Home > Consumer Reviews > Magellan Maestro 4040 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech (Refurbished)
Magellan Maestro 4040 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech (Refurbished)
See it at Amazon.com for $99.99Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
Where's Walmart????
(4 out of 5) by Bakers Biscuit on Aug 2, 2008 (Bernalillo, New Mexico United States)I bought this as an Amazon Daily deal also. After reading the reviews I was a little worried about purchasing the Magellan 4040 refurb but I needed to upgrade from my Garmin I3 and I felt the price was reasonable considering a new map for Garmin is almost 100 bucks.
I can certainly say that it was an upgrade - I have had no problems in the two weeks since having it. It was very easy to operate and get started right out of the box. the large screen is nice and easy to read with an upgraded version of it's program the display shows estimated arrival time, along w/ length to next turn. One feature that I really like is that the map will show me how my next turn will look with an icon in the bottom right corner.
Some features are virtually useless like AAA directory and service. I would imagine that if I were a AAA member it would be nice but even the POI featured in AAA directory are not very helpful. I live in the Chicago suburbs and very often I cannot find a local store that should be listed in the directory. This is more of a map problem than a device problem but nonetheless it is a problem. I am surrounded by WalMarts and my device could not find a Walmart within 50 miles. after an extensive search the device pointed me to a Walmart Optical in another state. I'm finding that the map is very inefficient at finding places which I know the names of and are readily available on my Garmin I3. This is probably the most distracting feature (or lack of) that I find with the device. Although I have to say that It is very easy to input addresses and the Magellan is quick to calculate the route for me.
On the positive side I like that when I turn the unit on it does not take an unreasonable amount of time to get me to the map screen and subsequently find the satellites. As a matter of fact I'm quite impressed with its satellite finding abilities. My Garmin I3 had serious issues keeping a satellite read in the city of Chicago with all of it's tall buildings but this little baby had no problems for me although It did take me on a couple of longer than needed routes. I think this is normal though with most devices I've seen (I travel a lot and have much experience with GPS devices).
I sent an email to the Magellan customer service site because the install disk would not let me go through the process of installing "POI Manager" onto the Magellan 4040 and have not heard back from them in over two weeks. i realize that is not a good sign but considering what I upgraded from I don't feel it's a bad place to be.
I did try the bluetooth feature which is really nice. One phone conversation was loud and clear while another conversation was a little difficult to hear. It should be noted that the clear conversation happened with a land line at the other end while the not-so-clear happened with a cell phone. I have not used the feature since I have a bluetooth earpiece that I absolutely love. Another nice feature but just a bell/whistle for me.
I noticed that this unit has the option to upgrade to a voice command unit. That's a nice feature as I've grown to love the voice command of my BlackBerry. Unfortunately that upgrade will set you back another 100 bucks. Too rich for my blood.
Overall I like the device for the price and I can't complain. The large screen as well as the easy to manipulate menu's make this a 4 star product for me. At 150 bucks you really can't beat the price for all of its features. I would have easily given the Magellan 4040 refurb a fifth star if I could only find the nearest WalMart, Walgreens, Target, etc..
****UPDATE**** Sept 16,2008
As most other reviewers have noted the customer service dept is pretty much useless. The email i sent in regards to the "install POI manager" error was finally answered albeit a completely useless and non relevant answer to my problem (twice). I emailed them back and received virtually no help. I just hope I never have to contact the company for a bigger issue.
The POI may be a nice feature for a computer geek like me but the Magellan 4040 still has had nothing else that I have been disappointed with. I love the unit and even recommended the same unit to my parents from a popular electronic store online (which rhymes with "tiger direct dot com") when they had a refurb for 80 bucks. Just my luck the same unit goes on sale for 2 days only at almost 1/2 the price! But overall I find that the unit still lives up to my expectations. I use it just about everyday to work since it gives me a constant update on my ETA - also comes in handy to have it operating when traffic gets out of control and I need to find a shortcut.
I can certainly say that it was an upgrade - I have had no problems in the two weeks since having it. It was very easy to operate and get started right out of the box. the large screen is nice and easy to read with an upgraded version of it's program the display shows estimated arrival time, along w/ length to next turn. One feature that I really like is that the map will show me how my next turn will look with an icon in the bottom right corner.
Some features are virtually useless like AAA directory and service. I would imagine that if I were a AAA member it would be nice but even the POI featured in AAA directory are not very helpful. I live in the Chicago suburbs and very often I cannot find a local store that should be listed in the directory. This is more of a map problem than a device problem but nonetheless it is a problem. I am surrounded by WalMarts and my device could not find a Walmart within 50 miles. after an extensive search the device pointed me to a Walmart Optical in another state. I'm finding that the map is very inefficient at finding places which I know the names of and are readily available on my Garmin I3. This is probably the most distracting feature (or lack of) that I find with the device. Although I have to say that It is very easy to input addresses and the Magellan is quick to calculate the route for me.
On the positive side I like that when I turn the unit on it does not take an unreasonable amount of time to get me to the map screen and subsequently find the satellites. As a matter of fact I'm quite impressed with its satellite finding abilities. My Garmin I3 had serious issues keeping a satellite read in the city of Chicago with all of it's tall buildings but this little baby had no problems for me although It did take me on a couple of longer than needed routes. I think this is normal though with most devices I've seen (I travel a lot and have much experience with GPS devices).
I sent an email to the Magellan customer service site because the install disk would not let me go through the process of installing "POI Manager" onto the Magellan 4040 and have not heard back from them in over two weeks. i realize that is not a good sign but considering what I upgraded from I don't feel it's a bad place to be.
I did try the bluetooth feature which is really nice. One phone conversation was loud and clear while another conversation was a little difficult to hear. It should be noted that the clear conversation happened with a land line at the other end while the not-so-clear happened with a cell phone. I have not used the feature since I have a bluetooth earpiece that I absolutely love. Another nice feature but just a bell/whistle for me.
I noticed that this unit has the option to upgrade to a voice command unit. That's a nice feature as I've grown to love the voice command of my BlackBerry. Unfortunately that upgrade will set you back another 100 bucks. Too rich for my blood.
Overall I like the device for the price and I can't complain. The large screen as well as the easy to manipulate menu's make this a 4 star product for me. At 150 bucks you really can't beat the price for all of its features. I would have easily given the Magellan 4040 refurb a fifth star if I could only find the nearest WalMart, Walgreens, Target, etc..
****UPDATE**** Sept 16,2008
As most other reviewers have noted the customer service dept is pretty much useless. The email i sent in regards to the "install POI manager" error was finally answered albeit a completely useless and non relevant answer to my problem (twice). I emailed them back and received virtually no help. I just hope I never have to contact the company for a bigger issue.
The POI may be a nice feature for a computer geek like me but the Magellan 4040 still has had nothing else that I have been disappointed with. I love the unit and even recommended the same unit to my parents from a popular electronic store online (which rhymes with "tiger direct dot com") when they had a refurb for 80 bucks. Just my luck the same unit goes on sale for 2 days only at almost 1/2 the price! But overall I find that the unit still lives up to my expectations. I use it just about everyday to work since it gives me a constant update on my ETA - also comes in handy to have it operating when traffic gets out of control and I need to find a shortcut.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Very easy to use, TTS, Blue Tooth, Large Screen @ Low Price
(4 out of 5) by Sarwat Ezzeldin on Sep 14, 2008 (Irvine, CA, United States)I got this unit to replace Mio c230. The refurbished unit looks like new, no blemishes what so ever; and ready to use right out of the box. The first main screen has three icons: "Show Map" (will show you the current location), "Enter Address", and "Points Of Interest". At the bottom of the screen there are three small icons: "Home" (to store your home address, by tapping on it the Maestro will take you home), "AAA Roadside Assistance" icon, and "Phone" icon (to make phone calls thru the unit's Blue Tooth). Entering address is real easy; you have a choice of entering zip code, city name, or current city. Then enter the street name, just few letters and the Maestro will find few matching street names to choose from; then enter the number, choose the navigation preference (Fastest Time, Least / Most use of highway or Shortest distance); that simple. The destination may also be an intersection, or picked from the address book, where you can store a large number of addresses.
The second main screen has three icons: Trip Planer, where you can enter multiple addresses (up to 20), then chose the sequence or let the Maestro "optimize" the rout for you. This "Trip Planer" is very useful for anyone especially succor Moms, sales people and the likes (Garmin does not have this feature). The second icon "Exit POI" will display a list of POI on the next Freeway Exit, be it Gas, Food, ... etc. tap on anyone, and the Maestro will take you there. The last Icon is "User Options", where you can setup your preference: the map region, volume, brightness, trip computer, 2D / 3D map, Language, Time Zone.. .etc.
The map screen ("Normal" and "Routing" mode)is displayed while navigating, this is what I like the most: On the top it shows the name of street you're on, the direction of travel (N, E, S, W) and the satellite status. The bottom of the screen shows the time of the day, Main Menu Icon, and current speed. On the sides there are icons to zoom in or out, change volume or mute. If you tap on the direction indicator, it will show your current location (Street name & nearest crossing street) which can be saved to the "Address Book", and useful if you need roadside assistance . An arrow indicate your position on the map. In "Routing" mode, the screen shows the next maneuver icon in the lower left corner, tap on it to display a list of maneuvers. As you approach POI, it will be displayed on the screen, tap on POI, and the Maestro will take you there. As a maneuver is approached, the Maestro will automatically split the screen to show the shape / direction of the next maneuver. The bottom display is replaced by distance to next maneuver and remaining time / distance to final destination.
This unit also has an SD card expansion slot, and a standard earphone plug (which is helpful if you are in a convertible or on a motorcycle, I replaced my Mio C230 only because it lacked this feature). It comes pre loaded with maps for the US, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. A voice command option is available as well as traffic alert. Included in the box with the Maestro 4040: A/C home charger, Car Cigarette Lighter Charger, Windshield mount, Adhesive disk, Protective Pouch, Quick reference Guide, User Manual on CD and USB Data Cable.
This unit is very good overall and very easy to use. One thing worth noting: It will not remember a destination unless you save it in the address book; i.e. it will not keep a history log. I've also done some search, and it seems that there is no road map for Europe compatible with this unit. If someone knows of an available one, please let me know.
The second main screen has three icons: Trip Planer, where you can enter multiple addresses (up to 20), then chose the sequence or let the Maestro "optimize" the rout for you. This "Trip Planer" is very useful for anyone especially succor Moms, sales people and the likes (Garmin does not have this feature). The second icon "Exit POI" will display a list of POI on the next Freeway Exit, be it Gas, Food, ... etc. tap on anyone, and the Maestro will take you there. The last Icon is "User Options", where you can setup your preference: the map region, volume, brightness, trip computer, 2D / 3D map, Language, Time Zone.. .etc.
The map screen ("Normal" and "Routing" mode)is displayed while navigating, this is what I like the most: On the top it shows the name of street you're on, the direction of travel (N, E, S, W) and the satellite status. The bottom of the screen shows the time of the day, Main Menu Icon, and current speed. On the sides there are icons to zoom in or out, change volume or mute. If you tap on the direction indicator, it will show your current location (Street name & nearest crossing street) which can be saved to the "Address Book", and useful if you need roadside assistance . An arrow indicate your position on the map. In "Routing" mode, the screen shows the next maneuver icon in the lower left corner, tap on it to display a list of maneuvers. As you approach POI, it will be displayed on the screen, tap on POI, and the Maestro will take you there. As a maneuver is approached, the Maestro will automatically split the screen to show the shape / direction of the next maneuver. The bottom display is replaced by distance to next maneuver and remaining time / distance to final destination.
This unit also has an SD card expansion slot, and a standard earphone plug (which is helpful if you are in a convertible or on a motorcycle, I replaced my Mio C230 only because it lacked this feature). It comes pre loaded with maps for the US, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. A voice command option is available as well as traffic alert. Included in the box with the Maestro 4040: A/C home charger, Car Cigarette Lighter Charger, Windshield mount, Adhesive disk, Protective Pouch, Quick reference Guide, User Manual on CD and USB Data Cable.
This unit is very good overall and very easy to use. One thing worth noting: It will not remember a destination unless you save it in the address book; i.e. it will not keep a history log. I've also done some search, and it seems that there is no road map for Europe compatible with this unit. If someone knows of an available one, please let me know.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Refurbished GPS works great!
(3 out of 5) by Mark Bales on Aug 30, 2008 (Fremont, CA USA)This item was purchased as a replacement for the same model GPS unit stolen from my daughter's car. It arrived promptly and works great!
As you may or may not know, Magellan GPS units are wonderful, but their Customer Service is the worst in the industry, by far. If you never have anything go wrong with one of their units, you'll do fine. If you *do* have something go wrong, or even just require their help to set up software, etc., then God Help You ...
This is why I've given the unit only 3 stars. 5 stars for the unit, and *0* for Magellan as a company.
As you may or may not know, Magellan GPS units are wonderful, but their Customer Service is the worst in the industry, by far. If you never have anything go wrong with one of their units, you'll do fine. If you *do* have something go wrong, or even just require their help to set up software, etc., then God Help You ...
This is why I've given the unit only 3 stars. 5 stars for the unit, and *0* for Magellan as a company.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
So happy with the first one, bought it again
(4 out of 5) by J. Jones on Aug 17, 2008 (South Florida)I travel (via car) for a living. Over the past 4 years I have had a Garmin 330, a Tom Tom 792 (?), a Garmin Nuvi 650 and a Magellan 4040. Not one of them was perfect under all conditions or in all cities I travel but the Magellan 4040 did most of the basic GPS functions better than any of the others.
On a recent trip to New England, US Aiarways was good enought to drop my suitcase in a matter that destroyed my 4040 (cracked the screen and LCD. Had to buy a new GPS and decided to buy the same one again, the Magellan 4040.
The most important reason I bought the Magellan again was the ability to access most common functions with less button (touch-screen pushes)pushing than the Garmin units. Entering addresses is easier and the automatic split-screen turn display is very useful. Think about this, the less buttons you have to push, the more time your eyes are on the road at 70 MPH.
Also, the "AAA Tourbook" is a great plus.
On a recent trip to New England, US Aiarways was good enought to drop my suitcase in a matter that destroyed my 4040 (cracked the screen and LCD. Had to buy a new GPS and decided to buy the same one again, the Magellan 4040.
The most important reason I bought the Magellan again was the ability to access most common functions with less button (touch-screen pushes)pushing than the Garmin units. Entering addresses is easier and the automatic split-screen turn display is very useful. Think about this, the less buttons you have to push, the more time your eyes are on the road at 70 MPH.
Also, the "AAA Tourbook" is a great plus.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
You cannot beat this deal with upgraded maps free!!
(5 out of 5) by Michael Countryman on Jun 22, 2009 (pelzer, sc)Ok I received this unit a short while ago and was concerned about all the other reviewers stating that the maps are outdated like 2006 maps. And they had also stated that it would cost 80.00 to update to the 2008-2009 maps. Well I decided to give it a try anyways and I am so glad I did. I received the unit in perfect condition and yes the firmware and maps were way outdated. I went onto the Magellan website and they offer to both new and refurbished owners a 30 day map guarantee that if withen 30 days of purchase you receive the unit and they have later maps available that you can get the latest ones in my instance 2008-2009 maps for free. All I had to do was pay 10.00 for shipping the dvd to me.
Now after I upgraded the firmware I noticed alot of changes were made for the better.
This thing is dead on for accuaracy and the sound is nice and clear. I feel bad for all the other buyers that did not find out about the free map upgrade but it pays to do some research and in this case it saved me 70.00. I don't think you will find a better deal out there!!
Now after I upgraded the firmware I noticed alot of changes were made for the better.
This thing is dead on for accuaracy and the sound is nice and clear. I feel bad for all the other buyers that did not find out about the free map upgrade but it pays to do some research and in this case it saved me 70.00. I don't think you will find a better deal out there!!