Magellan GPS Navigation Premium Car Kit Pre-Release Unboxing & Review *VIDEOS*

[tompacyk]

Add another vote to the AUX issue. If this can't be resolved somehow I'm afraid I'll be returning the product. It was the single biggest reason I purchased this device. If I plug a cable into the AUX port, I do NOT want to hear the speakerphone playing my iPod music.

 

[LeonPro]

I agree. If there is no software fix. I am returning the product as well.

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Thanks Maggie, we appreciate the help. There aren't a lot of companies that provide this kind of support through popular online forums. It certainly shows that the company is interested in early-adopter feedback.

I really hope there is an easy solution to this problem too, as I live in Australia and do not have an inexpensive way of returning the device.

Cheers.

Add another vote to the AUX issue. If this can't be resolved somehow I'm afraid I'll be returning the product. It was the single biggest reason I purchased this device. If I plug a cable into the AUX port, I do NOT want to hear the speakerphone playing my iPod music.

I agree. If there is no software fix. I am returning the product as well.

Hi All,

After a long discussion on the AUX output situation with the bosses upstairs. The reason why the car kit was designed this way is because we wanted users to use it in both ways. We understand that some of you are not very fond of the idea, but due to the majority of our customers, they wanted the design to be done this way. However, we do understand that it is a problem to other users; therefore, we are trying to accommodate by releasing a firmware update that will improve the situation. Here at Magellan, we take our customers' feedback very serious. Therefore, we appreciate everything that you guys have pointed out.

Thank you so much, and please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done in the future.

-Maggie

 

[SooneratND]

Hi All,

After a long discussion on the AUX output situation with the bosses upstairs. The reason why the car kit was designed this way is because we wanted users to use it in both ways. We understand that some of you are not very fond of the idea, but due to the majority of our customers, they wanted the design to be done this way. However, we do understand that it is a problem to other users; therefore, we are trying to accommodate by releasing a firmware update that will improve the situation. Here at Magellan, we take our customers' feedback very serious. Therefore, we appreciate everything that you guys have pointed out.

Thank you so much, and please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done in the future.

-Maggie

Thanks, Maggie. I'll be waiting to see how the firmware update is handled before making a decision on purchasing.

I'm shocked to hear that there are a majority of users out there that prefer a low quality mount speaker for music over the car speakers. Doesn't make sense at all to me. I could see people wanting the voice commands and phone calls through that speaker, but not music. I guess you guys have done the research though. Thank for looking into it.

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Thanks, Maggie. I'll be waiting to see how the firmware update is handled before making a decision on purchasing.

I'm shocked to hear that there are a majority of users out there that prefer a low quality mount speaker for music over the car speakers. Doesn't make sense at all to me. I could see people wanting the voice commands and phone calls through that speaker, but not music. I guess you guys have done the research though. Thank for looking into it.

Hi SooneratND,

Thank you your patience and understanding. When the firmware update is available, I will know you personally

Thank you,
Maggie

 

[tompacyk]

Maggie, thanks for bringing up those issues.

I know it's probably too early, but when you do have an ETA for the firmware change would you let us know? If this is going to take a few months to resolve I'd rather return the device, but if it's a matter of weeks I'll gladly hold out.

 

[BrownStarfish]

Thank you Maggie

Maggie,

Thanks for your help in getting our feedback to the right people. Have to give you a lot of credit for taking customer service to another level.

Please keep us in the loop with any new information concerning the firmware...

 

[navguy]

Maggie, thanks for escalating and getting to a good resolution ... maybe the firmware update will be out just in time for the BestBuy launch, it will make a difference on my purchasing ... and i'm still holding a BBY gift card for the car kit

 

[CDew]

AUX/Speaker Dream Solution

Hi Maggie,

the dream solution would be to make the AUX/speaker behavior user-configurable, perhaps through an application. That would give users the most choice. Is that possible?

If it's not possible to make it configurable, will the firmware update be available to existing units or only ones that are produced after the change?


Thanks!

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Thank you for your patience everyone

Maggie, thanks for bringing up those issues.

I know it's probably too early, but when you do have an ETA for the firmware change would you let us know? If this is going to take a few months to resolve I'd rather return the device, but if it's a matter of weeks I'll gladly hold out.

Hi tompacyk,

You are definitely correct about being too early; therefore, I do not want to give an answer that will mislead anyone here. I will ask the developers and get back to you within a couple of days.

Thank you,
Maggie

Maggie,

Thanks for your help in getting our feedback to the right people. Have to give you a lot of credit for taking customer service to another level.

Please keep us in the loop with any new information concerning the firmware...

Hi BrownStarfish,

Thank you so much!

-Maggie

Maggie, thanks for escalating and getting to a good resolution ... maybe the firmware update will be out just in time for the BestBuy launch, it will make a difference on my purchasing ... and i'm still holding a BBY gift card for the car kit

I hope so too! :

Hi Maggie,

the dream solution would be to make the AUX/speaker behavior user-configurable, perhaps through an application. That would give users the most choice. Is that possible?

If it's not possible to make it configurable, will the firmware update be available to existing units or only ones that are produced after the change?


Thanks!

Hi CDew,

Our goal is to make the firmware update available to existing units along with future units that will be produced.

Thank you,
Maggie

 

[ShaneXman]

Hi All,

After a long discussion on the AUX output situation with the bosses upstairs. The reason why the car kit was designed this way is because we wanted users to use it in both ways. We understand that some of you are not very fond of the idea, but due to the majority of our customers, they wanted the design to be done this way. However, we do understand that it is a problem to other users; therefore, we are trying to accommodate by releasing a firmware update that will improve the situation. Here at Magellan, we take our customers' feedback very serious. Therefore, we appreciate everything that you guys have pointed out.

Thank you so much, and please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done in the future.

-Maggie

Now THAT my friends...is customer service. Thank you Maggie!

 

[battleonmac]

Now THAT my friends...is customer service. Thank you Maggie!

SERIOUSLY! LOL Even though I like having the extra speaker

 

[rmeng]

Maggie,

One point to get to your development team on the firmware update for the aux issue.

Please, if it needs to be an app, (vs. a true firmware update where you connect the unit to your pc), could you make sure that it is a separate app from the magellan gps app? That way, those of us that use some other gps app like navigon, etc. with the magellan car phone kit can enable the aux out fix as well?

Thanks

 

[tompacyk]

Maggie,

One point to get to your development team on the firmware update for the aux issue.

Please, if it needs to be an app, (vs. a true firmware update where you connect the unit to your pc), could you make sure that it is a separate app from the magellan gps app? That way, those of us that use some other gps app like navigon, etc. with the magellan car phone kit can enable the aux out fix as well?

Thanks

Great point. Yes, I'm not interested in the Magellan navigation app at all - just a fix for the car mount.

Does anyone know if the TomTom car mount behaves the same way with the AUX port or if it actually works as you'd expect (i.e. audio only plays through AUX port if plugged in)?

 

[EDH667]

Great point. Yes, I'm not interested in the Magellan navigation app at all - just a fix for the car mount.

Does anyone know if the TomTom car mount behaves the same way with the AUX port or if it actually works as you'd expect (i.e. audio only plays through AUX port if plugged in)?

The TomTom car kit works like you would expect. Once you plug in the aux cable, the music and navigation instructions go into you car stereo system and the the car kit speaker is muted except for incoming phone calls which are still routed through the car kit speaker.

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Maggie,

One point to get to your development team on the firmware update for the aux issue.

Please, if it needs to be an app, (vs. a true firmware update where you connect the unit to your pc), could you make sure that it is a separate app from the magellan gps app? That way, those of us that use some other gps app like navigon, etc. with the magellan car phone kit can enable the aux out fix as well?

Thanks

Great point. Yes, I'm not interested in the Magellan navigation app at all - just a fix for the car mount.

Does anyone know if the TomTom car mount behaves the same way with the AUX port or if it actually works as you'd expect (i.e. audio only plays through AUX port if plugged in)?

Already on it guys

-Maggie

 

[CDew]

Hi All,

I noticed that when using G-Map with the iPhone in the kit, autolocking kicks in. When I use it without the kit - but powered by a charger - autolocking does not kick in. Has anyone else observed this with their navigation app?

Thanks!

Hi Maggie,

Thanks again for providing outstanding customer support. Since nobody has responded to the above question, I am hoping you can help.

Do all applications go into autolock when docked to the car kit? I have noticed that happening with G-Map and I believe the Maps application as well.

I'm wondering if each app would have to be modified or if there is something about the kit that might account for why some apps act differently when in the kit vs with a convention car or AC charger plugged in.

Thanks Again,

CDew

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks again for providing outstanding customer support. Since nobody has responded to the above question, I am hoping you can help.

Do all applications go into autolock when docked to the car kit? I have noticed that happening with G-Map and I believe the Maps application as well.

I'm wondering if each app would have to be modified or if there is something about the kit that might account for why some apps act differently when in the kit vs with a convention car or AC charger plugged in.

Thanks Again,

CDew

Hi CDew,

I am not sure about G-Map considering I have never tested it. However, the Maps application shouldn't go into autolock when it is operating. Is your phone modified in anyway?

Thank you,
Maggie

 

[CDew]

Hi CDew,

I am not sure about G-Map considering I have never tested it. However, the Maps application shouldn't go into autolock when it is operating. Is your phone modified in anyway?

Thank you,
Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Thank you for the quick response! My 16GB iPhone 3G is unmodified. I'm running OS Version 3.1.2 (7D11).

I figured that something was up since Maps was also going into autolock when in the kit, but neither app did if the iPhone was simply plugged into a car charger (or the AC adapter).

Thanks Again,

CDew

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Hi Maggie,

Thank you for the quick response! My 16GB iPhone 3G is unmodified. I'm running OS Version 3.1.2 (7D11).

I figured that something was up since Maps was also going into autolock when in the kit, but neither app did if the iPhone was simply plugged into a car charger (or the AC adapter).

Thanks Again,

CDew

Hi CDew,

I personally tested the "Maps" App with the Car Kit, and it does go into autolock. I confirmed this by using "Maps" without the Car Kit, and it does go into autolock as well. As a result, some Apps are design differently to suppress the autolock feature. I cannot test our competitors' products; therefore, please contact G-Map to see if this problem is normal.

I do apologize for my previous post, I did not have the equipment at the time.

Thank you,
Maggie

 

[CDew]

Hi CDew,

I personally tested the "Maps" App with the Car Kit, and it does go into autolock. I confirmed this by using "Maps" without the Car Kit, and it does go into autolock as well. As a result, some Apps are design differently to suppress the autolock feature. I cannot test our competitors' products; therefore, please contact G-Map to see if this problem is normal.

I do apologize for my previous post, I did not have the equipment at the time.

Thank you,
Maggie

Thanks, Maggie. I'm contemplating a change of GPS app anyway. Can you confirm that the Magellan app supresses autolock when the iPhone is In the kit?

As for Maps, I guess I'll have to open a support issue with Apple since it's a standard app.


Thanks Again!

CDew

 

[vandy1997]

Maggie,

Can I still get $20 off the car kit if I purchase the Magellan app tomorrow and purchase the car kit by the 31st? I am purchasing an iPhone tomorrow, so I can get the registration code once I purchase the app tomorrow.

Thank you for any information!

 

[navguy]

The app store shows a $20 discount on car kit, Jan 30th ... so I think the current answer is yes.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magellan-roadmate-2010-north-america/id339245236?mt=8

 

[maggie-macrumor]

Thanks, Maggie. I'm contemplating a change of GPS app anyway. Can you confirm that the Magellan app supresses autolock when the iPhone is In the kit?

As for Maps, I guess I'll have to open a support issue with Apple since it's a standard app.


Thanks Again!

CDew

Maggie,

Can I still get $20 off the car kit if I purchase the Magellan app tomorrow and purchase the car kit by the 31st? I am purchasing an iPhone tomorrow, so I can get the registration code once I purchase the app tomorrow.

Thank you for any information!

The app store shows a $20 discount on car kit, Jan 30th ... so I think the current answer is yes.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magellan-roadmate-2010-north-america/id339245236?mt=8

Hi NavGuy and Vandy1997,

The $20 discount was only given to those who purchase the App before 1/25/2010 (stated on iTunes). However, I am personally going to see what I can do for you. Sent you a pm!

Thanks!
Maggie

 

[eron]

AUX Issue

The only option is to turn down the volume on the device so that sound isn't coming through the speaker, but that creates a problem that when a phone call comes through on the Bluetooth connection, it cannot be heard because the volume is down and you have to turn it back up again.

The people designing this must have decided at some point to design it this way. But why? Why would we want music to continue playing through the low-quality built-in speaker after connecting it to our car stereo?

TomTom's car kit does the right thing and when an audio cable is connected the built-in speaker ceases to operate (except obviously for calls which are via the Bluetooth rather than the dock connector).

Unfortunately, physically reducing the volume through the volume button doesn't work for me. The music volume doesn't change at all when the phone is plugged into the Magellan dock.

Hi All,

After a long discussion on the AUX output situation with the bosses upstairs. The reason why the car kit was designed this way is because we wanted users to use it in both ways. We understand that some of you are not very fond of the idea, but due to the majority of our customers, they wanted the design to be done this way. However, we do understand that it is a problem to other users; therefore, we are trying to accommodate by releasing a firmware update that will improve the situation. Here at Magellan, we take our customers' feedback very serious. Therefore, we appreciate everything that you guys have pointed out.

Thank you so much, and please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done in the future.

-Maggie

Dear Maggie,

Did you find out which segment of the market actually prefers the music to be played through the GPS unit always, instead of only the car speakers? When you say majority, was it like through a market survey? Or did you guys find out that most TomTom iPhone car kit users actually prefer that the music plays from the unit together with the car speakers? I'm still trying to figure out who would want that and why. Yes, I'm utterly disappointed that the Magellan functions this way.

Also, once in awhile while navigating, the iPhone will lose its signal, and the screen will start spinning. Or, it will just spin even though there's signal. That is on a straight road, not turning. Could be the software, but I would think that the Magellan's GPS would stop that from happening.


Again,

The reason why the car kit was designed this way is because we wanted users to use it in both ways. We understand that some of you are not very fond of the idea, but due to the majority of our customers, they wanted the design to be done this way.

Why did you want users to be forced to have the unit's speaker playing when it's AUX connected? Be it the majority, why not enable it to be switchable in the first place?