Magellan RoadMate 1200 user reviews

Pros Worked well WHEN IT WORKED

Cons Customer service center is from another continent

Summary I bought this unit on Black Friday at a good price from Circuit City. I was pleased with its performance until the DC power cord failed, less than 60 days from purchase. I contacted Magellan by phone using the info on their web site. I gave ALL the info they asked for, explained the problem, and was given a "case ID number." I was told that they would replace the cord at no charge since it was still under warranty, but it was not available and was backordered, and to call back in two weeks. I asked if I couldn't just leave my shipping address, and was told that I had to call back. I called back with my case number, and was given another Q & A experience... Why did they bother to give me a case number the first time!? I was handed off to another person. Still no replacement cord. This time they asked for my address to ship it to. I've sent emails detailing what happened and what I needed and requested an update. This jem of an email response came in just yesterday:

Dear xxxx,

A new Email case xxxxxx has been Created.
CaseID: xxxxxx

Regards,
Magellan Email Support Team.

"Support Team!?" I'm not feeling any support! Do you see any support there!?

There was no information in response to my request for specific info framed in specific question format... I got for my trouble a "New Case ID". Anyone know how to navigate the road with a "New Case ID?"

If I could find an accountable Magellan person to contact who was located on this continent, I'd be happy to contact he/she and discuss the experience, and the wonders of Case ID xxxxx.

I tried to get a replacement power cord that works for this unit from Radio Shack... They tried to help me, but didn't have anything compatable. I have a useless piece of technology that should NEVER have been put on the market without the requisite customer and product support a product should have before its launched. There aren't even parts or accessories listed on the web site! I can't fathom what sort of decision logic table the suits of this outfit used at the meeting when they decided it was a good idea to launch this product without properly supporting it.

I will take a chance as another consumer commented here and see if I can find a power cord that works from ebay as I will be needing the unit for about many estimates I anticipate I will drive to over the next 6 weeks for my business, which is why I bought the unit to begin with.

I have learned my lesson in that from now on for such purchases I will come to cnet to weed out the thumbs downs and find the thumbs ups. "Bang your head against a wall in 300'..." Are we there yet!? GASP...

Pros Cheap, user firendly

Cons Premature release, not fully functional

Summary A neat unit for the price, but there are flaws:
1. Exit POI does not work, it generates an error to insert the SD card with the map. This has been reported by many users, Magellan support has no working solution.
2. Routing and rerouting is slow, sometimes rerouting is too slow to catch the next turn.
3. Incorrect routing information, wrong turns, incorrect instructions, insistence to use local roads instead of highways or toll roads.
4. Some annoying bugs, like you can unknowingly disable the screen when on battery power, the unit turns off when on battery power after a preset time, regardless of touch screen input.
5. No software updates by computer, this means you may have to purchase updated SD cards. At $99 this is about the same as the original unit.

In summary I would say this unit was rushed to market without significant QC testing.

Pros Quick routing and excellent voice prompt

Cons No online map update as of now

Summary This GPS exemplifies it's namesake. It guides you to and from origins and destinations with excellent visual and audible instructions. It has excellent POI information from Museums to amusement parks. The exit poi feature isn't available on this model but the standard poi feature does work it's just not based on exit numbers. Instead it is based on name or category then you further define by current position, near which city or near what address. Bottom line it works perfectly.

Pros This unit was accurate while it worked. It has a feature that gives your location and cross streets in case you need roadside assistance, nice feature for helping wrecker find your location.

Cons Slow to reroute, stopped working, Exit POI feature does not work.

Summary I bought this unit after Thanksgiving. A month later, the unit failed to turn on. Tech support sounded like they were reading off a flow chart. Long wait times via the phone. Still trying to get authorization and address to mail the unit to for repair. I like my Mio much, much better.