GPS: 4 STARS/Magellan Support: 1 STAR
I purchased this refurbished Magellan Maestro 4700 for my pick up and likewise own another one that I purchased new last year. Both work outstanding with the exception of the on and off again bluetooth and voice command issues that I still encounter from time to time. I've gone through my reasonable share of slow and inconsistent GPS merchandise ranging from Garmin, TomTom and yes even Magellan. You in truth have to do your homework. I settled on getting a second one of these because my firstborn one has been a workhorse.
Just like my firstborn purchase, downloading updates by way of the included USB cable was quick and without issues. Powering up is a breeze. Total time for entering starting point to destination is regarding 45 seconds. The One Touch screen is on the money. The menu allows for editing for one's own personal choices. I actually have come to like the Predictive Traffic feature. In short, it brings about substitute routes for known traffic tie ups.
Even though this scheme is primed for Bluetooth, not all mobile gadgets are compatible. This refurbished model paired well with one out of three cell phones. The other two were hit and miss. Connections were likewise dropped a bit more often times then expected and clarity was an issue. Like our initial Magellan 4700, my personal phone did not pair up at all with this unit. Maybe it is a outstanding working feature with the right phone. Bluetooth rates 3 stars at best.
Like each GPS system before it, Voice Command on this unit is merely a wasted feature that works when it wants to. This add on alone receives a failing grade from me. On the other hand, Spoken Street Name Guide with text to speech is clear and precise. The 3D Landmarks add on is a nice touch. I have yet to use the Find My Car feature. The free, no membership required AAA Guide is loaded with great up to date information.
The Maestro 4700 measures in at over 5" wide x 3.5" height and weighs regarding 6 ounces. The greatest draw for me personally is the big 4.7" color touch screen, predictive traffic, and the lane guide arrow features. The user friendly one touch interface is unquestionably a winner. On the downside, the Maestro 4700's screen is not viewable in all lighting conditions. Granted it is not as bad as my former model, but there is still a heap of glare to contend with.
Quick Spell mechanically fills in the blanks and makes locating a destination easy. One of the sweetest features is the lane guide arrows (Highway Lane Assist) program that sounds a bell when my next turn is coming up. It speedily guides me into the rectify lane without the usual "Oops, how did I miss that exit?"
The Maestro 4700 comes preloaded with maps of the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. Additional maps may be stored on board by way of SD Card. Included accessaries are a windshield mount, storage pouch, dash mounting disk, car power adapter, handbook, USB cable, and an informative CD. I commend buying a good protective case. Magellan loses major style points for not including an AC power supply plug. Unplugged, the battery provided me a little over 2 hours of power.
Even altho Magellan's productions have vastly bettered in the last few years, it is client support is completely a lost cause. Add the discouraging and hindering wait time before a humane picks up and combine that with their totally outdated scripts, and the client still isn't any closer to resolving the problem at hand. support is ONE STAR at best. A one year warranty is tagged onto this product.
The continued glitches with both Bluetooth and Voice Command that I experienced on my older 4700 are not that much dissimilar on this reconditioned unit. These issues undoubtedly keep the Maestro 4700 from picking up more then a four star rating. Still it covers the basi principles and gets me to and from my destination. That's all I need.
Software issues
Bought 1440 for a relative. Bought this 4700 refurbished. Initially, it worked well. The voice often times spoke the directions approx. 10 to 20 seconds before the screen showed me a visual of the streets. It did not keep pace on side streets and highways; the software caught up only after I was two to three hundred feet ahead. Two weeks in, the software locked up on the home screen and would not budge. I reset the device. When it came back live, it was frozen on the home screen. It gave me unwanted/unrequested turn by turn directions. I heard there were issues with Magellan's 2.20 software update; there are issues.
If the software worked, their gimmicks would in truth peak, moreso than a TomTom or Garmin.
I wish the software worked. The home screen's good, clean and to the point. The huge screen is a plus, but it has to have software that works without issues, ever.
Good luck Magellan.
Good Performance and Feature Set
After owning and using various Garmin's, I wanted to undertake something different. I purchased this unit after researching it on a lot of of the major tech review websites.
Routing is good and seems to take vantage of effective routes for the most part.
The lane aid is good and helpful on highways with various lanes, exceptionally in heavy traffic.
One feature I miss is the speed limit display from my Garmin Nuvi 205W.
The bluetooth won't sync with my phone, but it's nice to know the option is there if I acquire a phone that will sync with it.
Startup time is slower than my Garmin units, but once started up screen changes are speedy and the unit is rather responsive.
I don't have issues with the map screen like a good deal of humans have brought up in the reviews for "New" unites, the color of the route seems to stand out to me sufficient to pick it out.
Adding and managing multiple stops along a route is requiring little effort and more intuitive than it is on Garmin units.
Searching for an address is having little impact and more intuitive than on my Garmin units as well.
Overall it's a breath of fresh air from my Garmin units, but there are features I miss that this one does not have. Hopefully I won't have to deal with Magellan Service even though as I've heard it's unbearable.
