield mounting is illegal in California, and that has worked great. [[Update]]I just took delivery on a very cheap case, the Caselogic JDS-6 USB Drive Shuttle 6-Capacity (Black), which works quite well for the 3225 (and I imagine many other 3.5" units); it's not a perfect fit, but at $5, I can't complain, and it's nice looking to boot. I feel like if I accidentally dropped it onto the concrete, it would probably survive unscathed.
Again, if you're looking for a unit with all the bells and whistles, look elsewhere (and open up your wallet wider). If you're looking for a great entry-level unit with a decent feature set, I think you could do a lot worse. Use it for a few years, and then buy a new unit (maybe the next generation Dash).
Maps may be old but the unit is responsive for existing addresses 2008-03-22
I find this GPS to be a real bargain for the price. I only wanted a small investment to move into the GPS technology arena and I found it.
Helps save gas by displaying shortest route . . . 2008-07-19
I just got this unit earlier this week, and I've been very happy with it. I'm not very technically inclined, but I've been able to figure out how to use it with little difficulty. I knew nothing about GPS units at the point where I decided I needed one, so did lots of research online and in stores. I had a specific price range in mind, plus certain features in mind. Minimally, it had to speak street names instead of just "turn right in 500 feet". And it was nice to discover that it "chimes" right before your turn (at about the point you'd turn a turn signal on). I could get lost in an empty room, but this unit explains the route as your going along very nicely. I feel like I'm saving gas using this (and who doesn't need that these days!), because even when traveling between familiar points, I'll ask it to calculate the "shortest distance" between those points. I'm having a bit of trouble setting up the cradle on the dashboard, but even just setting it on the seat beside me and listening has worked well for me. All in all, I feel like I got a very satisfactory unit for the price, one that will meet my needs without difficulty. Also, there are at least two routes that can be chosen to get to my house, so just to test it I skipped the turn it mentioned; it rapidly recalculated (I'd say in no more than two or three seconds), and had me turn at the next turn, the one I primarily use anyway. Convinced me that if a turn is missed it's able to rapidly recalculate and keep you on your path. I'd recommend it highly!
Uneven performance 
2008-06-22
I originally had a Garmin 340 but it fell off the windshield once too often and died. I briefly had a Mio but I found it useless - nothing intuitive about the interface. Then moved up to the Magellan 3225.
Pros: intuitive interface, often accurate, inexpensive, and provides good detail on how long the trip will be, arrival time, etc.
Cons: smaller display images/letters than the Garmin - a problem for me as I need reading glasses to see it; biggest problem is that it gets the route wrong too often. Returning home, it always goes 3 exits on the interstate past my home, exits, takes a u turn, and goes back 20 miles. Of course, I don't need this route but this is an example of its unreliability. My last complaint is that it can't calculate more than one destination on a trip. (You can program multiple destinations but it calculates them as separate trips.)
I miss my Garmin and plan to go back.
.79 map downlads?! 2008-05-30
I recently purchased the 3225 Maestro. I finished reading all of the reviews and before I took it out of the box learned that you can't update the map. So, I called Customer No-Service and the Indian rep told me that yes, you can update the map and although it is not available yet it will be - someday! How much does it cost I asked - she said 79 or 99 cents - she wasn't sure. Hmmm, I thought. So I exited the call and went to the website - found that most of the map updates for other units are $79.99!!!! Wow!
I live in Raleigh, NC - lots of new roads and construction, so will look for something with more accurate maps - if I can find one!
A pretty good value with some shortcomings 2008-05-16
Recently, I found I was going on a business trip to somewhere I didn't know. I felt that was the perfect time to buy an inexpensive GPS unit. This Magellan (which I bought at B.J.'s) seemed to fit the bill at $150.
This unit has many excellent points. It quickly acquires the GPS signal. It keeps the GPS signal well, even indoors. Also, it has a good text-to-speech capability (i.e. it says "Turn Right onto Main St." instead of just "Turn Right"). It has a built-in trip computer that can be useful on long trips. In addition, it has day and night modes, so the map screen doesn't blind you at night. It is also a small, easily portable unit.
Unfortunately, the unit has many shortcomings as well. The biggest one, to me, is: you cannot update the maps in this unit. If a street isn't in the unit, it can't be added through a map update.
You can add custom POIs (i.e. "Pizza Hut" or "Showcase Cinemas") pretty easily within the unit. However, the tool to add POIs on the computer is nearly useless. Instead of showing streets, it shows the US and you must enter a latitude and longitude for each POI, manually.
In addition, the speaker inside the unit is too quiet. Even at its loudest setting, I couldn't clearly hear it over highway noise and background music. Since there is no Bluetooth support, there is no way I could clearly hear the unit at highway speeds.
In my case, several key areas I will visit on my trip had out of date maps. Since they cannot be updated, I returned the unit.
I recommend checking this unit to make sure it has streets you need in the areas you plan to visit, before buying it. If it has the streets you need, it is a good value. Otherwise, look at the TomTom GPS units (even their cheapest one can be updated).
Better than the Garmin Nuvi 350 2008-05-16
I bought this Nav because my Nuvi350 was damaged (long story). Having own the Nuvi for 3 years I was very skeptical about the Magellan. Last week vacation in California, I had the chance to put it to the test and I'm pleased to report that it passed with flying colors!
Pros:
Direction is excellent. For example, "left turn FOLLOWS by a right turn". With the Nuvi, you are told to turn left without further instruction until AFTER you make the turn. Sometimes (especially in the city), there could be an immediate left or right turn after you make the initial turn and you find yourself in the wrong lane.
The Magellan also gives better direction on the interstate. For example, I prefer "stay on the current road, Los Angeles I-5" better than "turn left/right on Los Angeles I-5" (Nuvi) when you don't actually turn. It seems like a small detail but makes a big different when you're traveling at 70 MPH.
Satellite pickup: excellent, usually with 30 seconds of initial startup.
Exit Point of Interest: A big plus. When traveling on the interstate, you can hit "EXIT POI" and it would list all the POIs in the upcoming exits. This feature is not available in the Nuvi.
Compact: thinner and lighter than the Nuvi.
Cons:
Battery life: only 3 hours vs. 6 hours on the Nuvi. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal since I always use the car charger.
Point of Interest Databse is a bit small (1.3 million). This is redeemable. Just google "magellan 3225 point of interest download" and go to anandtech website. Follow instruction to download 6 million POI.
Price: I can't elaborate but you can get it for $150.
