pbarr86 Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I currently do NOT own a GPS but I think I have narrowed my purchase down to one of these (eTrex Vista or Meridian Platinum.) I guess I'm just looking for thoughts on the ease of use on these for a newbie. Also, I assume I won't be the newbie for too long. Which one would I be able to keep the longest before I'll want a bigger/better one. I guess what I'm asking, which has better memory, maps, etc. Thanks for the help, Paul Quote Link to comment
+creagerstonefamily Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 It's been discussed to death. Do a search for "meridian vista" and read some of the past posts. Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 16, 2002 Author Share Posted October 16, 2002 Cool, I'll try that. Like I said, I'm new to this. Paul Quote Link to comment
+TeamCNJC Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 This topic has been debated time and time again. The archives have exhausitive answers to your questions. Why did you choose the Platinum vs. the Vista? Is it because of the barometer and compass? Are these features that you're really going to use? Are you going to spend time calibrating the compass? A $5.00 Silva compass from Walmart can point north standing still. Any GPS can point north when you're moving, even a few steps. If you're dead set on the compass and barometer, I would look at the Garmin 76S instead of the Vista. Do an archive search on antennas to see the pros and cons of patch (Vista) vs. quad (Meridian, 76S) discussed as well. BTW, welcome to geocaching. Whatever you choose, you'll have fun. -Craig/TeamCNJC ... Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took off through the thorns, chest high, ... Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 16, 2002 Author Share Posted October 16, 2002 Why did I choose these two? Well.. price is a factor, memory is another (I like the idea of maps), the compass sounded like a good thing (not sure if I'm dead set on it), size is another factor (portability) I want to use it for geocaching but I also want to use it on my 4-wheeler (so it has to be waterproof/tough) I also don't want something that i'll want to replace in a couple of months because it doesn't do enough. I'll keep searching but any other info would be great. Thanks again, Paul Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Something that might not come out of the archives is a sweet price of $239 on the Platinum at Harmony Computers. Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 16, 2002 Author Share Posted October 16, 2002 I sure did see that, it's part of the reason that it made my final 2 I haven't been able to find it doing a search but can anyone tell me how they think they will hold up on an ATV? Paul Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I have read on the forums that someone else is using a Ram mount on an ATV. The Meridian should be able to hold up to the abuse, as long as you can keep it attached to the ATV. The Ram mounts seem much better than the ones Magellan sells. Check them out here. "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." Quote Link to comment
+Searching_ut Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 You didn't really say what your intended uses were, or where they would be. It makes a difference. For hiking, backpacking etc my personal opinion is that the eTrex's rule. Much better display, smaller, thus easier to carry much of the time, they record track data more precisely and often more accurately. You hear a lot about the supposed poor reception, but my experience leads me to believe the reception isn't as different as people would have you believe. You get a little worse reception in flat terrain with tall dense tree cover. They often do better than other receivers in steep terrain with tree cover. How you intend to carry the receiver makes a big difference as well. If it's in a pocket, or on the belt, the quad antenna receivers will generally get better reception. In the hand or on top of a pack strap, the eTrex's do great. While I don't have a Meridian, I have a Sportrak Map and a Legend. For hiking, geocaching etc I much prefer the Legend. For averaging a position for awhile, the sportrak does a better job. For what it's worth Jeff Quote Link to comment
+creagerstonefamily Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Harmony's down to $239??? Geeez! Ten bucks in 2.5 weeks is a heckuva good price drop! Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 Thanks for the replies and the email. Looks like I'm a day or 2 away from my decision. Have to say I'm leaning towards the Meridian Platinum for a couple of reasons: 1. Screen size, I'll be using it on my 4-wheeler and I think the bigger screen will be easier to see while riding. 2. Price (self-explanatory) Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 18, 2002 Author Share Posted October 18, 2002 Well, I went and did it. I just ordered my first GPS. I ended up going with the Meridian Platinum from shopharmony. Now I sit and wait, hopefully I'll have my first cache find by next weekend. WOOHOO, thanks for the help. Paul Quote Link to comment
blaze007 Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 Congrats pbar86. I ordered a Meridian Platinum from Shopharmopny this week as well. I am in the same boat as you anxiously awaiting its arrival. Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 18, 2002 Author Share Posted October 18, 2002 blaze007 (or anybody) do you know where shopharmony is? I just want to figure out how long it will take to get to me. I have my 1st cache picked out, it's right down the street from me. Should be a pretty easy one (famous last words) My biggest fear is I'll get the GPS and not be able to figure it out, then I'll feel like an idiot. Paul Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 Harmony is in NY...Brooklyn I believe. "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." Quote Link to comment
Cache Canucks Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 Oh *no*... you didn't order one of *those*, did you...??? Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 18, 2002 Author Share Posted October 18, 2002 ummm, thats not funny. Why did you say that, why did he say that? Let's not play "scare the new guy" What are you trying to say, it's not good for anything other than finding my kitchen from my living room? I heard I could play Pong on it, is this not true?!?!?!?!? Paul Quote Link to comment
Cache Canucks Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 ...with any luck, yours might be one of their good ones. Quote Link to comment
+ZachNLiam Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 When you get it just make sure you don't... ... .... LOL. I'm a Garmin guy, so I have to give you a hard time. It's part of the secret society. Whoops, I didn't say that.... Quote Link to comment
blaze007 Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 pbarr86...... Harmony Computers is located at the following address: 1801 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn, NY 11210 I am not too sure where Holliston, MA is but I would think it would take three to four days for delivery, but that is just an uneducated guess. Just as an update I just received my tracking number from UPS. Shouldn't be long now! Don't worry about the Meridian Platinum. If it sucks we can go jump off the same cliff together! Quote Link to comment
pbarr86 Posted October 18, 2002 Author Share Posted October 18, 2002 ZachNLiam - I really liked the Garmin, It was hard for me to decide between the Vista and Platinum. I think that it was the bigger screen on the Platinum that tipped the scale for me. I'm just kinda assuming that the bigger screen will be better on my 4-wheeler. Blaze007 - I checked the UPS website, if I assume my GPS ships on Monday from Brooklyn I should have it by Wednesday. That will give me a couple of days to mess with it around the house then I'll try my 1st cache on Sat. AND, about jumping off that cliff together if the Platinum sucks. We may have a hard time finding that cliff if it does indeed suck. Quote Link to comment
mtnsteve Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 I got my Meridian Platinum from Harmony a couple weeks ago, it took 9 days to get to CA, but that was UPS and not Harmony's delay...I have been very happy with my Platinum, it works beautifully....I love the large screen, it locks on fast and stays locked on even under the nastiest conditions (steep canyons and dense trees) and while I don't always have the electronic compass turned on (to save batt) it does come in handy when I am in difficult terrain and constantly checking my bearings, beside's, for the price I paid, it was still a way cheaper and a better deal then the competition, even the Meridian Gold. As I read some where in this forum....if you want to look for a cache, get a Garmin, if you want to find a cache get a Magellan...... Just kidding folks, most of my friends have Garmin's.........not that there's anything wrong with that....... ____________________________________________________________ It's not about the mistakes we make, it's about what we learn from them.... Quote Link to comment
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