GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is one of the more overlooked systems of technology that has made life easier for mankind. People who are unfamiliar with the technology might simply relay it to be Google Maps, a navigation system that helps make your commute easier and faster as it not just gives you the quickest route but also that with less traffic. While this is true, GPS systems are, however, much more than that. They are extremely versatile as they can be found in almost any industry, from surveying and mapping out forests to large scale farming and the aeronautics industry (military and commercial). The technology generally falls into 5 major categories:
1. Navigation – getting from one location to another
2. Location – determining a position
3. Mapping – creating maps of the world
4. Tracking – monitoring object or personal movement
5. Timing – bringing precise timing to the world
With a growing need for this technology, a number of companies have sprung up to meet the demands, one of them being Magellan GPS; a leading portable GPS navigation consumer electronics company whose devices always seem to rank high on consumer products lists of the best GPS units.
Magellan GPS – Reviews
The Magellan brand, which borrows its name from the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the first explorer to circumnavigate the globe, was founded in 1986. It started as an independent company but was later owned by Orbital Sciences Corporation and then, the Thales Group. By this time, the company was now known as Thales Navigation, but the name later changed back to Magellan Navigation in 2006 following the purchase of Thales Navigation by the private equity firm Shah Capital Partners and other investors. In 2008, Mio Technology, a subsidiary of the Taiwanese company, MiTAC International Corporation (MIC), purchased Magellan as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MIC and added it to its portfolio of consumer GPS products that include the Mio and Navman GPS brands.
Today, Magellan GPS, which is headquartered in San Dimas, California, is recognized as an industry innovator and leader with over 200 key patents in GPS technology. Some of the company’s most notable products are the award-winning Magellan RoadMate and Maestro series portable car navigation products, the Magellan Triton and eXplorist outdoor handheld navigation devices, and other innovative Mobile GPS solutions like the RoadMate App for iPhone and Premium Car Kit accessory.
Magellan GPS Product Prices
Off-Road Megallan GPS Devices
Name: MAGELLAN TRX7 CS DUAL MOUNT TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR
Price: $549.99
Features: Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation, Built-in 5MP rear-facing trail camera with LED Flash, Pre-loaded with over 160,000 OHV Trails, Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Lifetime Free Updates, Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing, Waterproof, Dustproof, Drop- and Shock-Resistant, Free Lifetime Map and Software Updates.
Name: MAGELLAN TRX7 DUAL MOUNT TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR
Price: $499.99
Features: Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation, Pre-loaded with over 160,000 OHV Trails, Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Lifetime Free Updates, Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing, Waterproof, Dustproof, Drop- and Shock-Resistant, Free Lifetime Map and Software Updates.
Name: MAGELLAN TR7 TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR
Price: $299.99
Features: Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation, Pre-loaded with Over 160,000 4WD, ATV, Motorcycle, and Snowmobile Trails, Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Lifetime Free Updates, Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing, Free Lifetime Map and Software Updates
Name: MAGELLAN TR5 TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR
Price: $199.99
Features: Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation, Pre-loaded with over 160,000 4WD, ATV, Motorcycle, and Snowmobile Trails, Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Lifetime Free Updates, Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing, Free Lifetime Map and Software Updates
Automotive Megallan GPS Devices
Name: ROADMATE RV9490T-LMB
Price: $379.99
Features: 7” HD Glass Touchscreen, Android Operating System, Customizable RV Routes, Dual Usage Mode, easily switch from RV to Car Mode, RV Specific POIs Preloaded, Fuel Prices & Advanced Weather Alerts, Valuable Real-time On-the-Road Information
Name: MAGELLAN ROADMATE COMMERCIAL RC9496T-LMB
Price: $399.00
Features: 7” Android truck GPS navigation system, Comprehensive Fleet Protocol support including HOS & IFTA, Fleet Manager for easy bulk device update management, SmartGPS Eco content for Fleet
Name: ROADMATE 6630T-LM
Price: $229.99
Features: GPS Navigator + Full HD 1080p Dash Camera, Free Lifetime Map Updates & Traffic Alerts, Impact Recording, Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT, Premium Driver Assistance Alerts.
Name: ROADMATE 2622-LM
Price: $129.99
Features: Free Lifetime Map Updates, 3D Buildings & Landmarks, Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT, Driver Alerts, Portrait /Landscape Mode
Name: ROADMATE 2632T-LM
Price: $139.99
Features: Free Lifetime Map Updates & Traffic Alerts, 3D Buildings & Landmarks, Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT, Driver Alerts, Portrait /Landscape Mode
Name: ROADMATE 5330T-LM
Price: $159.99
Features: 3D Buildings, Lifetime Maps, Lifetime Traffic, Portrait Mode
Name: ROADMATE 6615-LM
Price: $199.99
Features: GPS Navigator + Full HD 1080p Dash Camera, Free Lifetime Map Updates, Impact Recording, Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT
Name: ROADMATE 2620-LM
Price: $89.99
Features: Free Lifetime Map Updates, 3D Buildings & Landmarks, Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT, Driver Alerts, Portrait /Landscape Mode
What are the Common Magellan GPS Update Problems?
Many users of the Magellan GPS devices have complained that it is hard for them to get their devices updated. One user of the ifixit.com website said that while being fully registered and connected, he has been unable to update his RM5632T-LM device for about six months. He added that the tech just says the site is being updated and asks for his patience. A similar complaint was also made by another user who added that he would not be looking to patronize Magellan after this experience.
Of all the responses to the problem that the user received, the one that stood out pointed out that the device may not be registered to receive updates. The response further noted that the user of the device should make sure the computer and GPS are responding to being connected. This means that the USB connector cable could also be a reason why the updates have not been able to happen.
Another user listed steps he took to resolve his Megallan GPS device update problem.
1. Using Google Chrome browser (for Windows), register your product and account
2. Plug in your device to the computer using the USB cable provided
3. Login at https://www.smartgpseco.com/#sign/sign_in
4. After login, you might see “No device detected” at the left bottom corner, Click “Update” tab on top left side
5. At the notification to download a “Plugin,” click “download” and note the location folder of the download
6. Log off from smartgpscom.com and make sure to close all the browser windows while also not detaching the GPS unit from the computer
7. Double click the downloaded plugin file to install and follow the steps suggested by the installation program.
8. Open the browser and re-login https://www.smartgpseco.com/#sign/sign_in
After these steps, you should be able to see your device in the left bottom corner. If your date of purchase is within three years, you should be able to update the maps as the Lifetime map upgrade is valid only up to three years from the date of purchase.
Read Also: Garmin GPS: Truck, Hunting, Motorcycle Navigation, How To Update
How to Get Support
To get more information about map and software updates, visit the Magellan support site at https://service.magellangps.com. Here, you would be able to get answers to all the FAQs, see manuals and operation tips on products, as well as ways in which you can contact customer service.