We have reviewed many GPS products by Magellan and have always been impressed. They have always been on the forefront of their industry. Well navigation's patriarch has done it again. This time, it is not a true GPS unit, but rather a protective case that enhances the GPS portion of your iPhone, and turns your iPod Touch 2G or 3G into a GPS enabled device when appropriate apps such as MapQuest, Google Maps or the Magellan RoadMate apps for the iPhone.
This was tested with an iPod Touch 2ndGen and 3rdGen. The software that it was tested with was the Magellan RoadMate app (by Magellan) as well as AccuTerra (by AccuTerra). It was used as both a handheld as well as mounted on the vent of my car.
The unboxing and activation was extremely (and impressively) simple. After unboxing it, I hooked it up to my USB port and charged it for a couple of hours. While that was happening, the Roadmate app was downloaded. The app itself took about 35 minutes to download as it is over a gig. I suggest you download it directly to iTunes on your PC and install it from there. The process will go a lot faster because of it.
Once the Magellan RoadMate app and AccuTerra was installed, testing begun. So, how was it tested ? Well it was tested on several different levels;
- General Directional and POI discovery
- Long haul driving
- Head to Head with a True self contained GPS device (Magellan 3065)
- Acquisition of location and signal
The first was 3 fold. It was tested on a 145 mile journey from the border of MA/NH to Glen NH and the White Mountain National Forest. This was done head to head with the previously reviewed Magellan Roadmate3065 Commuter.
Since both devices are Magellan, top notch performance was expected. The only difference is that the tough case does not have traffic capabilities. There was also a 2 minute/1 mile difference in favor of the tough case. When questioning tech support (which was quick to answer and very helpful), it was mentioned that there could be subtle differences in the navigatigational algorithms.
The Tough Case took less than 20 seconds to acquire the GPS signal. It calculated my route of about 130 miles in about 15 seconds. While I knew the route I was going to take, I purposely got lost to see how quick the recalculation would take, and it was lightening fast; less than 10 seconds.
The case itself doubles as a charger and is advertised to double your iPhone/iPod Touch battery time. In testing, with gps and gaming use, I managed 6 hrs of time. That was great.
The case ads about 3-4 times the width to the iPod Touch/iPhone, but with that sizes, comes IPX-7 waterproof standards up to 1 meter for upto 30 minutes. I took the risk, and actually dropped my iPod Touch (in the tough case) into my fish tank for about 20 minutes. There was actually no damage, moisture or condensation found, and my iPod was working perfectly still.
There is no sensitivity loss while it is in the case. It is just as if you were touching the iPod itself. The Magellan Roadmate software is an exact duplicate of what you would see if you had a GPS device. The software is so intuitive that ease of use will amaze you.
As a sidebar, I am suggesting the optional download of Accuterra, since it is also GPS ready and has great tracking features as well as topographical features as well. It is perfect for the walking and hiking you may do with a gps. While the Roadmate devices also have a feature that allows for walking navigation, it is not protected from water or shocks as the iPhone or iPod touch would be in the Tough Case.
This is a highly recommended product. You don't have to be an explorer or an outdoors man to need it, you simply need a destination and the desire to protect your iPhone or iPod Touch.
You can learn more at www.magellangps.com. If your are ready to buy, head on over to Amazon.com for a great deal.
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