Monday, March 6, 2017

Magellan RoadMate 6630T-LM GPS and DashCam Review

We live in an ever changing world. This is especially true with consumer electronics. Consumer electronics are constantly being improved on, and get better. Magellan started with excellent car GPS receivers. They later started making DashCams.  DashCams then became integrated into their GPS receivers. Now with the Magellan RoadMate 6630T-LM, the internal DashCam gets hi-definition!

Features and specs:
o    5" Touch Screen Display: Large, vibrant, sunlight-readable display with day and night views for easy visibility and high resolution for video playback.
o    Free Lifetime Map Updates: Never worry about out-of-date maps again.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 RoadMate navigator.
o    Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts: Real-time traffic updates sent directly to your GPS unit to avoid traffic jams and other delays. Choose to continue your current route or take a suggested detour. Travel times are provided for all options.
o    Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERT: Receive audible and visual warnings of fixed red light and speed cameras along your route free for one year. Become one of the many reporters on the roads by submitting your own discoveries or by rating the reliability of alerts. Premium content is available for an extra cost which includes black-spots (high accident areas), school zones, and dangerous intersections and much more.
o    Full HD 1080p Integrated Dash Camera: Forward facing dash camera continuously recording crystal clear video in 1920x1080 resolution.
o    Excellent Day & Night Recording: Camera features 6 glass lens + 1 IR filter, aperture (f/1.8), and wide angle lens (110˚).
o    Impact Recording: 3-Axis G- Sensor measures forces and movements and lock current video, previous video clip, and next recording upon impact.
o    Lane Departure Warning: Visual and audible warning notifies the driver if they are wandering out of their lane.
o    Forward Collision Warning: Visual and audible warning alerts drivers if they are getting too close to the car directly ahead.
o    Location, Date and Time Data: All video recordings display GPS location, date and time information.
o    Landmark Guidance: Receive directions using 10 POI categories of landmarks as your guide, making it a more intuitive way to navigate.
o    Junction View: Realistic images of freeway signs and arrows guide you to the correct lane to make driving easier, safer and less stressful.
o    Speed Limit Warning: Manage your speed along your route with optional settings for visual and audible alerts.
o    Best Parking: Provides parking garage locations, hours of operation and directions to the entrance.
o    8GB microSD Card Included: Compatible up to 64GB Class 10 microSD cards.
o    Driving Break Reminder: Receive an audible alert that it is time to switch drivers, or if driving alone, take a break and relax. Driver's select the amount of time they can drive before being reminded.
o    Headlight Reminder: At sunset drivers are notified to turn on their headlights for better visibility and safer driving.
o    Digital Camera Mode: Detach device from its mount and it can be used to take hi resolution images.
o    Video Playback Mode: Use the large hi-resolution screen to immediately watch any recorded video.
o    Manual Save and Protect: Save any recordings with simple touch of a button. Let's you save any unexpected moment that is not impact related.
o    Multi-Destination Routing: Plan a trip with multiple stops in the order you want, or let your Magellan navigator select the most efficient route.
o    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.
o    QuickSpell® with SmartCity Search: As you type the first few letters of your target address QuickSpell instantly narrows the search based on your destination.
o    7 Million Points of Interest (POI): Search and route to millions of preloaded destinations such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other points of interest.
o    Highway Exit POIs: Search and route to millions of preloaded destinations near upcoming highway exits.
o    Preloaded Premium Maps: Travel the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on your device.
o    Automatic re-route: Missed the turn? It happens to the best of us. Quickly get back on track with auto re-route.
o    Customizable Route Method: Select shortest distance, fastest time, most use of freeways, or least use of freeways.
o    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.
o    Address Book: Create and store personal points of interest and skip repeated address entry.

DEVICE
·         Dimensions (English)5.3" x 3.3" x 0.8"
·         Dimensions (Metric)135mm x 84mm x 20mm
·         Weight (English)6.4oz
·         Weight (Metric)181.4g
·         Battery Type950mAh, Li-ion rechargeable
·         Battery Life2 Hours
·         CameraYes
·         SpeakerYes
·         Stereo Audio JackYes
·         CPUAllwinner A33 ARM Cortex-A7 1.2GHz
·         Expandable MemorymicroSD
·         Temperature Range (F)14F to 158F
·         Temperature Range (C)-10C to 70C
·         Internal Memory8GB
·         SD SlotYes
SCREEN
·         Display Resolution, WxH800x480 WVGA
·         Screen Size5.0"
·         Display TypeColor, Capacitive
·         Touch ScreenYes
GPS & SENSORS
·         GPS Accuracy3-5 Meters
·         High-Sensitivity GPSYes
·         Antenna TypeMultidirectional Patch
MAPPING & NAVIGATION
·         Preloaded MapsUS, Canada, Puerto Rico
·         Points of Interest7M
·         Turn-by-Turn RoutingYes
·         Lifetime Traffic AlertsYes
·         Highway Lane AssistYes
·         Map UpdatesLifetime
·         Multi-Destination RoutingYes
·         OneTouch Favorites MenuYes
·         Speed LimitsYes
·         Spoken Street NamesYes
·         Branded POIsYes
·         POIs Along RouteYes
·         Smart City SearchYes
·         Smart DetourYes
·         QWERTY/ABCD KeyboardYes
·         Find Your CarYes
·         Landmark GuidanceYes
·         Junction viewYes
·         Traffic Camera Alerts by PhantomALERTYes
CAMERA
·         Resolution1920x1080
·         Horizontal View angle110°
INTERFACE & COMMUNICATIONS
·         USB PortUSB 2.0
·         PC CompatibleYes
·         MAC CompatibleYes
·         Wi-FiYes

 
The Magellan RoadMate 6630T-LM came well in a nice looking color printed box with photos of the receiver and it’s features. Included were the receiver, dash mount, power cord, microSD card, and owner’s manual. Materials used in the construction of the receiver was mostly plastic. Quality of the materials was very good as is the fit and finish. It felt well made in hand, as is quality Magellan is known for.

Setting up the Magellan Roadmate 6630T-LM was very simple. Thanks to the suction cup windshield mount, it was quick and very easy to get it mounted where I wanted it. The power cord was plenty long enough to plug into the power outlet. The menus were just as easy to follow and go through in getting the GPS and DashCam all set up. The menus also let you make adjustments and enable the features that you want. The ones I loved the most were the alerts for photo radar and stop light cameras, to help you not get a ticket for them.

There are also a lot of other features that I really liked. In a large metro city, there tends to be multiple freeways. And on-ramps and off-ramps can get confusing when merging. The lane guidance that gives you a visual is extremely helpful! There are also multiple safety features, such as the Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision warning, and Driver Break warning. It even has a Headlight Reminder. I did, however, notice that not all features carry over from other products. So while it has built-in GPS and DashCam, it does not have the Wide Dynamic Range feature as is found in the MiVue 420.

As is the case with other Magellan products reviewed, the Roadmate 6630T-LM GPS and DashCam performed very well! It never steered me wrong. Accessing the points of interest to find a gas station of restaurant was extremely easy. My wife loved the display of the speed limit on screen, and the notifications when I was over it. She also laughed at the notifications that I was following too close. I liked the photo radar and red light camera warnings, although some of them seemed to be in an area that no longer had them. The GPS functionality performed in spades.

The DashCam part of the receiver also worked very well, in Magellan style! I loved the resolution that gave good details, thanks to the true hi-definition. In the event that I needed the details, I know I would be covered. Night images were ok, and worked well also. While performance here was good, it would have improved with use of wide Dynamics Range. Yet I was still able to see and make out the night images.


The Magellan RoadMate 6630T-LM GPS and DashCam gives us a lot of usability, and the features we really need.  It also provides additional features such as photo and red light camera detection, and collision detection that are highly beneficial! And the performance was as expected from Magellan. Based on its design, features quality and performance, the Magellan RoadMate 6630T-LM DashCam has earned our Highly Recommended Award. With an MSRP of $229, you are getting a big bang for your buck. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.magellangps.com.

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