Anyone using the Magellan RoadMate 700
Is the cheaper model reliable?

Hello.
I would like to purchase a GPS system for my car. Lots of choices, so I would like to know which is the best for the money. Accuracy for directions? Easy to hear/understand? Most current addresses in the database? Doesn't have to be portable. What are my options for the least expensive unit?

Is a $300 unit worth the purchase?

Thank you.
Pattree

I bought the roadmate 700 2 yrs ago and have loved it ever since. It has a 20 gig hd preloaded maps of the us and canda. When I flew to cali and texas I took it with me. I tried its competitor the garmin 2620 but didn't like it. The cheap 300 ones come with memory cards and u have to preload maps so you only have a map of a certain area. If you go outside that area I hope you have ur laptop to pull over and load more. Oh yeah did I mention those cheap ones u have to buy cd's of different areas. Go with the 700. they also just came out with a newer model. the only difference is it supposedly calls out street names but its over 1,000.

Thank you so very much. Exactly what I wanted to know. I'm continuing to hear really good things about this model 700 (and the 760). That would be an excellent feature... calling out the names....

I will now try to research it for the best price. Thanks.

Quote from 11teen : I bought the roadmate 700 2 yrs ago and have loved it ever since. It has a 20 gig hd preloaded maps of the us and canda. When I flew to cali and texas I took it with me. I tried its competitor the garmin 2620 but didn't like it. The cheap 300 ones come with memory cards and u have to preload maps so you only have a map of a certain area. If you go outside that area I hope you have ur laptop to pull over and load more. Oh yeah did I mention those cheap ones u have to buy cd's of different areas. Go with the 700. they also just came out with a newer model. the only difference is it supposedly calls out street names but its over 1,000.

You may also want to check out tomtom GO units. They just released two new units the GO 300 and 700 (I am playing around with the 300) and I have found them to be quite good. They are particularly designed for car navigation and for the features they offer (loud clear voices, fast route calculation, GREAT maps, and bluetooth features for weatehr and traffic updates), its worth a quick peek. Good luck, the GPS units are a lot of fun and a lot more helpful than I first thought.

Quote from pattree : Thank you so very much. Exactly what I wanted to know. I'm continuing to hear really good things about this model 700 (and the 760). That would be an excellent feature... calling out the names.... I will now try to research it for the best price. Thanks.

go with the 760. my dad has that and it's definitely good to have the names called out. i used the neverlost system which is what the 700 is based on and the unit literally tells you to look at the screen (who's going to do that while driving) to follow their arrow instead of telling you to follow whatever street. pretty cheesy.

Quote from letsgomets : go with the 760. my dad has that and it's definitely good to have the names called out. i used the neverlost system which is what the 700 is based on and the unit literally tells you to look at the screen (who's going to do that while driving) to follow their arrow instead of telling you to follow whatever street. pretty cheesy.

It tells you to look at the screen? LOL. Thats terrible. When I was looking at devices I noticed that the tomtom units had really good descriptions like "at the end of the road make a left" as opposed to "make a left." It sometimes makes a lot of difference so definitely go for good voice directions.