Magellan RoadMate 1700: Review

Posted to GPS 2010-07-30

Magellan RoadMate 1700 review:

To find a standout benefit of the Magellan RoadMate 1700 it is hard to look past the 7 inch widescreen color touch screen, it improves viewing capabilities immensely over previous models in the Magellan range, as well outpacing some competitor offerings. The screen comes with anti glare technology that will further enhance its capabilities on the road.

For a touch screen to be effective, menu options must be easily accessible. Magellan includes the OneTouch favorites menu that will give instant access to personalized settings that are saved on the GPS. These can include bookmarks that have local information as well as favorite places to navigate too. On long drives the 1700 can double as an in car monitor via the A/V input, giving connectivity to a mobile media player to display video or view your digital camera files in transit.

Rating:

3.8 out of 5

Features

Preloaded maps on this GPS for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico are available; while the Mexico map upgrade is sold separately. Up to 6 million points of interest are included the Magellan RoadMate 1700 to keep you up to date on local restaurants, hotels or ATM's that are nearest your current physical location. Highway lane assist is again included in this model to make driving along the busier highways and freeways simpler. The QWERTY keyboard makes a comeback in this model as well; giving those people that are accustomed to the layout that features on most modern computer keyboards less of a learning curve when typing on the RoadMate 1700.

Ergonomics

With a 7inch screen the visibility at angles is going to be increased, though the unit will take up some more space than usual, measuring at a total of 7.5 inches wide and 4.17 inches high. The weight of the unit is also increased with the screen size, now coming in at 10.5 ounces. It is pleasing to see that the overall depth of the unit has been kept down to a minimum at 0.63 inches deep, making for a slim line appearance. Battery operation is available, though you will only get around 30 minutes operation out of it due to the additional power requirements that come with the increased screen size.

Summary

It's got a big screen, which is the ultimate draw card of the Magellan RoadMate 1700. Other features of the unit are available in lower end models and for a decreased price, but you won't have the visibility that the 7 inch screen provides. Power requirements are higher in this model. As it doubles as a video screen for in car entertainment, it is a worthwhile investment if you are in the market for both.

Pros

7 inch widescreen
Lane Assist features
6 Million Points of Interest
A/V Input

Cons

Higher power requirements