» Magellan Maestro 3140 and 3100 Car GPS Navigation Devices Review

Magellan’s Maestro 3000 Vehicle Navigation System models include the premium 3140 and entry level 3100. The primary difference between the 3000 and 4000 Magellan Maestros is the larger 4.3 inch touchscreen on the 4000’s compared to the 3.4 inch screens on the 3000s.

All the Magellan Maestro models are GPS navigation units only having no multimedia capabilities. Standout features or the 3140 and 3100 models are the sensitive and accurate SiRFStarIII GPS receiver, text-to-speech capability (reads out street names - 3140 only), Bluetooth hands free phone calling capability (3140 only) and the integration of AAA Travel Information.

Both the 3000 series Magellan Maestro models have maps supplied by NAVTEQ however, coverage is different with the 3140 covering 50 States, Canada & Puerto Rico while the 3100 covers the 48 continental US states.

A useful feature on all the Maestro models is QuickSpell which is like auto-complete on mobile phones for speeding up text entry. One improvement on the mobile phone auto-complete is the use of the map database to gray out letters that would not spell a valid city name.

The Maestro 3000 models all have touch screen navigation menus which allow destinations to be entered by text or selection of a POI (point of interest). Both 2D and 3D map views are available for on-screen navigation directions. The Magellan has the helpful split screen functionality which allows you to see a zoom in of an upcoming turn maneuver. Routes can be calculated for numerous priorities including fastest time, shortest distance, or particular road selection.

SiRF Star III GPS Processor

The TomTom GO 910’s GPS functionality is provided by a SiRF Star III chipset. The SiRF Star III family has proved a watershed innovation GPS chip architecture by offering impressive performance improvements to the GPS receiver manufacturing industry. The chipset is renowned for its high sensivity allowing it to maintain a satellite signal lock even in poor reception condition. The SiRF Star III also offers faster fix times, higher signal locking and lower power requirements.

Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Magellan Maestro 3140

Bluetooth wireless technology enabled cellular phones can be combined with the GO 910 for safer hands-free phone operation. There are both internal and external microphones (included). As with other systems, any other audio is automatically muted during phone calls. A handy convenience is being able to access phone numbers associated with the POI making it simple to call ahead.

The Bluetooth interface can also be used to connect with Bluetooth enabled external speakers.

Magellan Maestro AAA Tourbook Guide Information Integration

As mentioned, the integration of travel information from the AAA Tourbook Guide provides a significant boost to the richness of navigation information such as:

• Diamond ratings for accommodation and restaurants
• Tourist Attractions
• AAA Roadside assistance information (AAA members)
• AAA Member Discounts (AAA members)
• AAA Approved Auto Repairers (AAA members)

One limitation to be aware of is that the POI database and AAA Tourbook information database are not integrated (linked) and must be searched separately.

Customer Reviews and Price Comparisons

Amazon

Magellan Maestro 3140 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Magellan Maestro 3100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Newegg.com

MAGELLAN Maestro 3140 3.5″ Automotive GPS Navigation
MAGELLAN Maestro 3100 3.5″ Automotive GPS Navigation

TheNerds.net

GPS, MAESTRO 3140

Buy.com

Magellan Maestro 3100 Portable GPS System w/ Built-in Maps

Other Car GPS Navigation Devices to Consider

The Magellan Maestro 4000 series including the premium 4050, mid-range 4040 and the entry level 4000 have similar features of the 3000 series models with the addition of a larger 4.3 inch screen.

TomTom’s GO 300 Car Navigator has a similar size 3.5 inch screen and similar GPS features but, with multimedia capabilities added.

Sony’s NV-U52 and NV-U72T Car GPS Navigators have 3.5 inch widescreen displays. Sony has Gesture Command for abbreviated navigation input.

Resources

Magellan Maestro 3140 Manual (pdf 2.77MB)

Magellan Maestro 3140 Firmware Update 2.16

Magellan Maestro 3140 Manual (pdf 3.52MB)

Magellan Maestro 3100 Region Update 2.18

Custom Search

Magellan Maestro 3140 and 3100 Car GPS Navigators Features

• Dimensions: 4.29 (l) x 1.14 (w) x 3.48 (h)
• Weight: 6.5 oz
• Screen 3.5″ diagonal QVGA full-color, anti-glare, touch-screen display
• Integrated multidirectional patch
• SiRFstarIII GPS receiver - 20 channels, WAAS/EGNOS enabled
• Accuracy of 3 to 5 meters (10 - 16 feet) - WAAS/EGNOS, < 7 meters (15 feet) - GPS only
• Li-Ion rechargeable battery, 12 V AC or 12 VDC vehicle adapter (sold separately)
• Battery life of over 3 hours continuous use
• Traffic-enabled - Maestro 3140’s optional traffic receiver accessory sends LIVE traffic incident reports to the interactive touch screen
• SayWhere text-to-speech - Hear when to make each turn, including the street name (3140 only)
• Hands-free phone calls - Bluetooth wireless technology and built-in microphone let you make hands-free phone calls using your compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone (3140 only)
• Graphical interactive maps: Maps and destinations for the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico are built-in, so you can travel all over the US and Canada and always know where you are and where you’re going
• Sophisticated and simple: Streamlined touch-screen buttons minimize steps to locate a destination
• Sleek design: Integrated GPS antenna provides excellent satellite reception in a slim and compact design
• Bird’s-eye 3D view: Clearly see your surroundings in 2D or 3D; also choose between Map View, TrueView 3D split screen, and Maneuver List
• Rechargeable battery: Navigate when you don’t have access to power
• Multi-destination routing: Select up to 20 destinations and choose the order that best fits your needs
• SmartDetour: Automatically prompts you to route around suddenly slow freeway traffic
• Auto re-route: Never miss a turn and quickly get back on track whenever you take a detour
• Auto night view: Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing
• QuickSpell: Easily enter addresses with unique auto-complete feature that even corrects spelling
• Complete mobility: Transfer to any vehicle with no installation
• Millions of points of interest (POIs): Optimized database of gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, and more with smart location search by name, category, and location. There’s even a Coffee category so you can quickly find caffeine whenever you need it.
• Interactive POI icons: Touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination, see name and address, and get an instant route
• Customizable route method: Fastest time, shortest distance, least or most use of freeways, avoid toll roads
• Route exclusion: Select streets and freeways to avoid so you can get there your way
• Address book: Create and store personal points of interest for easy reoccurring trips
• Instant locate: One touch shows your location; quickly advise roadside assistance or emergency services
• AAA TourBook guide travel information - Integrated travel information from AAA TourBook guides makes it easy to locate AAA approved and rated lodgings and restaurants, recommended attractions, and places to save money
• AAA Roadside Assistance details - Touch the tow truck icon on the main menu at any time to get your location details and contact number for AAA to quickly direct reliable AAA help to your location1.
• Turn-by-turn voice and visual guidance
• Precision navigation - SiRFstar III chipset and integrated multidirectional antennae offer superior GPS accuracy using the Wide Area Augmentation System
• Graphical interactive maps - Maps and destinations for the entire continental U.S. are built-in so you can travel the country and always know where you are and where you’re going
• 4 easy views - Map View, 3D map, TrueViewâ„¢ 3D split screen and Maneuver List

Technorati Tags: Maestro 3000, Vehicle Navigation System, SiRFStarIII GPS receiver, text-to-speech, Bluetooth hands free phone, AAA Travel Information, NAVTEQ, QuickSpell, Magellan Maestro 3140