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Magellan RoadMate 5045

How much is .3 inches? Believe it or not, when it comes to the size of the viewing screen on a GPS navigation device, it’s enough to make a difference. The standard size for most screens is only 4.3 inches. Some are a bit larger, including several models that Magellan introduced last year with 4.7 inch screens. The Magellan RoadMate 5045 boasts a 5.0 inch diagonal screen. This is .3 inches larger, making for easier viewing while driving.

Actually, when you compare a 4.3 inch screen to a 5.0 inch screen, the 5.0 screen is larger by an amazing 34 percent. This extra viewing area gives you the option of zooming in or out one or two levels without losing visibility. This can be very important when driving in an unfamiliar area.

Features and user interface on the RoadMate 5045 are nearly identical to those found on the rest of the RoadMate line, with the exception of their entry-level models. All include Navteq maps of the U. S., Puerto Rico and Canada. Maps of Mexico are available for purchase, if needed, but are not included. Lifetime traffic alerts, with no subscription required, are part of the standard package.
One of the nicest features shared by all of the newer Magellan RoadMates is the “One Touch” interface. This allows the user to find a favorite saved search with just a single tap. Imagine, for instance, that you have saved a search for the nearest Pizza Hut. At any time in the future, no matter where you are, just one tap will give you a list of all of the nearby Pizza Huts.

Magellan GPS navigation devices boast other features unique to their brand, and the RoadMate 5045 is no exception. These features include highway exit POI search, the AAA Tourbook and the ability to compare four different routing options. In addition, the 5045 includes highway lanes assist and multi-segment routing.

One feature lacking in the RoadMate 5045 that is available on some of the more expensive models is Bluetooth capability. However, this may be because the Bluetooth did not work as well as hoped on the 3065. Removing this feature could be a good decision on Magellan’s part.

It is hard to find any negatives to the RoadMate 5045. During testing, one tester reported that the 5045 “rebooted,” ostensibly to “optimize for better performance. If this were to happen in the middle of navigation, it could be a problem.

Pricing ranges from $220 to $250 depending upon whether you choose the base model or the top of the line RoadMate 5045-LM. Both models sell for $10 less than their comparable Tom-Tom equivalents. Tom-Tom also offers a base model which sells for $20 less than the Magellan RoadMate 5045, but does not offer the lifetime traffic alerts. The Tom-Tom models include Mexican maps. Other features on the competitors’ products are similar except for those mentioned above as unique to Magellan.

Both the Magellan RoadMate 5045 base model and the 5045-LM top of the line model contain nearly everything needed to make them ideal GPS navigation devices.