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

Hi CTYankee

I thought I posted my reply to you days ago, but I guess it got deleted. Here it is again. Please see below

CTYankee said:
Can you confirm that the original iPhone (ie 2G, silver back) works with Navigon and the Magellan Car kit? I know it will work with TomTom but NOT the Magellan app.
Click to expand...

The Magellan Car Kit will support all generation of iPhones and iPod Touches. It is the App that you have to be concern about. As of right now, TomTom is the only App that is compatible with the original iPhone.

CTYankee said:
is there any update on the fix for the AUX issue? That is one that would really bother me (no way they actually asked people who use AUX inputs, no one who does wants to use their $$ car speakers and a tiny mobile speaker).
Click to expand...

I do not have that information right now. As stated before, users who are using the aux output with the Premium Car Kit can turn down the volume manually to accommodate their preference. If you find this a dis-concerning, you can wait until we officially release news about a update to the product itself. Finally, I would like to thank you for your all support and interest. I hope I helped.

-Maggie
 
I bought this unit at the Apple Store yesterday. Although comparable in features to the TomTom unit, there were two reasons I chose this one. First, it included the dash-mount disc and could accommodate the iPhone while in it's case. It just seemed so illogical to remove my case every time I used it in the car.

I haven't been on the receiving end of a call yet, but according to my wife she could hear some static, but not enough to hamper hearing me speak. From my end it just sounds like a speaker phone.

As with most things it's not the perfect solution. I don't like the fact it stays connected the to BT when removed from my dock. I either need to disconnect the connection from within the iPhone or unplug the cradle. Secondly, and the real complaint is the audio coming through the cradle's speaker when using the line out to your car stereo. That really should be overridden.

It looks like we have a Magellan rep on the thread, so it's good to know these issues aren't falling on deaf ears. She said some of the issues could be addressed in the future. I'm hoping they can be modified via a firmware upgrade, although I question the feasibility of being able to do that with the cradle.

Maggie, any chance Magellan will have an iPhone app as well like the TomTom one to verify satellite signals, etc.?
 
steve31 said:
I just bought one from the Apple Canada Store. Love it!!!! Works with my apps (tom tom and Navigon) With both the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Click to expand...

Hi Steve31,

I am glad you like it! Please let me know if you have any questions about the Car Kit.

Thank you,
Maggie

Jelsoft Sux said:
I bought this unit at the Apple Store yesterday. Although comparable in features to the TomTom unit, there were two reasons I chose this one. First, it included the dash-mount disc and could accommodate the iPhone while in it's case. It just seemed so illogical to remove my case every time I used it in the car.

I haven't been on the receiving end of a call yet, but according to my wife she could hear some static, but not enough to hamper hearing me speak. From my end it just sounds like a speaker phone.

As with most things it's not the perfect solution. I don't like the fact it stays connected the to BT when removed from my dock. I either need to disconnect the connection from within the iPhone or unplug the cradle. Secondly, and the real complaint is the audio coming through the cradle's speaker when using the line out to your car stereo. That really should be overridden.

It looks like we have a Magellan rep on the thread, so it's good to know these issues aren't falling on deaf ears. She said some of the issues could be addressed in the future. I'm hoping they can be modified via a firmware upgrade, although I question the feasibility of being able to do that with the cradle.

Maggie, any chance Magellan will have an iPhone app as well like the TomTom one to verify satellite signals, etc.?
Click to expand...

Hi Jelsoft Sux,

Yes, our development team is currently working on an iPhone app that allows our users to verify satellite signals.

Thank you,
Maggie
 
Do you know if there are any plans to disable the unit's speaker when using the line-out for audio playback? And if so, when?

Since I can already pair my BT (leaving my earpiece silent for calls) and listen to music via the iPhone's speaker I assumed that the cradle would of done the same thing. So I'm a little disappointed to see I can't do that.

Otherwise, it's a great little device!
 
Jelsoft Sux said:
Do you know if there are any plans to disable the unit's speaker when using the line-out for audio playback? And if so, when?

Since I can already pair my BT (leaving my earpiece silent for calls) and listen to music via the iPhone's speaker I assumed that the cradle would of done the same thing. So I'm a little disappointed to see I can't do that.

Otherwise, it's a great little device!
Click to expand...

Hi Jelsoft Sux,

The reason why we designed the Bluetooth that way is because it allows non iPhone users to use the Bluetooth hands free calling. For example, not all iPod Touch users have iPhones. As a result, they are able to pair their phones with the Premium Car Kit while using their iPod touches to navigate. In addition, it allows users to multi-task while on a call. E.g. texting, surfing the web, etc.

I currently do not have information regarding the AUX issue. As stated before, users who are using the aux output with the Premium Car Kit can turn down the volume manually to accommodate their preference. I will let you know once I receive some more updates regarding the situation.

Thank you,
Maggie
 
I highly doubt the use of BT for other mobile devices was the intent, but rather a convenient excuse to justify the engineering oversight.
 
maggie-macrumor said:
Hi CTYankee

I thought I posted my reply to you days ago, but I guess it got deleted. Here it is again. Please see below



The Magellan Car Kit will support all generation of iPhones and iPod Touches. It is the App that you have to be concern about. As of right now, TomTom is the only App that is compatible with the original iPhone.



I do not have that information right now. As stated before, users who are using the aux output with the Premium Car Kit can turn down the volume manually to accommodate their preference. If you find this a dis-concerning, you can wait until we officially release news about a update to the product itself. Finally, I would like to thank you for your all support and interest. I hope I helped.

-Maggie
Click to expand...

Your reply was on the GPS forum and said that TomTom's app will work. The poster here said that Navigon will work with the Magellan car kit and I wanted to confirm that. Seems it will. Very odd that Magellan does not.

Right now the only thing holding be back is the AUX issue. If I knew that there would be a fix so I can keep my volume up on the phone and get the music out to JUST my car stereo I would be sold. Right now I know that it is being looked into, but how that gets fixed is up in the air, not to mention when. A firmware update would be good. As part of the Magellan app (requiring the magellan app to get the car kit to work this way) would not be good solution and I would wait to see what happens after the next iPhone model is out (which may not fit the TomTom kit, but TomTom would certainly have a new model coming).
 
CTYankee said:
Your reply was on the GPS forum and said that TomTom's app will work. The poster here said that Navigon will work with the Magellan car kit and I wanted to confirm that. Seems it will. Very odd that Magellan does not.

Right now the only thing holding be back is the AUX issue. If I knew that there would be a fix so I can keep my volume up on the phone and get the music out to JUST my car stereo I would be sold. Right now I know that it is being looked into, but how that gets fixed is up in the air, not to mention when. A firmware update would be good. As part of the Magellan app (requiring the magellan app to get the car kit to work this way) would not be good solution and I would wait to see what happens after the next iPhone model is out (which may not fit the TomTom kit, but TomTom would certainly have a new model coming).
Click to expand...

I'm using G-Map with the cradle and it works fine. You should have no problems using third party navigation apps with either of the cradles.
 
Jelsoft Sux said:
I'm using G-Map with the cradle and it works fine. You should have no problems using third party navigation apps with either of the cradles.
Click to expand...

I should add that this is for the original (non-gps) iphone. Can anyone confirm that they use Navigon with the Magellan? With the new app ($25) it is much more likely I'll go with Navigon.
 
CTYankee said:
I should add that this is for the original (non-gps) iphone. Can anyone confirm that they use Navigon with the Magellan? With the new app ($25) it is much more likely I'll go with Navigon.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, that does make a difference. On 1st generation iPhones and iPods you do need to use the Magellan GPS app with the cradle. The signal that is transmitted to the iPhone is proprietary and requires their app to recognize it. But at least the app is highly rated and should work just fine for you.
 
Jelsoft Sux said:
Ah yes, that does make a difference. On 1st generation iPhones and iPods you do need to use the Magellan GPS app with the cradle. The signal that is transmitted to the iPhone is proprietary and requires their app to recognize it. But at least the app is highly rated and should work just fine for you.
Click to expand...

ahhhh, no.

Magellan has said theirs does not work. Others tested and confirmed this. They also tested the TomTom app and said that it DOES work (even Magellan says this). I want to find out about Navigon. The speculation is all over the place, there does not seem to be any clear cut way to find out other than hands on trying. With no demo apps there is no way to do that, so I'm hoping to find someone else who has given it a go and benefit from their roll of the dice :)
 
CTYankee said:
ahhhh, no.

Magellan has said theirs does not work. Others tested and confirmed this. They also tested the TomTom app and said that it DOES work (even Magellan says this). I want to find out about Navigon. The speculation is all over the place, there does not seem to be any clear cut way to find out other than hands on trying. With no demo apps there is no way to do that, so I'm hoping to find someone else who has given it a go and benefit from their roll of the dice :)
Click to expand...

Well that completely contradicts what I've heard about the Magellan app. Perhaps Maggie can shed some more light on the problem for you.
 
Jelsoft Sux said:
Well that completely contradicts what I've heard about the Magellan app. Perhaps Maggie can shed some more light on the problem for you.
Click to expand...

Heard based on specs and such or based on actual experience? No one has said that the Magellan App works with the Magellan kit and original iPhone that I've seen. Speculation on the other hand says many things, but at the end of the day is worthless.
 
Any update on the issue where the magellan plays music through its speakers along with the cars speakers? Very annoying.

Also, I have to manually connect my iphone's bluetooth to the magellan each time I get into the car. What I mean is I have my bluetooth in the iphone set to on but it will not connect to the car kit until I go into the bluetooth menu and click magellan. It will not automatically connect when I am in range. This is also very annoying. Anyone else having this issue?

Thanks.
 
Here's an inconvenient solution. Ignore if someone already posted.

Use the iPhone headpone jack instead of the Magellan aux out. It works as it should be. The nav and music sound are directed correctly with no feed to the built in speaker. The nav and music mutes when a call comes in and the sound is directed back to the built-in speaker. After the call ends, the sound is redirected back to the iPhone jack out.

This would have been a nice unit if it did not have a built in speaker with a poor sound quality. There should have been an option to direct all of the sound, including calls, to the aux.

I doubt very much if they can do a firmware update unless there was a provision originally to do so. How would they do it, via mini USB or a special app through the iPhone?

Physically this is a very nice unit. But short comings doesn't make it worth $130. I'll most likely return this eventually and wait for a better solution or upgrade my car stereo.
 
cyberduc748 said:
Use the iPhone headpone jack instead of the Magellan aux out. It works as it should be. The nav and music sound are directed correctly with no feed to the built in speaker. The nav and music mutes when a call comes in and the sound is directed back to the built-in speaker. After the call ends, the sound is redirected back to the iPhone jack out.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been doing and it seems to work. It also sounds like the audio is clearer this way then playing through the car kit's aux out. When played through the car kit the music sounds muddy.
 
For those who have mounted an Otterbox Defender to see if it would fit (yes I know it does not charge due to recessed port on case). How much more vertical adjustment was left in the cradle if any?
 
To answer my own question and to inform anyone else who might be thinking the same as me. There is no wiggle room at all using an Otterbox Defender. The phone will mount, but the arms on the car kit are at it's limit. No room whatsoever to modify a dock extender and get it to fit. Pitty, cause I really like the car kit. On the bright side, the wife now has a nice new car mount for her phone.
 
maggie-macrumor said:
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.
-Maggie
Click to expand...

This was three months ago, and not a word since. At this point something firm one way or the other should be known. Magellan's credibility (and yours as a result of being the spokesperson) is on the line at this point. Do you really take feedback seriously, or just play lip service and move on?

Not meant to be a personal attack, however many companies like to put out good news hoping to put out any fires with no intention of making good. That is a strategy that works all too often because people forget and move on. Just wondering if Magellan is doing that now (as you can tell, I'm not one who forgets and actually holds them accountable regardless of if I'm affected or not).

You are doing a great deal of good PR work on the internet forums. Issues like this decide if it is something we as users can trust.
 
I just bought the Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone last week. I want to mount it in my 2010 gti with this http://tinyurl.com/yzbq5vr

I took the back off my magellan but now need a ball mount plate that fits. I can't find one anywhere. Any ideas?

The reason I want to do this is because the slant on the gti windshield makes it so that when I mount the phone on the windshield it takes up a huge portion of my viewing area.

I know that there is one for tomtom but I really want to be able to use my case with my phone or I'm sure I will drop it.
 
hiiiii

Thanks for posting the great video. I have a question that hasn't been answered yet. Once you have the cradle adjusted for your iPhone and case, are you able to attach and disengage the phone with one hand without re-adjusting the adjustment arm?


Best Attorney
 
nmaluso said:
I just bought the Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone last week. I want to mount it in my 2010 gti with this http://tinyurl.com/yzbq5vr

I took the back off my magellan but now need a ball mount plate that fits. I can't find one anywhere. Any ideas?

The reason I want to do this is because the slant on the gti windshield makes it so that when I mount the phone on the windshield it takes up a huge portion of my viewing area.

I know that there is one for tomtom but I really want to be able to use my case with my phone or I'm sure I will drop it.
Click to expand...

I fabricated one for my 2002 Jeep Liberty by mounting a plastic 16mm threaded ball knob onto an arm made of 1/2" aluminum. I ordered the ball knob from Amazon for a few dollars. The aluminium strip, bolt, nuts and grip stuff were well under $20.

I cut and bent the aluminum strip and mounted it inside the dash and have it sticking out a few inches from between dash panels.

Once I got the shape right and drilled holes for mounting the arm to the car body and one for the bolt, I dipped the arm into some black tool grip so it blends with the interior.

It went together pretty well, but I had to tighten the nut down pretty hard to keep it from slipping since the ball knob is smooth. I tried a 16mm rough plastic ball knob but it actually slipped more than the smooth finish. Maybe the ideal solution is a slightly larger ball knob (17mm?), but the 16mm has held for a few thousand miles so I am not likely to switch it for something larger.

The end result is a sturdy, secure mount that is exactly where I want it and will stay there unless somebody breaks into my car and unscrews the nut. They would destroy the unit if they tried to pry it off.
 
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