New Explorist 600 Firmware

[freeday]

is like waiting for godot

 

If anyone knows a influential person in the magellan company, please tell me.

There is a big list of improvement suggestions and i would like to send a list (we created on a german forum) but it is like waiting ...

http://www.naviboard.de/index.php?showtopic=10036

[+Jhwk]

Dang!

 

Wish I could sprecht the Deutsch

[+D0T-C0M]

send me the list in english I can email the person I know if you would like.

 

darngtek@hotmail.com

[freeday]

English translation :

-----------------------------------------

 

The user of a German language Board on GPS-usage have created a list of features which are needed to make the eXplorist 600 to a real state of the art GPS-receiver.

We know that it is possible not each feature being implemented into the next release, but this is what user in Germany are missing.

 

 

*****Satellite-screen

- Get back to a 2D-diagramm like before at Meridians/SporTraks, this was more informative. 3D-display is very confusing.

- Color coding of sats: eg: grey=no connection, red=connecting, blue=connected. Don't forget that 10% of the male population have a red/green-amblyopia!

- Sort Sats by number at display of the sat-strength

 

*****Map-Screen

- better utilization of color

- forests,parks should be flood filled with green, not little trees.

- rubber band from position to target is nearly invisible

- allow optional 4 user definable data fields (not only 2 data fields, selectable 2 or 4)

 

*****Compass-screen

- allow 4 user definable data fields optionally (not only 2 data fields, selectable 2 or 4)

- Heading pointer (like Platinum)

 

*****Position-screen

- 2 additional user definable data fields

- where is the 2nd coordinate system (of the meridians/SporTraks) gone? The coordinate system calculator was a powerful tool (combind with projection)

 

****** One more navigation screen please!!

Data screen: selectable 4 or 8 user definable data fields. if 4 is selected , then use big letters (important for sailing!), perhaps put a band compass at lower end of screen

 

*****Additional features on every screen:

Battery status, compass on/off-symbol, Satellite-position 3D/2D-Symbol,accuracy (like Garmin)

 

Other features we are missing:-

- Waypoint projection by distance and direction (Geocacher's wish)

- Automatic light off (low) for 5, 15 seconds selectable

- If automatic light off is engaged, one has to press buttons two times to get reaction, first to switch on light, second to give command. this is odd

- Possibility to switch light off completely

- alternative Power on/off procedure (like Meridians/Sporttraks): It is faster and more safe against accidently switch on/off

- easier switching of compass or switch automaticly dependent on speed (below certain speed electronic compass is switched on)

- Memory function for last SD-Folder if system powered off and on (default is internal storage)

- Edit or at least a "Found"-button for the geocache-waypoints

- Auto routing not only for cars (car fast/middle/slow, bicycles, pedestrian)

- Zooming for 10 meters (not only 35m)

- better utilization of colour

- Better auto-detailed tracking if the turns are every 15-30 meters

- 10.000 waypoints instead of 2.000 waypoints when using a SD-card

- expand user definable data field content to air pressure, temperature

- Calibration of thermometer display

- Weather-screen should be selectable more easily through the menu (move it top-wards)

- A graphical display of the air-pressure (last 24 hours)

- Selectable scale (when to change from base map to detailed map)

- Routing with stopover-points

- Alarm is very quiet (loudness should be selectable)

- If auto routing, system should automatic create new route on deviant (for example 300 meters) (not by pressing GOTO twice times)

- Automatic selection of the right detail-map

- Routable base map

- Additional moon highest level (not only moonrise, moonset)

- If explorist is turned of – a charging symbol would be nice during charging

- Tracking line should be able to configure for better visibility

 

Nice to have:

Calendar

Alarm clock function

Stop-watch function

Tides-calculator

 

Problems:

- GPS hangs if USB is unplugged

- Screen update on map screen is terrible slow (in fact it is slower than on the older units). Topo 3D Germany is not usable: screen updates take 10-15s!!! If topographic information is kept off the data, then the update is normal 1s

- Visible symbols on detailed map of (restaurants, train stations, underground stations …) (you can select it in the properties but it is not visible)

- During autorouting, the big sign for the next turn is shown too short

- Address entering scheme it odd: normal habit is first entering the town, then entering the street

[+mikeatnight]

I received this reply today from Thales concerning some issues with my replacement unit

 

Dear Sir,

 

Thank you for contacting Thales Navigation Customer Support.

 

At the moment there is no firmware for the Explorist. Unfortunately we have no information about this firmware.

 

In order to reset your GPS unit, we recommend that you follow the instructions below:

 

*** WARNING : ALL data (waypoints, routes ...) will be deleted ***

 

- Switch the GPS unit off.

- Press the "Menu" and "Power" buttons simultaneously.

- The following message appears on the screen: "Clear all memory and shut off unit?"

- Select "Yes" and press "Enter".

 

Once GPS memory is cleared, start it again and set it up. Let it track satellites signals in an open space. This might last 30 minutes up to 2 hours.

 

After this manipulation unit should work fine. Otherwise you should return the unit back again.

 

Kind regards,

 

Thales Navigation Customer Support