Magellan GPS Reviews

To upgrade maps on a Magellan Roadmate GPS, the website magellangps.com is used. A plugin called mgncontentmanager.msi by MiTac Digital Corp is supposed to be used. The plugin did not work on any of my computers. I tried to get help at magellangps.com in a chat but they kept insisting on a telephone number which I did not want to give. I could not get help otherwise. Therefore, I had a product and service from magellangps.com that was totally unsatisfactory.

I received the unit as a gift. I followed the instructions to update the software before use. I hooked it to my computer and started the update. It failed due to "no more room". After this, none of my computers (Win 10/Win 8/Win Vista) would recognize the unit. I contacted customer support. They sent one response to:

I just experienced scam from this company's web. Because I have an old 1700 Magellan GPS and I would like to update online. It was on a long weekend in US. Someone made a app to get my phone from Magellan's web. This company do not have phone number to contact to and give someone an opportunity to scam royalty Magellan's customers. Here is the phone number from scam:8006239204, **. I cannot to get hold with magellan, and just want every aware when you are try to update your GPS from Magellan.

Do not buy a gps from this company! The first Smart Gps I purchased broke within 6 months so I was able to get Refurbished one. Now 4 years later with a promise of lifetime maps my gps stopped getting a signal! Tried to call the company but they would not take my call as they told me the unit was old and would only do email support! I was told to buy an SD card and a long list of instructions on how to format and download on a computer the updates. I don’t have a computer and was told to go use a friend’s computer! Yea okay that’s a solution! Then when I got the SD card that I had to purchase it was the wrong one! They didn’t tell me I needed a micro SD card (I know nothing about this kind of stuff). So I had to waste more money once again! Finally did all the instructions just for it not to work.

Purchased this item new, in unopened box. Included documentation very superficial. On-line manual did not contain charging information, instructed to connect to website. Attempt to accomplish this unsuccessful, was repetitively instructed to download program, but this repetitively failed. Website did not provide direct phone # for support, but found from another source on line. First discussion with service tech told me his supervisor would call me back in 10 minutes, didn't call back at all. Reached service tech again, was told device incompatible with Mac, even though box states is compatible with Mac OS > 10. Tech recommended finding someone with a PC in order to register and update the device. For Mac users, look somewhere else for GPS.

Hi There, I have bought two GPS from this company. Within a short period both of them busted with blank screen. Also the cable, the pin dropped out for no reason. The GPS were pretty expensive, around 150$ each. None of the warranty have been honored, very frustrating. Not only that, the 'life long map updates' Printed in bold letters on both GPS, really is just fraudulent advertising. When the GPS worked (which was just a short period), I couldn't get the updates to work. Very frustrating. I recommend people buy from other companies which have are more ethical.

Magellan GPS: Friends, do not purchase a gps from magellan if you are in the market for one. I went to update mine, as I had "free lifetime map updates" when I first bought it. It wouldn't work. Apparently, if your computer software is too recent, it won't work with it. As a matter of fact, their customer "service" person sucked, and I was actually asked: "Can't you take it to a friend's house to do it?" yeah. Load magellan stuff onto your friends computer (as long as he hasn't updated his software recently I guess), and for me that's an hour and thirty minute trip, each way, to my closest friend's house.

1. Magellan offers "Lifetime Maps". But, their interpretation is the lifetime of their units is only 3 years. After 3 years, no new maps for that model. Something they don't tell you until you complain. FRAUD? 2. Earlier "Content Manager" allowed me to get maps and "Sync" multiple units' address data so each address was only entered once for all units and one could sync remaining units. They dropped Content Mgr and then went to "SmartGPS.eco" to get new maps. SmartGPS.eco is very cumbersome compared to Content Mgr, AND, does now offer address sync support. I was told I could enter individual address into each unit by hand. What a ripoff!!! DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH MAGELLAN!!!

2018 Magellan GPS, tried to update right away the maps last year. "Map is the last available version." Today I tried again and got the same message. Called in and was asked to pay 199.99 USD. Seriously? I was told that my computer and newer GPS unit are infected with a virus... (I never run a PC without the newest antivirus updates!!!). So I was told from Magellan support to pay 199.99 USD to clean my computer and to get my new GPS map! I refused and was told that the Canadian government would not allow anymore free map updates since 1st of July 2019. I seriously asked if the senior support agent worked for Magellan and he said, "yes." 1 year maps 199.99 USD/2 years map update and service ONLY 245 USD for a Magellan Roadmate 5620-LM with FREE lifetime map updates I bought last year at Canadian Tire Spruce Grove, Alberta. That is fraud!

Bought a TRX for Christmas, had difficulties initially because it was not user friendly. Decided to keep it and work through the issue and learn the product...What a mistake! After about 3 months it works about 10% of the time. “Unfortunately the TRX has stopped” keeps coming up with no map display. After a 1/2 hour or so, SOMETIMES it will start working for about 30 mins and then it stops working again. A waste of money, a waste of time and pure disappointment in the product.

Can't update maps. Pretty much the same problem everyone else is having. No maps for device. Pretty shady company. Website software won't recognize the device. And customer service is non-existent. It amazes me that this company is still in business.

Bought unit for the Lifetime Map updates. This is not true, it is only 3 years. First time I got to update maps, process did not work. Emailed Magellan support, followed their instructions: delete Map folder, back up, format. Still has insufficient space issue, now I have no map folder, so I have no GPS. Magellan solution, buy a new unit. Never again!

Software update crashed the hard drive on my current 5045-LM GPS. MANY attempted fixes, later it was deemed UN-repairable by their tech support. Convinced me to buy a new one 5520-LM. So I did, got it, opened the box and tried to set it up. It will NOT recognize my time zone. I live in Ontario Canada and for the time zone to be correct I need to manually choose Singapore...?

We paid $400 for a Magellan GPS. It did not charge from day one. We called multiple time to get help to no avail. They do not stand by their product. They did not offer to repair or replace it. This is what they say "We suggest purchasing a brand new Magellan device that has all the latest technological advances, map updates, and full one-year warranty. This way, you’ll have a working device at your earliest convenience." HA HA. What a joke! Why on earth would I even consider purchasing another Magellan when the 1st one didn't work. Anyway, I recommend you doing full research and reviewing GARMIN or Rand McNally options. We have used both and they worked far better. Good luck in your hunt for a good, reliable GPS.

I purchased this GPS because it advertised a lifetime map upgrade. In trying to upgrade it I found that no upgraded maps were offered for this model. Practically impossible to find a number to call so I emailed a customer service agent. She asked me to provide proof that lifetime maps were offered on this model. Thankfully I kept the box which advertised the lifetime upgrades so I was able to email a picture. That's the last I heard from customer service or anyone else from Magellan. I attempted to email several times with no responses to emails. After reading several reviews it seems I am not the only one experiencing this lack of service. Seems this is a common practice with this company. Do yourself a favour and stay away from Magellan.

Magellan's support website states that "Lifetime" Map Updates are only guaranteed for three years from date of purchase. Contacted support and got this response: “Please note that your unit has the latest map version 61 installed. Due to that, there will be no longer map update available for your unit. This is due to the technological advances in mapping data over that past few years. The size of the mapping data is too great to be handled by the older hardware. We suggest purchasing a brand-new Magellan device that has all the latest technological advances, map updates, and full one-year warranty. You may visit our online store for more details. You may click on the link below: https://www.magellangps.com/store/.”

I received this unit for Christmas. It worked well for a while then for some reason the time switched to PM and the clock showed an incorrect time. I have tried everything I know to change it. I even called the 800 support number to be told they no longer support the phone number. If you are going to purchase a GPS after market unit I suggest you stay away from this model.

Magellan sold 10s of 1000s of units with the lifetime map upgrades. They are trying not to honor the deal saying the memory is too small for current maps. They make the size of the files which hold updated maps. This is a way for them to try and not honor lifetime map agreements. If they are treating others this way - this deserves a class action suit to filed against Magellan GPS.

The navigation choices just to set up initial product are ridiculous. This was purchased for a family member needing simplicity in getting to destinations without a hassle. Instead of convincing them to use cell phone, I bought this. I pre programmed, so I thought, the destination, any stops, and return directions. I set the home address and pointed out the one touch option.

I own two Magellan GPS. One is model # 5230T-LM. Worked great until one day it just didn't. Tried everything to restart it and nothing helped. Contacted SUPPORT and was sent an impossible to follow link to restart it. I even asked computer savvy people to try for me. Could not be done. Still waiting for that help to come through.

Have to agree with previous posts about backup and support. I too tried to update my maps on my RV9365T. Really important for me to have a current updated set of maps because I tow a car behind my RV and cannot back up if I go wrong somewhere. Bought this unit a little over a year ago and planning for some long distance trips starting in February. Like others I found out that because my IMAC is up to date with the latest O/S, Magellan doesn't support it, so there is no way you can run the content manager anymore.

By far the worst ever experience with their "support". No phone number, updates don't work. Plus I just learned that I bought into their scam of a 'lifetime' subscription. Now they changed it to 3 years!!! Maybe that is how long this scam venture should survive. Never Magellan products again...

I have been attempting to update the maps on my Magellan GPS since Sept 2018. I've received about 10 emails from their "customer support" instructing me to go to various sites & follow various procedures in order to accomplish an update. All attempts lead to zero update & they finally advised that their "lifetime updates" were only 3 years! Their last email said that I had passed a 14 day limit on my issue number & need to open a new number for my issue. Now they have apparently blocked me from sending their "customer service" any more emails which effectively blocks me from corresponding with "support".

This is the third Magellan GPS that I have owned over the years. I have been trying to update the software & maps. I use a Mac and the update software from Magellan depends on older versions of software no longer available for my computer. Over the past few years, tech support (especially if you're a Mac user) has ALWAYS been the very last place that this company spends any time and/or resources. When my device worked it never sent me astray. I loved it! Now that I'm trying to do updates to the unit, it depends on an older Safari web browser version, which you can't even install on the computer anymore. "Map updates forever" doesn't mean a darned thing if they can't give you the software to install the updates.

Avoid this company at all costs. Map updates require a third party site, a specific browser, and still do not function. Magellan has no contact phone number and the reason why is obvious. Stick with Garmin or you will most likely regret your purchase, I sure did.

Over the course of 6 months, I have owned 3 different models of Magellan GPS, the last being the dual dashcam and GPS model. All have screen issues. After a one or two, the screen dies. I wish I can give 0 stars. It's really terrible. All 3 GPS, different models have screen issues. Really disappointed.

I purchased a RM 5295T Smart GPS in October 2017. The first trip I used it, it missed the address by over 2 miles. So on the way home I put in my address and it missed by 4 blocks. I e-mailed Magellan and the tech said to reset it by pushing the button on the back. There is no reset button on this model. They then told me to try a few other things which did not work. Also none of the 8 squares (weather, Yelp, etc) worked either. They told me to try different things which did not work. I suggested that maybe the unit could be bad. They said they understood my frustration and that they would pass this on to "the highest management" for review.

I purchased a new Roadmate for a major road trip this past summer. Throughout the trip, the Roadmate had difficulty getting signals, and when it did, its directions were completely unreliable. In one notable case, we were traveling from Madison, Wisconsin to St Paul, Minnesota. The Magellan gave us directions to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin - completely in the opposite direction. When it WAS working, the machine was so sensitive to touch that the least touch would result in a switch to the screen, rendering it impossible to use for navigation while driving.

I have used my RoadMate GPS for a few years but have had problems with having just a blue screen on many occasions. Recently the casing was forced open by an expanding battery (big). I have contacted Magellan especially as it's a safety concern. They wanted photos which I sent but have had no response for over two weeks. Updating maps it a non event. Just bought a Garmin GPS and it's so good compared to the Magellan.

I easily use the navigation system on my phone with no problem at all. The Magellan in my Subaru Forester usually won't even load. If it does it usually says it can't locate the address I put in. If it does, it gives obviously wrong directions. It is completely useless. I am really disappointed in this product.