+SBPhishy Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 (edited) I have a SporTrak Map in perfect condition. I got it back from Magellan recently and the crack problem has been fixed completely. I also have a Meridian Gold which is my main GPS. I don't really use the SporTrak anymore, and it has turned into my backup. I am debating whether I should sell it, but I would definitely buy another one to have as a backup. I was considering the Geko 201, which I like mostly because of it's small size. I would think that the Geko may get more use than my SporTrak is getting now, because of it's size. I will probably end up taking it more places. I love the SporTrak a lot, but I just don't really want to have to deal with sending it in for stress cracks again. My main thought though, was that it seems that I will be downgrading quite a bit. Right now, I have the cool Magellan carrying case for the SporTrak, and they sent me the suction cup car mount when they sent it back from repair. Also, I have Direct Route and Topo for my Meridian, and it's cool to be able to use those programs on my SporTrak, (except that, as I said above, I dont really use it at all.) The cool part is that, if I do decide to sell it, it's in brand new condition, and I have the PC cable, the car mount, the case, the box and all the original paperwork, the manuals, and I could load a section of Direct Route or Topo on it. So, I could hopefully get a good price for it. So, while I know that I am old enough to make decisions for myself, I would just like to hear some opinions. Thanks everyone! Edited February 24, 2004 by SBPhishy Quote Link to comment
+Warriorrider Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 (edited) I know if it were me, I would keep it. I myself would like to get another gps just for a backup and I wouldn't consider anything but another Magellan. The main reason is because I already have the software and cables, etc. That's a lot of $ saved. Since it is a backup and would rarely get used, then what's the point of getting another brand? And why downgrade. Like you say, the SporTrak is a good unit and you already have all of the accesories for it. Reason enough for me. You know the ole saying... if it ain't broke don't fix it. Anyway, that's my $0.02 Edited February 24, 2004 by Warriorrider Quote Link to comment
4x4luv Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I would keep it use it as a backup. You could also contact your local scout group or your local Geo-cache group that you have a Extra GPSr to loan or rent to them. I just taught my scouts how to use my E-Trex. I wish I had a second unit to show them the differance's of the units Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 24, 2004 Author Share Posted February 24, 2004 Yeah. I suppose it would be stupid to get another one just to have something different. Alright. I'll keep it. I figured someone would say the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" thing. I would just hate to have the warranty expire, and then have those stupid cracks again. Quote Link to comment
+Volwrath Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 (edited) Id get rid of it and get the Geko, just due to its size. I have a 60c, but sometimes I don't want to lug it around, in which case I will use my legend in 'stealth mode' Good luck to ya Phishy You go to UCSB dont you? Edited February 24, 2004 by Volwrath Quote Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 The geko is so small that you can wear the thing on your clothes without people knowing, like mounting it to the top inside of a hat, then if your main GPS craps out, then use the geko that was tracking the whole time. Quote Link to comment
+maleki Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I'd sell it to me for a hundred bucks... Quote Link to comment
+Karma Hunter Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I have Direct Route and Topo for my Meridian, and it's cool to be able to use those programs on my SporTrak I read that the ST Map isn't supposed to have sufficient memory to run DirectRoute, but that it may be possible with a very small map area. Are you indicating that you've gotten it to work? Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 24, 2004 Author Share Posted February 24, 2004 Yeah. I was really surprised when it worked. I loaded it in, just figuring at least I'd have the maps to look at. Then, I tried to autoroute, and it worked exactly like my MeriGold. It has all the POI's and everything. And, depending on the area, 6 megs can cover a decent area. And yes, I go to UCSB. Quote Link to comment
4x4van Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Another reason to keep it is for friends to use. If you take a newbie geocaching with you, it's realy nice to let them hold on to a unit rather than follow you around like a puppy dog. And because you are familiar with it, it'd be easy to give the newbie pointers along the way, showing him/her how to use it by doing something with yours and having them follow along with "theirs". Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 24, 2004 Author Share Posted February 24, 2004 I will definitely get another one if I sell it, so I will always have one to let a friend borrow. I was just debating whether to keep this one, or get a different one. Quote Link to comment
Bobthearch Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I'd sell them both. Then buy a Garmin 60cs for primary use, and an eTrex Vista as backup. Best Wishes, Bob Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 24, 2004 Author Share Posted February 24, 2004 Har har... Thanks Bob. Quote Link to comment
+Volwrath Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 If magellan had a small series like the etrex and geko lines I guarantee I would get one to see how the other half lives... Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 25, 2004 Author Share Posted February 25, 2004 (edited) I think we live quite well! I'm not a big fan of the eTrex's button layout. The size is decently small on the eTrex's, but the Geko is just tiny! I would never want one as my only unit, but it would be cool to have one that was as small as my cell phone. I still don't know what to do. I would hope I could get around 150 for my sportrak with all the stuff. I guess geko's are around 120? Edited February 25, 2004 by SBPhishy Quote Link to comment
4x4van Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 If magellan had a small series like the etrex and geko lines I guarantee I would get one to see how the other half lives... They do. It's the "300 series" (310, 315, 320, 330Map). They're relatively inexpensive (comparable to the ETrex), small (about the size of an ETrex if you added a "good" antenna to an ETrex), and they are very rugged. I used and cached for along time with my 315, and it's a good, solid, well performing unit. Mine finally died after several years, I believe at least partly due to many miles vibrating on my ATC250R's handlebars. I now use a SporTrak Pro, but will always have a soft spot in my heart for my old 315. Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 25, 2004 Author Share Posted February 25, 2004 aaaawwwww...... Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 (edited) Sell it and get yourself a Legend. Not a Garmin vs Magellan thing, just something different to see how it all works. That's what I did--helped me learn the Garmin software after learning the Magellan. Quite fun that way, and you have both "camps" on your side. I've got a ST Color and a Legend. Edited February 25, 2004 by mrkablooey Quote Link to comment
+Volwrath Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 (edited) If magellan had a small series like the etrex and geko lines I guarantee I would get one to see how the other half lives... They do. It's the "300 series" (310, 315, 320, 330Map). They're relatively inexpensive (comparable to the ETrex), small (about the size of an ETrex if you added a "good" antenna to an ETrex), and they are very rugged. Actually I bought my dad a GPS a few years ago from Walmart for $99. It was the Magellan 310. We went out cacheing together a couple of weeks ago, and we compared performance. I think his problem was that his unit didn't have enough digits, but on the cache, he actually got within 20' of it. Not too shabby.. Edited February 26, 2004 by Volwrath Quote Link to comment
dccbasser Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 how did they fix the cracks? did they change plastic and or screws?is this a fix the problem fix or use the same plastic fix. im sure a few people would like this answer.i traded my sportrac pro in for a sportrac color because of the cracking.just because i have two mounts and a cover for the sportrac models.didnt want to waste more money. the color model is ok but is hard to see in broad daylight. its like the tinted screen is too dark.you can adjust contrast a little but you have to have the right angle to see it good. meridan color has a better screen but like me you have all the goodys for the sportrac model. the cracking prolem is a big deal. i hope they made a good repair. if they did id keep it. how did they fix it? Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 26, 2004 Author Share Posted February 26, 2004 They fixed it fine. It looks like a brand new unit. They changed the whole case, but kept the internals. The screws seem to be the same. They just switched the cracked case, to another case, but I bet the cracks will start to happen again in a while. I guess we'll see. Quote Link to comment
+RockyRiver Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 (edited) Sell it and get yourself a Legend. Not a Garmin vs Magellan thing, just something different to see how it all works. That's what I did--helped me learn the Garmin software after learning the Magellan. Quite fun that way, and you have both "camps" on your side. I've got a ST Color and a Legend. You will find that the Sportraks in my opinion have a better signal in the thick woods. My Vista (and Legend that I sold) do not like thick overhead forest, and quickly lose signal. Did by chance your sportrak colors color screen seem odd looking or the color not just right? Edited February 26, 2004 by RockyRiver Quote Link to comment
+SBPhishy Posted February 26, 2004 Author Share Posted February 26, 2004 I've used a vista before, and I like the spotrak better. The only reason I would sell it is because of the possibility of cracks forming again, and it might be cool to have a tiny GPS. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 You will find that the Sportraks in my opinion have a better signal in the thick woods. My Vista (and Legend that I sold) do not like thick overhead forest, and quickly lose signal. Did by chance your sportrak colors color screen seem odd looking or the color not just right? Color is fine if you adjust the contrast right. Takes some fiddlin' but it turns out pretty well. Quote Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Im a Garmin person, but Id rather have a Meridian Platinum, than a Vista. I actually had both, and found the Platinum to be much better. I have the Map60C and it's a cool unit. Quote Link to comment
4x4van Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Actually I bought my dad a GPS a few years ago from Walmart for $99. It was the Magellan 310. We went out cacheing together a couple of weeks ago, and we compared performance. I think his problem was that his unit didn't have enough digits, but on the cache, he actually got within 20' of it. Not too shabby.. Yes, the 310 has one less digit, but the 315 (and up) does indeed have the additional digit. And while it doesn't have mapping capability, it does have a built-in database of worldwide cities. For geocaching, the 315 was a very good unit. I don't seem to be able to "zero in" on caches any better with my ST Pro than I could with my 315. And from what I understand the 330MAP is pretty much a SporTrak but in a different case. Quote Link to comment
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