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Happy Birthday to me! New GPS...

A

Avalanche Adam

Full Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2003
Messages
57
Location
Northern Kentucky
Yesterday was my B-day so I decided to buy my own present. After hours and hours of research I ended up with a Magellan Maridian Color with the Traveler Value Pack GPS system. ;D

The value pack adds MapSend DirectRoute software, a 64 MB SD memory card, Vehicle mounting bracket, and PC data cable with cigarette lighter adapter. See www.magellangps.com

Ordered the whole thing on-line for less then half of what the store wanted. :cool:

I wanted something that would do street level driving directions as well as be portable for use when camping and going out on the boat.

So my question is, this being my first GPS anyone have any tips or fun stuff to check out? Anyone have any expierence with this model? Thanks!

Adam :B:
 
Avalanche Adam
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I too have just recently purchased the Meridian Color (actually just received it this past Monday). I don't have any tips for you as yet, just thought I'd acknowledge your post and let you know I'll be monitoring this thread so I too may learn some tricks on using this GPS.
 
Happy belated Birthday to ya!

If you don't mind...where did you purchase it. I'm interested in that model also. Thanks.
 
Best price I found on the whole package was at www.Vanns.com $383.52 for the Meridian Color GPS Traveler Value Pack. You can also buy the unit as a stand alone but form the research I did the DirectRoute software is really good. It will allow you to get turn by turn guidance with audio prompts and visual indicators.

If you are looking for a cheaper version you can get the Meridian Gold model that is ALMOST the same as the color for less. The primary reason I went with the color was of course because it was color. But I also liked that I can add a external antenia to it. That was a hard option to find when looking at Handheld GPS's.

Like I said I did alot of research so if you have any other questions just ask. But keep in mind I have never owned a Handheld before. Take care.

Adam :B:
 
Thanks for the quick reply. A GPS is something I have always wanted, just didn't know where to start. There are so many units around it's hard for a new comer to figure it out.

 
I wish I could remember the web site, but I came accross a site that has gps coordinates to hidden stuff. People all over the country hide things and give the coordinates then you go find the stuff and then put it back for the next person. When I looked there was something right accross the street from me. :D

I never did end up getting my GPS but I'ts still on my list of toys. I may have to look into this model.

Thanks for the info.
 
That's awesome and

Happy Birthday

I too would love a GPS... kinda waiting for the 05's so that I can get one in the HU.... we'll see
 
A couple things just came to mind regards the Meridian Color.

First, do be certain to upgrade your software/firmware to 5.12. You can get that upgrade through the Magellan site (you may have received that firmware on a CD in your box along with your Magellan).

Second, I purchased a Serial to USB plug which (for me) increases the functionality of the PC interface. Basically, this comes with a Windows driver that sets a device into your PC configuration that indicates "Serial Device on USB" and reserves it a Comm port address. Really neet how this works (y)

Avalanche Adam, that is a GR8 price you found for the Meridian Color. I got mine (Color Travellers Pak) thru GPSCity.com (GPSCity.ca up here in Canada). It seems you got a better price than I did :C: I just checked GPSCity.com and their price seems to be $US459.95 for the same package.

Question: Have you considered the "Extended Warranty". I'm undecided whether to get the 3-year extended or not :cautious:

Edit: Sorry, I mistyped ... Latest firmware for the Meridian Color is 5.12 (I had initially posted 5.03 :E:)
 
I do not have a GPS System in my truck. But I do use the GPS system at work. I love using the GPS and it works great.

Now I need to say that I use my GPS in a Bradley fighting Veh. and yes that is a Army Veh.

It helps out alot when you are in open areas Moving around in Iraq and training areas that we go to we use the way point system. Now when you are on the city road and hwy the way point will not work. I like the system you have because it will show roads and with that I have heard that it wil take you to a route way point. which will help out alot.

Here is what I did when I first got my GPS back in 1993. I read the book about 3 times to find out how it worked and then I took it home and played with it. I drove from Hinesville GA to Sav. Ga using the GPS. I know how to get to Sav. but I still wanted to see how it would work. So Iplayed with it alot before going into the woods so I would know how it worked.

I hope I helped you out a little.

Pete
 
I know how you feel AVid. It took me a long time to pick one out. Hopefully I picked the right one. But the more I read the more I like. Cost is always a factor in anything but I truly feel I got a good deal on a great system.

I have not looked in to any "Extended Warranty" information. As a general rule I am not a huge fan. Seems like every time I get the Extended Warranty I never have a reason to use it.

The stuff you are taking about EddieTheHead, is called "Geocaching". Kind of like a world wide scavenger hunt. Sound kind of fun really. I am thinking about giving it a try. I figure at minimum it will allow me to test out the new GPS and let me drive my Avalanche around town. (always a fav past time). You can read more at www.geocaching.com

I have also been thinking about the USB adaptor. I was actually thinking maybe a SD card reader might be the way to go. I figure most of what I will be doing is writing to the SD card. So that might be even faster. Write to the card and stick it in the GPS. But I will have to wait and see how everything works.

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Nice to know there are such good people around here. Even if it was not really Avalanche related you all took the time to respond. Thanks again.

Now I am off to price an external antena. I didn't order it right off becaue I am hopping I won't need one. But I have nothing else to do so I guess I will just look around. Take care.

Adam :B:
 
OK....I finally gave in and ordered one. Should be here in a week. I can't wait.

Thanks Ava_Grandpa for your hints. From one gramps to another, I'll probably be back with more questions. Thanks Adam for doing all the research and shopping for us.

I will wait to see how it works for me before getting an external antenna.
 
Well a late Happy Birthday to you and good luck with your new toy, Now get LOST ;D If you can... Just kidding... I sell that model and the Roadmate700 with the hard drive and touchscreen.. I can not keep them in stock. If I didn't have the Kenwood system already I would go for the RM700 for sure.. Have fun Glenn
 
Hi all, great post considering I am in the market for a GPS device! And after reading about the GPS caching, really makes me want one now!
I was also wondering about the RM700, more info would be great! Would this unit be as easy to take on a hike like the Meridian color?

I was on the Magellan site and noticed you could also get a software called MapSend Topo. Anyone have this software? If so what do you think of it? Does the RM700 have something like that already in its database or does it just do Roads?

Thanks for the help! Hope to get a portable GPS device soon so I can join in on the FUN!

Julez
 
Just ordered a Garmin GPS V from these folks, 320 bucks. http://gpsnow.com/gmv.htm

Now while the Garmin is grayscale screen and not as much memory as some of the others, I've used it before and like it very much. Very portable and easy to use.
 
The roadmate700 does not take Batteres. It can only be used in the car. But with the Hard drive and the touch screen it is by far the easyest portable to use.
Retail price is 1299.99. Not cheap but I do sell 10 of them for every other model I carry...
 
Like previously said, I LOVE THIS SITE! I've been finding out more about the Av and care maintenance stuff that I ever knew!

Now, I've been reading about GEO Caching since this weekend, spent all day yesterday researching GPS devices and Reading in the GEO Cache Forum. There are tons and tons of Caches everywhere! And my girlfriend has been reading the GEO cache stuff and now she wants to do it too!

Anyhow, now I'm trying to decide between the Magellan Meridian Color or the Garmin GPSMAP 60 CS.

Anyone out there have a Garmin GPSMAP 60C?

How are you guys liking your Meridian Color???

Hope to get one soon so I can join the GPS club now that I'm in the AV club!

Julez
 
Figure I should post a note here indicating a re-post to Reply #7, above, which I just now corrected an error :6:

The correct current firmware upgrade to the Magellan Meridian Color is 5.12. I had, in error :E:, stated 5.03 (which was actually the firmware mine had shipped with).
 
Just got the road mate 700 today. Works pretty good. They also make a 500 that sells for under $1000.00. Same unit except it doesn't have the hard drive built in it. You have to download what area you are driving in onto a memory card. The 700 has the entire usa loaded into it's hard drive so you don't have to download any maps. That's the only difference.
 

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The only bad thing is the crappy bracket they give you with the unit. It just slides into the vent. Otherwise the unit is great. Has voice directions, touchscreen and 2 million points of interest preprogramed in it.
 

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Well it has been a couple of days now that I have had my new Meridian Color GPS so I thought I would just give an update as to how it is going. And it is going GREAT! ;D I love this thing. Door to Door directions, Geocaching, POI info. Love it all. I am still getting used to some of the items on the software side. I have DirectRoute if I didn't mention that before. But otherwise I would give the Magellan Meridian Color and Mapsend DirectRoute two thumbs up. (y)

Take care all!

Adam :B:
 
I agree Adam. I got mine on Friday and although I am going through a learning curve, I love it.

The more I play with it the more I learn of its capabilities. I'm amazed at what it can do.

Thanks for the tips and doing the shopping for me. (y) I ordered the external antenna but it appears I don't need it. Time will tell.

AVid
 
Hi All,

This has really garnered my attention, for those of you with the Meridian color, are the driving directions voice guided or by some other method ? or does it really matter.

Thanks
 
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