Magellan RoadMate 5230T-LM

Magellan RoadMate 5230T-LM

Budget-priced tech can be a godsend—but only if it actually performs. The Magellan RoadMate 5230T-LM ($169.99 direct) gives you a large 5-inch screen, road speed limits, and other useful features at a bargain price. Unfortunately, it's just not that accurate, which makes it a poor choice next to the dozens of GPS devices you can find either in the same price range or as discounted models from a year or two ago. Design and POI SearchThe RoadMate 5230T-LM measures 5.6 by 3.4 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.1 ounces. It's made entirely of plastic, with a matte finish around the bezel and back panel, rounded edges, and a 5-inch plastic resistive touch screen with 480-by-272-pixel resolution. The screen won't win any awards for brightness or color reproduction, and it washes out a bit in bright sunlight, but it's fine in normal use. The mount is a slightly complex, three-piece affair, with a suction cup for window mounting, a cradle that grabs the 5230T-LM tightly, and a plastic locking nut. You can adjust the tilt as well as the angle. The DC power connector wire is uncoiled, and plugs into the side of the RoadMate 5230T-LM with a micro USB connector.