Magellin Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Forgive me if this has been posted prior. Im looking into getting a new GPS and upon looking at the comparisin charts at Magellangps.com i see that the units look to be identical , (Except for price) . Is there something I am missing here? I would like to know from users of both of these units if possible. I do live on an island so the marine would be fine if there is no differance on the two. magellin Quote Link to comment
SergZak Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Unless I'm missing something here, there is no such unit called the "M" Platinum. There are Marine, Gold and Platinum models. The difference between the Marine and the Gold models are the basemap...Marine's basemap contains Navaids in addition to all other POI's and data. The Platinum on the other hand is the same as the Gold model (same basemap) but also contains a built-in electronic compass and barometer/altimeter. Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 13, 2002 Author Share Posted June 13, 2002 Sorry Serg, the "M" is for Meridian. ANd why would the units be the same but the Marine version be less $$ and have more detail in the costal and nav aids? Quote Link to comment
SergZak Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 price for the Meridian Marine is $359.99. http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=91 price for the Meridian Gold is $329.99. http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=90 You pay $30 more the the additional Navaid data in the Marine unit. Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 13, 2002 Author Share Posted June 13, 2002 I know the $ diff on the various Platnium series, My Q is what is the functional differance between the Platnium and the Marine? I see that the Marine has Horizontal Accuracy (meters)of <3 and the platnium has <7 and, Is the main diff between the two and the Gold the 3x compass? Please dont get mad for me asking so many "dumb" questions as I dont want to buy one and then wish for the other (grass is always greener on the other side right?) Quote Link to comment
SergZak Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Magellin:My Q is what is the functional differance between the Platnium and the Marine? I see that the Marine has Horizontal Accuracy (meters)of <3 and the platnium has <7 and, Is the main diff between the two and the Gold the 3x compass? Marine: Basemap includes Navaids, no electronic compass/barometer Platinum: Basemap has no Navaids, includes electronic compass/barometer Accuracy should be approx the same on both units. The specs given are not "this is exactly what this unit will do"...GPS accuracy is always changing due to the # of visible satellites and their position in the sky at any given time. All current GPS units are generally accurate enough for civilian use. Or do your own comparison...go to http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/comparepick.asp In the first drop-down selection box, choose "hand held". In the second box, select "Meridian Marine", in the third box, select "Meridian Platinum" and click on the "go" button. Search and ye shall find... [This message was edited by SergZak on June 13, 2002 at 07:36 PM.] Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 13, 2002 Author Share Posted June 13, 2002 Thank you for your help Quote Link to comment
GlfWrVt Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I have a Platinum and I love it. had it for about a week now, done a couple of caches and its been right on the money. The compass is great for finding the bearing in the woods when walkin around to get a bearing is difficult. (had a yellow E-Trex) its worth the money if you ask me. GlfWrVt. Quote Link to comment
+Mr. Snazz Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 I bought a platinum last week. It ticked me off when I first went to cache with it, but only because I was trying to use my cache method from my Garmin Streetpilot (yes, I walked around with a streetpilot for my first 26 caches ). The Platinum is a different beast and requires different usage. Once I learned how to use the various functions, it was not only easier, but it was also more fun. Now, when I'm getting off course a bit, I stop and slowly turn around until my course lines up with the waypoint icon (I forget which screen this is called). It feels like I'm on Star Trek, scanning the area with a tricorder It took me three caches to really get used to the Meridian Platinum, but I absolutely love it now. Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 14, 2002 Author Share Posted June 14, 2002 Thanx to, SergZak,GlfWrVt,and Mr. Snazz. I picked the Platnium and will be giving the good ol 300 to my sister (he-he-he). dont get me wrong, it is a good unit for getting you to the crack house but it can't locate the rocks i dropped. magellin Quote Link to comment
+phantom4099 Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 I am suprised no one mentioned that you can change the basemaps on the gold, marine, and platnium. They are available at the other geocaching website. Wyatt W. The probability of someone watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions. Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 14, 2002 Author Share Posted June 14, 2002 No text in here Quote Link to comment
Magellin Posted June 15, 2002 Author Share Posted June 15, 2002 NigelP From: Magellans web site Software Enhancements/Fixes in Version 3.12 software: ------------------------------------------ Change map. This allows changing of the detail map to a file different than DETAIL00.IMG. The detail map files must have the IMG extension and must have been copied to the card using a PC SD card reader/writer. Also includes a method for changing the basemap. This is included for compatibility with a future MapSend product and will have no affect with current basemaps. --------------------------------------------- Eye, Ham, We, Todd, Did Sofa, King, We, Todd, Did Quote Link to comment
NigelP Posted June 16, 2002 Share Posted June 16, 2002 Aha! Is there a way of copying a .IMG file to the SD card through the GPS? (trying to avoid buying the reader/writer). Quote Link to comment
MACpa Posted June 16, 2002 Share Posted June 16, 2002 You can copy straight to the SD Card in the GPS but this can take hours. With the $20 reader/writer it's just a few minutes think of the money you'll save on batterys. Quote Link to comment
+ClayJar Posted June 16, 2002 Share Posted June 16, 2002 quote:Originally posted by NigelP:Is there a way of copying a .IMG file to the SD card through the GPS? (trying to avoid buying the reader/writer). If you have a 64MB or smaller SD card, you can probably get away without buying an reader. Of course, then you can only have one mapset, and it'll take eons to upload. It's a bit like asking if you can paddle a canoe with your bare hands (to avoid buying a paddle); it's perfectly possible, but I can't see anyone actually doing it. Quote Link to comment
+JetSkier Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 The Meridian defaults the internal baud rate to 4800! This is why it takes eons to upload maps. I changed mine to 115200 and was able to upload 35 megs in about an hour. Make sure you have the latest firmware from the Magellan site. Quote Link to comment
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