Turn-by-turn nav. for Magellan hand-helds!

[BajaTaco]

This is news to me (http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=950)

New DirectRoute software from Magellan will turn your hand-held GPS into a Garmin V http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Oh man!!! This is awesome! It was a tough decision for me to get the Meridian Platinum over the Garmin V because I really wanted the turn-by-turn directions for street driving. Now, I can have myburger and eat it too http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/burger.gif

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/hop.gif


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[WhiteThaiGer]

Won't work with my SporTrak Maphttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cry.gif Guess I have to use the notebook with StreetAtlasif I want something like thishttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cool.gif </div>
I got to see the Garmin V version in action on the Zafari trip with Jack. Except for the fact that Garmin has some problem with the software and the thing crashed 3 times on the 350 mile trip, it worked quite well. </div>


***************************************
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[GoodTimes]

WhiteThaiGer said...

Won't work with my SporTrak Maphttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cry.gif Guess I have to use the notebook with StreetAtlasif I want something like thishttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/cool.gif
I got to see the Garmin V version in action on the Zafari trip with Jack. Except for the fact that Garmin has some problem with the software and the thing crashed 3 times on the 350 mile trip, it worked quite well.
</div>GPS that crashes? What, did he try to run windows xp on it?

Seriously, that isn't a good thing (crashing GPS). I would be talking to Garmin about that. My (eTrex Vista) has never crashed, and has put up with a fair amount of abuse.


olllllllo <---- If you can read that, roll me over.

KG6OWO

Price is soon forgotton, quality is not.

[BajaTaco]

Uwe, I think it does work with the SporTrak Map, but the use would be limited due to the fixed memory. But like you implied, this isn't really why you bought that model anyway http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif ... mister MOVING MAP!


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

[JackSilb]

Hi GoodTimes,

The crash was on the auto-route turn by turn. The GPS functions including the details map were all still working.
Just needed to click find previous locations and recompute route.
It never happened before until I had the last upgrade. I sent an e-mail to Garmin. Not replies.
I will wait for their next upgrade.
Cool link Baja.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[WhiteThaiGer]

JackSilb said...
Hi GoodTimes,

The crash was on the auto-route turn by turn. The GPS functions including the details map were all still working.
Just needed to click find previous locations and recompute route.....Correct, but still very annoying. If the copilot would not have done the work (including discovering the 'previous goto' function http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/wink.gif ) it would have required a stop to enter the info again safely. Garmin got to fix this.



BajaTaco said...
...I think it does work with the SporTrak Map, but the use would be limited due to the fixed memory. But like you implied, this isn't really why you bought that model anyway http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif ... mister MOVING MAP!I just didn't see the SporTrak Map listed on that page. Moving Maps http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/supercool.gifwhich also need to be turned of sometimes to keep the navigation skills sharp, we don't want to become dependent on the nav tools...


***************************************
http://www.confluence.org
http://www.usgo.org


Post Edited (WhiteThaiGer) : 12/8/2003 5:45:04 AM GMT

[JackSilb]

Agreed Uwe,

These things need to be reliable. You saw how I was unhappy with the crashes.
Lets hope that some competition will make Garmin get it better.

-JACK
</div>


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[BajaTaco]

HERE (http://www.mtgc.org/robertlipe/DirectRoute/) is a great review on the DirectRoute software by a geocacher. Sounds like they still have a few things to improve on, but overall this is an incredible milestone IMO.

Jack, I think this is the competition that will kick Garmin in the pants as far as handheld GPS units go. As this guy mentions in his review...

"So far in the industry, there have been two main classes of consumer GPS receivers: those meant for auto travel that will give turn-by-turn driving directions (called autorouting) and those meant for handheld use. So far in the industry, Garmin has had great success with the GPS V model which is a handheld that also autoroutes. Magellan just stood that model on end."

The MagellanMeridian was already unique and appealing because of it's use of a tiny, removeabledigital memory card, which allows massive amounts of detailed map data to be stored and transfered. That was the major selling point for me. The other great features avaialable on the Platinum edition were icing on the cake. But now this - this will make the Meridian unique as far as I know - by combining autorouting with massive memory capabilities (removeable memory card)in a hand-held. And the best part - the price is much less than the Garmin V.

To give an idea of the memory capability, I currently have detailed Topo map data (which includes metro/rural streets/roads and Recreation POI's) for the AZ, NM, UT, and So-Cal, as well as detailed metro maps for Nor-Cal, detailed metro maps for a section of AZ/SoCal, plus saved tracks and waypoints, on a 128 Mb card. There are people successfully using 256 Mb cards on these units, so you could getplenty of the AutoRouting on there as well. For instance, I could use AutoRouting for a road trip from AZ to NorCal, and when I got to the trailhead, I could switch maps to the detailed Topos for hiking. Pretty cool.

</div>


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!

Post Edited (BajaTaco) : 12/8/2003 3:30:49 PM GMT

[JackSilb]

Baja,

I agreed with your comments. I hope Garmin will put their act together and make the cost lower put some more features on the new releases of hand held.

I can see a GPS VI coming:
- Support for external memory
- USB II interface
- Bigger display
- Color, maybe. But it may eat your batteries.

I would get rid of the buttons and make it all touch screen. That way, the overall size of the unit will not change but the display area would improve a lot. Just if Garmin would listen to me. And throw some GPS VI's for me for the ideas...

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net