See All Auto GPS

Magellan Maestro 4350

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2009

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Useful new features
Speaks street names
Clear, easy-to-use, wide touch screen
Three months of free traffic service

Cons

No voice commands
No free lifetime traffic
System runs slowly at times
Routes aren't as efficient as Garmin's
Users report poor customer service

Where to Buy

for $216.19

Our Analysis
Specs
136 Amazon Reviews

The Magellan Maestro 4350 omits one major feature -- voice commands -- that its predecessor the Maestro 4250 offers. However, reviewers say Magellan's voice-command feature never worked as well as Garmin's anyway, and the Maestro 4350's new features mostly make up for the loss. OneTouch lets you create shortcuts to your favorite destinations or GPS functions. The unit can also calculate three routes at once -- fastest, shortest and most economical -- so you can pick the best one (most GPS units force you to choose before they calculate). The Maestro 4350 also includes lane assist and reality view, similar to the Garmin nuvi 765T (Discontinued). However, unlike the nuvi 765T -- or the budget-priced Garmin nuvi 265T (Discontinued) -- the Maestro 4350 doesn't include free traffic information for the life of the unit. Only the first three months are free, and then it costs $40 a year. Experts also say the Maestro 4350 runs more slowly and calculates less efficient routes than a Garmin GPS. Users' complaints often center around poor customer service from Magellan.

GPSTracklog.com, PCMag.com and PC World all fully test the Magellan Maestro 4350 and have clear, concise reviews. ConsumerReports.org ranks the Maestro 4350 among many of its peers, although its review includes fewer details about the unit, and you must be a subscriber to read the write-up. GPSMagazine.com is a very reliable review source, but in this case its recommendation of the Maestro 4350 is not based on an actual road test. User reviews at Amazon.com report some problems that don't show up in professional tests.

Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic

from Amazon.com

New: $499.99

Average Customer Review:

Garmin nüvi 265/265T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

from Amazon.com

New: $329.99

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic
(136 reviews) Buy new: $499.99 8 Used & new from $75.00

Our Sources

1. GPS Tracklog

Tester Rich Owings says the Magellan Maestro 4350 is "capable" and an improvement for Magellan, but it's still not as good as a Garmin nuvi. He lists good and bad points that he noticed during his road test.

Review: Magellan Maestro 4350 Review, Rich Owings, Jan. 5, 2009

2. PCMag.com

Tester Craig Ellison likes the Magellan Maestro 4350's improved interface and new features. However, he names a few alternatives -- including the older Maestro 4250 -- that some users may prefer.

Review: Magellan Maestro 4350, Craig Ellison, Dec. 4, 2008

3. PC World

PC World names the Magellan Maestro 4350 a Top 5 GPS Device, based on this test. The reviewer finds that the Maestro picks better routes than the TomTom Go 930.

Review: Magellan Maestro 4350 GPS, Liane Cassavoy, Nov. 13, 2008

4. ConsumerReports.org

Experts here rate all major aspects of the Magellan Maestro 4350, based on rigorous testing. A chart ranks all 96 GPS models in the test, and each unit gets a short individual review.

Review: Magellan Maestro 4350, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

5. GPSMagazine.com

The Magellan Maestro 4350 is a Best All-Around GPS pick in this buyer's guide, along with top-of-the-line models from Garmin and TomTom. However, GPSMagazine.com has not actually tested the Maestro 4350.

Review: GPSMagazine Buyer's Guide -- Editor's Picks, Editors of GPSMagazine.com

6. Amazon.com

More than 100 customers post reviews here for the Magellan Maestro 4350, and more than half of them give it either four stars or a perfect five, but even some of those complain about poor customer service from Magellan. The unit gets a fair number of one-star ratings for the same reason.

Review: Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic, Contributors to Amazon.com

Garmin nuvi 1390T *Est. $165

4 picks including: Amazon.com, PCMag.com…

Garmin nuvi 1200 *Est. $150

3 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Garmin nuvi 3760T *Est. $265

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Which? magazine…

Garmin nuvi 1350 *Est. $160

3 picks including: Amazon.com, GPS Tracklog…

Garmin nuvi 1300 *Est. $155

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Walmart.com…

Garmin nuvi 1300LM *Est. $150