No GPS system is perfect for everyone

June 9, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Q. I read your column about the Magellan 5265T-LMB GPS and did a little follow-up research. I was surprised that the overall rating from 39 reviews was 3.8 stars out of a 5-star index at bestbuy.com. I expected a higher overall rating for something you held in high regard. Any thoughts?

W.G., Rochester, Ind.

A. I looked up the reviews, and out of 39 reviews, 16 were 5-star ratings and eight were 4-stars. One of the 5-star reviews was from a cab driver, which represents what is probably the most grueling test of any navigation system. Obviously, a lot of people were happy with the unit, as was I. There were five 1-star reviews that drove down the average. Three complained of their unit freezing, and one complained of low battery life. One person complained about the routing getting them lost.

When I review something, I have to go by my own impressions. I did not have battery life problems, and as for getting lost, I only had one serious error in the three months I had the system. Ironically, it was the first time I used it. It told me I was at my destination when my destination, a residential address, was a left turn and 300 feet away down a hill.

It did get me to the correct cross street, so it was easy enough to find it, but I was about to give up on it right then and there given I felt we were off to a bad start. I am glad I kept using it, though, because it impressed me after that, including on some long trips that took me across state lines to both business and residential addresses. The system made me feel confident as I used it, especially on the highway, and I liked that.

I was not there when other people had problems, so I can’t say why their experience was different. Did they have a setting wrong in the setup menus? Did the accessory power cord have a solid connection so the power supply was uninterrupted, allowing the unit to charge continuously when it was connected? Was the system updated with the latest firmware, or perhaps they just got a bad one? It happens.

Also, anyone who has used multiple makes of models of GPS units will tell you that all of them have their quirks, and none of them have 100 percent perfect guidance. Finally, some products may work better for some people than others. Garmin is the industry leader, and though I have tried them, I have never had an affinity for their GPS systems. That’s why marketplace competition and lots of choices are wonderful things. The right fit is out there for everyone.

Something else I noticed when I looked up the reviews was the unit was selling for only $129. My final thoughts: Read the good reviews as well as the bad ones and decide if it is worth a try. If it does not work for you, return it and try another brand.

Contact Don Lindich at www.soundadviceblog.com and use the “submit question” link.

2013 McClatchy-Tribune News Service