GeoFamof4

Magellan Meridian Platinum and very happy with it.

I have a Meridian Platinum. I brought the topic up because I changed the firmware to 5.40 and noticed far more fluctuation in the EPE readings. I re-installed and tried a controlled test using different situations such as standing still in the open, driving, walking near buildings and walking under tree cover. I then switched back to version 5.35 and tried the same thing. My EPE was more stable and lower with the older firmware version. I was just looking to see if both my readings with the old and new firmware were "normal". THanks.

I brought the topic up because I changed the firmware to 5.40 and noticed far more fluctuation in the EPE readings, as well as higher EPE with the newer firmware. I re-installed and tried a controlled test using different situations such as standing still in the open, driving, walking near buildings and walking under tree cover. I then switched back to version 5.35 and tried the same thing. My EPE was more stable and lower with the older firmware version. I think I'm going to stay with the 5.35 unless somebody can tell me a good reason to upgrade to 5.40. I was just looking to see if both my readings with the old and new firmware were "normal". Does anyone know exactly what 5.40 does differently? Has anyone else noticed a decrease in performance with 5.40 over previous versions?

I was just curious what others were getting for their EPE readings. I am using a Magellan Meridian Platinum. I've searched the topics and have found what the "bests" were, but what do you normally average? The best I've recieved has been 10'. Normally I range from 26'-53'. Usually in the car while driving I'll get between 30' and 46'. Under heavy tree cover I get between 42' -76'. What do you get best case? While driving? Under heavy trees? I just want to compare and see if I'm in the "acceptable" range of accuracy. Thanks.

Cheshire Frog, What exactly do you mean by "forcing a cold start"? I'm not sure what that means. I followed the firmware installation instructions to the letter and used the proper firmware for my model. I cleared all memory before and after the upgrade. I am assuming that I simply started using the GPS prior to it receiving a full almanac download, allthough I don't know why that would screw with the compass. If that is considered a cold start, then yes that may have had something to do with it. At least it seems to be working fine now.

I cleared all memory and left the Meriplat on in the car all night to ensure it got a good almanac download and EPE is at 10 ft.

Thanks Team Cotati. I checked out your link and double checke which one I downloaded and installed and it was the right one. Here is the link and download I used: Meriplat 5.40

Ahhh!! Where did you see that Magellan stresses that 5.40 was intended for the Gold? I didn't see that on their website yesterday. I still have my 5.35 firmware. Do you think I should re-install the 5.35?

I upgraded to firmware 5.40 today and went caching. I noticed that my EPE was a lot worse since the "upgrade". It was reading from 46 ft to 175 ft EPE. Normally I range from 13-30 ft. Has anybody noticed this problem, or do you think it was just a coincidence? Also, I had to re-calibrate my compass 3 times before it would work right.

Cornix, Thanks for the reply. Is it safe to assume that Streets Europe has much more detail than Worldwide Basemap for Germany?

Thanks for the info JD. I'm usually a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of guy, but like you said, it's probably the final firmware upgrade anyway and you haven't had any issues. Good to hear that its been stable. Do you know which software is calling for 5.3 or higher? I'm using Topo 3D USA and World Wide Basemap in mine without any problems. I'm looking to get Mapsend Streets Europe this week as well. I know direct route Europe would be better but Streets is much cheaper [around $25 on Ebay] and I'm not in Europe all that often anyway. I just want to get a little better street detail for Germany that I get with WW Basemap. By the way, do you have any experience with Streets Europe? If so, how does it compare with the more modern direct route Europe? I've done a couple firmware upgrades already without any issues, just wasn't sure what was covered in this one. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks again for your vote of encouragement.

Can anyone tell me what specific upgrades there are in the Firmware version 5.40 for the Meridian Platinum? After looking under "obsolete" units on Magellan's website, I noticed that there is a newer Firmware than what I'm using. My current firmware is version 5.12. Has anyone been using 5.40? Were there any problems associated with the firmware upgrade? Should I bother to upgrade? Thanks.

I bought and use the case that JetSkier found. Works pretty well and fits nicely.

I'm not sure about Direct Route, but Magellan has come up with a newer TOPO software. It is called TOPO USA 3D. You do have to purchase it. It does not upgrade existing 4.20 version, however on their website, they do discount the price if you are a registered Topo USA 4.20 owner.

If you are concerned about blocking your view through the windshield, RAM also makes many other types of adapters. I have my meriplat on a RAM mount C-clamp type thing that attaches to my gear selector lever on the floor between my front seats. Sorry, no picture, but basically it puts the GPS at the same level as my radio. Of course, this wouldn't work if I had a manual transmission, but with the C-Clamp, you could secure it to an ashtray, or edge of a cup holder, ect.

Another question..... Did you already use your Topo 3D with a different GPS?

I believe the Meriplat does that. I don't use that feature too often but soon after I purchased it I was in an area under a tornado warning. With nothing else to do but watch the storm out the windows, I turned on my Meriplat to watch the pressure drop. If I remember correctly, it dropped to around 26 in a pretty short time. It does show the current trend too, such as rising or falling.

I use my Meridian Platinum on my bike with a RAM mount. I like the RAM mounts because you can position the GPS however you want it. Both the GPS and mount have worked very well under tree cover and have survived a couple of minor crashes without damage.

Marcie/Eric, Try the preview off the Magellan website first. It is inter-active so you can zoom in on any area in the US and check it out down to .2 of a mile. You can see first-hand if your dirt roads/trails are there or not and if it is worth it. You can also take a look at the 3D feature. The preview on the website works pretty well and would only take a few minutes of time. I know for me, many dirt roads are still on Topo 3D. I believe Marky is also in California and was less than pleased with the missing details. If it's missing too much, skip it. I would recommend you see for yourself before you decide though.

I have been using Topo 3D for about 2 months now and I'm very happy with it. Overall, I think the Topo 3D is a vast improvement over the original Topo US. The improved Topo detail is far better than Topo 4.20 and the streets have been updated and are pretty accurate (at least in my area). I would prefer contour intervals of 10 or 20 meters, but 30 is definately much better than 90 meters. Topo 3D also includes more POI information, like restaurants, gas stations, hotels, ect. It basically combines the better Topo detail with improved POI from DirectRoute like Peter said. I have not seen any missing detail from 4.20 to 3D such as trails, but there aren't many trails in my area. At first I thought the 3D veiw mode would't be of much use but I was wrong. This feature allows you to plan a route and actually view your plan on a 3D map which can be pretty useful. I use my GPS and Topo software for work (military) and the 3D view is pretty useful. I suppose it could even help with planning a cache hunt, allthough I have not tried it yet. Most of my caching is in Illinois which is pretty flat anyway. By the way, you can preview your area on the Magellan website to see how 3D will look. I opened Topo 4.2 on my computer and then went to Magellan's preview link to do a side by side comparison for my areas. For me, this upgrade was worth the price.

Agree with dirtnapper. When I encounter the problem (twice so far), I clear all memory and then let it sit outside under a clear sky for a good 30 minutes. Once I'm patient enough to do this, the problem goes away.

According to the Yahoo user group, I found the following post... "The difference from version 5.35 to version 5.40 allows users to use MapSend Lakes software for the Meridian." Looks like it may not be worth downloading at this point, unless you have a specific need.

I agree about going with the RAM mount. I have a RAM mount for my MeriPlat on my mountain bike and it works very well. No vibration and it's very stable/durable. I know they make them for Garmin's too.

Point taken Marky. I was primarily talking about how it looks on the PC. I can see the contour lines on my Meridian though too, but it isn't as useful on the GPS as it is on the PC. I haven't had any issues with trails, but there weren't any trails on my old Topo program around my area anyway. Whatever was on my old Topo is on the 3D and then some. At least with the SD card, we can have 2 detailed maps of the same area using the two different programs, and switch back and forth if needed. So far though for me, 3D is all I need. Before doing any traveling to another state, I will compare the regions on the PC and then load two versions of the same region on the card if needed.

I believe that I read somewhere on this forum that older Meridians can get the detail maps from Topo 3D loaded. I'm sure somebody else on here can confirm or deny that fact. I agree with Marky that if you have the old Topo USA 4.2, you probably don't need the 3D. I disagree about the topographical improvement however. My opinion on the program is that the road/street information is improved/updated and the only real topographical improvement I've noticed is that the elevation contour interval lines are now every 30 meters instead of every 90 meters on the old Topo. 10 or 20 meter lines would be better, but 30 is definately more detail than 90. The 3D viewing feature is pretty cool too and can be useful for planning a route through hilly/mountainous terrain. If you determine that you are able to use Topo 3D with your yellow, you can go to the Magellan website and actually preview the map before you purchase. Thay may help you decide if it's worth it. For me, the 3D was worth the price of the upgrade. I also agre with Marky that the requirement for the CD to be in the drive to run the program is annoying. If anybody out there has come up with a fix for this, please post it!!