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Should have bought it years ago. Very happy with my Magellan GPS, and this allows me to use my PC and GPS when I'm on the move without worrying about keeping fresh batteries on hand. Power and data cables are long enough to reach anywhere in my truck, and it works with a KeySpan adaptor to connect to a USB port.
I called Magellan tech support (clearly handled from Asia, by the way) both times and after a lot of diagnostic work was told my cable was no good.Another irritation: why use a serial port connection. I just ordered my third one of these. The first two just quit working. My laptop does not have a serial port so I have had to buy a cumbersome adapter (not cheap) that is itself finicky. Why not USB.
I only found one thing I didn't like. I was really happy with how this product worked. Even with batteries in, it is smart enough to use external power when plugged into my dashboard. the cords could be a little shorter so they don't get in the way so much. But that's a small price to pay for a product that works.
The item works just great. I can now hook up my computer in the car and use it with my GPS without spending a large amount of money getting one just for the car. I have checked around and this is a good price.
The only question I have is why *only* the cigarette lighter adapter. It's a cheesy and unattractive solution to Magellan's lack of foresight.Other than having to explain to everyone that Magellan's too cheap to provide an adapter of their own, the cable works fine. Very few cars (I know there must be *some* out there) have CD-ROM capable computers installed in them and hard as I may try, my car won't make it up the 2 flights of stairs (without damaging the banister or carpet) to get to my home office. The only way I could use both power and data connectors at home was by purchasing a 3rd party 110v to 12v adapter to use with household current. I use a swivel mount as a desk cradle and so the cable connector snaps onto the back of the mount removing the need to mess with the ridiculously small connector screw (guess their designers all have extremely thin and dexterous fingers -- not to mention 12v power sources built into their homes). The swivel mount is excellent.It's a cable and it does the job but, really, how many people are able to use a serial port connector and auto lighter adapter plug at the same time.The cable is expensive but since the GPS connector is proprietary you have no other option.
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