Magellan RoadMate 6000T

• Overall

Magellan RoadMate 6000T Overall - NA

The RoadMate 6000T is good-looking and good-working. But as a discontinued model in a rapidly evolving GPS industry, this Magellan device is not one of the most seamless integrations of entertainment and navigation -- and most reviewers say newer GPS systems are better values and are easier to use.

Prices for the Magellan RoadMate 6000T start around $400, but could escalate to higher than $600, depending on retailer. 

What the Experts Say: 

• "The Magellan 6000T left me feeling slightly disappointed. It does everything it's supposed to fairly well, but it just feels utilitarian. Where's the innovation and passion that once made Magellan the undisputed king of GPS navigation?" -- GPS Magazine
• "We dislike that you must exit the route screen to see the destination menu, which holds things like your address book and list of previous destinations, and that you can view traffic alerts only for your route, not the entire area." -- Laptop Mag
• "The new Magellan RoadMate 6000T is the flagship model in the line that offers a lot of capability in a flat form factor. Long time readers know that I like the idea of flat GPS units, and I welcome the idea for Magellan's new RoadMate line." -- GPS Lodge

Magellan RoadMate 6000T Performance -- NA

The little that was said about the Magellan RoadMate 6000T's navigation abilities was noncommittal. GPS Magazine's writer finds both good and bad things to say about the system's sound quality. "I found the speaker quality to be quite good. Voice prompts and sound effects were crisp and not distorted even at maximum volume," he says. "Although, in my testing, I found that when traveling at highway speeds, the MRM 6000T was occasionally not loud enough, even at maximum volume." 

Magellan RoadMate 6000T Ease of Use -- NA

Reviewers fear the learning curve with the Magellan RoadMate 6000T is a bit steep. Laptop Mag gripes, "Magellan hasn't learned to keep its controls as simple as Garmin has, and using the 6000T's menus can be tricky." Some also say the number of helpful navigation features offered with Magellans further compromises the ability to pick up the system's functions.  

Magellan RoadMate 6000T Design -- NA

Most say the Magellan RoadMate 6000T follows in the steps of other Magellans and RoadMates with its well-liked minimalistic style. MobileWhack likes that the 6000T "sports a high stylized design and is extremely compact." Like most Magellans, the RoadMate 6000T can be operated by its touchscreen as well as several corresponding buttons on the frame -- a rarity. But as GPS Magazine finds, the positioning of some of those buttons hampers the device's use. "One of my biggest grievances with the MRM 6000T ... is the positioning of them makes it basically impossible to handle the unit without accidentally pressing the zoom buttons," he writes. 

Magellan RoadMate 6000T Features -- NA

Tech writers like the Magellan RoadMate 6000T's features to assist in navigation. The Locate button pulls up a screen detailing your current location and an approximation of the closest landmarks and intersections. The RoadMate 6000T's TrueView screen allows drivers to view their upcoming maneuver as a 3D graphic and not just on the 2D map. Additional features include real-time traffic, a music player and photo viewer. 

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $350 TomTom GO 920T

According to reviewers, the TomTom GO 920T is not the very best of its class, but it's certainly in the top tier. It sports a stunning design and excellent performance, but its voice command feature could use a little work.

MSRP: $100 Magellan Maestro 3100

The Magellan Maestro 3100 is an entry-level GPS that aims to provide bare-bones navigation at an attractive price. While not loaded with extras, it will get you to where you're going -- and it won't break the bank in the process.

MSRP: $400 Magellan Maestro 4250

The Magellan Maestro 4250's sharp design, easy operation and nifty features are a nice blend. Some reviews point out occasional touch screen lag and even some cases of the unit freezing up. But despite this, the Maestro 4250 receives favorable reviews for its overall value.

MSRP: $299 Mio DigiWalker C520

A great device for going against the grain, the Mio DigiWalker C520 offers abundant features for its price class, and an easy-to-use 4.3-inch touchscreen. However, some say its navigation capabilities are not superior to other mid-range GPS devices.