Stunod

There was a thread on how to hack the Meridian on "the other site" (n@vic@che). Search for a thread called Info for Magellan Meridian users, How to change the "lawyer" screen in the Magellan GPS forum Also, check out the Yahoo Group "Magellian Meridian"...there are a few files you can download there, too (editing icons, for example). I have not tried these yet, if anyone has had success (or failure), please let us know about it. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..." [This message was edited by Stunod on October 01, 2002 at 12:07 PM.]

If you go with the Palm, I strongly suggest the GeoNiche software (http://www.nwlink.com/~raydar/GeoNiche/index.html). There is a free download, and the registration is only $25. The demo is fully functional, just a few "remember to register" pop ups. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..."

I wouldn't replace the case screws as you mentioned, since they are designed with an o-ring to give the unit it's water-tightness. If you somehow manage to break off a flush-driven screw in the hole for the data cable, I guess you'll either have to find a small bolt extractor (a left-hand drill bit works great for small screws), or send the unit in for repair. I'm sure that repair cost would be far cheaper than repairing the damage from a nasty drop or replacing a lost unit. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..." [This message was edited by Stunod on September 26, 2002 at 08:23 PM.]

I wouldn't replace the case screws as you mentioned, since they are designed with an o-ring to give the unit it's water-tightness. If you somehow manage to break off a flush-driven screw in the hole for the data cable, I guess you'll either have to find a small bolt extractor (a left-hand drill bit works great for small screws), or send the unit in for repair. I'm sure that repair cost would be far cheaper than repairing the damage from a nasty drop or replacing a lost unit. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..." [This message was edited by Stunod on September 26, 2002 at 08:23 PM.]

And this was his reply... "I'll add that feature to my list. Thanks. Jeremy" Sounds like we might see something... "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..."

The Meridian Gold/Platimun have a 16 MB basemap, but you MUST buy a secure digital card to store custom (detailed) mad from MapSend. I have a 32 MB card in mine and it holds the topo map for all of Illinois plus a bit of the surrounding states. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..."

I put a bit of electrical tape on the backside of the hanger, just in case. Not sure if there would be a problem or not, but nevers hurts to be carefull. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..."

I put a bit of electrical tape on the backside of the hanger, just in case. Not sure if there would be a problem or not, but nevers hurts to be carefull. "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..."

I followed the original suggestion, but I also bought a small picture/mirror hanger to give a "loop" that any strap can be attached to (it is the only non-stainless steel component). I strongly advise adding a lockwasher to avoid having the screw work loose when you least expect it. I attached a badge-holder that I picked up at a conference I attended as the strap. My parts: 1 - #4-40 x 3/8" stainless steel machine screw 2 - #4 stainless steel flat washers 1 - #4 stainless steel lock washer 1 - Picture/mirror hanger Here are a couple of pictures of mine. Hope this helps! "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..." [This message was edited by Stunod on September 25, 2002 at 05:16 PM.]

I followed the original suggestion, but I also bought a small picture/mirror hanger to give a "loop" that any strap can be attached to (it is the only non-stainless steel component). I strongly advise adding a lockwasher to avoid having the screw work loose when you least expect it. I attached a badge-holder that I picked up at a conference I attended as the strap. My parts: 1 - #4-40 x 3/8" stainless steel machine screw 2 - #4 stainless steel flat washers 1 - #4 stainless steel lock washer 1 - Picture/mirror hanger Here are a couple of pictures of mine. Hope this helps! "If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers..." [This message was edited by Stunod on September 25, 2002 at 05:16 PM.]

This sounds great...now anybody know how to do it for a Meridian? The other day I was so desperate for a beer, I snuck into the football stadium and ate the dirt under the bleachers.

I thought of this idea before, but I couldn't find a screw to fit the threaded hole. I tried asking Magellan technical support what size/thread the hole was, but they couldn't give me an answer!! I was tempted to stand in the hardware store and try every standard/metric screw to see what would fit. Glad you came to the rescue before I had to do that! The other day I was so desperate for a beer, I snuck into the football stadium and ate the dirt under the bleachers.

I thought of this idea before, but I couldn't find a screw to fit the threaded hole. I tried asking Magellan technical support what size/thread the hole was, but they couldn't give me an answer!! I was tempted to stand in the hardware store and try every standard/metric screw to see what would fit. Glad you came to the rescue before I had to do that! The other day I was so desperate for a beer, I snuck into the football stadium and ate the dirt under the bleachers.

I ordered a Platinum from Harmony a few weeks ago. They shipped it the next day and I had it in my hands in 3 days (NY to Chicago). Shipping was $8 (as listed on their website www.shopharmony.com) and they were the lowest price I could find on the web. They called my office to confirm the delivery address, since our address listed in the phone book is different from out receiving address. I even e-mailed them the day after I ordered it for a tracking number and got a response right away. I would have no problem ordering from them again and recommending them to anyone. And, yes, my Meridian turns black on the right side of the screen for a second during power-up. CreagerStone...why don't you send your buddy Margaret the link to this thread!! [This message was edited by Stunod on September 24, 2002 at 10:09 AM.]

My Meridian Platinum's maps are not perfect, either. There are a couple of highways that I drive and my GPS consistantly insists that I am 4-wheeling a parallel path a few hundred feet off. No big deal once you learn to accept it.

This is how I started out. I got the Palm m130 and then found a GPS unit for it at RandMcNally.com for about $200. I originally used the StreetFinder software to do driving directions. Later, while searching for golfing software (to calculate distances to greens using the GPS), I found out about Geocaching. After a couple of easy finds with the Palm/GPS, I bought a "real" unit (Meridian Platinum) because I was afraid of damaging the expensive Palm. The Meridian was only $50 more than the NAVMAN for the Palm! Now I use my Palm in the car for driving directions & also have the pocket queries loaded into it. But it goes into my pocket during the walk to the cache & I use the Meridian to lead the way. So I guess my opinion is to get a "real" GPS if your intentions are geocaching. The GPS should be waterproof and rugged enough to handle going anywhere with you. The Palm really won't survive in the wild. (Just a note...most of the Palm's use Secure Digital expansion memory cards -- the same type used in the Meridian series GPS) [This message was edited by Stunod on September 23, 2002 at 07:58 AM.] [This message was edited by Stunod on September 23, 2002 at 07:59 AM.]

Try using EasyGPS. Enter the waypoint created by the "lost" cacher and one for the actual cache. If you create a route out of these two points, EasyGPS will display a distance and bearing.

Try using EasyGPS. Enter the waypoint created by the "lost" cacher and one for the actual cache. If you create a route out of these two points, EasyGPS will display a distance and bearing.

I bought the Magellan case and it works fine. Nothing special, just a simple padded case with a belt loop. My unit keeps the lock on the sats just fine while tucked in the case. You can fit at least 4 spare AA batteries in the bottom of the pouch, but there is no special compartment for them. The link you gave looks nice...not much more $$ then the plain Magellan case. Would be curious to hear from someone who has one of those. My question would be, has anyone figured out a lanyard for the Meridian series yet? Short of the threaded hole for the cable connection, I dont see any way to attach a secure cord to this unit.

The cache pages already post the warning: "Warning. Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links." I personally don't read the logs before searching to avoid any of these spoilers.

I have the Topo software. I haven't used it on the Platimun yet (it hasn't arrived yet), but I loaded the software on my PC and it seems like the right choice for a geocacher. As the earlier poster said, some of the street names are not included, but I'm sure you could use it for driving navigation quite easily.

I was able to find a good deal on Magellan units at www.shopharmony.com I found them using www.mysimon.com, which is a great tool to find who is selling just about anything at the best price. Plus they list "buyers ratings" of the stores, so you can feel comfortable dealing with an unfamiliar company.

I just ordered a Platinum unit from www.shopharmony.com ($259). I'll let you know how I well it works for me when I get it in a few days.

I downloaded this program and it works great on my Palm m130 with the NAVMAN GPS. There is a shareware version with nag screens to purchase, and the software costs about $25 to register. Link is http://www.nwlink.com/~raydar/GeoNiche/index.html

I downloaded this program and it works great on my Palm m130 with the NAVMAN GPS. There is a shareware version with nag screens to purchase, and the software costs about $25 to register. Link is http://www.nwlink.com/~raydar/GeoNiche/index.html