GPS Navigator Best buy Cheap

1. 

   IlPrimitivo
   February 28th, 2010 - 17:58

   The only question I have is why *only* the cigarette lighter adapter? Very few cars (I know there must be *some* out there) have CD-ROM capable computers installed in them and hard as I may try, my car won’t make it up the 2 flights of stairs (without damaging the banister or carpet) to get to my home office.

   The only way I could use both power and data connectors at home was by purchasing a 3rd party 110v to 12v adapter to use with household current. It’s a cheesy and unattractive solution to Magellan’s lack of foresight.

   Other than having to explain to everyone that Magellan’s too cheap to provide an adapter of their own, the cable works fine.

   I use a swivel mount as a desk cradle and so the cable connector snaps onto the back of the mount removing the need to mess with the ridiculously small connector screw (guess their designers all have extremely thin and dexterous fingers — not to mention 12v power sources built into their homes). The swivel mount is excellent.

   It’s a cable and it does the job but, really, how many people are able to use a serial port connector and auto lighter adapter plug at the same time?

   The cable is expensive but since the GPS connector is proprietary you have no other option.
   Rating: 3 / 5
2. 

   Anonymous
   February 28th, 2010 - 20:01

   I use this cable in conjuncton with a 310 to track vehicle movement, send email, and support emergency services using a system called APRS. I wore out the first cable after several years of use/abuse. The cable allows me to just power the GPS, update the flash ROM/BIOS within the unit, and/or connect it to a laptop or transmitting device. The mount has two small holes where I placed small suction cups for EZ window mounting in any vehicle. The mapping programs work very well, esp if you have a sound card with voice announcements!

   The 310/315/320 series were on the street before USB was stable. They are not small, fixed antenna only, and are power hungry. USB and smaller units are available, with WAAS, for under $100 bucks (TN 200) if you really need USB. You don’t need speed as the GPS messages are sent at 4800 baud without data loss or overrun, 9600 baud preferred. If you don’t have a serial port, then this is not the GPS unit for you, and never will be. Get the proper unit for the job. There is a reason these are still popular. Period.
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. 

   Jonathan W. Miner
   February 28th, 2010 - 21:31

   Should have bought it years ago… Very happy with my Magellan GPS, and this allows me to use my PC and GPS when I’m on the move without worrying about keeping fresh batteries on hand. Power and data cables are long enough to reach anywhere in my truck, and it works with a KeySpan adaptor to connect to a USB port.
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. 

   Sam
   February 28th, 2010 - 22:26

   I just ordered my third one of these. The first two just quit working. I called Magellan tech support (clearly handled from Asia, by the way) both times and after a lot of diagnostic work was told my cable was no good.
   
   Another irritation: why use a serial port connection? My laptop does not have a serial port so I have had to buy a cumbersome adapter (not cheap) that is itself finicky. Why not USB?
   Rating: 1 / 5
5. 

   B. Peckham
   March 1st, 2010 - 01:01

   I was really happy with how this product worked. Even with batteries in, it is smart enough to use external power when plugged into my dashboard. I only found one thing I didn’t like… the cords could be a little shorter so they don’t get in the way so much. But that’s a small price to pay for a product that works.
   Rating: 4 / 5

Leave a comment