Magellan Meridian Color vs Garmin GPSMAP 60CS for avid MTB'r

[Srexy]

I am the inevitable GPS neophyte and have been doing my best to research a unit that will best suit my needs as an avid mountain biker. I think I have narrowed it down to the following 2 units: the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS and the Magellan Meridian Colour. Right now I can find the Garmin on Ebay for around $390 and the Magellan color kit is available for around $350

Here is my list of pros and cons and unanswered questions

Magellan:

Pros: expandable memory, rugged construction, car kit and 64mb sd card included in price, Magellan software included in bundle

Cons: weak battery life in comparison to Garmin, slightly more bulky (could be a wash though), screen not as visible without use of backlight which would decrease battery life further, only serial connection, limited to 2000 trackpoints

Unanswered: is the Magellan software as good as the Garmin stuff as far as Topo maps go. Can I use the Nat Geo Topo series with this unit (I already have this series – it was a gift) I also have MS Mappoint – can I use this with this unit? Is it easy to use? Will it work when stuffed in my camelbak?

Garmin:

Pros: great display, 10000 trackpoints, long battery life, better shape for camelback storage (in my mind – no factual basis to this observation), rugged design, easily viewed screen even in daylight

Cons: no expandable memory, car kit another $150 or so

Unanswered: is the software any good compared to the Magellan stuff, can I use MS Mappoint w/this product? Is it easy to use? Will it work when stuffed in my camelbak?

Thanks in advance,

Rex

[jwlionking]

I would also love to hear opinions about these two as I am debating these too.

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