Showing posts with label avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avoid. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2012

Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Voice Command Review

Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Voice Command
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I actually had ordered the 4250, but the seller accidentally sent me the 3250 and I decided to keep it since the only difference really seemed to be size, and I found the 3250 to be bigger than I thought.
I did a lot of pre-purchase research and had settled on Magellan partly due to the AAA integration, but then chose the Maestro **50 series because of the integrated live traffic updates which I think is a GREAT feature - especially since I work in a high-traffic part of the Northeast which I think has some of the most infamous and even nightmare-inducing roads.
I really enjoy the voice command features although I wish more of the system responded to them. For example, it would be nice if they could build in for basic commands to always be recognized (e.g. "Cancel" or "Yes/No").
I am finding the touchscreen to be easy to use and responsive, but would have liked a volume control wheel on the side of the device so that I could control the volume without having to back out of another screen I might be on.
Entering of addresses is definitely improved over older Magellan GPS devices that I've used in rental cars - a suggestion here, however, would be to make the type screen set up like a standard keyboard (think Blackberry) instead of laying out all of the letters in alphabetical order, but this isn't a big deal.
I love the Bluetooth integration, and it works great with my phone even though it wasn't on the pre-loaded list (the only thing it doesn't pick up are SMS messages, but I'm okay with that). A suggestion here would be if it could automatically connect to my phone when I turn it on (like my Bluetooth handsfree does) rather than forcing me to manually connect them both each time which is kind of annoying.
The only other issue I'm having right now is with turning the device on... Sounds strange, I know, but it doesn't seem to always want to come to life when I hit the power button - even if I hold it in for a few seconds. It comes back on easily when I leave it plugged into the car, however with GPS thefts on the rise, I have taken to unhooking it and keeping it with me.
Overall, it's a great GPS for the money and the live traffic, AAA integration, and voice response are, in my opinion, its best features. You can't really go wrong here.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Voice Command

Magellan Maestro 3250 Auto Navigation System

Buy NowGet 59% OFF

Click here for more information about Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Voice Command

Monday, January 16, 2012

Garmin D-series Stub Antenna Review

Garmin D-series Stub Antenna
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Those that know me know I like to review 4 and 5 star items, unless it is totally junk and I long for the zero star rating. What was garmin thinking when they introduced this?
First - This is NOT a GPS antenna. The Dog collar has an embedded GPS antenna that works upside down while the dog is asleep with 4 bars - and its weatherproof!
Second - What this antenna does is shorten the 6" "rubber duck" antenna that comes with the transmitter. I have a German Shepherd Dog who has no problem wearing the 6" antenna.
Third - This is for VHF transmission (see my review of the external car antenna and the difference it makes from garmin) VHF is a lower frequency and needs a LONGER antenna - not a shorter one to work well.
So the product here is counter productive to getting range on your dog. Hunting dogs ignore the 6" antenna. Nobody goes hunting with a yorkshire terrier that would need a smaller antenna.
So why make it?
I don't know.
You loose range with this antenna versus the factory original - You'll need the car antenna to pick up the signal with this whimpy antenna. MAYBE if you are hunting in tall grass that snags the 6" you might give up range for low profile, but I don't see the point in trimming off 4" then having reception problems on your dog's location.
My advice - stick with the factory transmitter 6" stock unit and buy the car mount if your dog likes to run miles. Finally, this won't help with the GPS reception at all as those antennas are built in and sealed up.
I gave it 2 stars because if your dog only goes a few feet, then it will work. If your dog pushes a mile, you'll loose the link
I also gave it 2 stars because amazon is stocking the accessories and not making me go to some tri-state electronics slum to buy an accessory.
Many astro users will be disappointed by the drop off in range using this

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin D-series Stub Antenna

Garmin Low Profile Short Antenna 010-10809-00 Television Accessories

Buy NowGet 57% OFF

Click here for more information about Garmin D-series Stub Antenna