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Life Journey

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    Pricing opinion needed

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I've been looking to buy a GPSr - can't decide whether to go cheap ($100) - or a bit more (about $200) to get mapping capability and maps.

     

    Since I'm just getting into this, I don't really know the history of pricing on these things (other than that they used to be really expensive!)

     

    There are rebates right now on some of the Magellan products - this is my more expensive alternative. But, historically, are GPSr's sort of like computers and other electronic equipment, in that the pricing for new stuff coming out is stable, but there are just more features? Or is it that with time, the same type features become more expensive?

     

    I'm not sure if I am asking this in a way someone can understand. But I guess I'm trying to figure out, if I just go cheap right now, and really, really get into this and want to upgrade later am I going to regret passing up the rebates?

     

    I figure if I spend about $100 now, and 6 months or a year from now decide to upgrade, I can always sell the original unit or give it to my nieces or nephew (or keep it as backup) - but I won't have the $50-75 rebate I could get now. But then again, for the say $200 I'd be spending now, in a year I could maybe get a much better unit.

     

    Is this making any sense, or am I thinking about this too much? My whole problem is that I really shouldn't spend $200 right now, but in maybe a year, if I'm really into this, things might be going well enough to do it.

     

    Anyway - any thoughts?

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Cheap MS Streets & Trips 2003

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Ok, may be a dumb question but...the amazon page says it integrates with GPS receivers - does this mean all of them? I am new to this, but I though Magellan used MapSend and Garmin used MapSource - how is this different? This price is much better than either of those products and may change my mind on which to buy.

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    May be a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    If you have a unit that cannnot connect to a PC (like the etrex basic) or don't have a cable - how do you enter the coordinates for the waypoints? I don't see a keyboard, so do you up/down arrow over a number select list or what?

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Magellan MapSend question - which turned into a broader question!

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Can anyone explain to me the difference between the following products? (the prices I quote seem to be the street prices I can find)

     

    MapSend Streets USA ($30)

    MapSend Streets and Destinations USA ($80)

    MapSend Topo with streets USA ($80)

     

    Here is my dilema...

     

    I found the following deals:

     

    Meridian Yellow with cable and the MapSend Streets CD for $109 after the $50 rebate (but GPSr unit and a Mapsend CD).

     

    Meridian Yellow with cable, a 16MB SD card, and the MapSend Streets and Destinations OR Topo for $179 after the $50 rebate.

     

    I also found the Topo Cd for 42.15 and Streets and Destinations for $46.91 after the $25 rebate (a different rebate for just the softward) on Amazon. I can locally buy a 32MB SD card for less than $25.

     

    So...if I go the two separate rebates route I can get:

    Meridian yellow with cable, 32MB card, MapSend Streets basic AND (Topo or Streets & Destinations) for about $175.

     

    Would this be good? Is 32MB enough? Is there something else I should look at? Will I be able to read the maps on the screen? (I am not all that young anymore and use reading glasses!). I am beginning to think I should just get the basic etrex and be done with it!!!!

     

    HELP!!!!

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Any insight on the new Gekos?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    The Geko 201 is one I am considering - but a review on Amazon has me concerned, so maybe someone with a unit already could allay my fears. The review said the power button is situated such that it could easily turn on the unit if you 'threw it in a backpack'. I have a 'walkman' radio that eats batteries because of that same problem - not that I 'throw' it in a backpack, but the power button sometimes gets pushed just jostling the pack. So...does the 201 have this problem?

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Question on SD cards

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    My camera uses the smartmedia card, so I guess I can't use them with the Meridian. It seems like a 32MB SD card is about $25.

     

    I found the Meridian Yellow with the basic 'U.S. streets' mapsend CD (not the streets and destinations one) for $109 (after rebate), so if I got the 32MB card, it would be about $135.

     

    I guess that still seems pretty good - although now I may think about the etrex legend for $139, but then I'd still need to buy a maps CD.

     

    This is very confusing!!!

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Question on SD cards

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    I got great responses to get me started looking at what unit to buy - and right now I'm leaning towards the Magellan Meridian due to the map capability and the rebates. However, I have a question on the SD expansion cards.

     

    Are these the same type of cards you use in a digital camera? I have a couple of 32MB cards I used to use in my camera - can I use these in the GPS unit?

     

    Thanks for all the help everyonoe.

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

    Newbie wants help on what unit to purchase

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    Hi - I've been lurking here for awhile, and have finally decided to take the plunge. Now I need to buy a unit. I don't want to spend a lot right now, until I'm sure I'm really hooked and NEED more functions.

     

    This is what I've narrowed things down to:

     

    Garmin etrex - I can get this for $99 from Amazon, but I suspect it may be being discontinued, since I also see the Geko 101 and 201 for $89 and $119 respectively.

     

    Magellan Meridian 'Yellow' - I found this at www.gpsonsale.com for $119 after a $50 rebate, and it includes the MapSend Streets USA CD-ROM.

     

    OK, here are my questions:

    The Magellan seems a good deal, in fact almost too good a deal (something which seems too good probably is). It seems the main advantage of this unit is the map capability, which I think I could live without, but has a certain 'cool' appeal (I hope I am not showing my age here!)

     

    The etrex's simplicity appeals to me. I have a tendency to overbuy things, with a lot of functions I never use, because I really don't have time to study a manual.

     

    I'd love to hear some pros and cons on these two units, and any opinion of the 'gpsonsale' site. I'm really looking forward into getting into this, I was surprised to see caches near me, since here in Lousisiana, we are usually last to get into anything!

     

    "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"

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