Magellan 7" GPS with Lifetime Maps
$99.99
$179.99
44% off
Reference Price
Condition: New
Screen Size: 7"
Top positive review
8 people found this helpful
Big and basic
By Prof100 on Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2012
The Magellan Roadmate 1700 LM just arrived today. Features are that of a solid, basic GPS. I had a Roadmate 1412 that I let my daughter use it and she ripped the USB cord and female plug right out of the GPS when she was pulling it off the dash mount. It was three or maybe 4 year old and the maps needed an update anyway. So, to me, I bought a map update with a lifetime map subscription and ended up with 7" GPS for another $80. All is good. There are NO fancy functions except that it supports the $150 accessory for a camera backup input. No blue tooth or traffic warnings but I wouldn't use them anyway. I have glossed through the manual but have not read it cover-to-coover since it operates like a normal GPS it doesn't require a lot of instructions to use. ONLY A POWER POINT CHARGER IS PROVIDED I charged it via the included power point adapter using a Black and Decker 5 amp power supply. If you do not have one of these you will have to charge it in your car because it will not charge off the USB. There is aseparate charger you can buy for about fourteen dollars but I will not pursue one simply because I have the DC power supply to power the standard power point plug. The power input plug is the same size as an AV input plug and I did get confused when I first plugged it in. The USB port is only used for connecting to your PC for updates. System and Map updates are available on line using MagellanGPS Content Manager. To update requires: 1. Download and install the free Content Manager Software. 2. Register your product and Content Manager 3. Receive an alert and download the update. UPDATE SOFTWARE AND MAPS Remember, you are paying a $170 for jumbo GPS with lifetime Map updates. I had no problem updating. I am running Windows 7 on my laptop. You just have to follow the directions. Connect your GPS with the USB cable. It's a standard USB cable so you don't have to worry about losing it. The Content Manager, once installed, resides in your system tray. You simply right click on it and it opens then you click on "check for updates." Downloads of the system doesn't take long. An updated set of maps takes 45 minutes to load. My laptop went into power save mode and I had to restart Content Manager to finish the download. Luckily, I didn't have to start from the begining. PROS --SCREEN SIZE is big and easy to read. It reminds me of a Kindle Fire and is about the same size. Operation is intuitive if you've used a GPS before. I had a Roadmate 1412 before and programming is very similar. --Free lifetime map updates --AV Input which I will never use. --Easy to Use CONS --There is some latency in the touch panel which I suspect is firmware or processor issue. --Battery life is only 1/2 hour but that's no surprise when you look at the size of the screen it's powering. --No 110 Volt charger included --Screen image is not as crisp or defined as a smaller GPS but the reason is the map application is like running a iPhone application on a iPAD. The image size increases but the dots per inch is not. It is not bad, it just looks like a VGA monitor in a world of high resolution screens. SUMMARY --If you want a big GPS this is for you. UPDATE AFTER 1100 mile roundtrip (Michigan to Washington, DC) --Big screen worked as I had hoped. --Maps were inaccurate twice. One mistake cost me 20 minutes in DC where the GPS route called a left turn to get on the George Washington Parkway (should have been a right). The second was a call to go left on I-280 where it splits and goes north on I-75. I knew the route so I went north on I-75. Had I followed the GPS route spoken to me I would have wasted another 1/2 hour on my trip. --BATTERY LIFE -- The Batttery drains even when stored in the off position over three days which means if you want to add a new destination you have to plug it into your car charger. This is a problem when you car is parked in hotel garage by a bellman and locked up. I understand the short battery life because of the massive screen but geeze, at least a common charger input would be a nice way to mitigate the short battery life. The charging plug should be a standard mini USB or similar since I already own a half dozen of these for my cell phones and the like.
Top critical review
2 people found this helpful
Review your expectations ... and an update
By SHEILA on Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2013
I chose this particular GPS for 2 primary reasons. First, it is large enough for these aging eyes to see quickly, and second, it would accept a rear-view camera input (which I also purchased.) As others have noted, it IS quite large. I have a Nissan mid-sized truck, & had a time finding a place to put it where it would be comfortable to view yet not block the view. I could not mount it ON the dash, as it blocked the view forward. I could not mount it on the center console, as it then blocked the controls on the heat/ac. It is too heavy & large to fit on the visors, not to mention the cables that would be dangling. I bought a stronger, more versatile mounting bracket which allowed me to find a good location, allowing it to extend far enough forward to drop a bit below the level of the dash, so it is just above the level of the radio display. However, it is quite conspicuous to all, and I am concerned when I leave my vehicle that it is a clear invitation for would-be thieves. I am disappointed in the rear-view camera, as it does not always engage, and I have discovered it really does not justify the expense for me. It probably would if I needed to mount trailers or such. I think this entire unit is a bit more than I needed, and I predict it will eventually be relagated to the glove-box except for special occasions. An Update to my original review: I've had this unit for a little over 2 years, and once I found a reliable way to mount it, I was hooked. I also got the backup camera, which was part of the reason I chose this one. In the 2 years I've had it in my truck, it has been reliable and very helpful. When I replaced my truck w/ a small car, it became my mission to find a way to fit it into this car, somehow. I rely on this so much. In the entire time I had never updated the software or maps, so once I had it out, I found I needed to do so. I don't think the battery has ever been fully charged, as I never used it outside of the vehicle. When I tried to transfer the unit, it refused to find a signal. That's when I updated the software and it began working again. One thing, though, Magellan Customer Service is a pain. Once the unit is out of warranty, the only way to get help is via a Chat. Took me all day long to get the registration fixed to include the map upgrades w/o paying $80. I had to buy an AC adaptor to keep the unit from shutting down, and it may take 2 hrs or more for these updates. I bought one here on Amazon for less than $4 just last week. It will become a necessity. I have come to love this GPS. As a navigation assistant, it does a fine job. I like that it speaks instructions clearly and well enough in advance to allow me time to identify the turns without rushing. The display is clear and uncluttered. I also like that it provides street names, giving me a much clearer understanding of the location, and teaching me a bit more about the areas I frequent. It claims to also be able to accept video input other than the rear-view camera, but I have not tried that. I have no reason to doubt that it will do so well. I find myself talking to it, so if you are looking for a friend ... who knows. I rate it as only 3 stars, mostly because it is so limiting in its application due to its size, and because the included mounting bracket is insufficient. It would not stick securely to any surface I tried it on, and given the size/weight of the device, it could not trust it to hold even on glass. The alternate bracket I bought is designed for larger devices and sticks very well to a surface the included device would not. The addition of the camera created its own set of issues, including an additional cable to manage, although it does require only one power port. However, the cable is a challenge to route, making it a nuisance to remove/replace the device should I park somewhere I do not want to leave it visible for fear of theives. All in all, if I traveled alot or often went into unfamiliar areas, it would serve me much better. But for my needs it is a bit over the top, and I question the wisdom of my choice. For some, it will be IDEAL, for some, like me, it is ADEQUATE. For some it simply will not do. In the car I used to have, this would simply not have worked, due to its size. If you can get it on sale, go for it. If you must pay full retail price, consider it carefully. It has some excellent features others do not have, but it is quite large. Cut out a template and experiment with your own configuration, consider where it would fit or not fit, and don't forget the cables and how visible it will be to others.
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Big and basic
By Prof100 - Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2012
Verified Amazon Purchase
The Magellan Roadmate 1700 LM just arrived today. Features are that of a solid, basic GPS. I had a Roadmate 1412 that I let my daughter use it and she ripped the USB cord and female plug right out of the GPS when she was pulling it off the dash mount. It was three or maybe 4 year old and the maps needed an update anyway. So, to me, I bought a map update with a lifetime map subscription and ended up with 7" GPS for another $80. All is good. There are NO fancy functions except that it supports the $150 accessory for a camera backup input. No blue tooth or traffic warnings but I wouldn't use them anyway. I have glossed through the manual but have not read it cover-to-coover since it operates like a normal GPS it doesn't require a lot of instructions to use. ONLY A POWER POINT CHARGER IS PROVIDED I charged it via the included power point adapter using a Black and Decker 5 amp power supply. If you do not have one of these you will have to charge it in your car because it will not charge off the USB. There is aseparate charger you can buy for about fourteen dollars but I will not pursue one simply because I have the DC power supply to power the standard power point plug. The power input plug is the same size as an AV input plug and I did get confused when I first plugged it in. The USB port is only used for connecting to your PC for updates. System and Map updates are available on line using MagellanGPS Content Manager. To update requires: 1. Download and install the free Content Manager Software. 2. Register your product and Content Manager 3. Receive an alert and download the update. UPDATE SOFTWARE AND MAPS Remember, you are paying a $170 for jumbo GPS with lifetime Map updates. I had no problem updating. I am running Windows 7 on my laptop. You just have to follow the directions. Connect your GPS with the USB cable. It's a standard USB cable so you don't have to worry about losing it. The Content Manager, once installed, resides in your system tray. You simply right click on it and it opens then you click on "check for updates." Downloads of the system doesn't take long. An updated set of maps takes 45 minutes to load. My laptop went into power save mode and I had to restart Content Manager to finish the download. Luckily, I didn't have to start from the begining. PROS --SCREEN SIZE is big and easy to read. It reminds me of a Kindle Fire and is about the same size. Operation is intuitive if you've used a GPS before. I had a Roadmate 1412 before and programming is very similar. --Free lifetime map updates --AV Input which I will never use. --Easy to Use CONS --There is some latency in the touch panel which I suspect is firmware or processor issue. --Battery life is only 1/2 hour but that's no surprise when you look at the size of the screen it's powering. --No 110 Volt charger included --Screen image is not as crisp or defined as a smaller GPS but the reason is the map application is like running a iPhone application on a iPAD. The image size increases but the dots per inch is not. It is not bad, it just looks like a VGA monitor in a world of high resolution screens. SUMMARY --If you want a big GPS this is for you. UPDATE AFTER 1100 mile roundtrip (Michigan to Washington, DC) --Big screen worked as I had hoped. --Maps were inaccurate twice. One mistake cost me 20 minutes in DC where the GPS route called a left turn to get on the George Washington Parkway (should have been a right). The second was a call to go left on I-280 where it splits and goes north on I-75. I knew the route so I went north on I-75. Had I followed the GPS route spoken to me I would have wasted another 1/2 hour on my trip. --BATTERY LIFE -- The Batttery drains even when stored in the off position over three days which means if you want to add a new destination you have to plug it into your car charger. This is a problem when you car is parked in hotel garage by a bellman and locked up. I understand the short battery life because of the massive screen but geeze, at least a common charger input would be a nice way to mitigate the short battery life. The charging plug should be a standard mini USB or similar since I already own a half dozen of these for my cell phones and the like.
i like it but mine had a battery problem
By old man - Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
dislikes: the battery would not stay charged so i could do the map updating. i had to hook up a converter in the house. works fine when plugged into the car. the battery issue could be my unit only. the letters do not respond promptly when typing in an address. have to wait for the letter to show before you can proceed. likes: nice big screen, easy to see everything gives you advance notices when getting close to destination and again when it is time to turn at the exact spot. with my former tomtom, i got a notice but sometimes it was not clear when to turn if the streets were close together. overall, i still like it
Review your expectations ... and an update
By SHEILA - Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
I chose this particular GPS for 2 primary reasons. First, it is large enough for these aging eyes to see quickly, and second, it would accept a rear-view camera input (which I also purchased.) As others have noted, it IS quite large. I have a Nissan mid-sized truck, & had a time finding a place to put it where it would be comfortable to view yet not block the view. I could not mount it ON the dash, as it blocked the view forward. I could not mount it on the center console, as it then blocked the controls on the heat/ac. It is too heavy & large to fit on the visors, not to mention the cables that would be dangling. I bought a stronger, more versatile mounting bracket which allowed me to find a good location, allowing it to extend far enough forward to drop a bit below the level of the dash, so it is just above the level of the radio display. However, it is quite conspicuous to all, and I am concerned when I leave my vehicle that it is a clear invitation for would-be thieves. I am disappointed in the rear-view camera, as it does not always engage, and I have discovered it really does not justify the expense for me. It probably would if I needed to mount trailers or such. I think this entire unit is a bit more than I needed, and I predict it will eventually be relagated to the glove-box except for special occasions. An Update to my original review: I've had this unit for a little over 2 years, and once I found a reliable way to mount it, I was hooked. I also got the backup camera, which was part of the reason I chose this one. In the 2 years I've had it in my truck, it has been reliable and very helpful. When I replaced my truck w/ a small car, it became my mission to find a way to fit it into this car, somehow. I rely on this so much. In the entire time I had never updated the software or maps, so once I had it out, I found I needed to do so. I don't think the battery has ever been fully charged, as I never used it outside of the vehicle. When I tried to transfer the unit, it refused to find a signal. That's when I updated the software and it began working again. One thing, though, Magellan Customer Service is a pain. Once the unit is out of warranty, the only way to get help is via a Chat. Took me all day long to get the registration fixed to include the map upgrades w/o paying $80. I had to buy an AC adaptor to keep the unit from shutting down, and it may take 2 hrs or more for these updates. I bought one here on Amazon for less than $4 just last week. It will become a necessity. I have come to love this GPS. As a navigation assistant, it does a fine job. I like that it speaks instructions clearly and well enough in advance to allow me time to identify the turns without rushing. The display is clear and uncluttered. I also like that it provides street names, giving me a much clearer understanding of the location, and teaching me a bit more about the areas I frequent. It claims to also be able to accept video input other than the rear-view camera, but I have not tried that. I have no reason to doubt that it will do so well. I find myself talking to it, so if you are looking for a friend ... who knows. I rate it as only 3 stars, mostly because it is so limiting in its application due to its size, and because the included mounting bracket is insufficient. It would not stick securely to any surface I tried it on, and given the size/weight of the device, it could not trust it to hold even on glass. The alternate bracket I bought is designed for larger devices and sticks very well to a surface the included device would not. The addition of the camera created its own set of issues, including an additional cable to manage, although it does require only one power port. However, the cable is a challenge to route, making it a nuisance to remove/replace the device should I park somewhere I do not want to leave it visible for fear of theives. All in all, if I traveled alot or often went into unfamiliar areas, it would serve me much better. But for my needs it is a bit over the top, and I question the wisdom of my choice. For some, it will be IDEAL, for some, like me, it is ADEQUATE. For some it simply will not do. In the car I used to have, this would simply not have worked, due to its size. If you can get it on sale, go for it. If you must pay full retail price, consider it carefully. It has some excellent features others do not have, but it is quite large. Cut out a template and experiment with your own configuration, consider where it would fit or not fit, and don't forget the cables and how visible it will be to others.
Big Screen!
By b - Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2011
Verified Amazon Purchase
I purchased this to replace my Roadmate 1425 that died and I love the 1700 LM! The big screen is great and easy to use if you have big fingers and easy to see! The volume is nice and loud and seems to be accurate with directions. The one reason I prefer the Magellan over the Garmin units that I tried is, the Magellan will show you the route and if you don't want to make a certain turn in the route (there's construction on Walker Rd, etc) you can click on that turn and let it know you don't want to go that way. It will recalculate another route before you leave. The Garmin will recalculate after you drive past that turn. For me, it's nice to know exactly where I'm going before I go because no GPS can be trusted 100%, in my opinion. But that's just my preference. I also purchased the Autodashmount friction mount so I don't have to use that annoying suction cup mount, I love the entire package, it's everything I hoped for. I got A LOT of GPS for my money here on Amazon, best price I could find for a new, unrefurbrished 1700LM! I would have paid more for it. Very happy with my purchase!
I can drive to the moon in my golf cart..
By Hombre1933 - Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2012
Verified Amazon Purchase
before i can get this Magellan RoadMate 1700-LM GPS unit ready to be in use. This REVIEW is not directed to Amazon.com,..Amazon does a great job and I like their prices and shipping matters. The idiots at Magellan GPS Company lacks something and it's not smarts.Received this GPS yesterday and here it is some 29 hours later, and I still haven't finished getting the latest Maps installed. First, it taken about 4 hours to get the battery charged, and another three hours to get the Magellan Content manager downloaded to my PC..that is if it can be done. Keeps telling me my PC is not compapable...Well, I have a HP Pavilion with Windows 7 64 bit, and i don't know a better one a person can buy that will work. From there it takes a thousand Arabian veiled belly Dancers to get the latest Maps downloaded. I finally did get version .v46 2012 loaded on the GPS, and it tells me there is another version...same .v46 2012 YET to be downloaded. When I connect the USB cable to the PC and to the GPS, it tells me to disconnect the cable....WOW, WOW. I'm sure that will get it done. Yes, the Maps will just fly right out the PC and into the GPS without any cable connected. I better get a patent on this and sell it back to Magellan. Who cares what maps I have yet to download, probably a map (road) going from Florida to the Bahamas.. Now, that I have succeeded in getting this GPS installed in the car, I have yet to see if it will work. That REVIEW will follow at a later date. Maybe that is. UPDATE: Sept. 14, 2012 Now that I have the time to test this dude out highways, it appears to be working very well. I tested it on a 165 mile trip into Arkansas-Missouri demanding it to find locations that only God know where they are. Of the twenty-two locations, the Magellan RoadMate 1700-LM only missed one by about 680 feet. Only due to the State of Arkansas made a slight highway (change) improvement to a curve in the highway. All the others where right on the money. So, here's by 99.9% rating on the unit. I like the size...real good in trying to see what the GPS shows while driving, and the Magellan RoadMate 1700 Extended Mount ($39.25)that mounts to the dash and hangs down in front of the air vents, etc. I would suggest anyone buying the GPS get this mount, as it really is a very workable item to own. In two weeks wife and I will make a long trip to Minnesota, there it will get a real test in the Twin Cities. Buy one, you will love it.
This is a Fine GPS For All Users
By Hoffer - Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
My experience with GPS dates back to civilian use in the late 1980's. My first GPS was a Garmin product for marine use with small b/w display suitable for marine and aviation use. I hold a couple of Navigator aeronautical ratings from days past when they had some value, and I am not the average user and I have lots of opinions on the subject. My complete satisfaction with the Magellan unit prompts this review. Since my first purchase of Garmin (an excellent product both then and now I might add) the cost of GPS units have dropped 90% or more and their simplicity, features and display have increased triple or more the drop in price. This Magellan unit was purchased for my wife's 2006 Sequoia. I cannot say enough about what a fine unit this is starting with excellent manufacture and great mounting and installation features. This unit was designed with the customer in mind, unlike many types of consumer electronics that are engineering marvels but drive you nuts when it comes to installation and use. If you want a clean, inexpensive, handsome GPS that will give you all the needed essential information using simple intuitive commands, this is it. I drive a 2011 Toyota Tundra that came with GPS installed by Toyota as part of an AM/FM/CD player that takes up a third of the available instrument panel right in middle of the vehicle. In comparison to the Magellan 1700LM, the Tundra OEM is junk and the sticker price is probably over a thousand dollars. The OEM was purchased only because it was installed in the truck sitting on dealer lot that I wanted and I did not have the luxury of time to special order a vehicle without it. If I could I would swap my wife for her Magellan to install in the truck I would do so in a heart-beat, though not practical from the standpoint of aesthetics. I am being intentionally redundant at this point: the Magellan RoadMate 1700LM is superior. It will not take your photograph, or track your calories consumed nor start your car if your keys are lost or tell you the price of a manicure at the nearest beauty parlor--it will, however, get you from Point A to Point B and give you alternatives for the route plus essential navigation information using a color display, with a very pleasant voice for the verbal instructions on directions and it costs about 1/10th of what GPS started out at in price and performs better and with greater comfort and ease of operation.
Great GPS, huge screen
By Eric E. - Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
I had an older Navigon GPS I used on a recent road trip that was about 1600 miles each way. I had several problems with routing and having to reboot and losing signal along the way. I looked at replacing it before the return trip but couldn't find one I wanted that would arrive where I was at in time. My father suggested I borrowed his which was the Magellan 1700LM. I had no problems whatsoever all the way home, great for use on interstates with the zoom in and lane identification well ahead of time etc. Low and behold it was on goldbox 3 days after returning from my trip so I ordered myself one. Nice windshield mount that never came off the whole trip despite the weight and size of this thing. Also very secure on the mount, but still easy enough to take off, it slides on rails when mounting it so it cannot just pop off Comes with a nice padded case for storage when not in use. Comes with AC car adapter as well as the USB cable needed for computer hook up for updates etc. Lifetime updates at up to 4 times a year. I even found places to stop and eat without any issue while driving down the road at 80 mph. Huge clear screen, also makes for a nice big keyboard that is easy to use while driving because the buttons are so big. Easy to adjust the volume, it's right on the screen, I turned it down quite a bit because it will go loud if you need it to. Quick signal aquisition and never had a loss the whole way home across 6 states. Easy to plan trips and routes etc. No bluetooth or streaming on this unit, but that's what my car and phone are for. I usually like my google maps on my phone for trips but found on longer trips google maps seems to lock up. There is a video input, I have read of people using this as a monitor for their phones etc. but I haven't tested it myself. Overall a great unit!
Huge display on a Magellan RoadMate
By Bill Oakes - Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
NOT a Magellan fan, but recently leased a car that didn't have Nav (who knew that cars like that still existed?). I was looking at getting a Garmin (huge fan of same) but when this came up on lightning deals, two things got me: - HUGE display that even my old eyes could read - an incredible price I pulled the trigger, and am glad I did. It's a great screen...a bit big on the dash, but big is kinda the whole point. The software is a massive improvement over Magellans even from two years ago, and updates are a breeze to install. At the right price, definitely a good GPS....
No AC adapter included
By T. Rine - Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
Three Stars for now - If I ever manage to get this unit charged up and actually use it, I may end up changing this. I can't believe that this unit didn't come with an AC adapter to charge the battery with. As clearly stated on Page 3 of the manual, it will take THREE hours to fully charge it via the vehicle power cable. Once charged, it will last a mere thirty minutes. Why should I have to run my car for three hours just to get this unit charged? If I want to explore all of the options, fully learn how to use the unit, and plan a route or two - I doubt I'd get it done in under the thirty minutes. It would have likely cost Magellan less than a buck (at cost) to include a basic adapter with this unit. The ones I've seen so far here at Amazon are $4.98 (PLUS another $4.99 in shipping), or $14.98 (free shipping with my Prime membership). I called Magellan to comment about this issue and spoke to a rather rude fellow with a negative/defensive attitude. He said that they don't include the adapter in order to save costs. I told him that he sure wasn't going to be saving money when I return the unit to Amazon. He then told me that I could charge the unit via the USB cable. I told him that Page 3 of the manual clearly states that it CANNOT be charged this way. He said that he was aware of that, but if I plugged it in for six hours, it would be charged. I have my doubts, but I've plugged it in and will see what happens in six hours. I can't help but wonder what else Magellan cuts corners on when producing their GPS units. UPDATE: I have managed to charge the unit via the USB cable several times that were at least six hours, and twice overnight. It does give it a little bit of a charge, but not anywhere near a full charge, and it only lasts five to ten minutes. I've also gotten a "Critical Error" message that shut down the unit twice. Pretty sure this is heading back to Amazon. UPDATE 2: Well, I decided to keep it because for the price ($119 when it was a "Today's Deal" offer), you can't beat the screen size. I did have to invest $15 in a power cord for indoors - which still annoys me to no end. I have only used it on a couple of trips so far and it didn't do too bad. It did not know where some roads were even though they've been there for several years. I have not had time to update the maps yet. The main annoyance (apart from the power cord issue) is the voice. I've used other GPS units that I've borrowed from friends and family members before and they always had a choice of voices to choose from. This only has one voice, and it sounds like a woman who smokes a carton of cigarettes a day! Horrible! I've nicknamed her Smokey Sally. For all the above reasons, I've knocked off another star.
Expected more
By Bill - Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2012
Verified Amazon Purchase
Bought the Magellan wireless backup camera for my wife's Subaru Forester at Christmas, (Subaru doesn't seem to offer an in-dash unit, yet. At least I couldn't find one on their website.) along with the 1700 LM Roadmate GPS. I have to say that after punching a 1/2 inch hole in the body panel behind the license plate and snaking the wires up behind the trim panels, up through the hinge in the lift hatch, down through more trim panels and attaching the wires to the backup light wires.... I wish that I hadn't. The picture is OK once it finally comes on. But, the delay is unacceptable. Most times the backup maneuver is compete before the image comes on the screen. In a really tight situation, though, it is worth the wait as the view is excellent, especially on the 7" screen. It is a great safety feature! Just wish it reacted quicker. (for what it is worth: the sender for the camera is about six feet from the GPS and behind 1 plastic trim panel, as high from the power connection as the wires would reach. This minimizes the number of seats and stuff the signal must pass through.) The GPS unit: Magellan Roadmate 1700-LM is OK. I have a suspicion that most of the satelites must be re-positioned over the middle east right now. Because this unit takes several minutes to aquire enough of a signal to give us a position. Sometimes (perhaps 20% of the time) it shuts off all-together because it can not aquire the necessary signal. Some businesses are not in the inventory of the unit and if you don't know the street address and number you are out of luck. The Roadmate 1700 can't help you. When I punch in 'home' it will inevitably try to send me out of my way... by approximately eight miles. When I make the correct turns to go home it tries and tries to send me the "long" way around by telling me to take turns that are unnecessary. Very irritating! Too, bad it doesn't have a "learn" feature. This has happened on other trips that we routinely take. It has even tried to detour us onto side streets when we were already on the correct route going it the proper direction. I wonder how it will work when I go to a city that I am not familiar with... For a high end$ GPS I expected more.
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