Magellan Meridian Gold Traveler GPS Bundle with 64 MB Secure Digital Memory Card
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Manufacturer: Magellan
List Price: $499.99
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Magellan Meridian Gold Traveler GPS Bundle with 64 MB Secure Digital Memory Card
The Magellan Meridian Gold GPS Traveler Value Pack is a comprehensive navigation solution. Get everything you need to get on the road with the power of GPS navigation in a single box, at a great value. You get the rugged Magellan Meridian Gold handheld GPS receiver, plus the advanced Magellan MapSend DirectRoute mapping software with turn-by-turn guidance. This complete package also includes a 64 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card, vehicle mounting bracket, PC data cable with cigarette lighter adapter and two AA batteries.
Whether exploring a new city or navigating within your own town, the Meridan Gold GPS Traveler Value Pack contains all you’ll need to find your way. Included in this cost-saving package is the rugged Magellan Meridian Gold GPS unit, advanced MapSend DirectRoute software, a 64 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card, a vehicle mounting bracket, a wrist strap, a PC data cable with cigarette lighter adapter and two AA batteries to get you started.
The Magellan Meridian Gold GPS offers superior tracking and best-in-the-business three meter accuracy. It holds an extensive 16 MB built-in mapping database of North America. You can increase your mapping detail by downloading street-level maps on the included SD memory card. All of this is displayed on the high contrast, high color 120 x 160 pixel display. The GPS is made with rubber armored, impact resistant plastic, and is completely waterproof (it even floats!) The two AA batteries run for up to thirteen hours.
The MapSend DirectRoute offers advanced mapping software. After entering your destination, MapSend will automatically calculate shortest time street routing, giving you turn-by-turn directions via audio or visual prompts. This software even calculates ETAs with the posted speed limits. Select your destinations from thousands of points of interest including hotels, gas stations, parks, lakes, amusement and entertainment venues, restaurants, and more. MapSend also includes information such as addresses and phone numbers, making it easy to call ahead for ticket information and reservations.
Magellan has added a few more items to complete this package. You can download additional highly detailed, street-level maps from your PC using the combination data cable/cigarette lighter adapter. They’ve included a vehicle mounting bracket to conveniently secure the GPS. If you demand GPS accuracy for your travels, this system is for you.
What’s in the Box
Meridan Gold handheld GPS receiver, MapSend DirectRoute CD-ROM, 64 MB SD memory card, vehicle mounting bracket, PC data cable with cigarette lighter adapter, quick reference guide, two AA batteries, wrist strap, and a user’s manual.
Magellan Meridian Gold Traveler GPS Bundle with 64 MB Secure Digital Memory Card Features:
- Meridan Gold handheld GPS unit
- MapSend DirectRoute CD-ROM
- 64 MB SD memory card
- PC data cable with cigarette lighter adaptor
- Vehicle mounting bracket; includes serial PC interface
Magellan Meridian Gold Traveler GPS Bundle with 64 MB Secure Digital Memory Card Reviews
Obsolete model, horrible technical support
Yes, it is obsolete but that shouldn’t be a problem. A problem lies somewhere else. I have it for over 3 years and I like it quite a bit. It does what I wanted it to do do quite well. It doesn’t have voice or autorouting but you don’t need this in a hand-held GPS. I use it while hiking, cycling and even in the car. It is very sensitive in picking up satellite signals and doesn’t need an external antenna.
This was the nice part, now the ugly - technical support. It is absolutely rock bottom horrible. Might have something to do with Magellan take over by Thales. The tech support wasn’t bad right after I purchased the unit more than 3 years ago. Shortly after getting the init, it stopped recognizing the external power connection. I was instructed to ship the unit back to Magellan repair shop and got it back repaired within couple of weeks with an upgraded firmware and an extra power cable. Boy, what a change 3 years later. First, they completely ignore your online inquiry. I sent them email and get back an automated reply saying how important I am to them and haven’t heard nothing since. Then I tried calling tech support. You listen for 20-30 minutes to elevator music before you get to talk to anybody. They ask you for all the details and then tell you that the number you called is wrong and give you another number. Same thing at the other number. At first I thought they ask your name and all the details instead of telling right away that’s the wrong number out of stupidity, but than I realized that their pay must be somehow connected to the number of callers they get as finally the last of them admitted. I gave up after a couple of days. Fortunately, there’s a very good and active support and discussion list on Yahoo.
Before my latest experience with Magellan tech support I was slowly getting ready for a new unit and naturally thought it will be some newer Magellan model even as their new map activation scheme bothered me some. Well, not anymore, my new GPS will not be Magellan.
Good but could be better.
Pros:
Excellent accuracy. On-screen maps. Waterproof and floats. Rugged. Big buttons. SD cards (add a card reader and save hours).
Cons:
Big & heavy. Buttons too easy to press accidentally. Serial connection (serial?! why not USB?). Screen hard to read in shadows. Messy menu navigation.
On a like-for-like comparison to other mapping handheld GPS this gets 5-stars. On the basis of what it could have been had Magellan really thought it through, it gets 2-stars.
I’d say this (and others like it) are the last of the 2nd generation GPS. Good for their time, but rapidly being obsoleted by developments in other areas. Expect to see a switch to a variety of GPS/PDA/phone/bluetooth/radio combos with much better integration into the wireless PC world coming in the next product cycle.
Best value out there for general purpose GPS use
The Meridian (h/w)/Direct Route (s/w) combination is the best value going today. It does *not* provide voice directions, but can be set to an audible beep when a turn approaches if desired. It is not color, but color does not really add much to a GPS anyway (and consimes more battery power), it is the resolution that counts and the Meridian is more than adequate.
The nice thing about this GPS is that you can use it in your car for turn-by-turn navigation, while hiking in the woods to keep track of where you are and how to get back, as well as on your bicycle etc. There are better specialized GPS units available (for instance ones for use specifically in a vehicle), but they lack the flexibility of the Meridian to use where you want to use it.
Finally, the Meridian can hold a lot of street level detail through the use of SD cards, where most, if not all, of the competition can only use the built-in memory supplied with the unit. I think you will find this to be a huge advantage when you find out how much you can store on these cards, and how limiting the built-in memory is.
Average GPS
This was my first GPS. I ended up returning it. Here is my experience:
Cons:
(1) Difficult to use for driving even though it received signals very well. When I bought it I thought it was voice prompted. Actuall it was audio prompted, meaning that it beeps when it thinks you should make a turn.
(2) Rerouting is not automatic. You have to press a button. That’s not convenient.
(3) screen is small and black and white. Looks primitive. For $450, I thought it should be better than that.
Pros:
(1) Does have detailed street level info when you load the CD.
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