stupid newbie question time... map data etc

Arimus

Hi,

I'm going to go for a handheld gps unit sometime in the next couple of weeks and so far have narrowed my choice down to either etrex summit if i go without map data, etrex venture / magellan platinum or color... so hardware side sorted...

Now to the crunch... are there any suppliers of OS mapdata which can be downloaded to either the magellan's or the venture?

I've looked at the memory-map data which seems to be only able to download routes etc not the actual map data.

If there isn't whats the point of going for a mapping handheld over a 'basic' unit?

Please help...
Confused

Dave · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 9:26 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately none. Garmin tie you to their own MapSource CD's and Magellan to their MapSend CD's. These are made from NAVTEQ data which is in part from OS.

If you want true OS style maps in full colour then you'll want a PDA to hook up to the handheld GPS.

Arimus · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

I've heard that Magellan are going to release a UK Topo. data cd in the next couple of months so I'm probably going to go with a Magellan now...

Anyone got any preferences between a Meridian Color or the Platinum ?

Both seem to have the electronic compass so I don't need to keep moving to get bearings... the platinum has a barometer but doesn't use it to aid altitude fixes... other that can't see any real difference - the colour/greyscale doesn't bother me... expect which one has the better display in direct sunlight? (My colour mobile is unuseable in bright sunlight). The price difference doesn't really bother me as its too slight to make too much of a difference, all I want is a good, reliable, robust, accurate unit...

Dave · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:48 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't go for the Magellan just on the basis of the Topo UK CD. This has been planned to be released (within two months) for about a year now. It just never quite seems to make it. Hopefully though this time it will be due for release soon!

Arimus · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:59 pm Post subject:

Ah.

Hm, that now leaves me with a difficult choice I like the look and feature set of the Platinum but also like the etrex summit so which would people go for?

Again money isn't a prime mover - featuers, ease-of-us, tracking ability, robustness are.

mires · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 19, 2004 Posts: 13

Color don't have electronic compass. Platinum do Smile

meridian line have better build in anthena than e-trex.
color have external anthena connector. to be visible color needs back light almoust all the time (eats battery like there is no tomorow).

for about a mounth I had dilema witch unit to pick. gold/color/platinum.
went for platinum. should get it this or next week Smile

Arimus · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

In that case then its settled... Platinum.

Albeit with reservations about the lack of external antenna port.

Do Garmin do a unit with the same features as the Platinum but with external connector? (Does the 76S have one as I know the feature set is close)

Tim Buxton · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

Arimus · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

Must admit wish I'd never decided I wanted a GPS handheld now... really struggling to make up my mind - so far the only thing the Platinum really has going for it is the SD expansion (ruling out the Color due to lack of compass).

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