01ROVER

they told me that any SD card made by Sandisk would work. I had a Meridian color and ended up going with a 256mb Sandisk that worked fine, but the customer service person said that any Secure Digital or MMC card by Sandisk would work, so they must use Sandisk as their reference.

Mine has a heated front windshield with wires running through the entire windshield and this causes mine to have issues without the external antenna. It can get a signal through the windshield, but it can't hold it as well as when the external is attached.

On my 176c, I get 3D Differential all the time in the Philly and surrounding areas, but not a WAAS signal. My satellite screen shows a W on one or two of the satellites so I assumed that represented the WAAS signal. I could be completely wrong, but that's just what I've noticed. The only time I recall receiving WAAS signals is while traveling north up I-95 which would account for the open view. Oh, and I do have WAAS enabled on the GPS, but even when the signal indicates 3D Differentiated, it doesn't say it's receiving a WAAS signal. I don't have it with me now or I would try to capture a shot of the screen.

Would be that the gps would continue to hold a signal even while in your pocket with the external antenna.

I have the above samsung phone that has a locate feature but I don't have a screen like the one on the Motorola phone above. Anyone know how I can get my sprint PCS Samsung N-400 to show me the gps information? Thanks, Greg

Now, just grab yourself one of those small laptop portable printers from HP and you are really set. Imagine being able to print out a topo map of an area before you head off with the handheld gps for hiking. Also, think of all the other things that may arise that you can print on the go. When staying overnight at a hotel room, you can print internet pages if you log in. Anyway, glad you found a setup that works for you. You are definately right, once you load a bunch of map data into a gps it usually seems to slow down. Good luck and enjoy, Greg

Any SD chip should work, but Sandisk will definately work. I would look around for the cheapest price you can find. Check prices at www.buy.com

Hey Dusty, why not just use static guard on your laundry...... hehehehe Kidding of course.

I got this link from somewhere else on this forum. Try here: http://pc-mobile.net/home2.htm

I briefly tried a Meridian Color and used it with Mapsend Topo and a 256mb Sandisk card. It worked just fine, but the software would not let you download a full 256mb file. You have to download in smaller parts to fill the card. Greg

here is a shorter version: http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/4216.6.11955210592189143477/usb4adapter.html

http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/4216.3.13091496386989143477/usb6adapter.html Is this what you are after? Greg

I tried replying to your email but it kept coming back. Here is what I sent: "Njrich, The 176 will use regular map software from Mapsource. I have Mapsource metroguide on a 128mb chip on mine right now. It can let you input a route on the computer and down load it to the unit to use for turn/turn routing. It won't make changes or do auto routing, but if you know where you are going before hand, you can plot out the drive and get turn-by-turn directions along the way. This is with Metroguide. With regards to Mapsource Topo, I don't have it yet, but will get a copy. If you are not using the unit for hiking, or other activities where you want to see elevation changes, you may not need it. The unit itself can give you your elevation in feet so you can see that, but if you are going off roading or hiking with the unit, you can use Topo for elevation changes. The 176 can run 12 hours on 4 AA batteries if you are conserving the light usage. I love it, but if you want auto routing on the go, it's not going to do it. Hope that helps. Greg"

I took some pictures of the Garmin 176c on a RAM mount that I ended up going with. Put them up for a few days if you are interested: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/gparrish/GPS%20INSTALL/

these links for mounts if you do go laptop: http://laptraveler.com/index.htm http://www.ram-mount.com/

Glad you posted that. I wasn't aware of the problems with running a laptop on an inverter. I think a laptop would be a nice feature in a car. Maybe even a small computer with one of the TFT screens, if that would work well. Anyway, RAM makes some awesome looking laptop mounts that could hold the laptop, and with a laptop you would have other functions available too, but I guess my reluctance to use the laptop would be the wait for it to boot up, to load software, etc. Seems like there is more prep time involved than just pushing a power button. With my GPS use, the laptop would have to be extremely secured too. I use my gps when offroading and while I've seen some of my fellow club members use a laptop, it just isn't for me. I do have a buddy with the Streetpilot 3 who swears by it. Uses it for trips and offroading. On the other hand, I've got a friend that uses the Garmin GPS V and he swears by it too. Go figure. I like the feature of autorouting, but didn't like either unit. SP3 is too large for me, and GPSV is too small and no color. I settled on the 176c but had to give up autorouting on the go. I can still route in the computer on metroguide and download the route though for driving prompts. Let us know which direction you go njrich and how it works out for you. I'll try to gets some pictures of my new 176c install on its RAM bracket to share. I don't have the hard wire run for power yet, nor the antenna put outside, but it may give you an idea on the RAM brackets that would have a product for holding a laptop. Greg

I appreciate your quickness to zap me with negative feed back about my item rather than just working with me to resolve your issue. My add was right on: "Brand new Topo software. I purchased and received this 4 days ago and am selling the GPS that goes with it. Original box, disc and paperwork. Will ship item upon receipt of acceptable payment" The software was brand new, and it was in original box with all paperwork that came with it. I'm an individual and not a Magellan reseller. If you were after the rebate yourself you should have just asked about the UPC as I was selling an item that I purchased, therefore it wouldn't have a reseller receipt for you to send to Magellan anyway. Thanks and I am sorry for your displeasure with the product. Greg

... [This message was edited by 01ROVER on March 01, 2003 at 02:00 PM.]

When you go look for an inverter, keep in mind what other things you will want to run from it. Inverters come in different sizes based on "watts" usually and will be like 250, 500, 750, 1000 or 1500 watts. The package usually says the types of things you can run from it. A laptop will probably run on 250 watts, but other things may not. For instance, a blender will need a 500 watt model. Just a thought as you mentioned using it for other items. Also, some of the delorme streets software can be purchased with their USB style laptop antenna that plugs right into your laptop. I think I've seen this setup for around $149.00 but I could be wrong. Anyway, it may be a good thing to look at as you will have to buy the software anyway I'm guessing. Then, you could put the antenna outside the vehicle for better reception. Just another thought. Good luck whichever way you go. I had to go through 4 setups to find out I just wanted to keep what I originally had and thought I didn't like. Go figure.......

By the time you figure in ebay fees, pay pal fees and my shipping cost to get the stuff first, I probably lost a few bucks, but I sold the items pretty much for my cost just to reinvest the money in another GPS. I was not out to make a profit, just reinvest in something different. Thanks, Dusty, Greg

I just got a copy of Delorme TOPO USA today and it indicates it can do real time routing through a laptop and with the delorme laptop anteanna. I imagine if you check around, it would work with the GPS you have also. I'll see what I can find on it as well. Delorme makes a streets type software as well as the TOPO. Just another software alternative. Greg

Thank you very much for looking and/or buying. Greg

Titan III Antenna The Titan III is an amplified, waterproof antenna that helps improve reception in tough conditions. Comes with BNC, SMB and MCX adapters. Features 28 dB active gain 2.5 to 5.5v DC input voltage Lightweight and easily mounted (magnetic or permanent with plate) Low profile, waterproof housing

Use the Meridian Yellow attached to the laptop and just buy software? Don't know for sure this would work, but couldn't it? Just buy and auto routing software and use it with the Yellow on a serial cable.,..... Anyone tried it? Then you still have the yellow for hiking or portable use. You could even get a ram laptop mount for your car, and run on a 12v laptop cable or small 250watt power inverter. Just a thought. Greg

I appreciate your comments. If I am doing something wrong by trying to sell these items, please let me know. I am an individual, not a business and assumed it was okay to list these items here. I am extremely grateful for anyone that has checked out the for sale items. I have been very indecisive about which GPS I want and have bought and tried a few. This forum, as well as ebay, has allowed me to do this and to sell them without taking a huge loss. I have decided to return to a slightly larger screen with the Garmin 176c. I started with this GPS and wanted to try a few others. I should have stuck with it to begin with, but I am going back to it as it is easier for me to read while driving. As an update, there are 4 of the magellan items left on my ebay auctions. The streets software, the swivel mount, the carry case and the USB reader/writer. I have dropped the price on the reader/writer and case to be more competitive. If you need a case, it is a good price I think. As well on the reader/writer. Thanks again, Greg