Magellan is the road best traveled for GPS

May 26, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Q. I have an older navigation system I like, but the maps are sorely out-of-date. Updating the maps costs almost as much as a brand-new navigation system, so I am torn between sticking with something I know and like, or taking the plunge with a brand-new unit. What are your thoughts on this?

J.A.M., Greensburg, Pa.

A. Given the typical expense of a one-time map upgrade, I think you are better off getting a new navigation unit, especially since so many of them now come with free lifetime map updates.

Portable navigation systems also have come a long way from their predecessors of just a few years ago. Competition from GPS applications on smartphones has forced GPS manufacturers to up the ante with bigger screens, more advanced features and added value.

A recent product evaluation has shown me how far portable navigation systems have come in a short period of time.

Before I discuss systems, you should know I am a real road warrior. I absolutely love to drive and take road trips, racking up almost 25,000 miles per year.

For the past few years, I have depended on my trusty Magellan RoadMate 1470 GPS when I drive a car that does not have navigation built in.

I have always been a Magellan fan because I think Magellan provides the best value on the market, along with unique features that are easy to use and very helpful in real-world driving. For example, a chime sounds to let you know when it is time to turn, and the chime’s tone tells you what direction you should turn. I have found that this feature makes it much less likely you will miss a turn when driving in unfamiliar territory.

Another Magellan feature that is very handy on long trips is the Exit POI (Points of Interest) button. A dedicated button on the screen will instantly call up food, fuel and lodging facilities at upcoming exits.

I recently tested a Magellan RoadMate 5265T-LMB, and it is a huge leap forward from the still-excellent RoadMate 1470.

The RoadMate 5265T-LMB includes popular Magellan features such as the Exit POI and turn chime and adds improvements that clearly make it a huge stride forward.

One of the biggest improvements is the landmark-based spoken directions.

For example, a typical navigation system may say “go 500 feet and turn right on Main Street.”

The 5265T-LMB will say “go 500 feet and at the BP station, turn right on Main Street.” It’s a lot easier to see the BP station 500 feet ahead than a tiny sign that says “Main Street.”

When driving on the interstate, the screen changes to show upcoming lanes and exit signs in full-screen mode to make it very easy to make sure you are in the proper lane at confusing interchanges.

The unit includes Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls, and a wireless backup camera can be added to provide safety and security when backing up or parallel parking.

Free lifetime map updates and traffic alerts could make it the last GPS you will ever need to buy.

At $199.95, the Magellan RoadMate 5265T-LMB is not inexpensive, but I can easily say that the value proposition is outstanding, given its performance and advanced features.

See it at www.magellangps.com.

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

2013 McClatchy-Tribune News Service