- Compatible with All iOS Devices
- Built In GPS Receiver
- Hands Free Bluetooth
- Accomadates Skins and Cases
- In Car Chargine
Buy Magellan GPS Car Kit for Latest iPhone and iPod Touch (AP0301SGXXX) Now
All car kits which plug with the holder directly into the cigarette lighter did not stay in place and fell sidewards. So I wanted a car kit with a suction cup so that the entire weight is not in the cigarette lighter. Also I didn't want to plug an external cable to my iPhone each time I enter the car and unplug it each time I leave it.With this car kit you plug your iPhone onto a Apple connector, you close the lid from the top and this is it. When you leave the car even for 5min you just press a button on the right side, the lid pops up and you can easily remove your phone. Additionally your iPhone connects via Bluetooth to this device so that the speech from the GPS is announced via the internal loudspeaker. You can also use it for taking calls as it has a built in microphone. I have not received a better GPS signal as far as I can say due to the built in GPS receiver. My phone says the same bars with or without this device. However if you have a iPod without internal GPS you can transform it into a Navigation System with that and you also do not have to use the Magellan GPS app but any other one which you prefer.
BTW the package contains a suction cup for windows as well as a kit for uneven surfaces. I think this is to avoid damages on your dashboard due to the heavy duty suction cup.
Read Best Reviews of Magellan GPS Car Kit for Latest iPhone and iPod Touch (AP0301SGXXX) Here
Two stars. CBelow average. Not recommended unless willing to spend considerable time to tinker with it to get it to work.Bought this on sale recently, and overall fit and finish were fine. The issue is that the iTouch (I have a 3rd generation) has repeated issues with charging and finding the GPS satellites. After trying multiple times with it, I did get it to work... but there are some "catches" to getting it to work:
1) It does work with other Apps, but it will need ones that have offline maps, routing calculations, and turn by turn navigation. Otherwise the minute you drive away from a wifi, the map app (like Google Maps) will go blank, or you won't know where you are going. And there are FREE alternatives to the $49.99 Magellan app that meet these requirements, and that would be otherwise needed to use this unit. (Yeah, like I would pay $99 for this adapter and then have to pay another $49.99 for the Magellan app... BWHAHAHAHAHA! ...As if...)
2) You need enough free memory (RAM) on the iTouch to actually get it to work
If you have a lot of other apps running in the background (like facebook), then you need to shutdown/poweroff the iTouch and then restart it, and run nothing else before you start your GPS program. My iTouch (3rd Gen) was very hard to get this to work, because often I was down to 8-9 MB of remaining ram (NOT FLASH) memory to do anything with, even after shortly starting the iTouch from a "power off" condition.
3) Make sure the connector is firmly attached.
The adjustable 30 pin apple iTouch clip works for almost any Apple product, but getting it connected properly is a frustrating series of trial and errors. Multiple times I'd put the iTouch in, only to have it not charge.
4) You have to enable bluetooth to get GPS to work.
Not a big deal, but if you have it off, you will need to turn it on and pair it with the GPS unit. And you have to remove the power cord and recycle it to get the unit to pair with the iTouch.
5) The power cord is kinda klunky, but it works. I was not impressed with the plug in 12V automotive adapter. No indicator/power light/LED, and it seems to be kinda hard to get it seated correctly in my 12V accessory plug socket in my car. Fortunately, I had another one in the car already, and that one seemed to work okie. It's a mini-USB, so any basic power adapter for a USB should work.
Overall, I was borderline on returning it, but think I will keep it. I'm of the mind that I'd just be better off with a full blown dash type GPS Navigation device. I'd also like to get it so I have a Mini-USB battery pack (using rechargable AA cells), so it doesn't loose signal when I turn off the car... but for now, it works. But I can't recommend it for a newbie or even for serious travelers because the 30 pin connector won't connect well and Magellan expects you to shovel out another fifty clams for their app in the Apple Store.
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The GPS receiver was not detected at all. Everything else worked, including the audio out and Bluetooth. This was the second purchase of this car kit with the same results. I'm staying away from these iPod GPS kits from now on.After using telephone signal based GPS and being left adrift when signals disappeared (usually at the worst of times like at night in a strange city) I put Roadmate software on my iPhone and added this device to attach to my vehicle windshield and use real GPS sourcing. Terrific!! No disappearing phone signals, no lost in the city where high buildings wreak havoc on all things electronic. Maps are updated often and quickly. I wish the adapter had better angle control as it won't lay flat enough for one of my vehicles to keep the screen visible.There is a BUT but it has more to do with the software than this device. When coming off a long interstate run and tasking an exit, it seems as if the software fell asleep and was startled at the intrusion of being called to service because the first thing it usually says is "when possible make a legal U turn" then it comes fully awake and proceeds perfectly.
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