Magellan Maestro 3200 Auto Navigation System


Manufacturer: Magellan
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

List Price:$269.99
Our Price:$215.09
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Features:
  • New 3.5" QVGA full-color, anti-glare, touch-screen display
  • 1.3 Million Searchable Points of Interest:
  • New look and function with an ultra-thin, stylish,industrial design
  • QuickSpell¿: intelligently searches and checks spelling when entering addresses
  • SmartDetour¿: prompts drivers to route around heavy or stopped freeway traffi c

Description:
We've been big fans of Magellan's Maestro line since it came out in early 2006. The Maestro interface is incredibly easy to use, even for those who are not completely comfortable with electronics. At the same time, Magellan was ahead of the industry with useful innovations like multi-destination routing and pre-loaded reviews for points of interest like hotels and restaurants (from AAA). With it's 3200 and 4200 series,  Magellan has improved the Maestro line giving them a SirfStar III chipset that provides super-fast. satellite lock and making them thinner. In fact, at .7 inches, these are -- at the time of this writing (November 2007), the thinnest portable GPS navigators available. Distingushing between models is also fairly easy. The 3200-series navigators feature a 3.5-inch screen, while the 4200s have a 4.3-inch widescreen display. The 3200 and 4200 offer great, basic navigation with turn-by-turn spoken directions, pre-loade maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and 1.3 million POIs. The 3210 and 4210, add maps for Canada and Alaska, AAA travel information (see details below) and bump you up to 6 million POIs. The 3220 and 4220 add maps of Mexico. The top-of-the-line 3250 and 4250 add a host of other features, including text-to-speech directions that give real street names, bluetooth for hands-free phone calls, integrated traffic (with a free 3-month subscription), and voice command. What Makes the Maestro 3200 Exceptional? Easy To Use Interface The intuitive user interface makes the Maestro series incredibly easy to use. Use the big icons on the 3.5-inch touch screen to search for your destination by address, intersection, or any of 1.3 million points of interest (POIs), including restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, and more. You can even touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination, see name and address, and get an instant route. Turn by turn visual and spoken directions guide you every step of the way. Auto re-route gets you quickly back on track whenever you make a detour or miss a turn. QuickSpell feature intelligently searches and checks spelling when you enter addresses. The 3200 offer multiple view options, including 2D, 3D, and TrueView that shows your upcoming turn using a 3D split screen. Maneuver List displays the full turn-by-turn details of your route. Auto night view adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing Take It Anywhere The 3200 is super-thin, lightweight and fits easily into any pocket. The integrated rechargeable battery enables you to operate the Maestro 3200 away from your vehicle for up to three hours. The battery recharges while driving via the included vehicle power adapter. Tons of Data The 3200 comes pre-loaded with Navteq maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and 1.3 million points of interest (POIs). POI data includes telephone numbers and addresses. It also has an Address Book in which you can create and store POIs and addresses that you use frequently. Flexible Routing The 3200 provides a particularly large number of routing features relevant to its price point. Multi-destination routing: Select up to 20 destinations and choose the order that best fits your needs. SmartDetour: Prompts you to route around heavy or stopped freeway traffic. Customizable route methods: Choose between Fastest Time, Shortest Distance, Least or Most Use of Freeways, and Avoid Toll Roads Route exclusion: Select streets and freeways to avoid so you can get there your way What’s in the Box Magellan Maestro 3200 GPS receiver, Adhesive disk for dash mounting, Basic cradle, Vehicle power adapter (12-24 watts), Quick reference guide and CD, Windshield mount Optional Accessories AC Wall power supply/charger, USB data cable About Magellan Magellan is a leader in the consumer, survey, GIS, and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the Company is the creator of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate series and the Magellan Maestro portable car navigation systems, the Magellan eXplorist and the Magellan Triton outdoor handheld navigation devices, and the Hertz NeverLost car navigation system, the best-selling single frequency GPS survey product line on the market. The Magellan Maestro series includes such unique features as built-in AAA travel information and voice command and control drivingâ€"which no other portable GPS manufacturer in the U.S. or Canada offers. The company is recognized worldwide through its Magellan brand and has experienced dramatic revenue growth as GPS technology has proliferated across a range of consumer and commercial applications. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with European headquarters in Carquefou, France.


Magellan Maestro 3200 Auto Navigation System
Reviews:

starsfinding your way
Friend had the roadmate, Purchased the magellan ..found my way in an instant,,,buy it..it will sve you many sleepness night trying to figure where you are...Ha,...easy to use,,plug and play


starsBe sure to double check the directions
I've had this for about 4 months now and it always gets me to the right place, but not on the quickest route. Sometimes it will tell me to go down a wrong road several miles and turn around and come back to the right turn. The mapping software still has a few bugs to be worked out and product support has told me that they coming out with a software upgrade in early 2008.


starsCool Beans
Maestro of Magellan is the new freshest friend to leave on a journey with. That really resembles to somebody is in the car with you saying each turn to make. I was thus applied with Magellan whom I bought for my son and father. Maintaining six people in the family one and each one have love it. It is the new functional toy of need more ordered on the market today. The Eagle Bald person


starsMeastro is a fine unit.
I in the beginning was placed on buying a unit of TomTom GPS but snagged then this one during him is week of beginning. I like my unit and had relatively few problems with it. The few problems which I encountered are: Some of the letters will visually tighten (most of the time the "E") but the system will not enter the character. From time to time I will take the unit around the city and to have noted sometimes it will say to me to take the routes which are added on a block to my time of drive (to leave the library requires of a turn on the left on the first principal street, and then of a left different from going to the house. Maestro guide me towards the left second and then a left from there). But, naturally, it always carries out me to the same place which is not a problem. The recalculation can take completely a little if you need him then RIGHT. Come to the house from Disneyland, the motorway was stopped and I needed an almost-instantaneous recalculation, unfortunately that took with some more seconds than envisaged and I missed the turn which I was supposed to take. I always became at the house. For: I appreciate really unit of GUI (graphic user interface) this the Pea A and plethora. A thing which this thing cannot find is lanes of bowling! (neither one nor the other want Garmin of my friend!) The icon of truck of towing is handy to have and shows your place running with the latitude, longitude, and altitude. (Garmin of my friend does not have this) it shows even the streets transversely closest ahead and behind you to facilitate it, I suppose, in the ANTI-AIRCRAFT DEFENCE when your car is broken down. It is really difficult to miss your turn since the voice requires next operation 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5 thousand before you reaches the operation. When you finally reach it a bell will sound. The divided screen is also very handy that you can obtain a close-up the operations crafty ones and can be laid out in advance. Compared to Garmin, I prefer this unit. Most of the time because of the facility of navigation around the menus and the options and the very pleasant interface. If I were to still remake it, I would seek Magellan with the traffic in real time and that announces the street names. Other that this, I love my maestro.


starsI AM IN GPS HEAVEN
I just picked up this GPS at Best Buy for a deal of $199.99. I must say that this is absolutely one of the best GPS navigation systems out there. As soon as I got the product out of the box, I just mounted the device and plugged in the USB cable and I was off. I am still astounded by the rapid speed of this device. Magellan seriously did a great job of building a product that is User-Friendly, Exciting, Precise, and ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. It may not have Text-to-Speech capability and Bluetooth connectivity but this device sure does blow the rest out of the water. I have used the Garmin StreetPilot c340 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator before and I really enjoyed the ease of use and the speed of the GPS unit but I must say that I enjoy using this product much more. Its cheaper, thinner, and just as if not faster than the Garmin StreetPilot. The only con of this product is the few Points of Interests. I wish that it had more POIs but I can't be picky because the quality of the product makes up for that. I decided to purchase this product because of its slim form factor, the price "199.99", Trip Planner feature, Simulator Mode, ease of use, interface, and the Current Location feature. I believe that this is the best product for anyone who doesn't want to pay an arm and a leg for a GPS Navigation System. This GPS may not drive you to your destination, but it cure can get you to your destination with a piece of mind.


starsVery pleased !
I had employed the article of ths for one month now and did not can be happier. I travel to several places during my day. the programming of the addresses easy and is saved in a personal address book. Everywhere where I am I can click on my address book, selected a name, and in seconds would be on my way support to the bottom of the streets or the roads being connected which I never knew existed at my place. The price and the options made with this a great purchase.


starsdriving all over the place
this navigation system is great! Once you get it programed for where you are trying to go, it get there. If you should make a wrong turn it quickly recalulates your route. It was a little hard to get the right info in at first but the more you use it the easier it got. I paid more for it on Amazon then it cost at best buy, only because best buy sold out and I wanted it for Christmas for may trip. Got one for my sister,nephew,and my self we all LOVE It!!!!


starsSo far so good ...
I've read some negative reviews regarding sensitivity of other navigation units, but the Maestro has no problem picking up the signal inside our house. The software for routing is very intuitive. My only critique is for the chintzy default mounting bracket you get with the unit - the suction cup may or may not stick to the windshield - it didn't with ours.


starsDoes What It's Supposed To
Picked up the Maestro 3200 a few weeks ago and have been trying it out locally. Seems to work really well. It's a very compact unit and easily stores in the glove compartment. It acquires GPS signals much better and faster than previous GPS units I've owned - it even acquired GPS signals from inside my house. It has an automatic night mode which is also nice. The internal maps seem to be relatively new - the Magellan website says March 2007 - and it shows new businesses (POIs) correctly. It does, however, show some gas stations, etc. and not others, even when they've been around for years. The menus are fairly straightforward, but like with most products there are some menu items that are not totally intuitive. And of course, it doesn't play MP3's, have Bluetooth, or other extras. It just gets you to where you're going. Overall, I'm very pleased with the unit.


starsMaestro 3200 vs Nuvi 200
This is a solid entry level GPS from Magellan. After a week of testing the Maestro 3200 with a similar entry level GPS from Garmin--the Nuvi 200, I had a hard time deciding which one to keep. In the end, I went with the Nuvi, not because one is superiorly better than the other, but down to more personal preferences. Here are some positive and negative factors for each device:

Startup and Satellites Acquisition:
In my car, the Maestro takes 40 seconds from startup to acquiring satellites, whereas the Nuvi takes 50 seconds. (Your results may vary depending on where you are.) Furthermore, the Maestro takes less than 5 seconds for the main menu to appear, whereas the Nuvi takes closer to 23 seconds from startup to main menu. So that on the Maestro, user is able to start inputing much sooner. Once satellites are acquired, both devices are able to hold on to the signal exceedingly well, even indoor.

Screens, Menus and Interfaces:
Both devices have a gorgeous 3.5 screen that is very bright and can be viewed from extreme angles. I do find that the Nuvi screen is more pleasing to look at though. Menus and interfaces are very intuitive and user friendly. Most users would not have to read the manual to start using both devices. All the important categories are represented by large icons and easily accessed by touchscreen. In term of layouts, fonts, and color choices, I prefer the Nuvi as the overall design is more inviting. Also, as you navigate between menus and input text, the Maestro would announce your every input such as "Back," "Next," "Cancel," letters and numbers, which I find quite annoying. On the Nuvi, it just "beep" to confirm your entry.

Features:
Instead of comparing all the features for each device, I will just list those that I find important.

Both the Maestro 3200 and Nuvi 200 are preloaded with map of the lower 48 states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. If you want map for Alaska and Canada, consider the Maestro 3210 and Nuvi 250. However, the Nuvi has the ability to add more maps such as Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia through SD card. As far as I know, the Maestro is not able to add more maps.

I love the usefulness and convenience of the "Points of Interest" database, and thus the more the better. The Nuvi has close to 6 millions compare to 1.3 millions on the Maestro. That means you would be able to find more businesses and attractions wherever you are on the Nuvi without looking up on a computer, phone, or Yellow Pages. For example, the Nuvi lists all the major retailers that do not appear on the Maestro. Both devices allow custom POIs from users to upload.

When searching by POI name, the Maestro is able to bring up the result(s) much faster though. I did a search for a restaurant that is 15 miles from my location and the Maestro took less than 2 seconds to display the result. Whereas, the Nuvi took an excruciatingly 48 seconds to find the result. However, finding businesses that are within a 5 miles radius to a user's location will show up only slightly slower than the Maestro.

The Maestro features a multi-point routing called "Trip Planner" that allows user to input multiple destinations and optimize for the best routes for the entire trip. So, if you do a lot of errands or plan a long trip with multiple destinations, the planner would come in very handy. On the Nuvi, you can only add one additional waypoint at a time while traveling to your final destination. To get around this, Nuvi user can first search all the destinations prior, as the addresses would automatically be put under the "Recently Found" folder or choose to save under "Favorites." Then as you reach each destination, recall the next address under each folder. It's not an elegant solution and your entire trip is not optimize like the Maestro.

The re-route and detour functions are available on both devices. So, if you miss a turn, both GPS will automatically re-calculate and get you back on track. I often find that the new route is generated before reaching the next block. As for detour, the Maestro has a much more robust feature. When using detour, user can specify 3, 5, 10 or custom miles from the main route. On the Nuvi, there is no user specification, just an option to detour.

Both have customizable route methods, such as "Fastest Time" and "Shortest Distance." The Maestro has additional methods of "Least" or "Most Use of Freeways." I find "Most Use of Freeways" to be a valuable option. During the time of day when there's little traffic, I can use this option even when Maestro recommends surface street under "Fastest Time." I prefer travelling on freeways rather than through all the stop lights and signs on surface streets. The Nuvi does not have this option. The Nuvi has an "Off Road" method that I doubt I will ever select. Under a sub-category, user can specify to avoid toll roads on both devices. On the Nuvi, user can further select to avoid u-turns, highways, carpool lanes, unpaved roads, etc.

As for the navigation, routing, and map display screen, this is where I ultimately prefer the Nuvi. The Nuvi renders the 3-D map beautifully with bold outlines, excellent color schemes, sharp fonts, smooth anti-aliasing and shading, and polish appearance. Street name for next turn is clearly displayed on a horizontal bar on top, for example, "Turn Left on Main Street." By clicking the top bar, another screen will appear that display a turn-by-turn preview to your destination. As you approach a turn, the map will slowly zoom in with an arrow prompting a more detailed section of the turn. After the turn, the map will zoom out to the normal display. The whole process is very fluid and instinctive. On the left and right hand corners show "time of arrival" and "distance to the next turn" respectively. There is no option to customize the display such as showing time or distance remain to your destination. There is another screen that you can access for those info. When clicking anywhere on the 3-D navigation map, a detailed 2-D map will appear to give you more information and layout of your current location. Your arrow vehicle can be customize to show a variety of vehicles, from race car to even a tank. More choices can be downloaded on Garmin website. This might seems superfluous to some, but it just adds another level of user experience. After viewing Nuvi's 3-D map, it's difficult to go back to another competitor.

The Maestro's 3-D navigation map is not ugly by any standard, just not as refine comparing to the Nuvi. The Maestro's map display is more cluttered, but with more information available to the driver at a glance. For example, the horizontal bars on top and bottom will display the name of the street that the driver is on and the street for the next turn. There's also an icon to indicate the next turn and compass. User can also customize to display anything from "time of arrival" to "distance remain." On the Nuvi, driver would have to exit the navigation screen for additional info. I also really like that the Maestro will display selected POI icons, such as nearby gas and ATM, on the 3-D map. Furthermore, user can customize what POI categories will display on the map. However, the more categories are selected, the harder it will be to distinguish the icons on a busy street. Like the Nuvi, the Maestro also display a turn-by-turn preview to your destination. However, the Maestro goes a step further by allowing the user to exclude any of the street on the list. So, if you know a street is under maintenance or prefer not to travel on, just exclude that section and the Maestro will re-route when possible.

As for the 3-D rendering, the map outlines are a bit jagged but very detailed with sharp fonts. As you approach a turn, the Maestro will split the screen vertically and show a close-up of the section along with the normal view. Having tested the Maestro and Nuvi for a week, I find both GPS very capable in their routing algorithm. Both devices don't always give you the identical routes to your destination, but I can't really say one is better than the other. However, I observe that the Maestro tends to calculate routes with more turns. On the Nuvi, the voice guidance does indicate whether your arriving destination is on the right or left hand side of the road, which I find helpful. Both GPS have its quirks, such as sometimes calculating longer routes than necessary or the destination off by a block. However, for the most part, the routes on both are very accurate.

Another thing for me to consider when choosing a GPS is the battery life. Both the Maestro and Nuvi can be powered using the included vehicle cable. However, when driving around town, I prefer not to have the unsightly cable dangling from the windshield, especially if you have other devices that use the vehicle power, like an iPod. The Nuvi rechargeable battery is rated up to 5 hours comparing to 3 hours on the Maestro. Both do not come with an A/C charger, but can still be charged using USB to mini-USB on a computer or alternatively charging by car. The speakers on both are pretty loud, but I much prefer the voice on the Nuvi as it sounds more warm comparing to the very robotic pitch of the Maestro. I have yet required customer support, but from what I read from other users and reviewers is that Garmin gives better support to their products. For example, Garmin provides a free WebUpdater software that will automatically update the GPS with the latest software. When I purchased the Nuvi and ran the software, it automatically update my GPS system version from 3.4 to 3.5. That to me instill confidence that Garmin will continue to support their devices.

In summary, the Maestro 3200 and Nuvi 200 are excellent entry level GPS that I have no problem recommending. I decided on the Nuvi due to the excellent 3-D map, interface, large POIs, route calculation, overall design, and battery life. However, the Maestro has more features such as trip planner, a robust detour, faster search, and "Most Use of Freeways" option that some might consider more valuable. Prices are comparable and really come down to personal preferences. You can't go wrong with either one.





starsMagellan 3200 VS TomTom LE
I bought TomTom it and maestro 3200 of Magellan and was irresolute as for which unit to keep. Thus, I decided to open them both and to judge them outside. After the reading many reviews/opinions owners of these two devices on line, I finally decided to keep TomTom it. My reasons of this are: 1. Personalization... that I feel that is customizable. What I by this want to say is it had more options such as planning route, voice changing of councils, ` help me of the ' devices, the devices display, etc... I just smelled myself after having employed both that had more options/features compared with the 3200. I like to be able to have as much ordering of my GPS like possible and to be able to change multiple arrangements that TomTom proviced. 2. Mapshare... in my opinion, this is one of the best devices of the TTT it. You to allow to publish the chart and of the updates of share/get of others is a marvellous tool because it enables you to hold your up to date chart. The other nice thing is that already comes it with a cable from USB, whereas 3200 steps. You can already have the cable of USB necessary for your 3200 at your house, but if you not, it will place you behind a couple more dollars on your label of prices $169.99. 3. Navigation... when I removed the two units with the test, they both directed me to the also good multiple places. Periods ago when the 3200 carried me to a faster route by opposition to, but for the majority, both could find places in an equal way. I noted that TomTom could recheminer like quickly just if not more quickly than the 3200. What I like approximately the 3200 is the fact that it indicates to you which side your destination is lit when you are about to arrive; this device of does not have it what I noted. Another device that I liked better approximately the 3200 is posting while directing. This seems more organized and better combination compared with; for example, right before a turn, maestro enters a type of divided screen of mode. I did not download the newest chart of TomTom still, but in terms of advance and navigation, both worked large. The selection to the top of the satellite reception was not a problem with one or the other unit as well. I could obtain the strong signals inside and outside. 4. Pea... after research by Pea in the two units, it seemed as had it a choice more extended. There was much Pea which I found in my it that I could not find in the 3200. The two units show the information of the POI such as the name, the telephone number, and addresses it. However, I believe that the 3200 did a better work to organize Pea. If you miss a POI, or if you it need remove a POI, it is much easier to do this on it. 5. Service with the customers... while stripped of I was to call one or the other companies still, I read many negative comments concerning the service with the customers of Magellan. It is one of the most important aspects to me when I buy a product because I want to always make sure that my problems will be solved quickly and professionally if they never emerge. As for TomTom, I read negative comments as well, but not almost as much of like Magellan. In terms of service to the customers, my research has the wire I to accept that in terms of service the customers: Garmin=Excellent TomTom=Average Magellan=Poor to add it upwards, I chose TomTom it because it seemed to offer more for my money. While it provided charts of Teleatlas as are opposed to Navteq, the 3200 and seemed to be equal in terms of exactitude of navigation/map. To be honest, I felt that the 3200 were easier to use. The menu is easier to direct through in my opinion, and suitable better with a user of first time GPS (the icons of menu seemed better in the 3200). I also think that the 3200 came with the best built aspiration than it. Maestro is thinner than it than the marks it nicer glance, but that is right personal preference and not something which were really much of a factor for me. The two units have a pretty short life of battery once compared with the units of Garmin (3200 = 3 hours; = 2 hours). To my opinion, if you want something which gives you much freedom to adapt to the customer requirements and you are very good with technology, go with it. If you want something simpler to employ, go with the 3200.


starsUpdated Maps and POI's
I had the opportunity to do an in-car hands-on comparison between this unit (3200) and a slightly older Magellan Roadmate 2200T. The 3200 is smaller and has an updated look to the interface and map screen. It also responds more quickly to inputs.

The feature I like most is the ability to tap the position triangle and then scroll around the map. When you are zoomed in to closest 2 or 3 zoom levels you can scroll around the 3D map this way. On the 2200T I found I had to be in 2D map view to be able to scroll the map. Very handy feature! Also, on the 3200 the 3D view seems to be at a slightly higher angle and maybe further back. This made road curvature seem less dramatic and often gave a better view of nearby POI's.

The ability to adjust the brightness was nice at night. The unit switches to night mode automatically (but you can disable this) where the background becomes black. When dimmed to the lowest brightness and in night mode the unit gave off no annoying glow to the interior of the car. The 2200T also had the ability to choose different color schemes in addition to adjustable brightness.

Most importantly the street maps on the 3200 are updated from the 2200T. In my local area, a major highway interchange was reconfigured a few years ago, the 3200 shows the new traffic pattern where the 2200T showed the old one. Streets in my newer development did not show, nor did a new street at a new shopping center, but the 3200 did list some restaurants in that shopping center. They showed up at a nearby intersection. Even though the 3200 has fewer POI's (1.3M?) than the 2200T (1.5M?) they are more current. I've searched for a couple of shopping centers for my wife and neither unit was very helpful, I had to resort to navigating to a nearby restaurant. I suspect shopping centers are difficult POI's for NAVTEQ to keep up with. Wal-Marts were sometimes found under "Grocery" where the "Shopping" category found shopping malls. Maybe the pricier units with 6 million POI's show these businesses better. The 3200 showed gas stations, restaurants, and hotels well enough to please me.

There is no Text-To-Speech on the 3200. However the voice prompts were identical to the TTS enabled 2200T except the 2200T announced the street name or Interstate number at the end of the maneuver. "Slight right turn in 2 miles" vs. "Slight right turn in 2 miles on I-77" Considering the additional cost of TTS enabled units I am pleased with the 3200.

Being physically smaller, the 3200's speaker was smaller than the one in the 2200T and the unit had 5 volume levels and a mute where the 2200T had 7 volume levels and a mute. Hearing the voice prompts from the 3200 was never a problem though.


The mount worked well and seems quite solid. It is not very long however. If you place it low in your window and your window has a long slope, the unit may feel far away. I found I could actually flip the mount upside down and place it higher on the window. The mount and the unit were both small enough to be unobtrusive.

The power cord has a coiled section to keep things tidy. I found the length to be perfect without having any of the coiled section extended.

The included CD-ROM has a .pdf manual and a software utility for creating your own POI's. I have not used that software yet.

There is no PC cable included. Ever buy a printer? You don't usually get them with printers either and this is an entry level unit. I have several cables already that work with this device. The small USB connector (also used for the DC power adapter) is the same as many digital cameras.

Overall I am very satisfied with this purchase.


starsVery Easy
Charge-the and employ it, the 3200 is very simple and impressive to employ. It is my first unit, it is thin and easy of empocher. The frame of cup of aspiration of window is the best. It comes adaptor from power of casing of w/lighter and internal battery.



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