Like many of its peers, the Magellan Roadmate 3050T allows you to switch the map display between a 2D or a 3D perspective. In this instance, however, the Roadmate’s blocky graphics and 3.5-in LCD screen are more suited to the basic ‘bird’s eye’ view.

The Roadmate’s software feels a little outdated and clunky although, in fairness, this is a largely cosmetic observation and there doesn’t appear to be anything out-of-date about the maps. More generous than most in this respect (27 European countries are included in the package), the Roadmate also offers 4GB of internal storage space on which to keep its map data.

Magellan’s bulbous, plasticky build quality is oafish and unappealing. Although the 3050T features a touch-sensitive LCD screen like all its rivals, it also has a number of backlit buttons and a multidirectional joypad sitting beneath the screen. It’s useful to have shortcuts to some of the 3050T’s main functions but the joypad is redundant when it comes to navigating menus.

The 3050T comes with some of the same multimedia features as the Garmin Nuvi 310, with an SD card slot providing the entry point for mp3 and Wma music files. The device’s bulk, however, renders it an awkward portable media companion. Its lack of mains adapter also means that it needs to plugged into a dashboard cigarette lighter and taken for a drive first in order to power up its rechargeable battery.

During standard in-car operation, the Roadmate’s spoken directions are clear and simple. When route planning, on the other hand, the Roadmate can be a little more sluggish than some of its rivals. One of the product’s biggest selling points is its built-in support for TMC traffic updates. But, while this service is free in most territories, UK users will need to pay a subscription if they want to avoid the jams.

This article is part of a group test of 10 satellite-navigation devices
See also:
Introduction
Acer p610
Garmin Nuvi 310
Medion Gopal PNA465
Mio Digiwalker C510E
Navman N40i
Novogo S700
Sony Nav-u NV-U50T
Tomtom One Europe
ViaMichelin X-950
A tables of features can be read via our pdf download above