Is It Just My Magellan 4040 That Is Stupid?

Don't know but my guess is NO. My 4250 has done some wierd things like that a couple of times. You need to do some more test runs to be sure.

AND.....you still need to glance at a "real" map or review the programmed route for glaring errors. All brands and models seem to do stuff like that on occasion.

If you were able to find both starting and destination addresses, a map upgrade probably won't help you that much in regards to routing, perhaps only if there were any major changes in that particular route, such as new highway entrances or exits, changes in traffic flow, etc.

I'd suggest instead that you check if you have the latest firmware installed:

http://www.magellangps.com/support/product.asp?prodid=1873

This would fix any bugs that Magellan was aware of up to the time of the firmware release.

You could also check that your unit is not set to avoid any type of roads and/or conditions. Those can result in situations like the one you described.

Krieger

Well, my 4040 has the 2.36 firmware so that is not an option. I guess I'll just sit tight for now and see if anything comes up -- and I'll be forewarned that routes are not to be taken for granted.

Using the old DeLorme software I had amazingly little routing trouble. Once it decided that a good route over a mountain chain was on a very sketchy logging road -- indeed the road went over the mountain by my Miata likely would not have done the same. The other time it routed me through some remote Louisiana territory to pass over a bridge that had been removed/washed away some time in the past. Other than that it never gave me a bum steer. This was running on a 1997-vintage laptop that likely had no more processor power than the 4040. And it was running live off of the CD so it probably had less data to work with than the Magellan.

I too recently purchased one of the $100 refurb 4040s. It is horrible, I understand why there were so many refurb ones on the market now. This thing defies logic. It has you making all kinds of turns when the obvious route is dead ahead! I have a Garmin c340 that works great, it doesnt have all the bells and whistles of this Magellan 4040 but it does what a GPS should, properly route you. I put bothe the Garmin c340 and the Magellan 4040 on the dash at the same time and the 4040 even confuses the Garmin if you follow the 4040!! The 4040 has the latest firmware 2.36, it doesn't look like Magellan releases firmware updates often. I could of used that 100 bucks to update the maps on my Garmin.

I also purchased a refurbished 4040 and I like it better then my Magellan 800. I had no porlbmes using blue tooth phone hook up. My main gripe with Magelllan is as follows, I went on line to the Magellan Site and found that my map version was outdated, it is 26 and the latest version is 31. I called Magellan and talked to a resolution center manager and she informed me if I would fax her the proof of purchase that she would notify me of what to do. I then received a e-mail from her to contact customer support and ask for her by name and ID number . You would not believe the run around I got from the most arrogant person I have ever delt with. Needless to say I got no satisfaction from them at all. I e-mailed the agent and told her of my plight, so far nothing.

I changed this post to lower case. Please do not use upper case for your whole text. It is the same as shouting at someone in person.

Miss POI

When I bought my 4040 refurb it clearly stated that the maps were the previous version and an update was available. Perhaps you would do better taking it up with the vendor you purchased from rather than Magellan. I expect that any and all refurb units will come with the older map data. I the vendor led you to believe otherwise then that is the direction I would pursue.