uglystick Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I am new and would like to purchase a GPS unit. Please school me on which is better, Garmin or Magellan. I am considering an eTrax Vista or Meridian Platinum. Quote Link to comment
vagabond Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Its like fords and chevys, which is best. Personally between the 2 you asked about I would go with the Plat. All who look are not lost Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Neither is better. They are just different. You can't go wrong with either. I own a Vista and its an excellent unit and I know people who own Meridians and like them. If compact size is important to you, the Vista is a great choice. I just slip mine into my pocket and take it nearly everywhere. I couldn't do that with a Meridian. "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day" - Dave Barry Quote Link to comment
+JamesJM Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I own a Vista so I guess that makes me biased. I don't know....I have no allegiance to any manufacturer. I debated, with myself, this same question. I had narrowed it down to the Plat and the Vista. My *MAIN* use of a GPS is backpacking...so the size and weight eventually won out....FOR ME! The issue I long debated was the memory expansion. The Plat has all you'll ever need...but does the Vista? Well, it depends. What I discovered was that the Vista, with much LESS memory, could still hold every single TOPO I would ever need.....so I bought the Vista. Should I ever decide to backpack around the world I'll get the Plat. Also, the resolution was better with the Vista and I have bad reading eyesight. The answer is as stated by others here....you can't go wrong either direction. If you're a techie then you'll need to analyse and analyse and compare and create an Excel Spreadsheet to figure out the best one. If you want to actually *USE* the GPS then you can't make a wrong decision. - JamesJM Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 quote:Originally posted by BrianSnat:I just slip mine into my pocket and take it nearly everywhere. I couldn't do that with a Meridian. Is that a Meridian in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? (you knew that was coming ) On the subject, I chose the Meridian because of the expandable memory. That was important to me, but I know others are happy with the built-in memory of other units. "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson Eamus Catuli AC145895 Quote Link to comment
+CrimsonWrath Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Oh and what happens when you are caught by geomuggles caching? Can you use your Meridian as a fake cell phone? Maybe a cell phone from the 20th century... Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Better? probably neither except that you might find one or the other has an edge for your circumstances. My vote for simplest to use is Garmin. Quote Link to comment
+Bull Moose Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Threads like this always remind me of the Kent Brockman line in the Simpsons: "Coming up in our next episode: Religion. Which is the one true faith?" Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 When I went with the eTrex line, I was hesitant because it didn't have a memory expansion capability. But I've downloaded topo maps for pretty much anyplace in the Northeast I frequent. All of NJ, about 1/4 of NY state including NYC and Long Island, parts of PA, Mass and Vt with room to spare, so memory hasn't been an issue for me "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day" - Dave Barry Quote Link to comment
+Bull Moose Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 quote:Originally posted by CrimsonWrath:Oh and what happens when you are caught by geomuggles caching? Can you use your Meridian as a fake cell phone? Maybe a cell phone from the 20th century... I don't feel the need to hide my Meridian when I get -caught-. If anyone presses the issue I'll say, "It's a freakin' GPS reciever, OK? Do I ask you what you have in your hands?" Quote Link to comment
+Houston Muggles Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 quote:Originally posted by CrimsonWrath:Oh and what happens when you are caught by geomuggles caching? Can you use your Meridian as a fake cell phone? Maybe a cell phone from the 20th century... LOL...I can't tell you how many times I have done that!!! Quote Link to comment
+The Irish Pirates Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I did some comparisons and the Magellan Sport trak map scores very high in all areas. It has not let me down yet. The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the data connection on the back is kind of strange. Other than that it's a winner!! Plus loaded with Mapsend streets you can't beat it!! Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 quote:Originally posted by CrimsonWrath:Oh and what happens when you are caught by geomuggles caching? Can you use your Meridian as a fake cell phone? Maybe a cell phone from the 20th century... My shirt is big enough it actually holds the MeriPlat quite well. Just the other day, I ran into a couple of geocachers and they didn't realize it was in my pocket till I pulled it out after asking... Geocachers? As for muggles, well when (and not if) I do get caught, I tell them the truth. I'm a nerd, and on a high tech scavenger hunt. They either lose immediate interest, or they express interest and want to learn more. Cheers! TL Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Bull Moose: quote:Originally posted by CrimsonWrath:Oh and what happens when you are caught by geomuggles caching? Can you use your Meridian as a fake cell phone? Maybe a cell phone from the 20th century... I don't feel the need to hide my Meridian when I get -caught-. If anyone presses the issue I'll say, "It's a freakin' GPS reciever, OK? Do I ask you what you have in your hands?" Best answer award! http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/ Quote Link to comment
+Team Shibby Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 Your best bet would be to go down to your local retailer and handle as many units as they carry and find one that you feel most comfortable using. It's not a matter of which one is better because they will both get you to the general area of the cache. Whats most important is to find the unit you feel most comfortable with and gets you the most for the money you are willing to spend. Once you have found a unit you like, you can come home and do a price comparison on the internet, cause thats where the most savings will be found. Kar Quote Link to comment
+suemac Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 I agree with Team Shibby. Try 'em out. I like the size of the Garmins, but didn't like the lefty-oriented design. My hands are too small to reach my thumb across the display easily. Bought a Sportrek Pro and love it. Quote Link to comment
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