RoadMate 9212T-LM Automobile Portable GPS Navigator

We've had our unit for a couple of years and finally decided to update the maps. What a mistake. We tried six times on two different computers, and each time the unit would shut itself off just moments from the update finishing the install. Took it out to the car, plugged it in, and it's been wiped clean. It's useless now. We are NEVER buying Magellan again, and will stick with Garmin from here on out. Very disappointed. What good is it if you can't update the maps? The only redeeming features are the large screen and the red-light camera warning. The speed limit feature is nice, too, but much of the time it won't update when you go from one speed zone to another. Save yourself a bunch of headaches and buy another brand.

I purchased the 9212T-LM from Walmart in Leland NC, 12-05-2014. I purchased a Magellan due to the excellent service a Magellan maestro 3100 has given. The 9212T-LM has a problem with I-73 that runs in North Carolina. It will not route to a destination on I-73. The GPS uses 220B and other side roads to lead to nowhere. I contacted Magellan about this problem and was informed that the next map update would most likely fix the problem. The update did not fix this problem and created another one. The GPS will now not route across a bridge that was replaced on the road that I live on. The bridge was replaced in 2014 and is located less than 1/2 mile from my house. When I program a route to a destination on the opposite side of the bridge from my dwelling, the GPS indicates the distance is 14 miles using about 5 different roads to get there. The distance is actually less than 1/2 mile on the same road. Messes me up each time I Program a route that crosses the bridge. I made another mistake and bought the backup camera bundle that works with the GPS. I installed the camera, connected to the GPS and it would only work on battery power for about three minutes. The VPA that came with the camera bundle was not supplying power to the GPS. I finally traced the problem to an adapter that adapts the VPA that came with the camera to the GPS. The adapter is Micro to Mini USB. I contacted Magellan and they had no idea what I was referring to. Evidently they are not familiar with their products. Finally after much discussion they understood what I needed and shipped it. This problem was corrected but I am still unhappy with the camera and GPS. In order to get the camera to work , I have to put the vehicle in reverse and the turn the GPS on. Sometimes it freezes for awhile and won't do anything. I can hold the On button on for about 20 seconds and it finally comes on again and will work until the GPS turns off. To get it to work again I have to go through the same procedure. I hate the thing. I will never buy another Magellan product.

I bought this GPS n I can't c very good on the small GPS units but this 1 I can c very well. I just wish I could download different voices n icons for vehicles like my old tom tom could.

We have owned a Navigon GPS for years and eventually the charging port broke (since then, it has been fixed). But we were getting ready to take a long trip and needed a GPS right away. Since Navigon no longer sells GPS units in the US anymore, we had to look for another brand. We saw this one at our Walmart in Dayton and the price vs. features/screen size is what attracted us most. After fumbling with the quirky download/update process, we were able to get this thing up and navigating within an hour. The update process is a bit convoluted and Megallan does not help its cause with their website. Information is good and getting software is good, but when the desktop application tries to update from the site, it has a hard time. But this was a small annoyance and truthfully, not that big a deal. We did not spend hours doing this as others have mentioned (note that most of those complaints are over a year old and so this must be a reason...we just got this a couple months ago so maybe the software is better?). PROS: As far as navigation, it does very good. Haven't had it crash or lead us astray. It re-calculates relatively quickly if we veer off the route. As far as previous reviews go, we have not experienced this thing not wanting to update the route, so... We like that it uses landmarks and even mentions specific ones by name (such as turn right at Mike's Garage). So this is cool. We also like the live traffic feature, this has gotten us out of several traffic jams so kudos on that. Screen size matters and it is nice to be able to display the map in portrait mode. Only reason I see is more information can be displayed without crowding out the map itself. It does wash out in direct sunlight, though so maybe the optional visor for it is good call. The One Touch feature is nice. And it is highly customizable. So you can store frequent routes or searches (like locating the nearest ATM or gas station). With just three taps you are on your way. Issues about the mount must have been fixed because we stick this on the windshield and it has never fallen off. CONS: The desktop application feels (and acts) like it was developed in 1992. It is slow to start and even feels like it was an afterthought. However, once it is running and the GPS is updated, it seems OK. We only use it to check for updates and enter new addresses. We do not like the voice and wish there was a way to update it. Sometimes it even sounds like it's questioning itself ("take the next exit to the right?"). We miss the Navigon, which has more natural sounding inflections. It does not seem to have a very strong battery. In fact, if you read the user manual, it pretty much tells you that the unit should be used in battery mode only for short distances. We notice that the battery only lasts about 30 minutes before it powers down. Another gripe is the sluggish response when working with the menu items or entering information like addresses and such. We also don't like that it defaults to caps lock (I know, I know...small thing but a nuisance all the same). TIPS: We have found that the best way to enter information or just use the touch screen is with a stylus. We use an old school one from a retired Palm Pilot because it's small and works great. GPS screens are usually not the capacitive types like smartphones (where you HAVE to use your finger), so anything with a point will work. RECOMMENDATION: While it is not as user friendly as our Navigon, it pretty much does what it needs to do. Navigation is spot on and adding addresses using the desktop application is soooooooo much easier than trying to pain through the sluggish touch screen (although, as mentioned earlier, the desktop app has its own issues...but once it's up a running, the software connects to the GPS easily and downloads your stuff). Compared to other 7 inch GPS units, this one has a couple extra features (lifetime maps update and live traffic) that others charge a subscription for (Tom Tom), and the price is right. We would recommend this unit to others.

We purchased this GPS before vacation. IT was horrible. The directions were not accurate and the time it took to update when you took a wrong turn was totally ridiculous. Tried to call customer service but could not get a person to talk to. All you get is a recording that tells you to go online and do a live chat. Don't waste your money.