The Difference Between the Magellan Roadmate and the Magellan Maestro
- Magellan gears the navigation features of the RoadMate -- as its name implies -- for on-road navigation. In comparison, the Maestro is better-suited for all-purpose navigation, including pedestrian navigation. As an example, most Magellan RoadMate models tend to provide turn-by-turn directions, while most Maestro models do not. Turn-by-turn directions are highly beneficial for drivers as they allow drivers to glance quickly at screens for navigating without having to study highway and road routes in great detail. In addition, RoadMate GPS devices tend to include multi-destination routing, which is another navigation feature that Maestro devices do not include. This feature allows a user to enter in multiple destinations at the beginning of a road trip without having to stop and re-program the device after reaching the first destination. Maestro devices, in comparison, provide two key multi-purpose navigation features that RoadMates do not tend to include: 3D maps and pedestrian mode. While 3D maps allow users to observe their surrounding environments in greater detail, pedestrian mode allows users to find optimized off-road routes for walking.
- The multi-purpose functions of the Magellan Maestro further become apparent when considering multimedia features. Most Maestro GPS devices come with integrated frequency modulation antennae, for listening to FM radio broadcasts on-the-go, while most RoadMate devices lack such antennae. In addition, Maestro devices typically include integrated MP3 digital music players, while RoadMates do not.
- As a GPS device that Magellan designed specifically for mounting inside of vehicles, it is not surprising that the RoadMate tends to have a larger screen size than its Maestro counterpart. For example, the RoadMate 5045 has a screen size of 5 inches, as measured along the screen's diagonal, while the Maestro 4350 has a diagonal screen size of 4.3 inches. The larger screen size of the RoadMate makes it easier for users to view maps and directions on the mounted GPS device's screen while driving. In comparison, a user that is walking around with a Maestro GPS can physically bring the device's screen closer to his face -- without worrying about causing an accident -- which makes having a larger screen unnecessary.
- While both Magellan RoadMate and Magellan Maestro GPS devices utilize rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, Maestro batteries tend to last longer. For example, the Maestro 4350's battery can last up to 3 hours, while the RoadMate 5045's can only last for up to 2 hours. This difference is likely due to the fact that Magellan anticipated that RoadMate users would typically keep their devices plugged into vehicle power supplies, as opposed to carrying the devices around on-foot.
