Lowest Priced Magellan 1200
Ratings & Reviews

The Magellan 1200 is the lowest priced unit made by Magellan. Still this unit provides the basic features needed to get you where you want to go. The maps of the contiguous 48 States plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico are preloaded on the SD memory card. The maps can be viewed in 2D or 3D and with the "TrueView" feature you can view a split screen with a detailed view of the approaching turn.

Its' 3.5" color screen is bright and easy to read. The Magellan 1200 is intuitive and easy to use right out of the box. You probably won't even have to read the Magellan GPS instructions to get started.

Creating routes is basically the same as for all the RoadMate series. You can enter an address and the "QuickSpell" feature will anticipate your entry and finish entering it for you. In addition, it will even correct your spelling. You can also create a route by touching the interactive icon for any one of the 1.3 million preloaded Points of Interest. You can also select entries from your address book or from previous destinations.

Your routes are customizable by selecting the fastest route, the shortest route, whether or not to use freeways, avoid tolls, etc. Should you run into slow traffic or a traffic jam on the way, "SmartDetour" can be customized to recognize the problem and detour you around the hold up if possible. Should you take a wrong turn or just miss a turn, "Auto reroute" will get you back on course and on your way.

A SD slot is provided and the SD card is included with the unit preloaded with the maps. Address book is available for you to enter Points of Interest of your own.

Magellan uses the Centrality Atlas III processor which has an integrated GPS receiver. The Centrality Atlas III has high sensitivity for obtaining satellite locks in weak GPS signal areas and gives an accuracy of 3 meters.

If you don't need the "bells and whistles" included with the more expensive units, the Magellan 1200 could provide you what you need at an attractive price.

REVIEWS

Before I buy anything, particularly an electronic device, I like to hear from someone that has been there before me. That's why we have included owners' reviews of the RoadMate 1200 on this site. These owners have purchased the GPS with their own money and actually use it in everyday life. I think you can get a much better picture of how the Magellan 1200 will meet your needs. We have tired to include both the pros and cons of the unit being reviewed. I hope this will help you make a decision.

Magellan 1200 Car GPS Reviews

By Lori, March 5, 2009

I bought this product for my daughter at Xmas. Two weeks later my daughter moved to Washington DC from Indiana. My daughter and I used the new GPS (right out of the package)to start my daughter's search for housing.........WOW! We did NOT even get lost once!!! It is so user friendly that even I had no problems navigating my way around the screens and using the different options to find the nearest Starbucks!! I loved the product so much that when I came home from DC, I bought myself one!! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG OR GET LOST WITH THIS PRODUCT!!!!

By A. Royer, February 12, 2009

Satellites don't always pick up your location

We live in Minneapolis, and have had several times where the GPS couldn't pick up where we were located, so we couldn't use it to map out our destination. It would stick on a previous location we had been, and even after driving for 30 minutes, it still wouldn't update our location. Each time this has happened it has been plugged into the car charger because the battery was low, so I'm not sure if that affects it, but we have been disappointed that we can't always use it when we want. I would expect that it would pick up our location in a city as large as Minneapolis, even while charging.

By Prod-Design-Tester "KO", February 10, 2009

two units' battery and power supply went bad in a few months

I had to replace the 1st unit after a few months since it stopped charging. They replaced the cable but then they had to replace the unit. Now, the replacement does the same thing and will not charge. I've had the replacement now for 5 months. Spend a few extra dollars and get a unit that has good hardware components.

Best Buy:
Magellan 1200

By Anonymous Reviewer, 11/18/2008

I wouldn't waste your money on this GPS. This was given to me as a birthday present because I was moving out of my home state. At first it worked fine, but the more and more I used it, I found that it would freeze in the middle of a trip, or it would tell me to turn on to roads that don't exist. On one trip I was driving through Texas and into New Mexico, and it told me to turn off the highway and drive down a cliff. I would definitely put out more money to get a better one next time around. It's sad that I asked for this product so I didn't have to print directions out from mapquest anymore, but I still have to do that just in case, it decides to freeze on me.

By malerie81, 09/23/2008

I purchased this GPS a few months ago and did so without researching it's capabilities againist other models or other brands. It doesn't have the option on this specific model to update the existing map nor are you able to add maps if wanted. This model doesn't come with preloaded maps of Canada or Alaska but does have the lower states and Puerto Rico. I assumed it had means to be updated by either purchasing a new SD card or downloading updates. I was also aggrevated by the time it took to rereoute to your destination. On a vacation in Phoenix, we stopped at a restaurant enroute to the airport and it took forever for it to figure out we had made a pit stop and kept sending us in an obviously wrong direction. Once it updated our location, it was great and got us to our destination with great ease. Only other complaint was that on the way to the Grand Canyon it did not recognize the highway we were driving on and the highway had been in existance for a long time and was the only way into the south rim. Was very easy to use otherwise.

Owner Magellan 1200 Ratings

Amazon:

8 Reviews
5 star = (2)
4 star = (3)
3 star = (0)
2 star = (1)
1 star = (2)

Best Buy: 7 reviews: 3.1 out of a possible 5

Test Freaks: 340 reviews: 8.4 out of a possible 10

Sears: 11 reviews: 4.1 out of a possible 5

Magellan 1200 Specifications

Introduced: October 2007
Unit dimensions: 3.63"W x 3.30"H x 0.69"D
Screen size: 3.5" diag
Display resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
Display type: QVGA color touch screen
Weight: 4.94 ounces
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Battery life: Up to 3 hours
Memory available for map storage: Secure Digital (SD) card compatible
Antenna Type: Integrated multidirectional patch

What's in the Box:

Magellan 1200 GPS receiver
Pre-loaded Maps for 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico
Windshield mount
Adhesive disk for dash mounting
Vehicle power adapter
User manual on CD ROM
Quick-start guide

Note: The state of Minnesota prohibits the installation of portable GPS units on the windshield of your vehicle.

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