Cachetrotters

Hi Jamie. Not directed at you specifically, but all the posters in general. I remembered that you have an early version, and in your case if you can fix it with other parts and brands cheaper than buying a new one, then that seems reasonable. But others here and other places have poo-poo'ed the Mag mounts, seemingly for reasons irrational. Good luck on your mod. don

everyone needs a different mount for the Meridian, or ST Pro for that matter. If you prepare your windshield and suction cups properly, and hang the factory mount and cradle properly, it is perfectly suitable. You clean your windshield with a non-residue agent like vinegar, and you rub a little oil from the side of your nose on the inside surface of the cups. You don't attach it so that the cradle and arm sit at right angles to the suction cups (that's why it vibrates so much! ), you keep the cradle in-line with the cups and arm and hang it straight down from the windshield, attached at about the same height as the rear view mirror. The normal motion of a vehicle is up and down, and this mount configuration reduces that effect to the point that I can read the screen while I'm bouncing around. I personally don't see the need to spend even more money on modifications or another mount when that same money will get me an SD card, software, pwr/data cable, or whatever. You can do it if you like, and for the challenge of it, but don't tell me you need to because the Magellan mount system sucks. Proper technique is all that is required. don

quote:Originally posted by Snowtrail:I'm a gadget head. I'm a girl. My husband hates geocaching. He thinks I'm crazy. He makes fun of my gadgets, and to even think that I want to upgrade anytime soon...well... And soon. Probably find a few takers around here, too...

I removed the batteries and inserted trimmed pieces of paper towel into the compartment. I submerged it into a water pitcher for 1 minute and then let it drain and wiped it off. Removing the cover I noted water around the battery compartment but not one drop wetted the towels. I am satisfied that the seal around the batteries and card on my Meridian is a good one. don I took pictures, but embarrassingly, I never learn how to upload to the forum. [This message was edited by Cachetrotters on January 10, 2003 at 06:48 PM.]

quote:Originally posted by SteveL:If a cache is placed with a GPS with an error (A), and it is then hunted with a GPS with an error (, the two errors will create a new error, which is the sum of the two errors ©. The two errors will never cancel each other, but will always guide the cacher into the least desirable terrain. SteveL Since errors A and B are probability errors, they will combine as the root sum square[RSS]: Sqrt [(A^2)+(B^2)]. Two 30ft errors would more likely yield a 42.4ft error, which is still significant, but better than 60ft.

The reader will allow you to load files and change names etc. on the card as if it were a "disk drive". After loading the map to the card with reader, then you install the card into the Magellan. Much faster. Most readers use a USB conx, so make sure you have one available.

Any of the Meridians will provide the minimum requirements for geocaching, or navigating anywhere for that matter. Plus they all have expandable mapping capability, and are rugged. The top-of-the-line Platinum has all the bells and whistles, but as mentioned in an earlier post, are not really needed. The SporTrack(ST) series start with a basic non-mapping model, with the ST Map and ST Pro adding features, mapping, and price as you go up. All of these posts mentioned models that will get the job done. Depends on which 'truck" you like--Dodge or Ford. don

It could take five minutes or more to get a REAL good fix. Stand back and drink something warm, or cool, depending on your location . But I don't think I would worry about twenty feet. GOTO five or six times and see what you get. don

My Magellans do the same, and there have been mentions of it here before. Steering becomes unreliable at close range, so I too use only the distance window, along with a compass when required. Can't explain why, but seems to be like that for many types of nav systems, not just GPS. I remember that inertial and dead reckoning systems also seemed to behave similarly when I was an Air Force puke.

A better method may be found in this document at the Yahoo meridian group: MeridianFAQ_0_02.PDF. Here is an excerpt: To turn off WAAS, with the Meridian turned off, hold down GOTO and NAV and tap the PWR button. In a couple of seconds you should see a box pop up with "00" inside of it. At this point, release GOTO and NAV. Use the direction pad to change the "00" to a "03" and then press ENTER. A few boxes should pop up. Press ENTER to turn a "YES" to a "NO" (all boxes will change simultaneously). You may need to use the three-finger salute (simultaneously GOTO, ESC, and ENTER) to get the unit to turn off. Then, when you turn it back on the WAAS satellites should not be visible in the satellite screen. Note that the boot screen will still say "WAAS." I had success with Meridian and ST Pro with this method, but could NOT get the other method(rocker pad left, right, etc.)to work at all. For what it is worth, with good seeing under static conditions, WAAS off produced a difference of only a few meters on my units.

V4.02 for Merigreen and V4.03 for STPro--neither one have, nor either upload had, such a mode. Certainly not in any instructions from Magellan. Would be interested in further info also. don

a whopping 22 megabytes! Thank goodness for cable modem...

Try that. [This message was edited by Cachetrotters on January 01, 2003 at 11:11 PM.]

even I find the images disconcerting. For me, it goes beyond freedom of speech, photographic artistic merit, or even just having fun. I don't want to block them, but I have nothing but contempt for those images and, unfortunately, a negative impression of those who post them. Juvenile comes to mind. Unimaginative. Certainly unprofessional--professionalism being about an attitude and state of mind, not whether you get paid to do something. So then I wonder about their attitude with regard to the rest of us. As for those good-looking toes: I like'em. don

Period!

the update is a file we can d/l and not a new CD we have to purchase again. don

of the blocks around where I live. All distance and position information from my computer room to the front yard where I set my tripod and to the street are correct to ten's of feet. On a small scale both Merigreen and ST Pro look ok after the upgrade with maps. I re-re-reloaded V 4.03 and 4.02 with maps deleted and card removed because of all the horror stories. Haven't had any horror stories of my own so far. don

I forget if the previous version has a menu option called MAP UTILITIES. Look for it in SETUP. If you have it, ENTER and then CHANGE MAP. Highlite SECONDMAP and select. Select DETAIL MAP OFF. Then SAVE. This turns off the detail map(of course!). Go back into MAP UTILITIES and choose DELETE FILE. Delete SECONDMAP.DAT and confirm YES. Looks like the previous versions did not have the map utility in the menu. You might consider upgrading to the new 4.03, but read the posts about other's experiences, and if you upgrade, follow directions to the letter. [This message was edited by Cachetrotters on January 01, 2003 at 09:11 AM.]

quote:Originally posted by Bersh: Looks like the next couple of days will be fun as I put them both through their paces. Scott When yer dun wit da test, keep'em both!!

All set to rumble and the cause has been removed. Glad this is resolved. Based on public opinion, perhaps LittleAlien is feeling a LittleAlienated.

It seems more likely that the word Alien was picked because of the area in which they live(area 51, etc.). I myself would have tried to spell it Little Alien first when signing up because it is the more correct, language-wise. Perhaps he never knew there was another name so similar. Lots of names here that use cache and Cache, which are derived from geocache.

$20 for the 4 incher. The cradle($10)looks like it is relieved in the back to accomodate the power/data cable and connector while attached to the Meridian. If you pull the Meridian, the cable comes with it. Can anyone confirm this?

Jamie, do you suppose you got an early model, or a quality control refugee? My unit did not need to be put together. Right out of the blister pack all I had to do was loosen the screws so the cradle would swivel when I wanted it to. The only thing I would like to see is larger cups. Hanging the mount straight down from higher up on the windshield instead of out from the bottom reduces the moment arm during normal driving(up and down motion). I do agree that the center cup should have been farther up the arm--producing a more triangular configuration. I bounce the Pro around plenty on these high desert back roads(if you can call them roads) and all is well so far

I use the window mount for my ST Pro. It is the exact same system except for the cradle itself. Power cable slips in, cradle latches the GPSR in, etc. etc. I do not bend it as pictured in the post above. Turn the cradle 180 and hang the mount straight down. Weight of GPSr more evenly distributed across the cups. Has never come off. Edit: Jamie Z, not sure what you meant by "not very stable...cheap design". don

Since our GPSr's are sooo slooow compared to the cell phone technology, perhaps we should be talking our way to the cache. On the other hand, maybe we are paying way too much for our receivers.