Magellan RoadMate 1700
It looks like Magellan has a super-sized GPS coming soon. The Magellan RoadMate 1700 is starting to appear in stock reports (though out of stock currently) at a few retailers including Best Buy. We expect this GPS to be similar to other recent RoadMate models with one large exception, a seven inch display!
While there have been a few devices released in the five inch range and a few others in the six and seven inch range, we expect to see more XL sized GPS devices to come out this fall. Many will be marketed towards truckers and RV drivers (the really big displays) while the 5″ models will likely try to convince regular drivers that the 3.5 inch displays of the past are GPS history. (And more likely try to convince people that their smartphone screen is too small for GPS.)
As for specs, the Magellan RoadMate 1700 will come with maps of North America, text-to-speech, AAA Tour Book, lane assistance, and route planning. Initial prices should be around $299 and we’ll expect it will become available soon.
OK, I bought one of these units. Previously, I had read that the A/V input would accept the signal from a back-up camera. I tried to confirm this with the store and Magellan, but did not get a firm response. Does anyone have experience with other Magellan models that have an A/V input and using a back-up camera? This is for a large SUV and it would be great if it worked. I have about 25 days to decide or return the GPS.
…an A/V in that lets you use the RoadMate 1700 as a WVGA (800-by-480-pixel) 7-inch LCD display for another device, though Magellan doesn’t include the necessary cable.
We have a TomTom one now and the thing that we hate the most about it is that it can take anywhere from a minute to 15 minutes to “locate a signal.” Does anyone who has this unit (or any Magellan unit for that matter) as to how long it typically takes to “locate a signal?”
I have a TomTom ONE and it gets a signal within seconds most of the time. See Acquiring Satellites for tips.
Interesting information although I can’t say it’s all that accurate. We’ve had a signal, went to a location, turned our
TomTom off, went to (sic the museum) returned to the car, turned the GPS on and still had to wait 15 minutes for a signal.
Thanks though, we’ll try some of the things they suggest and see if that helps.
Providing there is a clear line of site (ie: not indoors, inside a metal bldg, etc.) the 1700 takes anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds to aquire signal. In my area, it’s typically quick, 5 to 10 seconds max. On a recent trip from NYC to NH, it also kept good aquisition during bad weather, never lost signal. It’s an excellent unit.
Unlike other satellite based communication systems, the frequencies used by GPS were picked because weather has virtually no detectable impact on reception.
I purchased the Roadmate 1700 for my own personal use & I love it!
It receives signal quicker than my Garmin, even in the garage. Basic GPS functions just as they should be.
The display is huge but the color contrast (in day mode) is lacking (the only adjustment is brightness & it ships turned all the way up), especially when compared to my Garmin nuvi. Simple solution was to leave the 1700 in “night mode”.
My only other complaint is the mount. It is very compact which places the unit just out of reach when attached to the windshield in both of my vehicles. The mount is also not quite up to the task of keeping the unit steady – unless the GPS is physically touching the dash it wobbles like a bobble head. I’ve since modified a Garmin mount to use with the Magellan & solved this problem.
I have the 1700 partly because of the video input feature. After trying several things that did not work and a couple of emails I called Magellan and at firat they gave me the company line that just connect a video cable from your device to the 3.5 plug. I told them I did this with my ipod and nothing happened and I then asked for the exact cable needed. They put me on hold…grrrrrr. When they returned they told me they are currently writing firmware to allow the unit to accept video from outside sources. She asked if I would be patient. She did not know when this would become functional. False advertising for sure. If anyone has a better ending story to using the video input please share.
I got my magellan and I love it. One problem for me is that I would love to track my family trips. There is always a shorter way found from point A to point B and I would like to store these roads as we travel them. If you know something I don’t please share the news, OK.