Introduced for the 2012 season, Magellan’s new big-screen RoadMate Pro 9165T GPS has a lot to offer for the RV crowd that also likes to throws plugs into the surf. I’m a big fan of using GPS navigators both on the water and in my car, and I know that I’m not alone. The problems that I’ve had with the automotive GPS nav units are screens that are usually too small to see things in any meaningful perspective. I recently upgraded my personal automotive GPS from the usual 4.3-inch screen to a larger five-inch screen and it made a HUGE difference for my tired old eyes. Magellan has taken that concept to the next level with a new supersized seven-inch wide hi-def GPS screen that is designed for campers, RVers and surf rats that should really be able to put this to good use and have the room on their dashboard to do it right. Their RoadMate series of seven-inch GPS navigators lets you see things in a new light, in addition to adding a few new functional wrinkles that will definitely enhance your hi-tech world.
RoadMate GPS navigators are designed specifically for traveling in recreational vehicles. The new RoadMate RV9145, RV9145-LM, Pro9165T and RV9165T-LM models are pre-loaded with the Good Sam Trailer Life Directory, featuring comprehensive North America campground information, pet-friendly campgrounds and parks and more than six million points of interest. They make for a safer, more enjoyable and less stressful RV road trip, with features that assist drivers both before and during their journey.
The unit that I tested for this review, Magellan’s RoadMate Pro 9165T, is a robust GPS device that is specifically designed for those who love to “RV”. An extra-wide, high-definition seven-inch touch screen offers large vehicle and RV settings that map routes based on vehicle height, width, length, and weight. This intelligent navigator will plan routes according to your preferences, making the drive much more error-free and enjoyable. The Magellan RoadMate Pro 9165T offers superior navigation for a safe and secure driving experience. Drivers can plan and customize routes in advance to become familiar with their route before driving it. Turn-by-turn spoken directions let them to keep their eyes on the roads. Other notable features of this big-screen GPS include customizable RV routes using your own vehicle’s length, width, weight and height; a Bluetooth feature that becomes a speaker phone with a Bluetooth compatible cell phone; and an A/V input that makes for easy connectivity to external devices such as back-up cameras, DVD players, and iPods.
Magellan’s exclusive OneTouch user interface lets you customize your favorite commands for maximum ease-of-use. The Pro 9165T features spoken street names and directions that are called out in advance, so that you know when to make the next turn while keeping your eyes on the road. Magellan’s patented Quickspell method helps you enter addresses correctly, even if you are not sure of the spelling. Six million points of interest make it easy to find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more, with highway exit POIs that let you find gas stations and rest areas along your route. Multi-destination routing plans your entire afternoon or driving vacation with all your stops in one route, with the smart detour function offering an immediate detour option if you are suddenly caught in traffic. The bird’s-eye view lets you clearly see your surroundings in either 2D or 3D mapping and if you missed your turn, the automatic re-route feature quickly gets you back on track. You can customize your routes by selecting the shortest distance, fastest time, most use of freeways, or least use of freeways to get to where you are going. The address book feature creates and stores personal points of interest to minimize repeated address entry and the auto night view adjusts the display screen’s color and contrast for easy night viewing.
One of the coolest features of the RoadMate for beach rats is the ability to save a GPS position of your favorite surfside bar or drop-off, so you can return to the same honey hole time after time, even at night and without the assistance of any shore ranges. With a repeatable accuracy that’s in the neighborhood of +/- 15 to 25 feet, you can find your hot spots at different stages of the tide with no problems. Magellan also offers a wireless back-up camera as an ideal safety companion for the new RoadMate GPS, which allows the driver to see what is behind the vehicle. The new models also come with a specialized heavy-duty articulating extension mount that provides a fully-adjustable, personalized and safe viewing position on your dashboard.
The Magellan RoadMate RV9165T has a $400 street price and is available at consumer electronics stores, mass merchants and warehouse clubs, as well as online through Magellan distributors. It comes complete with pre-loaded maps, an extension windshield mount, vehicle power adapter, USB cable, AC adapter, and user Quick Start Guide.
