Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps and Traffic Review. The RoadMate 5045-LM is a 5-inch GPS navigator perfect for any size vehicle. The huge 5-inch screen is 35% larger than a standard 4.3-inch screen. No need to worry about finding your way, since you get lifetime map updates included with the RoadMate 5045-LM. Get free lifetime map updates! The RoadMate 5045-LM includes free map updates for the life of the navigator. Never again worry about finding the restaurant in a new part of town or locating the new parking garage. You will always have the latest available maps. Premium features include lifetime traffic alerts, highway lane assist, OneTouch favorites, highway exit POI, Built-in AAA TourBook and maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Magellan has partnered with the most trusted name in travel--AAA. Only Magellan products include the exclusive, built-in AAA TourBook with Diamond ratings and descriptions on AAA-approved places to stay, play, dine, and save. Personalize your travel experience with the OneTouch menu...
"Magellan RoadMate 5045 is a winner" 2010-07-13
By B. Cathcart (L.A. area)
I previously had a Magellan Maestro from 2006 but it recently was stolen. I loved the unit and wanted to replace it. When I found this RoadMate for under $200, I thought I would give it a try. I have several observations:
1. 2010 maps provide a lot better navigation experience than the old ones from 2006.
2. RoadMate has a comparatively huge display that is very appealing
3. RoadMate does not support voice command, while Maestro did/does. However, I was never able to train the voice command system to consistently accept my voice commands. Not only do I not miss this feature, I somewhat prefer not having voice command, obviating any temptation to use it.
4. RoadMate traffic alerts work well, especially since unlimited usage is included at no charge, ever. A small triangle display shows a red border when an incident exists en route or near. There is no audible announcement. One must tap the icon to see a summary. Often but far from always, at least one alternative route will be offered. Simply tap the appropriate "detour" icon to change to that alternative route. One must tap the "Report" button from the summary screen to see a map indicating all incidents. That is slightly tedious, but I cannot think of a more efficient way to do it. The major downside is that sometimes I have run into traffic jams that were not reported. I don't think I can legitimately blame the unit for that. Overall I find the traffic feature useful and intuitive.
5. This unit gives audio directions along with the visual. The audio is much less verbose than the Maestro, and therefore I find it greatly improved. It also is a lot smarter about calculating routes. Older maps often routed me circuitously. This unit almost always chooses sensible routes.
6. Use the auto-expand feature to better select the proper lanes through an intersection, turn, or other situation, such as a freeway split. This is a big improvement over the older models.
7. Overall, navigation is greatly improved. The timing of audio cues is much more appropriate. For example, the chimes indicating a turn come only after passing the last possible wrong turn. Still, they keep up. For example, I have made three quick freeway ramp changes, one after another, and the lane directions were still in time to be followed.
8. Magellan and AAA data bases for "points of Interest" are separate and often must be queried separately to find all "hits". This is only a slight inconvenience, noticeable mostly when using "Search by Name". The "one touch" feature is nice, but actually I have little use of it. If you have many many addresses, it could be very useful. I also like the address book having a lot of new features where a lot of information can be entered. All good stuff.
Overall, I rate this an excellent unit at the price point of under $200. I would purchase it again preferentially over the $350 Maestro. Then again, I don't use voice command.
"Great Product! Great Price!" 2010-07-27
By Mr. Siu-chor P. Ying (New York, USA)
This is my second Magellan GPS, I had a Magellan Maestro 4000 that only contained maps of the 48 U.S. States. Could not buy/update new maps on it...ie: Canada. Bought the Magellan 5045 Roadmate....What a Difference! Fast Response time, Fast Satellite aquistion, slimmer and smaller windshield mounting footprint. I had compared the 5045, 3065, and the 1700. The 1700 had a massive screen 7", too big for ordinary dasboards, the 3065 had everything the 5045 had plus Bluetooth capability, which I didn't need, but the 5045 had the 5" screen...which as Goldilocks would say "It was just right!" Have used it several times and LOVE IT!
"Did everything it was supposed to do" 2010-08-18
By EddieP
We bought the Magellan Roadmate 5045 prior to departing on a trip to New York, where we drove a rental car to several places up state and on Long Island. The Magellan was a life saver. It made driving in unfamiliar territory a breeze. The clear, concise directions took us where we wanted to go easily, and literally right to the door. The one time we took a wrong exit, it immediately rerouted us and had us back on course. The huge screen compared to other models is a plus, making it so easy to see the route. However, since we mainly followed the clear spoken directions, the screen size was not critical. Overall, it did what it was supposed to do, maybe more, and I highly recommend it.
"We are happy with this." 2010-09-27
By Bob (California, USA.)
We bought this over 14 months ago (not from Amazon), and it works just fine, no complain what so ever, and the price is affordable. The traffic part was useful to us only a few times, can't say much positive about the traffic maps since not used it as often as I thought we would.
"Review for Magellan Roadmate" 2010-08-04
By Mary W. Curry (Hawkinsville, GA United States)
Excellent service. We love this product and it has worked beautifully on trips. It is great to have help when you are driving in unfamiliar city, and congested streets as well as freeway exits.
By B. Cathcart (L.A. area)
I previously had a Magellan Maestro from 2006 but it recently was stolen. I loved the unit and wanted to replace it. When I found this RoadMate for under $200, I thought I would give it a try. I have several observations:
1. 2010 maps provide a lot better navigation experience than the old ones from 2006.
2. RoadMate has a comparatively huge display that is very appealing
3. RoadMate does not support voice command, while Maestro did/does. However, I was never able to train the voice command system to consistently accept my voice commands. Not only do I not miss this feature, I somewhat prefer not having voice command, obviating any temptation to use it.
4. RoadMate traffic alerts work well, especially since unlimited usage is included at no charge, ever. A small triangle display shows a red border when an incident exists en route or near. There is no audible announcement. One must tap the icon to see a summary. Often but far from always, at least one alternative route will be offered. Simply tap the appropriate "detour" icon to change to that alternative route. One must tap the "Report" button from the summary screen to see a map indicating all incidents. That is slightly tedious, but I cannot think of a more efficient way to do it. The major downside is that sometimes I have run into traffic jams that were not reported. I don't think I can legitimately blame the unit for that. Overall I find the traffic feature useful and intuitive.
5. This unit gives audio directions along with the visual. The audio is much less verbose than the Maestro, and therefore I find it greatly improved. It also is a lot smarter about calculating routes. Older maps often routed me circuitously. This unit almost always chooses sensible routes.
6. Use the auto-expand feature to better select the proper lanes through an intersection, turn, or other situation, such as a freeway split. This is a big improvement over the older models.
7. Overall, navigation is greatly improved. The timing of audio cues is much more appropriate. For example, the chimes indicating a turn come only after passing the last possible wrong turn. Still, they keep up. For example, I have made three quick freeway ramp changes, one after another, and the lane directions were still in time to be followed.
8. Magellan and AAA data bases for "points of Interest" are separate and often must be queried separately to find all "hits". This is only a slight inconvenience, noticeable mostly when using "Search by Name". The "one touch" feature is nice, but actually I have little use of it. If you have many many addresses, it could be very useful. I also like the address book having a lot of new features where a lot of information can be entered. All good stuff.
Overall, I rate this an excellent unit at the price point of under $200. I would purchase it again preferentially over the $350 Maestro. Then again, I don't use voice command.
By Mr. Siu-chor P. Ying (New York, USA)
This is my second Magellan GPS, I had a Magellan Maestro 4000 that only contained maps of the 48 U.S. States. Could not buy/update new maps on it...ie: Canada. Bought the Magellan 5045 Roadmate....What a Difference! Fast Response time, Fast Satellite aquistion, slimmer and smaller windshield mounting footprint. I had compared the 5045, 3065, and the 1700. The 1700 had a massive screen 7", too big for ordinary dasboards, the 3065 had everything the 5045 had plus Bluetooth capability, which I didn't need, but the 5045 had the 5" screen...which as Goldilocks would say "It was just right!" Have used it several times and LOVE IT!
By EddieP
We bought the Magellan Roadmate 5045 prior to departing on a trip to New York, where we drove a rental car to several places up state and on Long Island. The Magellan was a life saver. It made driving in unfamiliar territory a breeze. The clear, concise directions took us where we wanted to go easily, and literally right to the door. The one time we took a wrong exit, it immediately rerouted us and had us back on course. The huge screen compared to other models is a plus, making it so easy to see the route. However, since we mainly followed the clear spoken directions, the screen size was not critical. Overall, it did what it was supposed to do, maybe more, and I highly recommend it.
By Bob (California, USA.)
We bought this over 14 months ago (not from Amazon), and it works just fine, no complain what so ever, and the price is affordable. The traffic part was useful to us only a few times, can't say much positive about the traffic maps since not used it as often as I thought we would.
By Mary W. Curry (Hawkinsville, GA United States)
Excellent service. We love this product and it has worked beautifully on trips. It is great to have help when you are driving in unfamiliar city, and congested streets as well as freeway exits.
