Thursday, December 12, 2013

Magellan SmartGPS 5295 Review

Electronics continually gets better and better. Improvement and increases in technology always effect the products we see. This also holds true to GPS receivers. Gone are the days of just getting us from point A to point B.  Additional functionality has found its way into the new receivers. These are called Smart GPS, and are the new hot items to get in vehicle navigation. Enter the Magellan SmartGPS 5295.


Features and specs:

  • The Connected Car… For Everyone - Magellan SmartGPS 5295 delivers a Premium Connected Car experience in any vehicle, for a fraction of the price of in-dash infotainment systems.
  • Lowest Gas Prices - Automatically receive lowest gas prices from your preferred stations.
  • Cloud Connected Syncing - Sync destination and contacts with SmartGPS, Smartphone, Computers & Tablets to share information across devices.
  • Phone Sends to SmartGPS* - Send destinations from your iPhone or Android smartphone to your SmartGPS for a seamless navigation experience.
  • Smartphone App Included - Search or Automatically receive Reviews and Deals from Yelp & Foursquare, then confidently navigate to destinations with on-board maps. (iOS & Android) 
  • 5" High-resolution Capacitive Touchscreen - Extra-wide 5" glass touchscreen gives you a large area for safe viewing while driving.
  • Yelp & Foursquare - Receive Valuable Reviews and Deals for destinations around you, wherever you are.
  • Traffic Camera Alerts - Receive audible and visual warnings of red light and speed cameras along your route, provided by PhantomALERT. 1 Year Free.
  • Weather - 5 day weather forecast of your preferred 5 cities.
  • Best Parking - Provides parking garage locations, hours of operation and directions to the entrance.
  • Lifetime Map Upgrades - Never worry about out-of-date maps again. Download the latest map information (up to 4 times a year) for the life of your Magellan navigator.
  • Free Lifetime Traffic - Warns you of reported traffic events that may delay you and provides alternative route suggestions.
  • Wi-Fi - Allows downloading of Cloud Connection features, use of Android browser and wireless software updates without an extra subscription.
  • Internet Browser - Wi-Fi Web Browser allows you to search for destinations from any location with a Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • Hands-free Calling - Integrated Bluetooth technology. turns your navigator into a hands-free speakerphone, making your commute time more productive.
  • Back-up Camera Compatible - As you put your car into reverse, your Magellan navigator will automatically switch into rear-view mode allowing you to see what is behind your car- including children, pets and toys.
  • Landmark Guidance - Receive directions using 9 categories of landmarks as your guide, making it a more intuitive way to navigate.
  • Junction View - Realistic images of freeway signs and arrows provide advanced warning guiding you to the correct lane to make driving easier, safer and less stressful.
  • Speed Limit Warnings - Manage your speed along your route with optional settings for visual and audible alerts.
  • OneTouch™ Favorites Menu - Find your favorite restaurant, bank, gas station and more in any city with a single touch. Easily create shortcuts to your favorite destinations and previous searches with personalized bookmarks so you can quickly find them anywhere you travel.
  • Spoken Street Names - Hear street names and directions for a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.
  • QuickSpell® with SmartCity Search - As you type the first few letters of your target address QuickSpell instantly narrows the search based on your destination.
  • 7 Million of Points of Interest (POI) - Search and route to millions of preloaded destinations such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other points of interest.
  • Preloaded Premium Maps - Travel the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on your device.
  • Auto Night View - Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing. 
  •  * Works with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, & most Android Smartphones
     
    Device
    • Dimensions (English):6.3" x 3.5" x 0.5"
    • Dimensions (Metric):160 mm x 90 mm x 14 mm
    • Weight (English):0.78 lbs
    • Weight (Metric):355 g
    • Battery Type:1100 mAh Li-ion rechargeable
    • Battery Life: 80 minutes
    • CameraNo
    • FlashlightNo
    • Microphone: Yes
    • Waterproofnoinfofound
    • Speaker: Yes
    • Stereo Audio JackNo
    • Available User Storagenoinfofound
    • CPU: Texas Instruments Cortex A8
    • Expandable Memory: microSD
    • Temperature Range (F):14F to 158F
    • Temperature Range (C):-10C to 70C
    • Suspend ModeNo
    • Internal Memorynoinfofound
    • Audio/Video Input: Yes
    • SD Slot: Yes
    • Water-Resistancenoinfofound
    • Vibratenoinfofound
    • Watch ModeNo
    • Package Contents: SmartGPS Unit with Battery
      Windshield Mount
      Vehicle Power Adapter
      Micro USB Cord
      USB AC Adapter
      Quick Start Guide
      SmartGPS Apps Download Card
    Screen
    • Display Resolution, WxH: 800 x 480 WVGA
    • Screen Size: 5.0"
    • Display Type: Capacitive
    • Touch Screen: Yes
    • Invertible ScreenNo
    GPS & Sensors
    • GPS Accuracy: 3-5 Meters
    • High-Sensitivity GPS: Yes
    • Barometric Altimeternoinfofound
    • Temperaturenoinfofound
    • Antenna Type: Multidirectional Patch
    • 3-Axis Electronic CompassNo
    • External AntennaNo
    • WAAS/EGNOS/MSASNo
    Mapping & Navigation
    • Preloaded Maps US, Canada, Puerto Rico
    • Uploadable MapsNo
    • Points of Interest: 7M
    • Turn-by-Turn Routing: Yes
    • Vertical ProfileNo
    • Area CalculationNo
    • Hunt & Fish CalendarNo
    • Sun & Moon InformationNo
    • Tide & Current TablesNo
    • Coordinates Systems & DatumsNo
    • User GridNo
    • AAA TourBookNo
    • Lifetime Traffic Alerts: Yes
    • Highway Lane Assist: Yes
    • Map Updates: Lifetime
    • Multi-Destination Routing: Yes
    • OneTouch Favorites Menu: Yes
    • Speed Limits: Yes
    • Spoken Street Names: Yes
    • Audible Proximity Alarmsnoinfofound
    • Silent Proximity Alarmsnoinfofound
    • Traffic Wake-UpNo
    • Periodic ReportingNo
    • Branded POIs: Yes
    • POIs Along Route: Yes
    • Smart City Search: Yes
    • Smart Detour: Yes
    • QWERTY/ABCD KeyboardNo
    • Find Your CarNo
    • Pedestrian ModeNo
    • TourDirectorNo
    • Landscape/Portrait ModeNo
    • Navionics? Map CompatibleNo
    • Good Sam/Trailer Life DirectoryNo
    • RV/Truck routeNo
    • Customize Vehicle ProfileNo
    • Breadcrumb NavigationNo
    • Back to Start/LocationNo
    • Landmark Guidance: Yes
    • Portrait/Landscape modeNo
    • Bluetooth Safe Texting: Yes
    • Junction view: Yes
    • Best Parking: Yes
    • Traffic Camera Alerts by Phantom ALERT: Yes
    • Yelp Integration :Yes
    • Foursquare Integration: Yes
    • Gas Prices: Yes
    • Weather: Yes
    Camera
    • Imaging Sensornoinfofound
    • Resolutionnoinfofound
    • Vertical View anglenoinfofound
    • Horizontal View anglenoinfofound
    • Output Imagenoinfofound
    • Power Supplynoinfofound
    • Ingress Ratingnoinfofound
    • Dimensionsnoinfofound
    • Weightnoinfofound
    • Operating Temperaturenoinfofound
    Transmitter
    • Frequencynoinfofound
    • RF Output Powernoinfofound
    • Power Supplynoinfofound
    • Current Consumptionnoinfofound
    • Weather Proofnoinfofound
    • Operating Temperaturenoinfofound
    • Dimensionsnoinfofound
    • Weightnoinfofound
    Receiver
    • Receiver Sensitivitynoinfofound
    • Power Supplynoinfofound
    • Current Consumptionnoinfofound
    • Operating Temperaturenoinfofound
    • Dimensionsnoinfofound
    • Weightnoinfofound
    User Generated Content
    • Accepts GPX FilesNo
    • Waypointsnoinfofound
    • Routesnoinfofound
    • Geocachesnoinfofound
    • Legs Per Routenoinfofound
    • Paperless GeocachingNo
    • Picture ViewerNo
    • Tracksnoinfofound
    • Points Per Tracknoinfofound
    • User Data Online SharingNo
    • Activity Historynoinfofound
    • Activity Totalsnoinfofound
    • Lapsnoinfofound
    • Locations/WaypointsNo
    • File Formatnoinfofound
    • Magellan Active CompatibleNo
    • Third-Party Website CompatlbleNo
    • User LoginNo
    • Driving status & reportNo
    Training
    • Core Fitness DataNo
    • Training AlertsNo
    • Auto PauseNo
    • Auto LapNo
    • Customizable Activity Profilesnoinfofound
    • Customizable Activity ScreensNo
    • Quick Info ScreensNo
    • Multisport ModeNo
    • Activity PacerNo
    • Heart Rate Based Calorie CalculationNo
    • Quick StartNo
    Interface & Communications
    • Communication Protocolnoinfofound
    • USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro)
    • NMEA Outputnoinfofound
    • PC Compatible: Yes
    • MAC Compatible: Yes
    • Bluetooth: Yes
    • Wi-Fi: Yes
    • Cellular: Yes



    The Magellan SmartGPS 5295 came in attractive looking packaging with photos of the device, along with features and specs. Included was the device, owners manual and app download card, the windshield mount, and various cables. Materials used in the construction appeared to be mostly plastic, yet high quality. The fit and finish was very good. In hand it felt well put together, and felt like a premium device.

    As you can see from the features and specs, the Magellan SmartGPS is more then just a GPS receiver. It can also access the internet through wi-fi. Once connected, you can do a lot more. GPS receivers have Points Of Interest (POI) already programmed in. Now, not only can you find a nearby gas station, you can also check gas prices. Another example is restaurants. Now you can find a restaurant and YELP reviews.

    The Magellan Smart GPS can also access local information. This includes items such as weather and traffic alerts. It can even give you Red Light Camera and Speed Trap Alerts! Just in case that was not enough, you can receive Yelp and Foursquare reviews and deals based on your location. The Magellan Smart GPS seems to do everything. It is a true game changer in vehicle navigation!

    The Magellan Smart GPS also does all this safely. Now you can do what you have used your smart phone for in navigation, but do so much safer. You can even use the Cloud and save your favorite destinations and share them with your other devices, such as Smartphone, Tablet, and computer. I must say, I am in awe with all of it's functionality. In terms of in vehicle navigation it is a huge leap forward. Let's see if it performs just as well.

    Performance of the Smart GPS has been in spades. Not once has it gotten me lost, as I have been using it to navigate. And the real icing on the cake has been using it's advanced features. I loved seeing the local gas stations on screen and their gas prices. Traffic and local restaurant info was also cool to see. The Magellan SmartGPS provided A LOT of features, and they worked seamlessly with the device. It reminded me of synergy, with the whole being more then the parts. The SmartGPS has some great features, but having it all work together is just awesome!  Using the dial at the top of the screen rotated the screen to 100% navigation, to 50% navigation/50% tiles for traffic alerts, red light cameras, gas stations, restaurants, etc, to 100% tiles.  You can even surf online and check email, Facebook, etc. It took some getting used to, but I liked it. 

    Keep in mind that the use of it's smart features was dependent on being linked to you cell phone for online content.  It took a bit to get it linked to my phone, but it worked.  So you will be dependent on your phone as well, and some may have more trouble than others.  Using it to make hands free calls worked great as well, with good sound quality of both myself through the mic and the person on the other phone thru the built-in speaker.

    The Magellan Smart GPS 5295 is a huge leap forward in vehicle navigation. With all of it's advanced features, in the realm of vehicle navigation it is a true game changer! And it does so more safely then just using your smartphone. With an MSRP of $249 it is worth it for the advanced functionality.  The Smart GPS also performed in spades. In term of Christmas gifts, this is one I would want! Based on it's design, features, quality and performance, the Magellan Smart GPS has earned our Editor's Choice Award. Kudos to Magellan for such an excellent product. for more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.magellangps.com.

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