Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Well I have been using this for a bit over a week now and here are my impressions:
Pros:
-Excellent build quality; very solid and holds my iPhone (in a Speck PixelSkin case) very sturdily.
-Good mounting of iPhone with swivelling dock connector and flexible/adjustable top clip.
-Fits iPhone perfectly with my Speck PixelSkin case. But be warned - it was adjusted to its highest point, so it wont fit a case larger than the PixelSkin.
-GPS fix more accurate than iPhone's internal GPS. This resulted in less jerky movements and less jumping around during GPS application usage.
Cons:
-GPS signal dropped out far more often than my standalone TomTom PND. This is unacceptable in a product meant to improve GPS reception that actually uses the same GPS chip as the TomTom PND I am comparing it with.
-With kit mounted on windscreen the iPhone overheated and stopped working (displayed a temperature warning message and forced itself into sleep mode) once. Mind you this was after three hours of driving, directly towards the Australian summer sun on a 35C/95F day. This is not a shortcoming of this Magellan kit, but rather an issue with mounting iPhones in car windscreens in general.
-When switching the car ignition from 'accessories' to 'run' and then to 'on', the Magellan kit naturally loses power momentarily. However when it powers back on, it often would not sync with the iPhone's Bluetooth as the power cycle was too fast. I would need to manually power cycle the Magellan kit (ie. remove power plug, then reconnect) allowing enough time for the iPhone to lose Bluetooth sync before re-establishing the power.
MAJOR MAJOR CON:
-When you plug a 3.5mm audio cable into the AUX connector on the Magellan kit (for attaching to a car stereo, or external powered speakers, etc.), the music and application sounds CONTINUE COMING OUT OF THE BUILT-IN SPEAKER!!! This is a ridiculous design, as it means to listen to music through your car stereo without the crappy built-in speaker ruining the music for you, you need to turn down the volume on the Magellan Kit (as this only controls the volume of the built-in speaker). But then if you receive a call, the call audio (via Bluetooth) cannot be heard (as you have turned the volume down on the built-in speaker, which is where the call audio is sent), so you have to manually turn the volume up on the Magellan kit again (using a fiddly little dial that is difficult and dangerous to find while trying to concentrate on driving). You have to do this EVERY TIME a call arrives... STUPID!
Why oh why was the kit designed like this? We will never know. However Magellan have responded to my question about it and have indicated that they will release some sort of firmware/software/application fix for this speaker problem in the near future.
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Product Description:
The Magellan Premium Car Kit transforms your iPhone into a complete in-car solution for GPS navigation. Simply place your iPhone in the cradle and connect the power. There's no need to remove your protective case--the cradle adjusts to your needs.
Transform your iPhone into a complete in-car solution for GPS navigation. Click to enlarge.
Secure, adjustable vehicle mounting.
Works with any navigation or location-based app.
Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone / iPod Touch
Requires purchase of a navigation app. Sold separately.
The Premium Car Kit lets you use great navigation apps like the Magellan RoadMate App for iPhone and iPod touch (2nd generation) and instantly enhances your navigation experience.
This powerful, built-in receiver boosts GPS reception, ensuring accurate directions. Simply place your iPhone or iPod touch into the cradle and connect the power. The cradle even works with most turn- by-turn routing applications available today, including the Magellan RoadMate App for iPhone (sold separately).
The Premium Car Kit connects via Bluetooth (iPhone only) to deliver a superior hands-free calling experience. The powerful, amplified speaker delivers crystal clear calls and turn-by-turn directions. No need to even remove your protective cover--the cradle adjusts to accommodate most cases or skins.
Navigate in confidence with the Magellan Premium Car Kit!
Features
Built-in GPS receiver enhances performance
A powerful, sensitive built-in GPS receiver provides faster and more accurate location information to your iPhone or iPod touchTurns your iPod touch into a GPS navigator
The built-in GPS receiver adds GPS capability to your iPod touch (2nd generation)Fits hard shell cases or silicon skins
Accommodates most cases or skins for maximum flexibility when inserting into the cradleWorks with most navigation or location-based apps
While optimized for the Magellan RoadMate app for iPhone, the cradle is compatible with most GPS navigation appsIn-car charging
The cradle automatically powers and charges when connected. No need to worry about running out of battery.Noise-canceling, hands-free speakerphone
Full duplex speakerphone for crystal clear callsPowerful, amplified speaker
Use the volume control for loud and clear voice guidanceSecure, adjustable vehicle mounting
Quickly secure the cradle to your windshield or dashboard and easily adjust for portrait or landscape viewing Audio line out for music playback on your car stereo
Listen to your favorite tunes through your car's audio system
Car Kit Compatibility
iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4
iPod touch 2G, 3G
Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and purchase of navigation app (sold separately).
What's in the Box
Premium GPS Car Kit, Vehicle Mount, Adhesive Disc, Vehicle Power Adapter, Getting Started Guide
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