Magellan Maestro 5310: Review

Posted to GPS 2009-11-11

Magellan Maestro 5310 review:

If you are ready to upgrade to a premium GPS, then consider the 5-inch widescreen Magellan Maestro 5310 Portable GPS Navigator. Packed with the performance and features that every traveler needs, this model is perfect for users who want a simple, easy to use device with a large interface and quick navigating. Although it lacks Bluetooth and voice command, this top-of-the-line GPS impresses more with navigation- it reroutes within seconds and has location accuracy within a few meters. If you want a great GPS and don't mind the price, then this may be the one for you.

This GPS measures 3.61 x 5.64 x 0.74 inches and weighs a reasonable 2.4 pounds. The Maestro 5310 follows its predecessors by offering an excellent touch-screen interface with easy-to-read fonts and large buttons. This model features a powerful GPS chip, which allows you to quickly access directions and POI (Points of Interest). It also comes with a free 3-month traffic subscription, which provides real-time traffic updates and detour directions. The most missed features, however, is Bluetooth and voice command. These features would've made this device the perfect buy.

Rating:

3.4 out of 5

Quality

This model is nicely built- the big screen and easy interface make it well-worthwhile on road trips. Unfortunately, as with all other devices, it has its downsides. Aside from price, the biggest complaint is that the maps and firmware are outdated. With the Magellan Maestro 5310, navigation is very quick, easy, and efficient; however, if you live in a remote region, you will find the lack of updated maps to be frustrating. Magellan offers a free 30-day map update, but unless you can successful navigate their customer service, you're better off not bothering.

Value

The biggest downside to this product is the expensive price- competing GPS devices offer more features, sometimes for a lower price. But what makes the Magellan Maestro 5310 valuable are its eye-popping 5-inch widescreen display, the huge POI database, and user-friendly AAA support. This model is incredibly fast and easy in navigation, and users will have few or no difficulty in finding their destination. There are plenty of alert sounds, and the navigational voice is clear and loud so you can focus on the road instead of the GPS. For the price, you can find similar GPS devices, but if you want a big screen and great performance, consider this one.

Summary

Overall, the Magellan Maestro 5310 is a great GPS with surprising performance and an intuitive interface. This model is one of the first to feature a large 5-inch touch screen, and this is a great motivator for people who can't see well or get frustrated with smaller models. Although the maps are outdated and there is no Bluetooth or voice command, this GPS ranks above-average as far as navigational performance and ease of use. If those are your two top-priorities, then consider this model.

Pros

Huge 5-inch touch screen and easy-to-use interface
Excellent, accurate navigational performance
Performs with a battery life of up to 3 hours
Features traffic updates and other goodies

Cons

Expensive, outdated maps, no Bluetooth or voice-command