Hands-on with Magellan's new 5340+GPRS connected GPS device and others

Magellan really isn't kidding around when it says it's targeting flush boomers with its new devices -- although its reps wouldn't tell us exactly how much GPRS service would cost for the new $999 Maestro 5340, they did say it would be upwards of $40 a month. Sure, the service -- running on the device-only carrier Jasper -- looks nice, and the optional $100 GPRS cradle is kind of neat, but we're totally at a loss to see who would ever pay that much for Google Local access and the ability to email notes to the device. We also caught snaps of the new RoadMate 1212, the ridiculously expensive 5310, and the Maestro Elite 3270 -- which sure seemed like it had plastic around the screen to us, no matter how hard the reps insisted it didn't. Sure seems like there's a gallery down there -- you know the drill.

Gallery: Hands on with Magellan's new devices

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[offthegrid @ Jan 8th 2008 8:57AM]

What happened to $1,299?

Okay so its $999 plus $100 for the cradle and $40 a month versus the Dash at $599 and $13 a month?

Does the Magellan include map updates? What does it do that the Dash doesn't?

[Itchy Pajamas @ Jan 8th 2008 9:33AM]

For $40 a month it had better include a lot of services. I mean geez... for $40 a month, I'd better be able to read Engadget on the thing.

What I really want (for less than have that price, actually) is a map and POI update subscription that keeps my device up to date. That's the next step in making GPS receivers more dependable and lovable.

[Ray-- @ Jan 8th 2008 11:06AM]

How lame. If a GPS needs data it should get it over bluetooth from your phone's data plan. Why on earth would someone pay for 2 data plans?

[JohnnyGTO @ Jan 8th 2008 1:18PM]

I already pay an extra $60 a month to AT&T for unlimited 3G access with tethering. It can connect any device that understand Bluetooth PAN. Why is it that everyone thinks I want to spend EXTRA cash to get something I already pay for? First GPS that uses PAN will replace my aging C330.