The Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM is a great GPS navigator for vehicle use with a 7-inch touch screen, video and audio input and plenty of other fantastic features that are easy to use.
Leisure use, Performance: 23/25
see & Feel: 22/25
Features 22/25
How much I enjoy 22/25
Total: 89/100
The Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM has a 7-inch touch screen with live maps, Bluetooth capability and an audio/video input for connecting to a backup camera or other gaming devices. Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM uses the Magellan Content Manager to update the GPS units and add addresses without going there or there. using a small touch screen keyboard.
The RoadMate 9055-LM, LM stands for life tables, with 9055 GPS Navigator, window mount, instruction manual, USB and USB car power cables. The 9055 GPS Navigator uses an internal memory of 3.5 GB while the SD Card slot allows for extra memory depending on the size of the SD Card you are using.
GPS Navigator has 2D and 3D maps with the usual business and electronic mirrors, lane assist and other great Magellan features are. Address tracking and mapping is being used by a new company starting sometime in 2010 from NavTeq to a new company called Tele Atlas.
Switching from one plan and address provider to another is a major update and a big step for the company, but it seems to have been a smooth transition. I haven’t noticed any problems in my travels for two years and I’ve updated my GPS units many times and used them on different occasions.
The lane assist is a fantastic feature giving you real road-signs to follow so you don’t miss important turns and exits, this is extremely useful it is at great intervals. Lane assist displays the actual road sign in the exact words you’ll see on the interstate or highway while driving so you can get to the right lane to exits and exchanges.
When you witness a highway or interstate split into two lanes, make sure you are in the correct lane for your exit or intersection. 9055 also includes AAA Tourbook and roadside assistance, so you can plan your travels and need help with it. for AAA members.
RoadMate 9055 upgrade in smaller models featured with its own audio input that allows you to use GPS Navigator as a smaller 7 inch LCD screen . The main use of this feature is with the backup camera that is available on the Magellan, which will be a separate review.
It was very easy to use the Magellan 9055 video and audio using a cable from my camcorder and some adapters with cables that came with the portable DVD player I bought The input on the 9055 is a 3.5mm four section joint connector for camcorders that we often use as video and audio output for connecting to a TV or video player.
I also have no problem connecting my Sansa View to the Magellan 9055 using a video and audio cable specifically for the View and the camcorder cable I used with the portable DVD player. The cables and adapters used to connect the Magellan 9055 and other video game consoles can be found at electronic stores such as Radio Shack and any reputable retailer. The store should be happy to help you find what you need.
If you are looking to use Magellan 9055 or any other Magellan GPS navigator for video playback I only bring devices with you along with their power pack and go find what you need. This may seem like a lot of extra expense and effort, but it’s only one time, and this will allow you to have an extra screen for playing video while on the road, which can be a mind saver for parents with kids.
The 9055 has a custom night mode that automatically switches your screen from brightly lit, but easy to use daytime to black color ways. Night mode makes it easier to see the roads and gives you a better view without blinded by colored areas when not in night mode.
It works well with the touch screen and the larger size for easier use with the keyboard on the screen. Notes that are shared work well and also connected to a computer and adding an e-book and individual addresses work well.
The Magellan 9055 has a standard Bluetooth connection so you can talk hands-free with your smartphone, but your phone also needs to have Bluetooth. I had no problems getting my sons smartphone connected to the Magellan 9055 to test hands free operation through the GPS unit.
Other lines of GPS Navigators such as charms, points of interest, car fills and many destination reminders are all here as before for navigators. The Magellan 9055 continues the great feature set of previous Magellan navigators and is just a more fully featured and well made unit.
I’ve had no problems with the Magellan 9055 and I’ve used them on a road trip with lots of interstate and highway splits with them and interchanges of larger highways. The Magellan 9055 kept us on our way and we had no problems finding some small packages in odd places around Minneapolis, so I know the change to the Tele Atlas has been made.
Video and audio input is another main feature that worked well for both the backup camera and video playback even if the backup camera has a few problems. The problems with the backup camera that Magellan sells are not related to the RoadMate GPS unit but I will go into the camera package review.
The RoadMate 9055-LM is a great GPS unit and comes with a lot of great features, but the audio and video input is a major addition that is worth the extra cost. You can use a better camera for a backup system that I suggest but also for use with a video player the 9055 does very well.
Consider the Magellan 9055-LM a fantastic GPS Navigator that works both for neighborhood navigation and longer trips. The Magellanic RoadMate 9055-LM costs about $280 from the Magellanic website but you can find it for less on the Amazon site.
RoadMate 9055-LM @ Magellan
