Magellan RoadMate 1475T with Free Traffic Reports

The Magellan RoadMate 1475T is an attractive GPS receiver with free lifetime traffic updates.

Magellan RoadMate 1475T

Magellan 1475T

from $149.99

We've spent some time raking Magellan over the coals, so in an attempt at balance, we'll focus on something they've done right. There aren't a whole lot of ways to make GPS receivers interesting these days. Screen sizes are maxing out between 4.7 and 5.0 inches. Anything bigger is too big. Core functionality and software hasn't changed much and doesn't offer much room for improvement. Most bonus, high-end features have very little to do with navigation and are hardly worth the money.

The RoadMate 1475T joins the Garmin 1490T and 1370T in offering something that's actually related to finding the best route for your travels, and that might be worth a few extra bills. The 'T' in those three model numbers indicates that these GPS receivers are capable of receiving traffic updates, which can be used to avoid jams and slowdowns and reconfigure driving directions accordingly.

What's different about the RoadMate 1475T (and the two Garmin models) is that they offer these traffic updates for free, for as long as you own the device. Previously, traffic updates were an optional functionality that required an extra monthly subscription service. By offering it for free now, Garmin and Magellan make their GPS receivers much more attractive, and begin marginalizing TomTom, whose GO LIVE service still costs users money.

All in all, the 1475T is a nice package. The manufacturer's suggested retail price starts at an already reasonable $299, but if you click our "Check Best Offer" button on the right sidebar, you'll see that it's available for around $249, from select stores.

Apart from the free traffic updates, the RoadMate 1475T features a 4.7-inch anti-glare LCD display with WQVGA resolution (widescreen). It has AAA TourBook listings for in-depth information regarding roadside attractions, pit stops, and other important locations. It also has maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It's a strong feature set for the price, especially when you consider that a few months ago, you would've paid through the nose for traffic info, on a monthly basis.