Magellan GPS car kit for iPhone priced at $ 130

We have been hearing about this GPS kit from Magellan for a couple of weeks and now it is finally here. If you already have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, just get this and you don’t need to spend on a standalone GPS device for your car.

All you need to do is place your iPhone or iPod touch in the cradle and switch on the power. The cradle is adjustable. If you are looking to buy one , you can do it from Amazon.

The Magellan Premium GPS car kit has a built in GPS processor, and you can continue using the touch interface as you receive turn by turn directions. The kit has a speakerphone for the voice instructions.

The Magellan GPS car kit would work with iPhone 2G, 3G or the iPhone 3GS and requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

For this kit to work on the first generation iPhone or an iPod Touch, you will need the Magellan Roadmate app for iPhone which you will have to purchase separately.

I am not very convinced about the price of the Magellan GPS car kit though. Should not a kit which will convert an existing phone into a GPS device cost less than a standalone GPS device? For example, the Amazon page mentions a Garmin nuvi 4.3 inch widescreen portable navigator. And it is being sold at a price of $ 114.99. I know I am making a wild comparison, but still a kit that costs the same as a standalone device does not really appeal to me unless I am keen on not buying a new gadget and determined to use my iPhone.

Perhaps you should wait a while to see the one from TomTom which is due soon – or at least check out more GPS products before you plonk your money on this one.