Magellan Meridian Color

[+Patuxent Pirates]

I have a Meridian Platinum already. I was wondering who has the color model and what do they think of it say vs. the 60CS. I see that the color can take an external antenna which the Platinum can not. Anyway, thanks.............

 

[+JeepCachr]

No actual experience with any of those models but I'm currently looking for a GPS with a compass and the meridian color doesn't have the compass like the plat does.

 

Best price I found on the meridian color travel kit was $378 at http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?r....com&id=1001622, the traveler pack includes the map, the mount, pc cable, power cable, its a good package.

[geotexZ71]

Hey!

 

First, you might want to check out the Meridian group at Yahoo! to get more specifics of Meridian units.

 

MeriGroup

 

Between my wife and I, we have both units. The color screen on the 60CS is better than the MeriColors, which washes out in direct sunlight and generally requires you to keep the backlighting on (eats batteries). 2200mah rechargeables will help you out here.

 

The 60CS is severely hampered by its lack of memory expansion. If you're going to use your GPS with heavily detailed maps or navigation, the MeriColor will probably suit you better.

 

Since I'm an old Garmin user I found the 60CS easy to use, but my wife says the MeriColor is much more intuitive.

 

BTW - the MeriColor has a compass, it's just not a 3-axis electronic compass, so it doen't work while standing still.

 

What else? I just joined the Groundspeak forums but have been a member at the MeriGroup for awhile.

[+Deckyon]

I did not get the Meridian Color because it offered nothing that was not already part of the Platinum as far as features except for the color screen. I was not paying almost $200 more for the screen.

 

I am very happy with my MeriPlat. I have no inclination of "upgrading" to the color. I have not had the need for the external antenae at all. the internal one has yet to fail, except through tunnels and in parking garages.

 

I love my MeriPlat.

[+GOT GPS?]

My experience:

 

YES: Platinum

NO: Color

 

I had both units

 

User experiences may differ because of manufacturing probs, but my Platinum I had was better at seeking than any Garmin, also the Color I had for a day was one of the worst GPS I ever had, because of it's color screen was bad. It could have been different, I could have had a plat with a bad compass and a COLOR with a good screen, then I would have kept the COLOR.

 

This Post cereal has been eaten by GOT GPS? on Apr 8 2004, 03:49 PM

Edited April 8, 2004 by GOT GPS?

[+DustyJacket]

I use my Meridian Color for caching, driving, and boating.

It is great in the dark, or cloudy days, normal days, or on bright days when the sun is shining directly on the screen.

 

It is less goo on bight days when the sun is not shining on the screen, because the backlight can't make the display bright enough to match bright sunshine.

 

It all depends what you are going to use it for.

[+leatherman]

My Experience:

 

 

YES: Color

NO : Platinum

 

I had both units.

 

User experiences may differ. However I gave up the Platinum for the Color. No regrets. The maps are beautiful in color.

I had no use for the barometer. The compass was irritating to use. Constantly flipping through all the NAV screens when you're zeroing in on a cache. A compass, for me, Has to snap to north when I turn it. It drives me crazy, standing there waiting for the needle to settle on north. The electric compass in the Platinum was slow and inaccurate. I tended to walk around with a real compass in my other hand.

[SBPhishy]

I have a Gold. I don't miss the color, I don't miss the compass.

[Vlad]

I have a 60CS. Love it. Have spent lots of time with each of Merigold, Mericolor and Meriplat. Excellent units. Still prefer the 60 by a long shot...

[Vacman]

I think you folks just talked me into keeping old Meri Gold... I was considering the color. Yeah, I just saved a ton of money.... "honey!?", "I have enought money now to send JR to college..!"

[+Team BigW]

I have the Mericolor and maybe do not understand the compass thing. I do have a something that looks like a compass and it seems to point north. I thought it was a compass until I read here I do not have one. Maybe my color was the only one to get this compass option? I really thought the only difference in the plat and color was the obvious(color screen). I bought mine new from mysimon.com and it cost no more than the plat. It was new and not refurbished so why not.

[SBPhishy]

Your "compass" is a compass screen. When you are moving, it will act as a compass. When you stand still, it will do nothing. The "celestial body" icons on it, will help you find north however, if you are standing still. You line up the sun or moon with the actual sun or moon, then, N is pointing north.

 

An actual electronic compass, like the Plat has, will rotate, as you move the unit in your hand.

[IndianaDave]

Is using the MeriColor in direct sunlight that big of an annoyance? I mean how bad is it?

I'm considering upgrading from my MeriGold to the MeriColor. Do you think I'll regret it?

[+leatherman]

Is using the MeriColor in direct sunlight that big of an annoyance? I mean how bad is it?

I'm considering upgrading from my MeriGold to the MeriColor. Do you think I'll regret it?

No. I don't use the back light in the sun.

[+Team BigW]

I am still new to the GPS game. However, I have not had to line anything up to the sun or moon but my compass points north and tends to rotate as I move the unit around in my hand. Yes, standing still will cause it some trouble unlike a true compass. But if these units(all comparable priced units) had a true compasses in them why are people using separate compasses?

[+leatherman]

But if these units(all comparable priced units) had a true compasses in them why are people using separate compasses?

The Meridian Color does not have a compass. The screen you are seeing is a bearing/heading screen. It looks like a compass, however it does not have a magnetic sensor. It is meant to show you what direction you are moving. The GPSr calculates where north is by comparing your actual location from a previous location second by second. This calculation is effected by signal wander. Meaning, if you're standing still and your positional error wanders back and forth your compass/heading screen will spin around. Rather than point to magnetic north.

[+embra]

Just to add a little to what leatherman said:

 

Activating a waypoint, such as a cache waypoint, will make the compass point to the position of the waypoint. It provides nice directional advice, and when I am approaching a cache I prefer this screen over a map display.

 

With the compass screen, many of us do not need to refer to a compass proper. However, when one is standing still and northfinder is not of use, reference to a compass will help you determine which way to orient your GPSr compass screen.

 

Also, it is prudent to carry a compass with you for backup in case your GPSr fails to function because you break it or your batteries run out.

[+Team BigW]

Ok, I did not understand the difference in the terminology. I just figured a compass was a compass. Thanks for clearing that up.