iPhone 3GS from AT&T. Free ShippingRand McNally GPS Navigator
Manufacturer: Rand McNally Part number: 528866311
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Rand McNally GPS Navigator is a nice portable navigation system for those who love road tripping, but its maps and interface could use refinement.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Rand McNally GPS Navigator price range: $425.99
- Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
- Edited by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 11/01/2006
The good: The Rand McNally GPS Navigator comes with maps preloaded on an SD card and includes preprogrammed trips with staff-recommended attractions. The unit also provides accurate directions and has a built-in MP3 player.
The bad: The 3D map screen and interface can be a bit confusing. The POI database is also slightly outdated.
The bottom line: The Rand McNally GPS Navigator is a nice portable navigation system for those who love road tripping, but its maps and interface could use refinement.
Design
The Rand McNally GPS Navigator's design is basic and functional. Like most portable nav systems today, it's compact and light (4.5x3.2x1.4 inches; 7 ounces) so you can move it from one car to another. On the right spine, there are controls to power the unit on and off, launch the navigation app, and increase and decrease volume. Be warned, when you adjust the sound, the female (or male, depending on which option you chose during setup) voice prompt will say "Louder" or "Softer" as you adjust the sound. Though we thought this was cool at first, we grew tired of it (and the stares and snickers from onlookers) after the first couple of tries and would have preferred a visual prompt instead.
On front of the unit is a 3.5-inch QVGA touch screen. It displays 65,000 colors and is still readable in direct sunlight. The display was also responsive to our commands, but we found the onscreen keyboard small and cramped. Fortunately, the Rand McNally GPS Navigator comes equipped with a stylus (located on the lower-right side), so you don't have to struggle as you enter street addresses. In the user interface, the main menu pages are pretty straightforward, with large icons and clear identification. However, the map screen can get confusing because the information bar isn't clearly marked and the icons don't necessarily match the function. As such, we recommend you give the quick-start guide a read before heading out on your trip.
On the bottom of the Rand McNally GPS Navigator is a reset hole, a mini USB port, and a main power switch, which you have to fiddle with only once to initially turn on the unit. The SD card slot is located on top of the device. Rand McNally packages the GPS Navigator with an SD card preloaded with maps, a copy of the Road Atlas & Travel Planner, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a car charger, a USB cable, software CDs, and reference material.
Features
The Rand McNally GPS Navigator is equipped with an integrated 20-channel SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and comes with maps of North America, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands preloaded on an SD card. The unit is a plug-and-go solution, so all you have to do is insert the card into the expansion slot and start navigating once you have a GPS fix. You will, however, have to go through several quick and easy setup questions (selecting language preference and regional map, for example) the first time you turn on the device.
For navigation, you have the options of entering a specific address, planning a multidestination trip, or simply having the device track your location as you go about your daily routine. To save time, you can also select locations from your Favorites list and recent destinations. If at any point you need directions from your current location to your house, just select the Go Home icon from the main menu.
For longer road trips, Plan Trip is a great tool. Here, you can plan multiple stops along your route, and it's also where you can find Rand McNally's Best of Road trip itineraries with staff-recommended attractions, restaurants, and shops. There are 26 all together, and they include such excursions as "A Pacific Northwest Passage" and "Quintessential New England." Each entry includes an introduction about the journey and which states and attractions it covers. You can access the entire collection by tapping the folder icon with the Rand McNally logo on it; all of the information is also printed in the supplemental copy of Road Atlas & Traveler Planner. This is really a nice feature for those who enjoy road trips or for families on vacation.
Of course, you can also supplement the attractions listed above with the unit's points-of-interest (POI) database, which contains all the basics (gas stations, hotels, ATMs, and so forth) and more specialized categories, including video and game rental shops, health clubs, and churches. You can also search for restaurants by type of cuisine. As we have found on a number of GPS devices we've tested, the Rand McNally GPS Navigator's POI database was a bit outdated.
The GPS Navigator calculates routes by fastest time or shortest distance, and you can instruct it to allow or avoid interstates, ferry ways, or toll roads. You're not just limited to operating on four wheels either, as there are bicycle or pedestrian modes as well. You can access all of these options under the Settings menu. Other navigation features on this device include automatic route recalculation, a detour function, and a route demo.
The map view is where we found the Rand McNally GPS Navigator to stumble behind the competition. Though it offers 2D and 3D views with day and night map colors, the map screen can get confusing. First, in 3D mode, it's sometimes hard to tell which street names correspond with which road, and if you choose to enable POI icons on your maps, the number of graphics that inundate the screen can be overwhelming. Also, as we mentioned in the Design section, the information bar that lines the top of the screen isn't completely intuitive. Some functions are apparent--for example, the magnifying glasses clearly signify the zoom feature--while others are a mystery. The two that really perplexed us were the I icon, which repeats the voice directions, and the A to B button, which zooms out to view the entire route. In addition, the icons are tiny, so it's easy to press the wrong function. Fortunately, the visual cues along the bottom of the map screen that show your next turn, street name, and so forth, are much clearer and easier to understand. Plus, you always have the voice prompts to rely on for guidance. The GPS Navigator does not support text-to-speech functionality.
Finally, the Rand McNally GPS Navigator also has a built-in MP3 player. It supports only the MP3 file format, but you can create and edit playlists right on the device, adjust sound with the equalizer, and repeat tracks.
Performance
We took the Rand McNally GPS Navigator on a test-drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, and the unit performed admirably. From a cold start, the GPS Navigator took about two minutes to obtain a GPS fix, and subsequent starts were much faster; plus, the unit was quick to return with a prescribed route. Before we started our journey to Southern California, we ran some errands about town, and it accurately tracked our position. Once on the road to Santa Barbara, the system provided accurate directions and it also got us back on track quickly after we got off course. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to check out one of the 26 Best of Road trips since none of them fit into our route.
User reviews
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Fast route calculation, great display & easy to use
by sdharam on October 25, 2006
Pros: Route calculation is super fast, there is no loss of signal like my Garmin unit and destination entry is a breeze.
Cons: I'm not crazy about the color scheme of the display but the unit performance more than compensates for that.
Summary: This is a great little unit. Once I started using the unit as a tool and not a new toy, I discovered that the features that were important to me ...
Summary: This is a great little unit. Once I started using the unit as a tool and not a new toy, I discovered that the features that were important to me day to day were that I needed to quickly enter destination information and then rely on the unit to get me there...and it did!
As I make 3-5 planned stops a day, the planning a trip is a great feature - I spend a couple of minutes punching in my destinations and then I'm done entering for the day. If I have an unexpected stop there is an interim destination feature that lets me add a destination on the way.
The display is sharp and clear with uncluttered information. I'm able to tell a customer what time I'm going to aririve or how long it will take me to get there without having to press any buttons!
I've also found that signal reception is excellent - I would lose signal at least once a day with my Garmin unit, I haven't lost it once with this one!
I will be purchasing at least one more of the Rand McNally units for my service technician who's either trying to read a map while driving or parked on the roadside. (You also get a free handy reference map just in case you can't break the habit)
All in all, this is a simple and easy to use unit that is reliable and accurate. It's everything that I needed!5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great buy! Easy to use!
by mmerch on November 9, 2006
Pros: Easy to use, great features
Cons: None that I can think of...
Summary: I have never had a GPS before, having been intimidated by the technical know-how other units demand. But, a friend told me about this one that she had received and ...
Summary: I have never had a GPS before, having been intimidated by the technical know-how other units demand. But, a friend told me about this one that she had received and I thought I'd take a chance. Fortunately, I've liked it!
The Rand McNally GPS is extrememly user-friendly and has a lot of added bonus features that make it a great value! Directions were straighforward and accurate and the voice prompts were very clear and provided well enough in advance so that they were easy to follow.
I also liked the additional attractions feature-- we used it to find a restaurant while we were traveling.
Meanwhile, also having a companion map helps to provide further information.
Really like this GPS!2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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More than matches the sales discription.
by JOHN BUCCIONI on November 3, 2007
Pros: User friendly and with many useful menus.
Cons: Data updates not yet availble for it.
Summary: I feel somewahat cheated that such a large company does not offer updates.
At the speed of change, I accepted that it was outdated when I got it, but did ...Summary: I feel somewahat cheated that such a large company does not offer updates.
At the speed of change, I accepted that it was outdated when I got it, but did expeect
periodical updates offered for sale.
Possibly other owners can also call them to encourage an update for us.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great GPS and portable
by sepennell on November 10, 2006
Pros: Easy to use, includes estimated time of arrival and mileage to destination
Cons: None so far, looking forward to using it on longer trips!
Summary: This is a great GPS device! It is very simple to set up and use immediately because the directions are very clear. It also comes with a small Rand McNally ...
Summary: This is a great GPS device! It is very simple to set up and use immediately because the directions are very clear. It also comes with a small Rand McNally atlas and mount for the windshield.
When you are actually driving the directions are given in a clear voice with plenty of warning time before a turn. It also includes estimated time of arrival and mileage for that trip. I can plan different routes with different stops and if I choose to go a different direction, the GPS will self correct and give me a new route.
I have not used the MP3 yet, but I plan on loading songs soon.
Great new product!1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great software!
by christianweber on November 9, 2006
Pros: The locater and maps are accurate and included new roads. Directions were direct and precise, and the voice prompts provided clean instructions and correct distances before turns.
Cons: I had no use for the MP3 player.
Summary: The settings are functional and easy to adjust. I especially enjoyed the point of interest software, which easily directed me to nearby attractions, shopping, restaurants, etc. Overall, I liked the ...
Summary: The settings are functional and easy to adjust. I especially enjoyed the point of interest software, which easily directed me to nearby attractions, shopping, restaurants, etc. Overall, I liked the system.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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LOVE This GPS
by scottandroni247 on November 15, 2007
Pros: Easy to learn, No Addl Memory Cards required, Dont have to download specific areas of the USA when traveling.
Cons: There are none that I have found
Summary: Have had a few GPS systems and I just love this one. Other portables, require you to purchase memory cards and download different regions when you are traveling. This Rand ...
Summary: Have had a few GPS systems and I just love this one. Other portables, require you to purchase memory cards and download different regions when you are traveling. This Rand McNally has the memory built in and you can travel all over the USA without downloading anything additional. So simple to use. You will not make a mistake with this purchase!
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I've enjoyed this product!
by sheapa on November 9, 2006
Pros: Voice instructions, clear graphics, allows you to find gas stations, stores, atms
Cons: hard to enter address of destination
Summary: I've enjoyed the product, and it is pretty easy to learn to use. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and allows you to locate the closest stores/atms as ...
Summary: I've enjoyed the product, and it is pretty easy to learn to use. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and allows you to locate the closest stores/atms as well as a specific address. It also has an option to navigate home with a push of a button.
0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Rand McNally
- Part number: 528866311
- Description: GPS that is simple enough for everyone to use. The Rand McNally GPS Navigator is the first portable navigation device from the most trusted name on the map. Rand McNally combined 150 years of expertise in maps with cutting edge technology to create the new GPS Navigator. The Rand McNally GPS Navigator is the only system available with both paper maps and a portable navigation device. You get the big picture an atlas provides and turn-by-turn GPS navigation in one box.
General
- Width 4.5 in
- Depth 1.4 in
- Height 3.2 in
- Weight 9 oz
GPS System
- Recommended Use Automotive
- Receiver 20 channel
- Connectivity USB
- GPS Functions / Services Automatic route navigation, Mileage
- Voice Navigation instructions
- Antenna Built-in
- Features Built-in speaker
- Supported Memory Cards SD Memory Card
- Software Included Rand McNally Road Atlas and Travel Planner
Navigation
- Trip computer Trip timer, Avoid ferrys, Trip distance, Avoid toll roads, Avoid interstates, Street address search
Digital Player
- Digital Player Yes
- Supported Formats MP3
Built-in Display
- Type LCD
- Resolution 320 x 240
- Diagonal Size 3.5 in
- Display Illumination Yes
- Color Support Color
- Display Menu Language French, English, Spanish
- Features Touch screen, Adjustable brightness
Connections
- Connector Type USB
Battery
- Battery Enclosure Type Internal
- Battery included qty 1
- Battery technology Lithium ion
- Mfr estimated battery life 4 hour(s)
Miscellaneous
- GPS design features MP3 player, Touchscreen
- Included GPS accessories Stylus, USB cable, 2 GB SD Card, Car power adapter
Manufacturer info
- Rand McNally
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Rand McNally products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.randmcnally.com
- Address:
8255 N. Central Park
Skokie, IL 60076 - Phone: 800/333-0136 ext. 6171
