Magellan drops three new RoadMate GPS devices

Just in time for, um, "driving to stuff" season, Magellan is bringing out three new GPS units, the RoadMate 3000T, 3050T, and 6000T. All three RoadMates feature live traffic information, along with music playback and "SmartDetour" to skip over freeway traffic and the like. You can store maps, photos, and music in the integrated SD card slot, and the 3.5-inch LCD should give a decent view of the road. The 6000T (pictured) headlines the series with hands-free calling integration with your Bluetooth phone, along with a text-to-speech "SayWhere" function that speaks the name of the upcoming street you're supposed to turn on. The 3000T should be available this month for $600, with the 3050T following in June for $650. No word on price for the 6000T, but it should be out in July.

[Thanks Satyabrata]

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2008 7:50PM]

I purchased the version 6 upgrade for my Roadmate 700 from Magellan. It worked fine and it's now a 760. I bought the POI manager off of Ebay and loaded that on my PC and that works fine. Two friends at work have the same units and asked to use my software to update theirs.
When you buy the software from Magellan, they encode your unit serial number into the CD to match the Access Code they give you. When you run the software, it brings up your units serial number automatically and when you type in the supplied code, it stops the installation with an unit mismatch error. They have even tried starting the load with my unit on line, entering the access code which is accepted with my serial number, and then immediately pulling the USB cable and switching units. The load continues and takes two hours because it is slow USB1 and because the files are large. It has twice failed to load, once not loading all the Map files, and the second time not updating the BIOS to the matching version. Though it is SW ver 6, the actual firmware upgrade is to 5.36 (I confirmed this with Magellan). The unit they tried to upgrade is now dead in the water because the FW doesn't match and the mapsets don't match, so the unit finds no maps.
So Two questions:
1.Has anyone figured out how to load the upgrade software using someone elses software which won't match your serial number? If not, it will do you no good to ask these kind people to sell you a copy of thir software
2. Has anyone figured out how to write the original files and firmware version back to the unit to make it functional again?
Magellan says they will no longer do repairs on these units since they are now legacy (non supported) systems.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 24th 2008 11:00AM]

Steve, I feel your pain. I did exactly the same thing with a 2nd unit I purchased on Ebay. Magellan Customer Support will give you an additional unlock code to use when you call and supply them with the serial number, but it won't help once an upgrade attempt has failed. So I also hope to hear ideas from knowledgeable people.

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2008 2:14PM]

OK, yesterday the update was successful! Here's what to try, good luck!
1) Call Magellan and get the unlock code required from each units serial number. Without that, it may not be worthwhile. Magellan customer support didn't object to updating a second unit, I don't know about muliple units. Maybe they should be registered with Magellan, but I registered my second unit after buying the update for the first unit.
2) Turn on GPS unit, then open "My Computer". When it's booted up, plug in the USB cable and it should come up as "Removable Disk Drive". (F: in my case). Open it and delete all files. This takes guts, but I had nothing to lose. Also, my unit was rebooting every 15 seconds or so after the USB cable was connected, and it took a long time to delete everything. I also had to restart the GPS and open My Computer every time this happend, as I got the "Device not Found" message at that time.
3) When the GPS hard drive files are deleted, unplug the USB cable and you should see a "No Map Data" screen with "Continue" and "Shutdown" options, touch continue.
4) You should then see the previous usernames, which is close to a "restore". But there is no map data, old or new. Oddly enough, the last location is remembered. Now you can insert the update DVD and follow the "normal instructions".
5) Since this will remove your map data, so be sure you have the correct unlock code to perform the update, or maybe the disk that came with the unit can restore the original map. I didn't get any software with my units so I don't know.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2006 7:33PM]

Youtube is down. Bandwidth issues catching up with them???

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2006 8:16PM]

Are these things getting more accurate? Or is it just a Canadian problem? The last one I saw would NOT calibrate, and would have you driving into more than one ditch.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2006 11:07PM]

Actually, the GPS is just about as accurate in Canada as it is in the US (3-10m, depending on the satellite constellation). The problem is that the maps in Canada aren't as accurate as the maps in the US metropolitan areas.

Most of the Canadian coverage comes from paper maps from the Canadian government which were surveyed pre-GPS, where as the US data has been 80% driven by NAVTEQ in the last 5 years using differential GPS.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2006 2:25AM]

These are navigational aids, and is not meant to replace common sense. All gps manuals say something to that effect. There's no need to calibrate gpses.

[unebaguettesvp Posted Apr 4th 2006 2:38AM]

that's funny. i live exactly where that arrow is. interesting...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2006 9:30AM]

It's interesting that Magellan came out with these three new devices soon after TomTom announced their new GO devices coming to the US soon. I like what I've read about TomTom's 510 and 910, so I might hold off til they are available here.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2006 9:53AM]

I want a bigger screen version of this that can be used by watercraft (e.g. http://blog.rebang.com/?p=836 ). Anything for boaters out there? I've not looked but am guessing there are some cool ones out by now.

[dhodory Posted Apr 4th 2006 10:02AM]

Looking for the Holy Grail of GPS units (evidently). Love these devices, but want a truly handsfree BlueTooth implementation for my cell phone -- if I have to take my hands (and eyes) off the road to answer a call or dial a number, it's not really handsfree. I want something that responds to voice commands (as in: "answer call", or "dial home"). Anyone know if such a product exists?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2006 10:58AM]

Hey, I live there!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2006 6:17PM]

Why is it that GPS demo screens ALWAYS show West Los Angeles? ALWAYS? Is this the #1 GPS market? (wouldn't surprise me, given the affluence and the generally horrible quality of drivers). But still, c'mon. At least throw us a bone with a Downtown LA or something....

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2006 8:57AM]

"Looking for the Holy Grail of GPS units (evidently). Love these devices, but want a truly handsfree BlueTooth implementation for my cell phone -- if I have to take my hands (and eyes) off the road to answer a call or dial a number, it's not really handsfree. I want something that responds to voice commands (as in: "answer call", or "dial home"). Anyone know if such a product exists?"

Not to harp on the new TomToms that are coming out, but both the 510 and 910 are supposed to have fully integreated handsfree BT.

[dhodory Posted Apr 5th 2006 12:10PM]

Andrew, as far as I can tell from the TomTom website, the TomTom Go910 does have BlueTooth for handsfree conversations, it does not accept voice commands for answering or dialing (or if it does, the website does not mention it in any way). According to the website, the driver must touch the screen to both answer and dial calls.

For the time being, the TT Go910 is the closest thing to what I'm looking for, but it's not quite there yet.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 10th 2006 2:30PM]

David:

not a portable device, but acuralink built into Acura cars (TSX, TL, RL, RDX) does do bluetooth voice calling...

[(Unverified) Posted May 12th 2006 5:08PM]

Anyone have trouble upgrading Magellan RoadMate 700 to Version 5? after upgrade GPS could no longer find my home, tried resetting GPS and even reloading maps. Customer service is non responsive. Anyone having similar problems?

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2006 3:47PM]

I tried upgrading the RoadMate 700 to version 5 and now it says it can't find any Map Data.

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2006 10:24PM]

Re: upgrade of Roadmate 700 to Version 5. Yes, I had lots of problems, and after describing the problem and symptoms to Magellan, it was as if they hadn't read anything I wrote. Their "solution" ignored most of what I described to them, step by step. So, I eventually had to figure it out on my own through persistant troubleshooting. Never could upgrade using my home PC, but was able to eventually upgrade using my laptop. That included many reboots, unplugging 700 power and/or USB cable until I finally got the 700 and the PC to "talk" to each other and complete the upgrade (was NOT able to follow the printed upgrade instructions).

By the way, after finally making the upgrade work (and it works beautifully), I have yet, again, been able to get either my desktop OR my laptop to recognize the 700 as a USB device, which simply means that the POI Manager is totally useless.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2006 10:52PM]

D Martin, thanks! I tried it on my laptop and sure enough it worked just fine. Thanks for the idea.

[(Unverified) Posted May 20th 2006 4:47PM]

Is it worth the $100.00 to upgrade to version 5?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 9th 2006 8:01AM]

Jeff , Jason, or D Martin,

Are any of you interested in selling the 5.0 version upgrade for the magellan 700? If you are, could you please e-mail me at [e-mail]
Thanks, raotime

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 9th 2006 2:49PM]

Hey raotime,
I am looking to buy the software as well for the upgrade version 5, lemme know if you find it I can buy from you.
Thanks
Zaheer

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2006 1:03AM]

Zaheer,The software from megellan costs 99 dollars plus six dollars shipping. I don't mind buying the software. After I update my magellan 700, I can send you the software for 55 dollars. This way we split the cost. If interested email me at [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2006 2:19PM]

I have had lots of trouble upgrading to version 5. It gets only as far as loading the map index then it crashes. Every time. I think the DVD is bad. I asked them to send a new one. They should have shipped it in a hard case rather than the soft sleeve it came in. There were scratches on it right out of the sleeve. Jason, I know with my unit I have to leave the USB cable unplugged, then turn it on, get to the "Destination" screen by pressing User 1. Then plug the USB cable in. If I plug the USB cable in first it will not work.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2006 2:26PM]

DMartin, I know with my unit I have to leave the USB cable unplugged, then turn it on, get to the "Destination" screen by pressing User 1. Then plug the USB cable in. If I plug the USB cable in first it will not work.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2006 2:30PM]

Zaheer, I wanted to warn you that the fine print on the software upgrade says that it will only work on a unit that has the same serial number that the software is intended for. When you plug your unit in it reads the serial number off of your unit. If it is different than the one the software is intended for the password will not work. I would imagine this is to prevent people from selling it to eachother on the internet.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 9th 2006 3:18AM]

Magellan 700... i want to also upgrade my unit and just want to know if you can share the same software for several units. if it is ok to share will someone sell me a copy? [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2006 5:23PM]

I am looking for a Magellan version 5 for cheap. please send me an email at [e-mail] if you can sell it for cheap

Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 31st 2007 12:15AM]

i got mine that i want to sell for 150+shipping. it only includes the car adapter, windshield mount and an external antenna. no manuals boxes cds or wall charge though. only flaw with this unit is that it takes too muh time to locate the position. sometimes it takes time sometimes it gets it fast.
email me at [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 11th 2007 8:22PM]

I had very little problem doing the DVD Software Update Version 5 on my Magellan Roadmate 700. However, I am completely baffled by the CD POI Manager upgrade. There are no instructions for it (at least I didn't get any). I would appreciate assistance from anyone having done the POI Manager Upgrade. Specifically, which files to I import? Thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 12:00AM]

I am looking for cheap V5 for Magellan Roadmate 700 if anyone has one to share / sell.
Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 12:03AM]

I have a Magellan Roadmate 700 V.5 that the speakers are going bad so I purchased a new Roadmate 700 V.3.
Does anyone know if I can copy the hard drive from the old one to the new one?
Thanks
Patricia