Magellan Maestro 3100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
i've been watching this market for car GPS units for several years. Never could pull the trigger because the cost/benefit was always too high. Finally, there seems to be a set of new models from several manufacturers that allow sub-$200 prices. These units do everything I need. After some internet checks, I bought the Magellan 3100, and in its first day of trial, I am loving it. Advantages include small size, internal battery, fast & accurate satellite fix, good re-routing, very nice mounting system. Just flat out works. The only thing I could get with greater investment would be frills. I feel I am really missing NOTHING with this model. (Don't need fancier speech, bluetooth, big screen etc). So my conclusion: strong buy recommendation.
This is my first GPS, so, I have no way to compare this unit to others. I had been hesitant to spend the money on a GPS, until I found this unit advertised locally for $199. The windshield mount is nice and sturdy, and it is quick to set-up. I had it operational by the time I left the store parking lot without reading the manual.
The display is bright and easy to read, and it immediately picked up several satelites.
If you intentionally miss a turn, it quickly recalculates and displays an alternate route, but if you ask it to calculate a route to a new destination while driving, the unit hangs up and reboots. That may be normal for GPS systems, I just don't know.
I only found one brief mention in the manual that describes use of the included USB cable to charge the battery. Seems like a strange reason for including a USB cable but no AC charger.
Overall, considering the price and ease of use, I am pleased with the Maestro 3100 and would recommend it.
Do yourself a favor and spend the extra 80 bucks and get a Garmin. With no text to speech, you will be finding yourself straining to see the poorly lit screen while you try to focus on the road, and without map updates, this product will be obsolete in a short period of time. The routes provided are sometimes very peculiar, often forcing me to make U-turns on divided highways in order to reach my destination. In products such as these, the engineering makes all the difference, and that is where the Garmin products excel.
I've been testing this little guy out for week and I can't find much to complain about. It is my first GPS unit and I like it because it has a simple, easy-to-use interface. The instructions are loud and clear. There is an empty SD Memory slot that must be for something. It has 48 preloaded US state maps on it and a 750,000 points-of-interest database that is pretty good (8 out of 10 times it will find fairly small resturants that I quiz it for and it hasn't missed any gas stations yet). One thing it doesn't have is the Text-Speech function which extends the simple turn by turn voice to also read out loud individual street names or businesses. Then again, is it worth spending more money on a more sophisticated unit capable of constantly reading stuff out loud to you? Dunno--I'm happy with machines not doing so much talking myself.
I borrowed the Magellan Maestro 3100 and found it to be a great auto GPS. It has all the features you need in an auto navigation system. Because it has none of the extraneous features unnecessary in an auto GPS, the price is a deal. Magellan got it right with the Maestro.
Favorite Features:
Entering locations turned out to be easy with the predictive input system.
Setup was super easy. I had it up and going in less than a minute in my car. As I was borrowing it, I didn't have a manual or anything, but all the screens were so intuitive, that was never a problem.
The screen was so easy to read. I was expecting problems in sunlight, etc. Not a chance.
Routes were calculated quickly. I intentionally missed a few turns to see how it would handle re-routing. It did so quickly.
Touchscreen was perfectly responsive.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an entry-level auto GPS. It has all the features you'll want while driving.
I'm a long time TomTom user, and I bought this GPS for my wife because it is small, simple, and inexpensive. We've been very pleased! The SIRF star III GPS chipset is incredible! It was able to lock onto 8 satellites from INDOORS! My TomTom GPS receiver is lucky to find 4 signals in the backyard with a clear sky. The NAVTEQ maps used by Magellan are much more accurate in the U.S. than the outdated TeleAtlas maps in my TomTom. I used both devices to search for 5 random addresses from my address book -- all of which are at least 5 years old. The Magellan found them all flawlessly -- even those with re-mapped zip codes in mid-2006! The TomTom found 1 of the 5, got me close to a second, and didn't have a clue about the street names in the other three. (Incidentally, TomTom won't provide me with a map update because they dropped support for my device, which is only 3 years old!)
The Magellan Maestro 3100 doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that the more expensive devices have, but it does GPS navigation as well as anything I've tried -- and I've tried most of them out there. I didn't buy a GPS to be an MP3 player and a picture viewer -- I already have an iPod for that. Any my car stereo has Bluetooth, so I didn't need hands-free phone capability. Why pay for features if you don't want/need them?
The only disappointment in the 3100 is the Points of Interest database. It only has 750,000 entries, whereas other competing (albeit more expensive) devices have several million. Still, it was able to find gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores -- all the important stuff -- with no trouble. So I can't find campgrounds and beaches -- big deal! I usually don't get a spontaneous urge to go camping while I'm driving around anyway...
A previous reviewer mentioned the SD slot. Currently, it is used only to backup and restore your Address Book, Favorites, etc. Maybe a future firmware release will provide additional functionality...
Other nice features include trip planning with multiple stops; an address book where you can enter custom names,addresses, AND phone numbers; a Favorites list; a dedicated "home" button; detour planning; etc, etc.
There is also a great "where am I?" feature that with a single button push will display your precise location -- street, nearest intersections, lat/long coordinates, etc. This could be very useful if you need to summon emergency help.
All in all, this newly released (April 2007) GPS device should definitely be on your shopping list if you're looking for basic, low cost navigation.
I have played with several GPS systems... Although this one does not have all of the bells and whistles that the Garmin Nuvi has and some of the other high priced units. This GPS does what it says... It has a very nice clean interface and gets the job done. For a unit that comes in right at $200 you can't beat it. I have had no problems with this unit and have no complaints other than it would have been nice to have an AC adapter in the box. If you want a good GPS that will get you where you need to go and not break your bank. Buy this 3100....
Did a lot of research before deciding on the Magellan 3100. I made the decision based on the fact I did not need an MP3 player, picture viewer, etc just a good GPS unit. Also Magellan is a solid company and was chosen by HERTZ (which says a lot). It also has NAVTEQ mapping software which I heard time and time again is the best in the US. The 3100 has many great features and does everything the average person wants. The screen is easily seen, voice is clear and easily heard and the windshield bracket is easy to use and solid (however, if you plan to constantly remove the unit for safekeeping it is a 'two handed' job). Note though the one shortcoming is that the POI database is very small. I knew this before I bought it and did not think it was a big deal but now I realize that I do use the POIs more than I thought. I believe Magellan will offer POI upgrades in the future. Overall, great GPS at a great price.
I bought this at BJ's for $189.99 with a coupon. I really like the graphics and the touch screen function. It's so much easier to operate without having to use a little pen to change routes.
I have used it only for a week , Once for a long trip spanning 3 states, otherwise local routes.
Pros
---- Nice interface, very easy to use,works right out of the box, minimal setup. very friendly & intuitive user interface.
---- Price, as low as $200 if you look around, a great bargain
---- Decent maps/updated NAVTEQ mapping data (I think as of April 2007)
---- fast re-routing/detour calculations
---- Fast satellite acquisition even indoors
---- Nice features like Current location finder
---- Decent size for portability
---- So far no crashes or freezes
Cons
---- No AC adapter included in the box, need to charge in car
---- No provision for Map updates in future
---- No text to speech/Bluetooth
(No other GPS at this price range has these features anyway)
---- Uses Windows CE, no wonder it is sluggish (but once route is prepared it is quick to reroute or detour calculations)
---- Terrible battery life
Overall, For price around $200, it is a great bargain. I initially bought Mio C220 but returned it next day. I think in budget GPS category, there are very few if any who can give you so many features & performance as 3100 gives.
After a week's worth of travel, I must say my first in-car GPS ownership experience is worth every penny. The interface is mostly intuitive, though figuring out where addresses are stored (i.e. "addressbook" versus recent versus ...) and how to access each in terms of setting up a route is a tad confusing. My only other complaints - sometimes it gets confused and draws a waterway (e.g. stream) as a road (white with black outline). During 4 days of use, the unit rebooted at least 4 times while recalculating a route. It comes right back up and you can continue your route ... not a big deal, but hopefully to be fixed in an update soon.
While there may be several complaints, they are mostly minor. The overall experience is very good, the price is out of sight. POI's are a bit on the thin side, but if you are looking for a cheap GPS, you can't beat a portable from a top brand in this price range.
1st time GPS user. We used it over the past several days whenever we traveled in the Southern Cal area. It accurately defined travel routes and quickly recalculated if we deviated from its specified route. The smart way it figures out street names etc it a tremendous time saver. Especially nice is the one button "HOME" feature that will give you directions from where ever you are back to your home base. The display is very well done, with easy and intuitive icons. Particularly nice is the heads up it gives you before a turn is required and in every case for us also warned, for example, to keep left, to avoid a turn only lane. The womans voice and choice of queing sounds (bell, beep etc) were loud and easily understood. The display we thought might be on the small side, but their clever use of the entire display for maps while using command overlays for screen touch commands made it easy to view and manage while driving. The multi adjustable and locking arm lets you orient the unit any way you want. One complaint is the way the 3100 attaches to the adjustable arm makes it very difficult to remove.
I have played with several GPS systems... Although this one does not have all of the bells and whistles that the Garmin Nuvi has and some of the other high priced units. This GPS does what it says... It has a very nice clean interface and gets the job done. For a unit that comes in right at $200 you can't beat it. I have had no problems with this unit and have no complaints other than it would have been nice to have an AC adapter in the box. If you want a good GPS that will get you where you need to go and not break your bank. Buy this 3100....
Did a lot of research before deciding on the Magellan 3100. I made the decision based on the fact I did not need an MP3 player, picture viewer, etc just a good GPS unit. Also Magellan is a solid company and was chosen by HERTZ (which says a lot). It also has NAVTEQ mapping software which I heard time and time again is the best in the US. The 3100 has many great features and does everything the average person wants. The screen is easily seen, voice is clear and easily heard and the windshield bracket is easy to use and solid (however, if you plan to constantly remove the unit for safekeeping it is a 'two handed' job). Note though the one shortcoming is that the POI database is very small. I knew this before I bought it and did not think it was a big deal but now I realize that I do use the POIs more than I thought. I believe Magellan will offer POI upgrades in the future. Overall, great GPS at a great price.
1st time GPS user. We used it over the past several days whenever we traveled in the Southern Cal area. It accurately defined travel routes and quickly recalculated if we deviated from its specified route. The smart way it figures out street names etc it a tremendous time saver. Especially nice is the one button "HOME" feature that will give you directions from where ever you are back to your home base. The display is very well done, with easy and intuitive icons. Particularly nice is the heads up it gives you before a turn is required and in every case for us also warned, for example, to keep left, to avoid a turn only lane. The womans voice and choice of queing sounds (bell, beep etc) were loud and easily understood. The display we thought might be on the small side, but their clever use of the entire display for maps while using command overlays for screen touch commands made it easy to view and manage while driving. The multi adjustable and locking arm lets you orient the unit any way you want. One complaint is the way the 3100 attaches to the adjustable arm makes it very difficult to remove.
After a week's worth of travel, I must say my first in-car GPS ownership experience is worth every penny. The interface is mostly intuitive, though figuring out where addresses are stored (i.e. "addressbook" versus recent versus ...) and how to access each in terms of setting up a route is a tad confusing. My only other complaints - sometimes it gets confused and draws a waterway (e.g. stream) as a road (white with black outline). During 4 days of use, the unit rebooted at least 4 times while recalculating a route. It comes right back up and you can continue your route ... not a big deal, but hopefully to be fixed in an update soon.
While there may be several complaints, they are mostly minor. The overall experience is very good, the price is out of sight. POI's are a bit on the thin side, but if you are looking for a cheap GPS, you can't beat a portable from a top brand in this price range.
i've been watching this market for car GPS units for several years. Never could pull the trigger because the cost/benefit was always too high. Finally, there seems to be a set of new models from several manufacturers that allow sub-$200 prices. These units do everything I need. After some internet checks, I bought the Magellan 3100, and in its first day of trial, I am loving it. Advantages include small size, internal battery, fast & accurate satellite fix, good re-routing, very nice mounting system. Just flat out works. The only thing I could get with greater investment would be frills. I feel I am really missing NOTHING with this model. (Don't need fancier speech, bluetooth, big screen etc). So my conclusion: strong buy recommendation.
This is my first GPS, so, I have no way to compare this unit to others. I had been hesitant to spend the money on a GPS, until I found this unit advertised locally for $199. The windshield mount is nice and sturdy, and it is quick to set-up. I had it operational by the time I left the store parking lot without reading the manual.
The display is bright and easy to read, and it immediately picked up several satelites.
If you intentionally miss a turn, it quickly recalculates and displays an alternate route, but if you ask it to calculate a route to a new destination while driving, the unit hangs up and reboots. That may be normal for GPS systems, I just don't know.
I only found one brief mention in the manual that describes use of the included USB cable to charge the battery. Seems like a strange reason for including a USB cable but no AC charger.
Overall, considering the price and ease of use, I am pleased with the Maestro 3100 and would recommend it.
Do yourself a favor and spend the extra 80 bucks and get a Garmin. With no text to speech, you will be finding yourself straining to see the poorly lit screen while you try to focus on the road, and without map updates, this product will be obsolete in a short period of time. The routes provided are sometimes very peculiar, often forcing me to make U-turns on divided highways in order to reach my destination. In products such as these, the engineering makes all the difference, and that is where the Garmin products excel.
I bought this at BJ's for $189.99 with a coupon. I really like the graphics and the touch screen function. It's so much easier to operate without having to use a little pen to change routes.
I have used it only for a week , Once for a long trip spanning 3 states, otherwise local routes.
Pros
---- Nice interface, very easy to use,works right out of the box, minimal setup. very friendly & intuitive user interface.
---- Price, as low as $200 if you look around, a great bargain
---- Decent maps/updated NAVTEQ mapping data (I think as of April 2007)
---- fast re-routing/detour calculations
---- Fast satellite acquisition even indoors
---- Nice features like Current location finder
---- Decent size for portability
---- So far no crashes or freezes
Cons
---- No AC adapter included in the box, need to charge in car
---- No provision for Map updates in future
---- No text to speech/Bluetooth
(No other GPS at this price range has these features anyway)
---- Uses Windows CE, no wonder it is sluggish (but once route is prepared it is quick to reroute or detour calculations)
---- Terrible battery life
Overall, For price around $200, it is a great bargain. I initially bought Mio C220 but returned it next day. I think in budget GPS category, there are very few if any who can give you so many features & performance as 3100 gives.
I borrowed the Magellan Maestro 3100 and found it to be a great auto GPS. It has all the features you need in an auto navigation system. Because it has none of the extraneous features unnecessary in an auto GPS, the price is a deal. Magellan got it right with the Maestro.
Favorite Features:
Entering locations turned out to be easy with the predictive input system.
Setup was super easy. I had it up and going in less than a minute in my car. As I was borrowing it, I didn't have a manual or anything, but all the screens were so intuitive, that was never a problem.
The screen was so easy to read. I was expecting problems in sunlight, etc. Not a chance.
Routes were calculated quickly. I intentionally missed a few turns to see how it would handle re-routing. It did so quickly.
Touchscreen was perfectly responsive.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an entry-level auto GPS. It has all the features you'll want while driving.
I'm a long time TomTom user, and I bought this GPS for my wife because it is small, simple, and inexpensive. We've been very pleased! The SIRF star III GPS chipset is incredible! It was able to lock onto 8 satellites from INDOORS! My TomTom GPS receiver is lucky to find 4 signals in the backyard with a clear sky. The NAVTEQ maps used by Magellan are much more accurate in the U.S. than the outdated TeleAtlas maps in my TomTom. I used both devices to search for 5 random addresses from my address book -- all of which are at least 5 years old. The Magellan found them all flawlessly -- even those with re-mapped zip codes in mid-2006! The TomTom found 1 of the 5, got me close to a second, and didn't have a clue about the street names in the other three. (Incidentally, TomTom won't provide me with a map update because they dropped support for my device, which is only 3 years old!)
The Magellan Maestro 3100 doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that the more expensive devices have, but it does GPS navigation as well as anything I've tried -- and I've tried most of them out there. I didn't buy a GPS to be an MP3 player and a picture viewer -- I already have an iPod for that. Any my car stereo has Bluetooth, so I didn't need hands-free phone capability. Why pay for features if you don't want/need them?
The only disappointment in the 3100 is the Points of Interest database. It only has 750,000 entries, whereas other competing (albeit more expensive) devices have several million. Still, it was able to find gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores -- all the important stuff -- with no trouble. So I can't find campgrounds and beaches -- big deal! I usually don't get a spontaneous urge to go camping while I'm driving around anyway...
A previous reviewer mentioned the SD slot. Currently, it is used only to backup and restore your Address Book, Favorites, etc. Maybe a future firmware release will provide additional functionality...
Other nice features include trip planning with multiple stops; an address book where you can enter custom names,addresses, AND phone numbers; a Favorites list; a dedicated "home" button; detour planning; etc, etc.
There is also a great "where am I?" feature that with a single button push will display your precise location -- street, nearest intersections, lat/long coordinates, etc. This could be very useful if you need to summon emergency help.
All in all, this newly released (April 2007) GPS device should definitely be on your shopping list if you're looking for basic, low cost navigation.
I've been testing this little guy out for week and I can't find much to complain about. It is my first GPS unit and I like it because it has a simple, easy-to-use interface. The instructions are loud and clear. There is an empty SD Memory slot that must be for something. It has 48 preloaded US state maps on it and a 750,000 points-of-interest database that is pretty good (8 out of 10 times it will find fairly small resturants that I quiz it for and it hasn't missed any gas stations yet). One thing it doesn't have is the Text-Speech function which extends the simple turn by turn voice to also read out loud individual street names or businesses. Then again, is it worth spending more money on a more sophisticated unit capable of constantly reading stuff out loud to you? Dunno--I'm happy with machines not doing so much talking myself.