Magellan RoadMate 2000 Opinion Request

[Doc Lisenby]

The RoadMate 2000 is my first auto navigation device.  I really like it but are there things in more expensive like items which, because of my novice's observation, am I missing?  I am using it to find streets and house numbers in urban areas and I doubt if I need more complicated instruments.
How about giving me your opinion?  I will appreciate any valid comments.
Doc

[kb]

Doc,

I just picked one up for my wife, and like you, it was our first car gps.  I have hand helds that I use for hiking/hunting/fishing, ect. 

It has a nice and easy Graphic User Interface (GUI) with a touch screen.  I was able to figure it out without reading the directions, which is nice to use while driving.  I'd hate to have to pull the directions out while driving while juggling the gps around...

Any how,  the software IS NOT upgradeable which is a bummer.  And it gets flakey in the city.  We used it in NYC, and in Philly, PA, and it would lose its signal around tall buildings.  NOT GOOD!!

We are not in cities much, but when we are, we want it to work.  Just something to think about.  Personally Id go for an upgradeable model, with good city reception.  But it is a nice unit otherwise.  I wish someone had told me this beforehand.  Hope this helps,

kb

[Doc Lisenby]

I wish someone had told me this beforehand.  Hope this helps,

And so do I!  I knew that if I didn't get some opinions and recommendations from somebody I was stepping on my pork.  My friend in Charlotte bought an $800  unit and his hais problems also about the same as we experienced. In high building corridors like Philly and NY, being as it is possible to get out of sight of all the satellites, it is possible to lose contact.  So I don't think there is any which will look through buildings so we may be just as well off as a dude who spent over twice as much for one.  Perfection is persued in any gadget for years before a truly gremlin free emerges.

Probably the researchers are making progress so rapidly that manufacturers can't keep up.  All I know is that this one I have is a whole lot better than a map-compass-ignorant old lady who has to remember how to tighten screws by recalling the saying: "Righty tighty, lefty loosey".  I never told her this only applies to right hand threads.

When I lived in NJ, I learned better than trying to navigate NYC and Philly.  I just caught a train there and used cabs.
I could pay for all transportation for the price of a parking space and I didn't have to worry about losing hubcaps.

I still haven't figured out my GPS which I use as a range finder for long hunting shots.  Maybe someday they will require all horned animals to wear reflectors so the lasers will work effectively.

[Siskiyou]

The walls of America's great cement canyons do cut down on effective gps use.  I just brought up the manual for your unit and could not locate any information regarding an external antenna plug.  My best guess is that your unit does not have a plug for an external antenna, which grabs a few extra satellites.  A magnetic amplified antenna on the roof of a vehicle using the vehicle as a ground plane enhances reception. 

I have found that the Gilsson external antenna improves performance of my gps units while on the road.  But admittedly I have not tried it in the New York City.  A cab may be the best answer.    I found that parking cost in S.F was chilling, and I did not like the place anyway.   http://www.gilsson.com/  I did check and Gilsson does not show a unit for your automotive gps.

Good information for the buyer looking for a unit to use in a challenging environment.  In today’s current market place my criteria for any gps unit, automotive or handheld would be a port for an external antenna, expandable memory, and SiRF III chip.

It still sounds like you have a good unit when not in the cement canyons.  I have also heard about gps signal lag after a person exits a tunnel.  If there is a person who needs a functional gps in the city it is I.  I keep looking for the moss on the North side of the buildings.