We've outfitted our Ford Edge with an aftermarket Magellan Maestro 4050 navigation unit. While we were thrilled with the cost savings over a factory installed unit (about $1200), we've discovered another reason to like the portable unit - portability.
Our PR Manager Chintan was taking a trip to Seattle and since it was his first time, I suggested he take the Edge's nav system. Here are some of his comments:
"Super easy to use - never needed the manual." "I was able to skip the expensive gas plan at the rental car counter knowing I could use the Magellan to help me find a gas station on the way back." "Unfortunately, I had to hit the recalculate button several times on one trip b/c the unit never seemed to be able to connect to a satellite."
We later discovered that Chintan did not mount the Magellan to his car's windshield (that's a no-no in Calif) and out of habit stuck it down in a small bin below the center stack. That could account for the poor reception...
So far we're pleased with the unit but having to place it on the upper part of the dash or in the windshield is kind of a hassle. Opt for the factory system and you'd never have such worries. BTW, here's our take on 10 other nav systems.
We're going to stick the unit back in the Ford Edge for now - Next time we're going to try the traffic feature.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor.
7driver says:
05:25 PM, 10/16/07
It'd sure be nice if these things had detachable Bluetooth receiver/antenna modules. Just toss the Bluetooth-enabled coin-sized receiver+antenna anywhere on the dash and stick the main unit wherever you want. Perhaps have a little place on the main unit to dock the receiver/antenna module for those times where you want to keep the two together.
briancam says:
06:24 PM, 10/16/07
I've $5 that says your idea is coming soon to a Best Buy in your town.
blueguydotcom says:
08:29 AM, 10/17/07
Fer gawd's sake, no cop is going to pull you over for putting a navi unit on your window in CA. Put it up. Nothing will happen - save for ease of use.
stovt001 says:
09:11 AM, 10/17/07
Yup, that confirms it. My next car will remain factory-nav free and a portable nav system is going on my Christmas list.
chrishs2000 says:
09:14 AM, 10/17/07
Check out www.kudausa.com for custom mounts. No, I do not work for them, but I bought a mount and Garmin Nuvi attachment for my 03 Accord Coupe 6MT. Looks great and works much better than on the window, and frees up my center cubby for XM radio.
Oddly enough, they don't have one for the Edge but they have a mount for just about everything else - perhaps you could email them and ask them if they are developing one.
briancam says:
09:32 AM, 10/17/07
I'm not so worried about getting a ticket as I am getting in a accident in a company car then having the obstricted view place, at least, partial blame on me.
altimadude00 says:
10:05 AM, 10/17/07
Knowing the record for the cars in your fleet, that's a valid concern.