tubemonkey

I'm seriously thinking about getting one. I've yet to replace a defective ST Pro I had to return, so all I have right now is an eTrex Yellow. I picked up an ST Map combo w/ Topo for one of my sons and it has more than enough memory for his needs, but not for me. I definitely prefer the SporTraks over the Meridians in all areas, except one -- no SD. It's a shame that Magellan didn't see fit to include this feature in the SporTrak series.

You can't do both. The ST Color has 22mb of free memory and just the Topo for Oregon would take around 24mb to cover the entire state. I don't have DirectRoute, so I have no idea how much memory it needs; but, since it's more detailed than Topo, it'll be more for sure. I'm thinking about getting the ST Color (already have the ST Map & Topo). I doubt I'd ever use DirectRoute and would probably just use Topo. With the ST Color's 22mb limit, I'd be able to load the entire state of Washington or all of western Washington & western Oregon. Plenty for my needs. Too bad the SporTraks don't have an SD slot. I like their size and form factor much better than the Meridians.

Check this thread out.

Just a reminder, Costco will be having an after Thanksgiving sale on a rechargeable battery pack. It'll be a coupon item. Panasonic Rechargeable Battery Package $25 - $5 coupon = $20 Panasonic 90 Min Charger (w/ 4 battery slots) AC & Car Power Adapters 8 x AA NiMH Batteries - 2300 mAh Also, they currently sell: Panasonic - 6 x AA NiMH - 2300 mAh - $13

I didn't say that they didn't carry current production models; I said they weren't known for carrying the latest models. There is a difference between the two. After releasing a new model, what manufacturer is going to immediately delete the older model it'll be replacing before reducing as much of its' current inventory as is economically feasible? Both models will be listed as current products, and then one day the older model will be suddenly dropped.

Once Magellan releases it's next generation models (TFT color, USB port, SD slot), they're going to be hard pressed selling off many of their much older models; unless they do some serious price slashing. Their best strategy to get rid of their current inventory is to keep their mouths shut about newer models until the last minute. Seeing the ST Color in Costco for $200 is an indicator that something better is just around the corner; considering how expensive this model was until just recently. I bet the ST Color and Mer Color get officially dropped by Magellan sometime next year; along with a few other models. In fact, adding USB and SD to the eXplorist line will pretty much obsolete the entire SporTrak and Meridian series. Who'd want them, unless there was a substantial price difference?

Costco isn't known for carrying the latest models in consumer electronics. By the time a particular model hits Costco, it's nearing the end of its' consumer shelf life. I was surprised to see them carrying the eXplorist 200, since it's a brand new model; but then again, it's price at $130 isn't much of a savings. Generally, the older the model, the greater the savings. At $200, the ST Color is a great deal. It's even cheaper than the ST Pro. I suspect that Magellan is in the process of clearing out some of their older models to make room for newer ones in the eXplorist line early next year. They're already advertising the eXplorist 500. Here's part of a French ad from Le Baron's: Mêmes caractéristiques que l'Explorist 300, mais comporte aussi: • Affichage transflectif couleur haute résolution • Bloc d'alimentation ‘Lithium Ion’ rechargeable • Port USB pour télécharger rapidement • Fente de carte mémoire SD, pour une capacité illimitée • Accepte tous les produits ‘MapSend Data’ pour le téléchargement de détails cartographiques eXplorist 500 -- French Ad

Looks like Garmin's marketing ploy is working. If you want the extra waypoints, then step on up to a more expensive model. Of course we all know that Garmin could've included 1,000 waypoints in the new eTrex color series from the start, but deliberately kept it at 500 in order to entice you to buy the more expensive 60C series. Give it time. If you really want the Legend C, then get it. Eventually, Garmin will do a firmware upgrade and add the additional 500 waypoints.

Whining? You get the last dig. I'm done debating this with you.

Then ignore the thread. What's so difficult about that? Are there abuses? Of course. There are always folks who just don't care and will launch a new thread on a topic that already has a very active thread starring them in the face. That said, I've seen some responses to these repeat topics that link threads many months old. Certainly not on the first few pages, eh? Not everyone knows how to use the search feature, nor is it readily apparent to them that the option exists. As to being off topic, this point is very much on topic since it deals with a very large and active general topic forum where topics drop off the front page in a couple of days. Splitting the forum would keep topics on the front page longer and generally reduce the number of repeat threads; thereby reducing the irritation it causes some members on this board. I already said that several times; didn't I. In the same vain, folks who don't like repeat threads can also pass them by instead of jumping down the throat of a newbie; right? And I'm not hijacking the thread, since this is one of the consequences of having such a large general topic forum. I can see pros and cons on both sides of the issue. That said, I'm not pushing to see this forum split and I'll just continue to ignore threads I have no desire to get involved with.

You make some very good points; and I especially like the idea of pinning topics. For that matter, some of them should actually become new forums. Some threads get so long, they become a bit difficult to navigate through and the person who originally launched it will shut it down and start anew -- GSAK, being a case in point. Under Geocaching Related Topics, there are 5 forums listed. The GPS In Education Forum has a whopping total of 689 posts, the newest one from 3 days ago and the oldest from last March. GSAK alone could easily become a forum unto itself, considering the traffic it gets.

thanx

Valid point here. What I find amazing are those members who chastise someone (usually a newbie) for launching a new thread instead of looking at a previous thread that's no longer on the first page or even if it was, has a title too ambiguous to know what it's even about. Just like I pass over threads I'm not interested in, these old-timers should do the same when it comes to threads that ask the same questions over and over again. Why be so rude to a new member? Face it, new folks have no idea that the question was just asked two weeks before they joined and now resides on page four. How would they? As long as forums continue to cover such large topic areas, then repeated questions are one of the natural consequences.

Since I'm not advocating the split, I'm just playing devil's advocate. All that needs to be said is that a firmware upgrade is needed. If the user is having a problem upgrading the firmware or that there's a conflict with the software and firmware, then it's a hardware issue. The Software Forum should be dealing with the functionality of the program itself, and not how to get it to work in a particular piece of hardware. The forum should deal with how the software functions, its' pluses and minuses, how it compares with the competition, etc. Maybe we should have "project" forums where each forum deals with all issues (hardware, firmware, software) involving a particular series of GPS receivers -- SporTrak Forum, eTrex Forum, eTrex Color Forum, Meridian Forum, 60/76 Forum, eXplorist Forum, Palm OS Forum, etc Just kidding. But you do have a very valid point here. Like I said, I wouldn't have any problems separating the two (hardware & software). It's rather easy for me; but then, I wouldn't begin to presume how others would feel. I'm quite happy with the current setup and have no difficulty passing over threads that involve units and software I'm not interested in.

Easy, in the Software Forum. I'm not arguing that the forum be split, because I'm quite content to go with the flow. But splitting it isn't as difficult as it appears. Any issues dealing with how a particular software program works on any model of GPSr could easily be handled in a Software Forum. All issues dealing with GPSr features and firmware would be handled by the Hardware Forum.

Before criticizing everyone, get your facts straight. I did indeed order three (for myself and two sons). I'd hardly call that greedy. And early on, I posted Target's pricing policy and continued to do so throughout the entire thread indicating to folks that it was probably an error and that Target wasn't obligated to honor such errors. I even emailed them on three separate occasions to verify the validity of the ad. I changed the wording each time, because I wasn't sure they were interpreting my emails correctly. The first responses indicated that the ad was indeed valid. The final response indicated that the ad was an error and that they had canceled my order. I certainly hold no grudges, nor do I expect them to honor their error. Mistakes happen.

BTW, Costco stores also carry just the rechargeable batteries without the charger: Panasonic - 6 x AA NiMH - 2300 mAh - $13 Not sure how that compares with prices elsewhere for 2300 mAh's.

If You Live Near A Sportsman's Warehouse Store..., Legend's to be on sale...

I looked at one of the Legend Bonus Packs in Target today, and it's not listed in the package contents. It's listed further below as an option. BTW, this is the same Legend Bonus Pack that Target.com inadvertently advertised as the Legend C Bonus Pack. And it is over priced.

It's a shame Garmin failed to add an SD slot for unlimited memory. Then a laptop wouldn't be needed and one could carry detailed City Select maps for the entire country on user replaceable flash memory and auto-route anywhere they wanted by just inserting a new card. Lack of SD was a deal breaker for me. That's why I passed on the Vista C and 60CS. I don't want two units -- one for hiking and one for car navigation. I want one handheld unit that does it all. Come on Garmin ..... add the SD slot. It's not like it can't be done or that it's price prohibitive.

The next disappointment will be the eXplorist 500 -- TFT color, USB port, SD slot, compass, altimeter, barometer, Li-Ion battery. Watch Magellan shoot themselves in the foot by sealing the battery inside the unit ala Apple's iPod. Time will tell. Here's part of the French ad from Le Baron's: Mêmes caractéristiques que l'Explorist 300, mais comporte aussi: • Affichage transflectif couleur haute résolution • Bloc d'alimentation ‘Lithium Ion’ rechargeable • Port USB pour télécharger rapidement • Fente de carte mémoire SD, pour une capacité illimitée • Accepte tous les produits ‘MapSend Data’ pour le téléchargement de détails cartographiques eXplorist 500 -- French Ad

I'm waiting for some Christmas day disappointments. Among the 6 new Garmin Bonus Packs that Target just started carrying in time for the holiday season, are the Legend Bonus Pack (reg $180 - sale $169) and the Legend Car Pack (reg $120 - sale $99). Legend Bonus Pack = Legend GPSr, neoprene case, video Legend Car Pack = MetroGuide NA v6, car mount, car DC adapter Does anyone see the glaring omission in the above contents? That's right folks ..... no PC cable! And Target only sells these 6 Bonus Packs; no separate accessories. I feel sorry for the guy who gets both Bonus Packs as a Christmas gift and then realizes that he get even download maps until he gets a PC cable. How many days will that take? All day long he'll be looking at that Legend and the mapping software, and trying to devise some type of electronic osmosis. Maybe he'll even cast a spell or two wishing for that magical download. So if this happens to anyone who then ventures into this forum -- I feel for you dude; in fact, we all do. And to answer your question ahead of time; no, there's no way you can load your maps without that PC cable ... sorry. Way to go Target!

Costco Store Sale (Nov 26-28) -- Get your coupon sheet at the store before they run out. Quantities limited to stock on hand and only one item per coupon per member. Panasonic Rechargeable Battery Package $25 - $5 coupon = $20 Panasonic 90 Min Charger (w/ 4 battery slots) AC & Car Power Adapters 8 x AA NiMH Batteries - 2300 mAh SanDisk Flash Memory $13 Off Current Store Price CompactFlash 512mb CruzerMicro USB 512mb MemoryStick Pro 256mb SecureDigital 512mb Check coupon carefully. Not all memory is on sale and only the item numbers listed on the coupon are eligible for the sale price.

Costco.com Sale (Nov 22-29) Magellan Meridian Color GPS Traveler Value Pack $450 - $50 instant savings - $50 rebate = $350 Magellan Meridian Color GPSr MapSend DirectRoute CD-ROM 64 MB SD Card Vehicle Mount PC / Car Combo Cable Current Items at Costco Stores Magellan eXplorist 200 -- $130 Magellan SporTrak Color -- $200 Magellan RoadMate 700 -- $1,000 New Items at Costco.com Garmin Foretrex 201 -- $140 Garmin eTrex Legend C -- $290 Garmin eTrex Vista C -- $330 Garmin Quest -- $500

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- After a series of delays, a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying a Global Positioning System satellite for the Air Force roared into space early Saturday. After a three-week checkout period, the spacecraft is set to become the 30th operational unit in the GPS constellation. The system requires a minimum of 24 satellites to operate at full capacity. "It’s historic -- we’ve never had 30 birds operational at the same time," said Air Force Maj. Alan Edmiaston. The roughly $45 million Lockheed Martin-built satellite will replace an aging unit launched in 1991. The Air Force said that spacecraft is still functioning, but has exceeded its life expectancy. Air Force launches new GPS satellite