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mix_

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Everything posted by mix_

  1. Not very good news for you: the only way to bring maps to your Meridian in connection with Mac, is, using Virtual PC. It's regardless, are those Mapsend Maps or self_made Maps. (In case of self_made you anyway must go through both VPC and Mapsend). An SD Card Reader is very usefull - it's cost's near nothing rgrds, Mix_ (Meridian + Mac since 2002)
  2. About speed of SD card: it's just a marketing move to tell enyone, that you need a super-puper hi speed SD card in your GPS. The amount of transfered Data pro sec isn't important in GPS case.
  3. You can use any SD card. Buying from magellan isn't a good idea - they are identical, but much more expensive. About size: you can easy (using your MapSend software) discover, how much memory space you need. IMHO, it's not necessary to buy something like 1Gb or 512 Mb or even more. If the Meridian/GPS is the only purpose for this SD card (no video/photo camera with this memory format) - 128 Mb or 256 Mb should be enough. For me - even a 64 Mb seems too much - i live outside good map coverage (in Latvia, Eastern Europe). Complete self - made detail map for my country weigths 4,2 Mb, WWB Map for all Baltic region - 2,5 Mb. If I go to Western Europe - as example, a Street level map of Spain takes 24 Mb... So - anything more than 64 Mb means overkill in my case rgrds, Mix_
  4. - You can use (or, be more realistic - misuse ) Magellans own software - Mobile Office (from Magellans public ftp), Mapsend + few helper utilites. Again: IMHO. it's no reason to waste your work, if you live in US and have a good MapSend Products avaible...
  5. Hi! It's not so easy with self-made Mapping. Most manufacturers use an encrypted Map-file format (to make more money, selling it's own maps). So, it's not a problem, using waypoints and tracks, create a printable, scaleable version of map-like product, but it's a huge amount of work must be done... And - none of Consumer GPS-Units will understand a Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw or similar file format. The only official way is to buy more expensive, professional - oriented GPS units (like Thales Mobile Mapper or Mobile Mapper CE (looks like a Meridian, but has ability to maake and edit Map data, or Leica and so on) Mobile Mapper costs from 1500 USD and more. I do'nt know exactly, but it's very likely, the similar products from other manufacturers aren't cheaper. From other side - I use a self-made map in my Meridian GPS. And it works And i know, it's possible to make a map for Garmin GPS too. But - it's not good from legal aspect. I just can't allow me to wait approx 1000 years, until Magellan (Thales) will make a street or topo level Map_product for my homecountry - Latvia . If you consider to make your own map - prepare for very hard work - raster-map redrawing takes huge amount of Time and work.. (if you own a ready Vector Map with Databaase and other GIS features, you can be happy). Anyway, Good Luck
  6. IMHO, If Altimeter/Barometer is important for you, get an Meridian Platinum - it's about 280 US$ on eBay. 16 Mb built-in, SD card, Barometer/Altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and so on. The functionally richest Magellan unit. (Color Screen - not really needed for a normal geocasher). No connection to PC (Explorist line) - it's a seroius lack of functionality
  7. So, about formatting SD Card: 1) It's no need for extra formating your SD card, until you wish completely erase all content - SD card should be ready for use in moment you buy it. 2) It's could be a problem to format SD Card with GPS Receiver - for example, my Meridian GPS shows, that the formating process is in progress and complete succesfully, but - all the files and directories on the card remain untouched - that means - the formating wasn't done at all . So if you want really format the SD Card, use your SD Card reader/writer, and a proper (for gps) file system. 3) about MapSend - the size of MapSend Regions isn't limited by the size of your SD Card (the programm even don't know, how big/small your card is, until it's no space on the card to save the image). Region Size is limited by the mapsend.ini file. If you open the mapsend.ini in Notepad, you can edit the maximal size of Region: /../ [DEVICE_DEFAULTS] Com_Port=-1 Baud_rate=-1 Memory_Size=8000 Conv_Maximum_Number_of_Regions=1 Conv_Memory_Size=32768 Write_Export_Log=0 Write_GPS_Log=0 Write_upload_Log=0 UploadDevice=1 MMC_NAME=basemap.mgn Export_Basemap=2 /../ Ensure to type a valid amount in the revelant stroke (Conv_Memory_Size=xyz) - just multiply the existing number of bytes by 2, 3, 4, 5 ( 32768, 65536, 98304, 131072 and so on) or whatever you want. I suggest you not to make a regions, bigger than 64 Mb (65536 bytes) - it's will be very looong loong processing time with big chances to freeze your computer. Better is to make a number of smaller regions and to switch between it via card utility menu on your gps. one more thing: if you don't have a USB Card Reader/writer and export the Map files via COM port, the 32 Mb (32768 bytes) is the absolute maximum - the com port is very, very slow... rgrds, Mikus
  8. It's reasonable for you to use an external antenna, if you use your GPS in City (poor satellite visibility) or, if your car has a heated windshield (the fine metalized mesh in the glass blocks the sattelite signals. Othervise, it's not reasonable to pay extra money, IMHO
  9. The only Possibility is - use MapSend WorldWideBasemap software. The detail level of WWB is far not so good as in MapSend Topo or Streets software, but - it's better, than no Map at all
  10. So, the only possibility @ today is - use World Wide Basemap. The Europe Streets & Destinations does'nt cover Territories outside old EU (the future versions of MapSend, I hope, will cover the new EU States too) I can send you screenshots of WWB Czhech Republic, if you want. rgrds, Mix_
  11. No native Mac Mapping Applications avaible yet. The only possibility is - run PC Applications via Virtual PC.
  12. Yes, it's a known issue with SD Card formatting... My Meridian Yellow can't format the card too. All works (from the Menu side), but the files on the SD Card are still on the Card after "format" is done... I format my card using PC (attention: M$ Win XP don't format FAT 16 - you must use older versions of MustDie). I think, the card I/O controler of Meridian Mainboard don't works properly. But I still love my Unit and don't worry much about this
  13. 1)The Difference is in Detail_Level of both Basemaps - the 16mb Basemap has much more detailed Map and extended Database. 2)"Are the 16MB and 2MB sizes just the amount of memory free for downloadable maps or what?" - no, the built-in usere avaible Memory is the same (500WPT/200 with Comments, 2000 Trackpoints, 20 Routes @ 20 Stages and so on). For Downloadable Maps and Extra User Information-Storage (as Sets of Waypoints, Track-Archive and Routes) Meridian Users use a SecureDigital Card (up to 512 Mb, but, usually, most users use 64Mb and 128 Mb SD Cards - it's cheaper, and far more than enougth . rgrds, Mix_ (Meridian User)
  14. robertlipe says:"..The only real compromise with these models is the limited base map. It's not obvious, but the 2MB basemap is _always_ used when you zoom out above the 1.6mile scale...". It's right, BUT, until you use WorldWideBasemap. In a 64Mb SD Card you can put all North America The WWB Map Files have .mgn file extension (All Detail Maps, Topo or Streets, have .img) and the unit handles with them as with a Basemap - in "Card utilities" Menu the WWB Maps switches in "Basemap" Menu, nor "Detail Map". The WWB Detail level is comparable with the built_in 16 MB Basemap of Gold and upper models, plus Topo Data is avaible.
  15. So.. I paid for my Meridian GPS (Yellow/Green), ca 300 USD(170 GBP + Shipping). Yes, of course in USA it's avaible @ some online stores 99$ +. 125 Buck... I live in Europa, and can just dream about such Price. (Unfortulatelly, if a online shop has a great price (150$ and less), the shipping outside US/Canada is unavaible ). About use: I'm happy with my unit (I use it with 64Mb SD Card), no probs with it after more then 1 Year of use. The expandable memory and good Antenae are worth the 125$ (And 300$, in my case). Some Things You must know about Meridian Basic Model: 1) It's not compatible with Mapsend BlueNav (If you planed to use this soft, go for Gold, Platinium or Color Models). 2) You must also keep in your Mind the Things with WPT_Saving - Possible Memory losses by battery_drain_shutdown Go for more info But it's not a Problem, if you know about it . Summary, it's a very good way to invest your 125 Bucks rgrds, Mix_
  16. From my experience, if You edit .ini 16384 x 4 = 65536 or 16384 x 8 = 131072 all were OK, BUT: when I tried to make (with Mapsend Streets Europe) Regions larger as ~57 - 58 Mb, the Mapsend conversion time tends to reach 8 ... So, the biggest region I have succesfully converted/uploaded, was ca 57.5 Mb(it takes few hours on my PC). When I tried to make a 62 or 64Mb region and left the Process running more than 15 hours, no result No probs with 2 <58 Mb Maps on my Meridian Yellow. And, actually, it's more tham enougth Mix_
  17. Yes, as say Rubberhead & others, you will need a NullModem. Second way (in this way I connected my Meridian to Palm m125): you just buy the serial hotsync cable and change the connector (from female to male costs some 0,5 USD±), and connect the pinouts as in NullModem. Worx good and costs merre pennies Third way (not proofed, but should work): buy the serial "Modem Cable", if avaible, for your PDA/Smartphone and serial cable for GPS and enjoy. Mix_
  18. HI! Yes, you can receive and use the EGNOS signal. By default this option is disabled in Garmin units (in Magellan it's enabled by default). Go to This SiteThis for more information about EGNOS and how to enable it in Your Unit. I use Magellan Meridian usually with WAAS/EGNOS enabled, but it's not so easy to say (a plenty of discussions in this Forum about it), how much this mode increase/decrease EPE/DOP in Europe (I live in Latvia, Eastern Europe). According russian GPS_related Forums, EGNOS "on" does not make more inaccurate readings until Volga river (when you go in direction West to East. In Sibiria and far East the EGNOS signals just increase position Error (I heard the same about WAAS in Australia and NewZealand. I think, in UK/WestEuropa EGNOS make the readings more presise, as without EGNOS. But EGNOS/WAAS calculations costs a bit more processing power=more battery drain. rgrds, Mix_
  19. Hi! There's no Map_to_GPS software, runing native on Mac Yes, you can upload/download waypoints/routes MacGPS_Pro GpsY, MagWay, GPSBabel and some others, but not the Map. The ability to upload a Map to GPS_Unit is a Monopoly/Propierty of Hadware resp. software developers (Garmin, Thales (Magellan) etc.), and none of them have a Mac verion. So, you must use VirtualPC, to run these Apps. It's impossible to create your own Maps and upload them to Unit wihout to use MapSource (Garmin) and MapSend (Magellan) software. OK, for Garmin you can create our own Maps (goto Russian_GPS_Forum , if you can read russian_languge, there's info and soft), BUT, finally, you must use MapSource to create a Garmin_friendly_Map_image_File. Warning: it's relatively hard to done, but it's the only possibility to have a street/topo_level_Maps for Regions, not covered by original software.., or if You wanna have a National Geographic or similar Map on your Unit I use Magellan_Meridian, and, AFAIK, @ this Moment no way to make own Maps from other raster/vector Maps and use them... But it'nt your Problem, if You live&geocash in US So, for Mac,VirtualPC is a must... and, before you buy a SD_Card Reader/Writer or USB/Serial Adapter check the compatibility with VPC (My PQI SD_Reader/Writer does'nt work with Virtual PC) rgrds, Mix
  20. EScout: OK, you've right, I don't need to format SD Card before using it, BUT: if "format card" left my card untouched, it means,that FORMATING isn't DONE/don't works Thanks, Mix
  21. Hi! My Meridian Yellow (softw. ver. 4.02, no software_related probs so far) does'nt formating SD Card: after I choose "format Card" the process runs, and so far all OK, BUT: ALL FILES ARE REMAINING UNTOUCHED, and I can use the same files again and again I tried several Times (with and without to previosly initialize my Unit, pre_test and pre_scan the SD Card), but th Result is the same... what's wrong? btw: file saving/loaing/deleting - no probs Some Suggestions? Thanks, Mix_
  22. Hi! So, I have Meridian Yellow/Gren, a 64 Mb SD Card & SD reader/writer + Mapsend WWB. All things works, and works good, no prob so far, BUT: 1)It's, possible, save a Route from Unit's Memory to SD Memory directly (like "save as"), without to create & save all "in Route" waypoints via "card utilities manually? OR: it's possible, create a Route directly on SD card? 2) Can I save a set of waypoints (like all USER db content) to SD card? Thanks, Mix_
  23. About Meridian Yellow/Greem basemap: I have European Basemap (ca2M), and. i think, it's not so bad (better than none ), BUT i live outside this Map's coverage (in Latvia), and can tell you - the caoastline is wrong up to 20 km (my friend has a Garmin, and his basemap is'nt better - the same thing), so, if you live outside the detalised area, you must purchase WorldWideBasemap - it's much better, but... i think, this product has too low Details for his price (only the Major Roads&rivers, not all Cities - you can find a settlement (ca 5000 settl.) in one area, but in nearby area a 10 000 settlement isn't displayed, wrong Hydronymes isn't rare and so on ). Positive is, that WWB has topo data implemented, and, of course, all World (except Antarctis) is ready for use. But, if you wanna use your GPS in EU or NA,you can ignore my praxis_based_scepticism against all kind (Garmin or Magellan, equal) Basemaps
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