4. Basic Features

Magellan Roadmate 700

The Magellan Roadmate 700, which is very compact, offers a footprint that is about the size of a portable household phone. The device weighs 13 ounces and integrates a 3.8" TFT touch screen that displays 320 by 240 pixels in 32,000 colors. Data is stored on a 10 GB hard drive (future versions will have a 20 GB drive) with preinstalled Navteq maps of the US (version Q1 2004 on the test unit). Major metro areas of Canada are also included but can only be unlocked through a key code that has to be purchased for an additional fee. Storage space of 5 GB is free and can be used to install additional data on the device.

The system integrates an ARM9 processor that runs a proprietary operating system.

Navigation functionality of the system relies on a 12-channel, WAAS-enabled satellite receiver. Users can access about two-million points of interest immediately, enjoy voice-output and can configure individual preferences for three different users. Each user can store up to 100 destinations.

The Roadmate can be controlled either through the touch screen or through a basic keypad that is positioned on the right side of the screen, which offers an alternative way for data entry

While there is typically no need to connect the device to a computer, it provides a USB port that can be used to install firmware updates or new map data. The Roadmate 700's suggested retail price is $1,200, but we saw the GPS system for less than $1000 in most stores. If you have rented from Hertz with their Never-Lost GPS systems, you have used an earlier model of the Magellan unit.

The cradle integrates the USB port (top) and power connect.

Magellan Roadmate 700 from back. The unit's speaker on the left, the interface connecting to the cradle is visible in the center. The device has a folding antenna as well as a covered slot for a Compact Flash memory card (right).