Magellan Roadmate 1412

I can't answer for sure, but it doesn't sound normal. How long does it take to aquire satellites?

Got one today, will test it against my 3225 and give you an update later.

btw: Sale price ends on Sunday, June 22. It was extended from the 15th due to late mailing of coupon books (at least in northern VA area). It then goes up to $199.00. Still not bad.

emr

Took a little test drive to compare my 1412 and 3225 units (about 45 miles RT on interstate and local roads). I will only highlight the differences, since JimmyK already covered the 3225 in his excellent review here.

The 1412 seems to be a stripped down version of the 3225, but has a larger screen. The software is almost identical and the interface and controls are the same. The most noticeable differences are that the sound level of the 1412 is much better, but the screen brightness is lower. The 1412 was a bit difficult to read in bright sunlight when wearing sunglasses. (At night, the 3225 is too bright).

The 1412 does not come with a USB cable or home power adapter and does not have an external antenna connection, although neither unit seems to need one. Both of my units are very sensitive and get a 5 bar signal even when mounted low inside the car and in the garage. Both units start and acquire their signals at the same time.

The larger screen is nice. The 1412 shows more details, poi’s and street names at equivalent scales settings. The maps and POI files on the 1412 are newer, dated 4/7/2008. The routing appears identical and directions are almost simultaneously. The 1412 comes with a larger, 6 million POI file, but a similar file has been available for the 3225.

The 1412 has a smaller memory capacity. It shows only about 50 mB of internal memory with 33 mB free. It stores all maps, poi files and other data on a removable 2GB SD card. The 3225 has a 2GB internally memory (with about 700mB free) and additional 2GB cards can be added for user POI, addresses, backups, etc. It may be possible to use multiple cards with the 1412, but I don’t know if the card is branded.

The 1412 is a little more wordy and adds an additional phrase to each instruction “on xyz street”. This seems redundant at times and it takes longer to give rapidly changing directions.

I plan to experiment with the various files and settings and will add to this note as time permits.

emr

I just reread JimmyK's review of the 3225 and noted that he had a low screen brightness on his first unit. I'm wondering if my 1412 has a similar problem.

Does anyone have any more info on this?

emr

I do have a problem reading the unit when sunlight hits the screen directly. I think it depends on angle of the light so I adjust it a little bit in addition to adjusting brightness option.

How fast is the processing time for other's 1412s to search for POIs purley by a name? Mines takes almost 2 minutes!

Gained a lot more experience with my 1412 and found that the larger screen and adaptive scaling is a real advantage over the 3225. The only negatives are screen brightness and the SD Card.

The screen is not as bright as the 3225 and washes out in bright sunlight. I also tried to backup my addresses, and found that I need a separate SD card to save the file. This is not convent, and removing the card is not easy because one side is blocked by the case. I ended up using a tweezers to pull the card out.

Also, it appears that Magellan uses a special SD card format to protect the files against copying. This seems senseless since the files can be copied to another unit, its only the card that is protected. Since this is a separate part that could be damaged or lost, it would be nice to have a backup.

Does anyone know where to get compatible SD cards for the 1412?

emr

1) Where would you like to backup TO....if not an SD card?

2) Be careful with pulling the SD card out. It is designed to be a click-in, click-out type of operation. That is, to remove it, you actually push it IN a tiny bit and it pops out far enough to bet ahold of.

3) Any "standard" (not high capacity) SD card 2G or less should work. Magellan recommends 3 brands; don't remember what they are off hand. I thing that is here in a post somewhere.

4) What leads you to believe that the SD card is somehow not standard? I believe that is NOT the case. Mine worked "out of the box" with whatever format the SD card came with (old standard FAT, I think).

Note:
This info. is based on an assumption that it works the same as the 4000 and 4250 that I have experience with. That can be a dangerous assumption, as some things are vastly different even between those two models.

Thanks for the reply, let me explain a little more.

1) The issue here is that the 1412 won't let you backup to the map card. It requires a separate backup card which must be swapped while the unit is running.

2) I understand what you are describing because my 3225 card does click in and out. But, the 1412 socket does not work that way. Its very tight and partially blocked and the card has to be pulled out.

3 & 4) Simple file copy appears to work, but the 1412 does not run without the original card. I tried to transfer a binary image of the card to other 2 GB cards without success. The image file indicates a larger number of sectors than my "standard" cards have.

Don't know exactly why, possibly a larger card is used or the format is modified to make the file appear larger or they use some other method to restrict the use of "standard" cards.

Its a lot different than the 4250 (and the 3225)

I would appreciate a link to the recommended cards if anyone has it.

emr

Sorry brain cramp. Forgot that the maps were on an SD card and, yes, they have a hidden key or serial number to keep the copies from being useable.

I think there is a FAQ on the Magellan web site about SD cards.

My 1412 screen seems to have about 1 frame per second. Since this is my first GPS, is it considered pretty much average FPS compared to other units?

via the car charger, I charged the magellan 1412 battery to 75% full. However, the battery only last for approximately 15 minutes once I removed it from the charger. The product specifications states the battery life is approxomately 3 hours.

Does anyone has the same problem with their unit?

Hi

I bought this unit from costco for $150, the package content says packages comes with sd card. But i didnt find one, also I dont find a sd card slot in the receiver.

I tried to update the new fw. The software doesnt recognise the receiver. It says unit not found.
Ok, its time to get help.

Do u guys see this problem?

My son has the 1412 and it has dismal battery performance as well.

Just a wild guess here but you often can't trust the battery meter. You should be sure to give at least one FULL charge, like leave it charging for about 12 hours.

It took me a while to find the card slot, after all I'm a computer guy so I never read the manual. Any way if you look on the bottom of the unit it's in between the two indentions that hold it in the mount. Mine was covered with a little strip of black plastic. Just peel that off and you'll find the card. I haven't loaded the software from the CD yet but I did download Vantage Point and have not had much luck with it. If you get your computer to recognize your gps please let me know.

You probably have to do some trickery on the SD card itself in order to get it working. However, I wouldn't recommend that any average computer user try. I briefly looked at the SD card that came with the unit, and you would have to edit the partition tables in an in depth fashion (editing raw data).

Also, I have found that the Magellan site is practically useless beyond the basic FAQ pages (as is the case with most manufacturers).

hi everyone. this is my first post.

i went to circuit city with a 10% off coupon for purchases over $150. they had the roadmate 1412 on sale for $220 and i actually went to go buy the garmin nuvi 265wt but was impressed with the features on the 1412 and the price.

got home, charged it, and i've been playing with it all day. seems like it's a quality unit for the price. the lack of bluetooth is a slight bummer, but considering that the speaker on the unit isn't that impressive (but sufficient), i wouldn't want to listen to music on it anyways.

all in all, i hope it was the right decision. i'm driving to alabama on sunday and then jacksonville, florida, and then back to jersey. it will get tons of use. will report back when i reach my destination(s).

Welcome to the board. We'll be looking for your adventures on the trip and how the Magellan performed.

Welcome to the site, it is nice to have you join us.

Miss POI

Most consumers are worried about buyer's remorse. In this case, I was pretty reassured that I made a good decision. One site that rates and provides reviews of electronics put the RoadMate 1412 top of its class for cost and functionality. Happy point #1.

Yes, it doesn't have bluetooth nor does it play music, but in today's world with MP3 players and my car's lack of bluetooth support (it's from 2001), it didn't make a difference to me since I really need to purchase a newer MP3 player since it was stolen in early September. Plus, who would want to hear music from a single speaker when you should enjoy it in stereo from the car speakers. Phone calls are much clearer in my bluetooth ear piece too so no big deal. Happy point #2.

The unit also got me from NJ to Birmingham to Jacksonville, FL without any problems and I even tested the rerouting capabilities by not following the directions and I still got to my destination in roughly the same amount of time. I understand it is only an estimate and probably calculates your ETA based on following the posted speed limits, but as a wise teacher once told me, "Do we purposefully break the law because we're law breakers or do we just go with the flow?" Happy point #3.

Now, I use it to give me an idea of when I'm going to get to a specific destination since I know where I'm going most of the time in state. I enjoy finding out if I've been using the fastest routes or if the RM 1412 can get me a faster route.

This site is also a blessing since I enjoy forums and have always thought collaboration is better than living in a bubble.

Oh, thanks for the warm welcome, a_user and Miss POI. Always appreciated!

First time user of This sight and of a gps.
Have a lot of (should it do that) most times the turn screen appears. when coming to a turn, other times it doesnt. Is it the speed, type of road, also on a route with a long distant between turns.
the routing menu comes up by it self. wont press my luck with more ( is that normal questions) so thanks
ahead of time and take care Garry

Im a newie to this sight, Im I suppose to answer my owe question, or has no one left a answer. Maybe it has been to soon. Take care

It happens on several of the models, including the 4040 and 4250. I have yet to determine why some tutns it does it and others it doesn't.

Be sure and check for updates on your Magellan, there's probably a few-(Firmware). Already had an update on my 4350.

I am a complete newb to using forums

I just got the 1412 the other day for my birthday and I like it
it's my first gps unit
The POIs seem very outdated and there are some that are repeated(due to one being a dodge chrysler jeep dealership it appears three times....a few have alternate spellings....and some seem to have the wrong adress)
I was wondering if there were updated lists that I could be able to download(free is great)
I am only 18 so I am kinda bummed because I haven't figured out how to change the voice(can it be changed?)
Is it possible to find (dare I say it)free map updates?
I would also like to know any tips you have for a newb to gps units in general
And for the random note....I drive a 1990 plymouth voyager....the gps itself is probably worth as much as my van =P

That's reality of factory installed POI's. That isn't just Magellan problem. All manufacturers are more or less not paying enough energy (or $$$) to get this problem fixed. That's one of the reasons we have so many custom POI's.

No, it can't be changed.

If your unit was purchased within last 30 days and you have the receipt you can get the newest map for your unit for free. In fact they say "for free" but you finish paying $10 for S&H.

On a side note, all POI files here are free of charge except the red light & speed cameras files. Even those two files are free if you earn "Active Status" and you earn it by being active (posting at least once a week for 3 out of last 5 weeks).

I just checked and my unit has Basemap and Detailed map Navstreets version 31, Firmware version 1.34 which is the only upgrade I saw on the magellan site, and Hardware version 6...Is all of this up to date

I would almost suggest that the manufacturers let people call in with updates for POIs, which would save time and money and keep them updated.....but you would end up with spammers calling in and screwing it up

If I keep overcharging my battery, and putting it on the charger while it has almost a full battery, is it going to end up having barely any battery life?
Thanks for all the help

Magellan® RoadMate® 1412 Software Update Version 3.12 is now available! I downloaded it and then it installed on my GPS and so far the interface times seems to be much more smoother and faster? This update is free. The map upgrade offered on the same page is not!

Here is the direct address to that page:

http://www.magellangps.com/support/product.asp?prodid=2055

just copy and paste it into your browser it it is not linkable.

Hi. I'm new to these forums, having just purchased a Magellan RoadMate 1412 for $69 at Office Depot. Seemed a good deal until I found that the POI wasn't even current for 2000 for me.

For example. I often used my Sprint Navigation (Telenav) to find local Hobby Lobby and Michael's stores not only in the OKC area, but points as we travel from OK to AL to see my folks.

Last night I plugged in Hobby Lobby and not only did not show the one near my home (and I've been in this area for 8 years) it showed one on 44th Street. To my knowledge there has never BEEN one on 44th street.

How could I be sure that if I downloaded the 2009 Spring maps that it would even be up to date for Spring 2009, if this isn't EVEN CLOSE to the 2008 date of the Quick Start Guide enclosed with the unit?

I did see the POI files you have here are for Garmin and TomTom. I'm thinking I should just go with one of those units instead?

Thank you for any help. As a basic GPS the 1412 is great. I tried it out, and pleased with everything but this. Adding POI just seems fruitless since things change so much, and craft stores are not all I look for in traveling. I surely DO look for current restaurants, gas stations, and even shopping malls near where we stay.

You can be sure that it will NOT be what most of us would call "good". Alas, I think that applies to some degree to all the makes and models. They don't spend much time trying to get their POIs right.

A Garmin or Tom Tom may not be much better.

I've created a bunch of custom POI files using the POI editor but my Magellan 1412 Roadmate only sees them if I put them in the Usr\CPOI\ folder on the TFat drive. I tried putting them in a similarly named directory on the SD stick which has more room but the Magellan didn't see them. Their manual is useless in this regards. What good is a 2Gig SD Stick if you don't have instructions on where to place the custom POI files on it?

I lost brightness after a software update on the GPS, Magellan wanted me to send the GPS in for repair or they will buy my GPS for $20 towards an upgrade. I decided to troubleshoot on my own, I found a file called brightness.dat in the folder called APP on the GPS, I opened the brightness.dat file using Notepad, there are 7 brightness settings, I changed the last brightness setting to 210 for NoDimming and Dimming setting, after change, click on FILE and SAVE on the brightness.dat file, unplug USB cable from computer and the GPS reboots, this resolved my brightness problems on the last setting while using the GPS in sunlight, I now have no problems viewing the GPS in daylight hours, I been using this setting change for 1 year now and no LCD problems reported.
All 7 brightness settings can be adjusted to specific brightness.