Magellan Maestro 4250 ?

So how is the BLUETOOTH on this one? Can you hear the caller while the TTS is on?

I am so disappointed with the routing on the 4250,
whenever it takes the fastest route, i can override it with my own route and can cut journey times by 20%

Explain that a bit, would you please?

Are you talking about relatively short local trips where an intimate knowlege of local conditions would be an advantage.......or long trips on the highway?

I've used mine a lot on the highway and in towns I'm not familiar with and it performed good; a few quirks but overall quite acceptable.

NOW.....if I had gauged the performance only by how it routed me around the town I have lived in for 40 years, I too would have been disappointed.

Locally, it makes some real dumb routes but mostly ones that appear to be the best route logically but really aren't because of conditions not apparent just from a "map".

The way the cost of these units change, and features they support or not, it really does not make much sence to have brand loyality. While I like my 4250 unit, when it is time to replace it I'll go for the best bang for buck I can find.

I agree with you. I like my Maestro, but it doesn't mean the next unit has to be a Magellan.

the map update issue and cost is a problem

i'm based in NY metro area,
i have a few new trips planned for this week, and we shall see, does the 2008/2009 maps offer significantly better routing?

While I really like by 4250 unit the maps do not keep up with the constant road construction. So I suspect in your area, the issues you will have will be compounded by this. I would be very interested in how things go.

well in terms of construction, i got good rerouting from the traffic subscription, but in terms of good routes, i am very disappointed.
When i'm driving with my wife who is a native new yorker, i tend to override the gps in favor of my wifes way (good idea even if she is wrong!!)
her routes still come out way faster and smoother.

Well at least the rerouting worked in your area, that's better than most. As to a native knowing better routes that is not surprizing as it depends more on knowing traffic load than which are the shortest or biggest roads.

I'm extremely frustrated with this weblink as I have been trying to update my maps for Magellan Maestro 4250 GPS, but am unable to do so. What am I missing? Help. Why can't I update? Help.

Dr. Joy

Joy,

In order to assist you, you need to provide more specific information. Have you bought a new version of the maps and are having trouble installing? Provide more details and I'm sure someone here can help.

Exactly WHAT weblink?
Maps for the 4250 can NOT be updated via the web.
It requires a CD.....which you must PAY for.

Like many here, I'm considering a 4250 (price too good to pass up). I have a Nuvi 660 and the 4250 would be for my wife to use. After looking at Magellans web page, I couldn't find how much the map updates or traffic subsciiptions cost. Can someone fill me in?

The maps are $80 for the recently released Spring 2009 update, and it comes on an SD card. Traffic is about $40/year, but you should get a Free trial for 3 months I think.

Is that something new?
I think you are confusing models.

The maps for the Maestro line has always come on CD, I believe. I did mine just a couple of months ago and it was on a CD.

AND if you watch the web site, they occasionally have a "special" on the maps; got mine for about $50.

Since Magellan doesn't actually provide the traffic service, you need to get that price from the traffic company.

I'd love to see them go to lifetime updates like Garmin did.

Starting with the Spring 2009 update, Magellan is providing the maps via SD card which is compatable with the 4250. Just keep in mind that any 4250 unit you buy now has loaded the 2007 maps and it is now two versions behind (which I am currently using and it is not that bad - but I will update to the newest version at some point).

The traffic service is free for three months and several of us have found it is still active long after that. But to be honest, the service is marginal in most areas and depending upon where you live it may not be worth anything at all (true for St. Louis).

OK, so what do yo DO with the SD card then ??
The CD had update software that LOADS the maps on the GPS. Does the SD card do that too or do you "run" the maps directly off the card ??
And is there still a security key required ??

I have feeling that the update is provided via SD card and not the actual map.

What does that mean?
I just went to the site and the price is $80 so I would hope that you get the "actual map".

It sounds like there is an "autorun" feature associated with the SD card as it says "Plug in the SD card, turn the unit on and you're ready to go".
Grossly understated, I'd bet.

If it works like you said then the card and the map can be moved from one unit to another! That would be great!
My understanding was that the SD card is used to update the map on your unit, and not to read the map from the card. That's what I meant under "actual map".

Configuration file on my GPS (MM3200) points to the HDD/Map as map location. If I want my unit to read from somewhere else I have to modify the file manually. That's why I'm confused with the way how the whole update process is explained.

Well I was all set to ask customer support, but I discovered that even with an account with them you need to include your units serial number every time you ask a question. So tonight, when I have the unit handy I send off a question along the lines of this discussion about how the SD card update actually works.

Nothing is easy anymore....

You simply need a tab delimited txt file in the following format:
Name Latitude Longitude Altitude Description
You can leave the Altitude and Description fields blank.

I avoid the power button. I just unplug it when I'm done and let it power down.

The description fild does display on the 4250 but allows only a few characters. I love my 4250 but will prob get Garmin the next time because of this.