 "Serious Navigation Tool" | 2007-02-20 |
| - Reviewed By larkosh |
| This is the best hand-held GPS. It is upgradable with new maps which you won't find on some others. The color screen is easy to read, bright and dims easily to save power. All in all, it fits the bill for the serious traveler. This powerful tool actually asists you in navigating your own route, far prefereable for my liking than others which tell you which way to go. I like to make choices, and I have experienced more direct routes and discovered many roads and foot routes less traveled all over the US and Europe with the assistance of this wonderful device. I have discovered marvelous places with my Magellan -- places only the locals know. I have used my Magellan Meridian Color GPS for three years, and I can't imagine how it can be improved upon. I consider it indespensible for traveling. Works great in the car, and then you can take it with you on foot, train or bus. If you apply yourself to learning how to use this device it will increase your satisfaction in traveling and knowledge of your surroundings. |
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| "Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB)" | 2007-01-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2Z5TCQIHY63W5 |
| The GPS Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS was shipped promptly, and works as advertized. Its color screens are crisp, easy to read and the GPS is very user-friendly. The instructions that came with the GPS are helpful and well organized. |
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 "Magellan Promised Updates but Didn't Deliver!" | 2006-07-04 |
| - Reviewed By bookwormsafari3 |
| We purchased this item two years ago when the item was truly hot on the market. At that time, the Magellan website indicated that regular mapping updates would be available for all the Meridian products. On the contrary, NOT ONE update has been produced, and now we see where the Meridian product line is being discontinued. We would not have purchased a Magellen had we known that mapping updates were not going to be produced as promised. Regularly during the course of two years, we emailed the manufacturer of the Magellan products to inquire about the updates. Our replies continually indicated that the mapping updates were 'on the way.' They never were produced! Basically, our investment is now obsolete with no hopes of mapping updates, Magellan obviously cannot be trusted, and we won't purchase another Magellan product again. With so many companies, including Dell, entering the GPS market, there's no need to invest in Magellan again. |
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| "What a Bringdown" | 2006-05-20 |
| - Reviewed By motordoc55 |
| After losing an older Meridian Marine, I decided to make use of my software and buy this unit since I LOVED the previous model for a few years. When I received this model it seemed to be working fine when I initialized it. It came with antique version 4.02 firmware, marked from 2002. The unit refused all my software (specifically uploading REGIONS off the Topo, Nav, and World Basemap discs) until I upgraded the firmware to anything above v.5. When I tried to install v5.34 from the CD or v. 5.40 which I downloaded, it kept freezing and wouldn't accept the firmware. I then called tech support (NOT open 24/7!...just California time 6am-5:30pm, weekdays). I spent a total of 3 hours on hold during my 4 phonecalls!!!! The obviously outsourced "tech experts" (trained British accents, probably in Pakistan) then repeatedly walked me thru the same steps to fix the problem as though they were encountering them for the first time! I even got the same guy twice. One said I'd get a callback the next day at 7:30 PM New York time. It never happened. After giving up, one of them transferred me to a "senior-technician" who did no better. After even she gave up, she said she had to look up something and would call me back within 30 minutes. Guess what....It never happened (again)! No matter how great the unit might be, I will never do business again with a sleazy excuse for a professional Company named Magellan (Thales Communications). Even the "worldwide basemap", which I bought the unit for, only gave me an OUTLINE of Panama...no roads, no nothing!! In all my 58 years, with all my toys (boats/radar/stereos,medical electronics, cameras, etc,etc, etc), this is the single WORST response I've ever had to asking for HELP, especially on a BRAND-NEW product! |
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| "Magellan Color is Tops" | 2006-01-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1E13T7CONRQ7U |
This is the 2nd Magellan GPS I own, I also have a 315 series GPS. I had prior experience with GPS's, (my 315 and military GPS's) so it was really easy for me to get comfortable with this unit.
Turning on the unit, the first thing I noticed was the VIBRANT color display, which was the main reason I bought the unit. I bought a Sport Trac, but really wanted the color screen.
I think there are 7 screen on this unit. Satellite position, the map screen, compass, large data display, speed, position and the road screen. Each screen has data fields that are totally customizable, with no less than 12 different data displays.
This unit does just about anything dealing with navigation, map datum, unit of measure, time format, mils versus degrees, it does projection based on time, contour elevation, everything.
I bought the software containing elevation, and when maps are downloaded it shows the contour interval, I want to buy the turn-by-turn software, but it is kinda pricey.
The software is easy to use, the hard part is getting past the limitations. I used a SD card reader to put the images directly into the card, but I also hook it to the computer with a USB to Serial adapter, as you can download your track history onto your computer and replay your entire trip back in varying levels of speed.
Really there is so much this does it is hard to remember everything.
Some of the things i don't much like are the fact you have to take the battery cover off and take the batteries out to get to the card, I use a 512mb card, and it is way more than enough space for whatever I need to put on.
You can put all your way points in the way the maps are put in, but I have not delved into that to much.
Another thing is when it is first powered up, you have to watch the screen for a disclaimer about using at your own risk, then have to hit enter to procede, if you don't hit enter within maybe 20 seconds it powers off.
Well, I have used it alot, and I love it, the only thing better would be a Roadmate, but you get about the same thing at 1/3 the cost. I would highly recommend this unit to a beginner or advanced user alike. |
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 "Greatly satisfied." | 2005-09-25 |
| - Reviewed By grumpycrump |
| This is my first GPS unit so I don't have much to which to compare it. However, it served me well in the United Kingdom, Italy and in northern California. I am not the most technically gifted person, so it took a couple of readings of the manual and some hands-on experience to become comfortable. I found that downloading maps onto the SD card was the best, and perhaps only, way to have a sufficient number of maps available. Also, I mistakenly expected it to work more like my navigation unit in my car. My mistake. I am still happy with it though and don't regret the expense. It definitely made travelling in Italy easier than previous European trips. |
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| "Travelmate - Meridian Color GPS" | 2005-09-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3GHAB6X5ZIO0L |
I am Turkish and live in Belgium but have to do a lot travelling to Europe and US. I use a Meridian Color GPS with 512Mb SD card where I store US and European maps together. It works fine and did not have any problem. I have two issues with this device:
1- Loading of the maps takes more time than I have anticipated. (A map of 48Mb that covers most of Belgium takes 3hrs to load on a 512MB with full options selected) I use a card writer for this but maybe it is due to my slow laptop computer. But still to long. You should prepare the maps beforehand, not at the last minute.
2- Reception is becoming very low especially when driving through narrow streets with apartments and buildings on both sides. GPs Device gives late response and shows your location with bigger error margin. (You can buy an external antenna but I never tried. If somebody knows whether this improves the reception significantly pls let us know) |
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| "Magellan Support Stinks" | 2005-06-20 |
| - Reviewed By bkantz6 |
| Lost my Color Merridian overboard and had to replace the GPS. When I recieved the new GPS I called Magellan to get a new unlock code so I could load the charts on my replacement GPS. I was informed I would have to purchase a new bluenav CD since they only issue one unlock code with no exceptions. Well my exception is I will never buy another Magellan product Hardware / Software. As for the replacement Color Merridian it is being returned today. In the future I will purchase Garmin. |
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| "What a great device" | 2004-08-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1QO2CIF7VTI78 |
The Magellan Meridian Color is my first GPS receiver, so I can't compare it with others. But it is an amazing piece of equipment. It is extremely versatile, well made, fun and useful. With the latest firmware upgrade, v5.34, and the excellent optional MapSend DirectRoute mapping computer software (made by NavTech) this is both a great handheld hiking GPS and an in-car, turn-by-turn, street/address routing device.
Although the internal memory is only 16 MB, enough for the adequate base maps that are pre-installed, the capability to use SD memory cards for uploading detaled street or topo maps from the computer greatly expands the usefulness. I am using a 256 MB memory card in my Meridian Color, on which I currently have uploaded detailed street maps for most of California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas from the DirectRoute software. These have to be limited to no more than 64 MB regions that can be selected on the GPS through the "card utilities - change map" menu, and are available in the GPS at all times. If I want more maps than fit on one card, I can buy another card and swap them as needed.
The color screen is very good and can be seen well in a car from the drivers seat position when the unit is held in the optional dashboard suction-cup mounting bracket. Unless the sun is right on it, it is bright enough to be seen in the middle of a sunny day, and can be dimmed at night. The zoom function allows you to quickly zoom out to see your current position in reference to the whole world, or zoom in in reference to as close as a 100 ft scale of detailed street or topo maps.
The only negative comment I have is that the output connection from the GPS to a computer is a serial port type, rather than USB. Most newer laptops don't even have serial ports anymore. However, this is remedied by using a serial/USB converter (about $20). The uploading of detailed maps is much faster anyway when done directly to the SD memory card using an SD memory reader/writer (also about $20), which makes it mostly unnecessary to connect the GPS directly to the computer.
The GPS receiver goes through 2 AA batteries in about 6 hours of use with screen continuously at full brightness. I bought an AA battery recharger with 6 batteries for about $20 which works great and takes away the cost of replacing batteries.
The Meridian Color can quickly convert among all major coordinate systems, and has multiple screens to show you such things as your current coordinates, elevation, speed, heading, and needed bearing toward a chosen destination ("waypoint"). It can store up to 500 waypoints and 20 routes. For hiking purposes it can track your movement and then allow you to use a "backtrack" function to see and re-trace your path back to where you started.
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| "Warning: Product does NOT meet specifications" | 2004-04-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2LH5TUXG9GGFT |
| When I first got the unit, I loved it. It appeared accurate, though it took a long time to acquire satellites at times. In fact, many times my Delorme Earthmate would acquire within 15 seconds, and the Meridian would take several minutes (while moving in a car sitting on the dash). The ability to use SD/MMC cards and load maps onto the unit was great for general usage. I used Magellan GPS for everything, from hiking, kayaking, driving, to boating. HOWEVER, the specs say that the unit is IPX7 compliant, which means accidental submersion underwater for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. I was in a kayak, got hit by a wave with the Meridian in my pocket, and was in less than 1 meter of water for less than 15 seconds, and water made it's way into the unit. I sent Magellan/Thales navigation an email and gave them a call but was not given much help, even though I own multiple Magellan products (including the GPS companion, etc...). They noted that I could have it serviced for $150, which is what an new unit cost (this was not the platinum edition, but it is the same form factor and same case). All customer service would tell me is that sometimes water may enter through the keypad area. Well, if water enters through the keypad area, how can they advertise that it is IPX7 compliant? I may be an isolated incident. However, with the customer service I received, I don't think I would ever buy another Magellan product, and will probably get rid of the rest of my Magellan products. I think the product design, features, usability, and intuitiveness is great, just the product does not perform up to expectations or promise. I would also consider customer service as well. |
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