Key Features4.3-inch touchscreenQuickSpell for fast address entryBuilt-in Bluetooth for hands-free phone useAAA TourBookTraffic info (optional)SD card slot (supports up to 2GB)Rechargeable battery (2 hours)
Magellan has always made high quality, very reliable (if plain) portable nav products, but now with the new Maestro 4040 the company has stepped up its game. This is one of the better portable nav devices on the market. With its large 4.3-inch touchscreen and attractive, easy-to-read map, improved graphics overall and a user-friendly menu, the Maestro 4040 does everything you expect from a higher-end nav product and more. With the 4.5 million points of interest database, plus the built-in AAA TourBook guide the Maestro has one of the more thorough, info-rich POI listings. And it didn't suffer too greatly from the problem of slow satellite acquisitioning, common to a lot of portable navs. We had some delays when we left it off for a few days and restarted the device. But in less than 10 minutes we were locked in again. If you use the Maestro every week you probably won't have a problem; if you use it only occasionally, then you should turn it on some time before you depart for your destination. The navigation itself was very accurate, with rerouting practically instantaneous. In the Southern California area where we used the Maestro it never led us astray. And while touring around town we made good use of the built-in Bluetooth for hands-free talking. The speaker is actually loud enough to overcome cabin noise and the mic picked up speech just as well as the phone itself. This is on par with the Bluetooth on Garmin's StreetPilot unit we reviewed a while ago - except the Maestro is more compact. The 4040 is preloaded with maps covering the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. With the optional TrafficKit you can upgrade this device and get traffic information. By the time you read this review that kit should be available. Check out the Maestro 4040 at a retail outlet or online at www.magellangps.com.