Help choosing new GPS - Garmin-vs-Magellen

[hunter_x]

Hello all,

I am new to learning about GPS and wish to make my first purchase soon.

I have been studying all I can get my hands on and think I have narrowed my choices
down to either a Magellen meridian gold or a Garmin GPSMap76.

First let me mention my primary use will be hunting/scouting. And I wish to be able to use the most detailed Topo maps possible. I am unsure as to how much memory I need but I like the idea of the Flashcard in the Magellens. But I think I read that you have to use Magellen mapsource to load maps into the units?

I also like the idea of making my own maps of my favorite hunting areas. Anyone know how much memory might be needed for a map of a 8000 acre area at the most detailed scale (7.5 min ?) with overlay of aerial photos? How about same area in 3D?

I thankyou in advance for your replies.

[hunter_x]

A selfish bump.

Anyone out there hae a preference?

Thanks,

HX

[Topclamdigger]

I'm using a Garmin Map76S with MapSource Topo and BlueChart. The 76S has many useful navigaition functions and memory to store a map of a large area and data. At home on the PC, I use Maptech's Terrain Navigator to up/dnload data to GPS and to create custom electronic or paper maps. Aerial photos are available free from Terraserver that can be used with JDMCOX.com freeware. Lostoutdoors.com is another source of free Terraserver aerial photos.

[hunter_x]

Thanks topclamdigger,

I am still deciding and learning, looks like I might just get a used ipaq from ebay and add either a Navman sleeve or GPS cf card. From my research thus far it appears to be
the best bet for being able to load your own maps. I also have a brother that works in the GIS field that can load me up with all kinds of software that is used by GIS folks like Arcpad from ESRI. I know it may sound like overkill I just don't want to have to upgrade for a while.

Thanks,

HX

[Constitutionalist]

Isn't Magellen a French owned Company?

Besides that little barb, I have used several Garmin products without a single complaint. To me, their products are the ones to buy.



Eric

[g-hog]

I am a distributor for both Magellan and Garmin. I probably sell more Garmins. I personally own a Magellan Meridain Gold and have been very pleased with it. One advantage to the Garmin is the compass...You don't have to be moving for it to show direction unlike the Magellan. It does seem the default map detail on the Magellan May be a little better....One other thing to consider. The Magellans may be a little cheaper initally but the accessories are about double what Garmins are for the same item. Also the Garmins are little smaller and easier to handle but you also have a smaller screen size. Hope this helps some

GHog

[Cloak N Dagger]

g-hog,

The Magellan Meridian Platinum has a 3-axis electronic compass that works if you are moving or not, doesn't it?

[g-hog]

CnD

I may I can't speak for the platinum as I don't have one in stock and haven't had to opportunity to play with one yet. I will have dig my book out tomorrow and look it up. I can speak for the meridian gold and that is a definate no it doesn't that is the one and about the only thing I do not like about it.

G-hog

[bighorn67]

I have the Magellan SportTrack Pro. I love the unit and I love the map software. It's a lot of GPS for under $300.

Dave

[pietromarc]

3 friends and myself own Garmin Legends and its quite awesome.woods,cities,water its all good.
final Price for mine and my friends was around $150. that's cheap.
easy down loads of waypoints and maps. but Street maps use up a lot of it memory.

[mustystubs]

Marc:

Where did you get your Legend?

[smokin54]

I have a meridian (green) and The compass only works when you are moving , You can be walking very slow though and have it work . It has alot of handy gadget functions that my older magellan 300 does not have, One real nice one is a backtrack feature (ever forgot were you parked the truck?)
I have heard that hey have been discountinued and can be had for $89 at frys(meridian green) . They can be expanded to have 64 mb of re writeable mapping beyound the 2 mb that is nonrewriteable .
64 mb of memory is $28 on ebay and north America topo map is $65 on websites i have seen , The cost of the 5 year old topo will drop to almost nothing as soon as the new version come out ,new mapping is due out in the next few months .
I have only used mine for some highway trips (very handy) and done some geocacheing ( lots of fun) .
Just about any of the newer models with WAAS correction will suit my needs

[fortyfive70]

i got a lowrance ie and still haven't figured the thing out.....

[pietromarc]

for the price of my GPSs check out this post.

GPS post

[cak291]

Hi
I may have missed and you guys covered this already.
OK, I have a Magellan, Meridian Platium with the 64 meg card, plus extra external antenna for in the vehicle, a boat, RV anywhere.

I could be mistaken, Magellan originally was a USA company and sold out to Thales of Canada about 3 years ago. Is it made in USA? Is anything made in the USA? All are made in China as far as I know.

What Brand GPS to buy? How much money do I spend?
I studied all the brands inside and out. I wanted the largest screen possible and the smallest unit in the hand and to pack around. I got aa thing for being out hunting when it rains so it had to be waterproof as well.

Like many of you facing these questions, "But I only want it for,,,,,,,,,,,"
"I will only use it for,,,,,,,,,,"

"Therefore I should only have to spend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

"And it will do all this magic for me."

I will not put down any brand. One being superior and blah blah bla
Buying a GPS is a big investment. An investment into the future.
I bought big or expensive, added all the toys I can onto it too.
It covers 'ALL' my today's needs and 'ALL' my tomorrow's needs.
I snap it into my 4WD rig. Looks like factory installed.
Flip a switch, external antenna kicks on,, external 12-volt power to the GPS.
I got the GPS preloaded with my Region, TOPO, all Routes and Waypoints and I am set to go. Press Route and Activate Route and I am gone.
It pulls in 8 satellites strongly as a rule.
I know my elevation, speed I am going, best Hunting/Fishing times of day.

Drive 300 - 500 miles, it guides me to my destination using the roads I choose.
I only hunt where it is free. I got a thing about paying slimey people to hunt on their property.. Lot of parcels of land are small. One of my favorites is 544 acres.
It has pig, coyote, deer, turkey and so on. I am the only one that hunts on it that I know of. GPS is perfect for keepintg me in the boundries.

When you visualize the list of uses you'd have for a GPS, they do become lengthy.
Endless really. I keep adding things for it to do all the time.
Would you do the same? I think everyone would.

It isn't like a megga dollar gun that you will only use hunting.
Nor is it that latest graphite fishing pole that you only use when fishing.
Hell I've been caught in a Police Radar Trap and told them that they were lying thru their noses. 8 multi-million dollar satellites say I was going x miles an hour and to hell with their funky radar that can be programed to do what any officer chooses it to read. GPS got me out of a nasty Speeding Ticket.
So as one makes up the list of "I only want it for,,,,,,,,,"

To me early on it was, why would I want to pack around a GPS and a 50 - 100 dollar compass at the same time? No, I ain't into taking off walking to find which direction I am going either. My GPS covers all my bases that I could dream up as being essentual.

Most of hunting is get there, setup and wait. 95% boring, 5% action
Nice to sit there, "I wonder what temperatrure it is? I wonder what the humidity is today" My GPS is like a mini entertainment package. Put it on Simulate, awe yes, let's go somewhere. My uses for a GPS become endless.

We ain't just gonna use my rig for our hunting. I hop in your rig and plug the GPS into your cigarette lighter and away we go.
You tell the wife, "SLOW DOWN". GPS is telling you she is floating along at 78 mph.
You don't have to lean way over so you can read her odometer.
The volume of uses a GPS can do day in and day out is lengthy.
Not a toy for that day hike once a year.

If Garmin or any of the other brands cover your needs, buy that brand and be Happy.
cak

[cak291]

Me again,

I forgot one of the big things I use a GPS for.
Before I hunt I always scout the land out very well.
I never walk anywhere near I pan a setup.
I use Range Finder, compass and GPS to log in a Waypoint for the spot.
I scatter Waypoints out on most likely avenues game will approach from.

When I return to Hunt, it will be very dark, long before dawn.
GPS guides me right to my prechosen setup spot.

Also all around my Hunting area I log in Waypoints for any house, barn farm equipment, farm animals in a field and so on. I will not shoot in any direction that is deemed dangerous or remotely questionable.

I like to keep records. Where I shot from and where the Game was standing.

Your needs for any GPS become endless.
cak

[cak291]

The question was what do I buy, Magellan or Garmin or what?

Ifffffffff you decide to go Magellan.
Bear in mind, I can only talk Magellan, I don't know about the other brands really.

I would suggest you go with the Meridian Color Sport Track.

Well, color is the future.
I think (offhand) $499 ???

Lot of bacon and eggs!

Color uses memory - - - 64 meg Card then perhaps. $134


MapSend Streets, MapSend TOPO - - - - $200

We ain't done yet, get nack here. Open that wallet up further.

Figure $1000 all total, toys, accessories and all.


I wish mine were color. Gets old straining looking at drab B&W only.

GPS Store says, they do not breakdown.
I don't think there is a market for USED GPS Units either.
10-cents on the dollar maybe, that's no market for selling to upgrade.
I hate taking a money bath myself.

So after you buy whatever Brand you settle on, figure on using it years into the future.

We ordered one to be in the wife's new car. $2500 and those car GPS units don't do nothing compared to what you are seeking to buy.

cak