Average customer rating:
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Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine Handheld GPS (12 Channel, WAAS, Map Compatible)
Manufacturer: Magellan
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics
GPS & Navigation
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Refurbished & Used
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Special Features
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Electronics Features
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Electronics
Magellan
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Custom Brands
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Custom Stores
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Specialty Stores
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Electronics Features
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Electronics
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Accessories
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Companion GPS for PDAs
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Marine GPS
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Outdoor GPS
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Vehicular GPS
Sports & Fitness GPS
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Handheld GPS
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GPS & Navigation
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Categories
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Electronics
Accessories:
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Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack
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Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack
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Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 50 Pack
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Monster Cable MB AA 1850-4 Ultra-High Capacity Rechargeable Monster PowerCells
Product Features:
- 12-channel handheld GPS receiver for boating and outdoor use; WAAS-enabled for 3-meter accuracy
- 15 MB built-in mapping database of North America, including highways, major roads, parks, waterways, and more
- 17 MB memory for additional map storage
- Store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints and 2,000 track-points
- Built-in information for major tide station; fish and game calculator
ASIN: B00008DHST
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Product Description
The indispensable navigation device for mariners, Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine features an extensive 15 MB, built-in mapping database, including waterways, lights, buoys/beacons, fog signals, radar/radio, roads, parks, airports, political boundaries, interstate highways, major inland waterways, state highways and major roads, and city centers. An additional 17 MB of free memory enables you to expand your mapping capabilities with optional detailed maps from the entire line of Magellan MapSend software products including BlueNav which offers detailed coastal marine charts.SporTrak Pro Marine offers superior tracking and 3-meter accuracy, with nine customizable screens that provide an easy way to view your location, heading and route on a large, high contrast 160 x 104 pixel display. Built tough, SporTrak Pro Marine is waterproof and rugged enough to go with you on any boating adventure, or just across town, designed to make getting where you're going a fun, easy and safe trip.
Amazon.com Product Description
The WAAS-enabled Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine GPS receiver offers superior tracking and 3-meter accuracy, with nine customizable screens that provide an easy way to view your location, heading and route on a large, high contrast 160 x 104 pixel display. Built tough, SporTrak Pro Marine is waterproof and rugged enough to go with you on any boating adventure, or just across town.
An indispensable navigation for boaters, it includes data on waterways, lights, buoys/beacons, fog signals, and major inland waterways, as well as land-based data for roads, parks, airports, political boundaries, interstate highways, state highways and major roads, and city centers.
It features an extensive 15 MB built-in mapping database. An additional 17 MB of free memory enables you to expand your mapping capabilities with optional detailed maps from the entire line of Magellan MapSend software products.
Nine customizable graphic navigation screens show a map, compass, speedometer, and text readouts of heading, bearing, speed, direction, ETA, and more. Choose from 12 built-in coordinate systems and 76 datums including Latitude/Longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator, and Military Grid Reference System.
Built-in information for major tide stations enables you to confidently navigate from port to port without having to guess about the conditions ahead. Additional detailed information is available with optional MapSend BlueNav software.
Other features include:
- Intuitive interface and large keyboard provides direct access to key features
- Store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints and 2,000 track-points
- Save Track-to-Route feature allows you to convert complicated track files into easy to follow routes; save hundreds of routes by transferring them to a PC using optional Magellan MapSend software
- NorthFinder technology shows your direction even when standing still
- Monitor the GPS satellites in view and get information about their status
- Rubber armored, impact resistant plastic
- Waterproof (IEC-529 IPX7 specifications) and floatable
- Language support for English, French, German, Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch
What is WAAS?
GPS receivers have an accuracy of about 15 meters, but you can get to as close as 3 meters with a WAAS-enabled receiver. WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System, which is a network of satellites and ground stations (in North America) that were designed to improve the accuracy and ensure the integrity of information coming from GPS satellites. Originally implemented by the FAA for aviation use, WAAS is particularly useful for serious outdoors enthusiasts as well as for precise in-city navigation.
Power and Size
It is powered by 2 AA batteries (included) that provide up to 14 hours of continuous use. It measures 5.6 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches and weighs 6.1 ounces.
What's In The Box
This package contains the Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine GPS receiver, PC cable, user manual (English & French), 2 AA batteries, and wrist strap.
Product Description
The First Meridian Gps Receiver For Serious Navigators Who Want A Vibrant Outdoor Viewable Color Display In A Go-anywhere Handheld System. 120x160 Pixel, 16 Color Display For Easy Viewing Outdoors. Features 16 Mb Built-in Map With Navaids Ad Obstructions, Sd Card Expandability. Waterproof - It Floats. External Antenna Connector. With Rubber Armoring In A Classic Platinum Gold Color. - Type: Meridian Color * Reference-ID: EB01_20092-5023018
Amazon.com Review
The Magellan Meridian Color GPS receiver is just as at home navigating the highways and byways in your car as it is tracking through your favorite mountain trails. This top-of-the line GPS device features a preloaded 16 MB map database of North America, which can be augmented by detailed maps from optional CD-ROMs via the Secure Digital memory card slot. It also offers easy-to-read navigation screens, good-sized buttons, and a thumb directional pad on the front, and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) for three-meter accuracy.
Map screen. View larger. |
Compass display. View larger. |
Road-view mode. View larger. |
The Meridian Color is versatile GPS device that is perfect for navigating the highway or the trails. View larger.
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Compared to Magellan's Sportrak line, the Meridian is bulkier both in weight (8.5 ounces with batteries compared to the Sportrak's 6.1 ounces) and overall dimensions--6.5 by 2.9 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D)--making it not quite as pocketable (unless you have cargo pants). The bright color screen measures 2.2 by 1.75 inches and has a decent 160 x 120 pixel resolution with 16 colors. Compared with the staid monochrome screens of most GPS devices, the icons and mapping details jump off the screen. We found it to be nicely readable in the car and in most outside conditions, though it wasn't at its best in direct sunlight. As with cell phones in the car, you will have to be wary with your usage. The Meridian Color can be a bit distracting while you're driving, as you have to read the screen for turning instructions (though there are audible prompts) rather than hear a voice providing directions.
With a selected map region loaded into the memory, simply press the GoTo button and select either a new or previously loaded waypoint or a point of interest (such as an airport or sports arena) to navigate to via a street route. After a bit of calculating, the Meridian Color presented us with a turn-by-turn journey that we could follow while driving. As we neared each turn, the Meridian Color emitted a set of beeps to warn us of the upcoming direction change. The set of beeps elevated to an urgent level when we were right on top of the turn. We used this to plot a course to Seattle's Space Needle, and it produced acceptable results. However, if you're familiar with the terrain, you may have found your way in less time with better shortcuts. If you turn off the Meridian while following a route, you can return right back to it once you turn the device back on.
Magellan's Meridian series offers Secure Digital (SD) memory card expandability, which is a bonus for adding a large amount of map data, especially for long trips. However, we were disappointed at its placement within the device behind the batteries rather than in an external slot. This won't be a problem for most users, but it could be annoying if you had a number of maps spread across several cards.
We experienced good battery life during our test--Magellan boasts 13 hours of continuous use with two AA batteries. If you do plan on frequent use in your vehicle, we recommend either purchasing the optional cigarette lighter power cable or using NiMH rechargeable batteries, which typically provide a longer battery life, as well as minimized cost in the long run.
Overall, we were pleased with this portable hybrid car/outdoor GPS receiver. The Meridian's color screen definitely provides quick viewing details while out hiking or mountain biking, while the driving navigation features were indeed helpful in unknown locales. However, if you do plan on using your GPS primarily in your car, you should think about moving up to either Magellan's Meridian Color Traveler (which includes a street map CD-ROM, vehicle mounting bracket, and power adapter) or the Magellan Roadmate (with voice instruction). --Agen G.N. Schmitz
Pros:
Color LCD is very readable--routes and icons pop off the screen
Controls well laid out; navigation screens are intuitive (especially for new users)
Optional mapping software is easy to use and transfer
Cons:
SD memory card slot not easily accessible
We recommend a power adapter or NiMH batteries for extended car use
Note: All available screen shots were in black and white. The Magellan Meridian Color provides 160 x 120 pixel resolution with 16 colors on all screens and displays.
What's in the Box
Meridian Color GPS receiver, PC cable, 2 AA batteries, wrist strap, and user's manual (English/French).
Amazon.com Review
The Magellan Meridian Color GPS receiver is just as at home navigating the highways and byways in your car as it is tracking through your favorite mountain trails. This top-of-the line GPS device features a preloaded 16 MB map database of North America, which can be augmented by detailed maps from optional CD-ROMs via the Secure Digital memory card slot. It also offers easy-to-read navigation screens, good-sized buttons and a thumb directional pad on the front, and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) for 3-meter accuracy.
Compared to Magellan's Sportrak line, the Meridian is bulkier both in weight (8.5 ounces with batteries compared to the Sportrak's 6.1 ounces) and overall dimensions--6.5 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches (W x H x D)--making it not quite as pocketable (unless you have cargo pants).
The bright color screen measures 2.2 x 1.75 inches and has a decent 160 x 120 pixel resolution with 16 colors. Compared with the staid monochrome screens of most GPS devices, the icons and mapping detail literally jumps off the screen. We found it to be nicely readable in the car and in most outside conditions, though it wasn't at its best in direct sunlight. As with cell phones in the car, you will have to be wary with your usage. The Meridian Color can be a bit distracting while you're driving as you have to read the screen for turning instructions (though there are audible prompts) rather than hear a voice providing directions (a feature of the Magellan Roadmate).
With a selected map region loaded into the memory (such as from the Mapsend DirectRoute CD-ROM), simply press the Goto button and select either a new or previously loaded waypoint or a point of interest (such as an airport or sports arena) to navigate to via a street route. After a bit of calculating, we were presented with a turn-by-turn journey that we could follow while driving. As we neared each turn, the Meridian Color emitted a set of beeps to warn us (which elevated to an urgent beeping when we were right on top of the turn). We used this to plot a course to Seattle's Space Needle, and it produced acceptable results (though, if you're familiar with the terrain, you may know better shortcuts). If you turn off the Meridian while following a route (say if you take a coffee break), you can return right back to it once you turn the device back on.
Magellan's Meridian series offers Secure Digital (SD) memory card expandability, which is a bonus for adding a large amount of map data (especially for long trips). However, we were disappointed at its placement within the device behind the batteries rather than an external slot. This won't be a problem for most users, but it will be annoying if you've got a number of maps spread across several cards.
We experienced good battery life during our test (Magellan boasts 13 hours of continuous use with 2 AA batteries). If you do plan on using it a lot in your vehicle, we recommend either purchasing the optional cigarette lighter power cable or using NiMH rechargeable batteries (which provide a typically longer battery duration as well as minimized cost in the long run).
Overall, we were pleased with this portable hybrid car/outdoor GPS receiver. The Meridian's color screen definitely helps with quickly viewing details while out hiking or mountain-biking, while the driving navigation features were indeed helpful in unknown locales. However, if you do plan on using your GPS primarily in your car, you should think about moving up to either Magellan's Meridian Color Traveler (which includes a street map CD-ROM, vehicle mounting bracket, and power adapter) or the Magellan Roadmate (with voice instruction). --Agen G.N. Schmitz
Pros:
- Color LCD is very readable--routes and icons pop off the screen
- Controls well laid out, navigation screens are intuitive (especially for new users)
- Optional mapping software is easy to use and transfer
Cons:
- SD memory card slot not easily accessible
- We recommend a power adapter or NiMH batteries for extended car use
Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick: January 2003. The first handheld GPS unit with a full-color screen.
The Magellan Meridian Color is the first handheld GPS receiver to feature a full-color screen. Find your way with superior tracking and accuracy to within three meters, a built-in mapping database, and a high-color, high-contrast, backlit, 120 x 160 pixel display. The Meridian Color finds your location by tracking up to 12 GPS satellites simultaneously, and is also assisted by the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), so it's accurate to within three meters or better.
The Meridian Color is ruggedly constructed and is waterproof, so you can take it anywhere, whether you're navigating the streets or hitting the trails. It features nine customizable graphic navigation displays including a map, compass, and speedometer, and text readouts that show heading, bearing, speed, direction, ETA, and more. You can choose from 12 built-in coordinate systems and 76 datums including latitude/longitude, the Universal Transverse Mercator grid, and the Military Grid Reference System.
The Meridian Color features 16 MB of built-in maps of North America--including interstates, highways, major roads, waterways, cities, airports, and more--that you can also expand by downloading onto an optional Secure Digital memory card (not included). You can store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints, and 2,000 track points, and the Save Track-to-Route feature allows you to convert complicated track files into easy-to-follow routes. Magellan MapSend software, available separately, lets you save hundreds of routes to your PC.
Other features include NorthFinder technology, which shows your direction even when standing still; sun and moon positions, which shows you when the sun will rise and set and the phase of the moon; a fish and game calculator, which shows you when the fish are likely to be biting in any location; and satellite status, which monitors the GPS satellites in view and gets information about their status.
Customer Reviews:
Serious Navigation Tool.......2007-02-20
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.
Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB).......2007-01-04
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.
Magellan Promised Updates but Didn't Deliver!.......2006-07-04
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.
What a Bringdown.......2006-05-20
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!
Magellan Color is Tops.......2006-01-21
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.
Product Description
The ruggedly handsome, compact, lightweight (6.1 oz/170 grams) and waterproof, Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS receiver offers an excellent value for the outdoor enthusiast. Accurate to within 3 meters, the SporTrak Pro features a 9 MB mapping database, 23 MB free memory for downloading street-level maps. Seven large navigation displays allow you to view your position and all the information you need to get to your destination and back, safely and securely, adding a new level of enjoyment to your adventure. Your SporTrak Pro GPS receiver is an indispensable navigation companion when hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing or on any outdoor adventure.
Amazon.com Product Description
The Magellan SporTrak Pro is a feature-rich, fun, and easy-to-use GPS receiver designed for the serious navigator. Its rugged, waterproof, and ergonomic design is perfect for the outdoorsperson needing a compact but powerful navigator.
Included in SporTrak Pro is a 9 MB North American basemap of highways, major roads, parks, waterways, marine navaids, buoys, lighthouses, and more. An additional 23 MB of built-in memory is included for downloading detailed maps from Magellan's MapSend line of CD-ROMs. With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the SporTrak offers readings with up to a three-meter accuracy.
The large display, along with a front facing 9-key keypad, makes it easy to use in any environment. SporTrak Pro software includes seven graphic navigation screens, storage for up to 500 waypoints and 20 routes, a best fish and game time calculator, and BackTrack for finding your way home after a long trip into the woods.
The SporTrak Pro runs on two AA batteries for up to 14 hours. It's housed in rubber-armored, impact-resistant plastic that's waterproof and also floats.
The WAAS difference
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100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system, which was subject to accuracy degradation under the government-imposed Selective Availability (SA) program.
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15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA.
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3-5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy.
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Less than 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy.
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WAAS is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to utilize WAAS.
How it Works
WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.
Who benefits from WAAS?
Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.
Customer Reviews:
Unit Locks Up - Customer Service SUCKS!.......2006-02-02
This unit worked great for the first year or so...though it didn't get much use.
Then it started locking up...just after the warranty expired of course. It has happen 3 times and now I have a very expensive paper weight!
The first time it locked up was becuase of an incomplete download of the MapSend software. I had been throught the process before, but for some reason while loading an update the unit locked up.
So after trying numerous times to get help from Magellan via telephone and email and finally getting a response that was no help at all, I had to sent the unit back to them for repair. It cost me $15 each way for shipping and Magellan charged me $95 to fix it.
Once it finally got sent back (about a month later) the unit worked for a few more weeks and then one day when I turned it on it went into eternal restart mode over and over again and finally locked up on the start screen. The only way to turn it off was to remove the battery pack. So, once again I had to pay for the shipping each way and the repair charge of $95 and wait.
Then, once again the unit failed the same way it did previously. So, now I have a $500 paper weight because of the initial $250 purchase price and cost of sending and repairing the unit twice.
Bottom line is: DON'T BUY IT!
Technically GREAT, but limited.......2005-03-11
I bought this in the Warrior Pack with MapSend Worldwide and MapSend Topo. It works great, has all of the capability expected. But it is not perfect.
Pros: Easy to use, accurate navigation, large screen, VERY Rugged.
Cons: Uses a DB9 parallel connector to hook to the PC. This connection is not on all PCs and not on most laptops. I had to purchase a DB9 to USB cable to hook to the PC. Parallel connections are slow. The 4-color gray scale screen is difficult to use for navigation. It is impossible to tell the difference between a topo line and a stream. Does not pick up well in forested areas or in metro downtown areas.
All in all, I would not recommend this due to the limitations of the 4-color gray scale screen. I would recommend either a 16-color gray scale system or a color system, such as the SporTrak Color.
Just an incredible deal........2005-02-21
I didn't spend a lot of time researching GPS units, just an afternoon googling around the web. The Magellan looked pretty good, features and memory wise, so I bought one. They were just on the market, and I stole one cheap because it wasn't a Garmin, and of course it couldn't be as good, so a couple of early ones sold cheap. That was in June, 2003.
At first, I just enjoyed owning one and being able to download detailed maps from my laptop that would cover a whole state at a time. It only has 24mb of memory available for map loading, but it turns out to be plenty. I usually never used it unless I was lost in a strange city.
I bought the 12v car adapter and started using it like a car GPS, small screen but it was useful. I gradually began to notice some other funtions, like the built in speedometer that seemed to be more accurate than the one in the car. From what I understood of civilian GPS accuracy, that shouldn't be right - then I found about WAAS, and the increased accuracy it offered, and gee whiz - the Sportrak already had it built in.
Gradually, I started looking to do more with GPS, and I had a German friend tell me about using the unit with a laptop as a really big screen in car GPS unit. Hmmm... I was given some old Microsoft map software (Mappoint) and figured I was going to have to buy a new unit to make that work.. but pushing a few buttons .... good grief this thing has the NMEA 2.0 function built in too! It can talk to Mappoint and all kinds of other aftermarket software. After looking around for an updated package, I bought Delorme Street Atlas which is an amazing talking package. It doesn't cost much, and the detail and functions are great.
I started to get interested in Geocaching, and lo and behold on one of the GPS nutcase sites, I found a test of the Sportrak where it basically trounced a Garmin 76s for positional accuracy. http://gpsinformation.net/mgoldreview/sportrak-pro-rev.html
SO I'm still trying to figure out if I need another GPS. The Sportrak Pro is certainly a great deal, and superior especially for accuracy to any other unit in it price range, even today. Since a already own a laptop, I have a very sophisticated GPS unit that I load in the car for vacations and business trips, and that cost me far far less than the $700 to $1000 a good in car unit costs.
Accurate, durable navigation tool.......2005-02-20
I've had my SportTrak since May of 2004 and have enjoyed it very much. I've used it while hiking in both Texas and Louisiana in hot, muggy conditions and it's never missed a beat. I've dropped it on the road more than once and other than a scratch or two on the body, you'd never know. The built-in North American map contains the primary highways you'd expect, but it also shows a surprising number smaller roads as well. It's gotten me out of trouble more than once. With the MapSend software, it's even better. I use it on road trips as well as while hiking and wouldn't trade it for anything currently on the market.
Solid But Flimsy.......2004-08-27
This GPS does exactly what it's supposed to do. I haven't had the opportunity to load any maps into it yet, but the navigation aids included in the on-board memory are pretty good. My only complaints are that the clip for attaching a lanyard to is way too easy to break, and that connecting the serial cable is cumbersome. My lanyard clip broke off after only a few cache hunts, and the serial cable has to be screwed on (literally) to the unit.
Average customer rating:
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Magellan SporTrak Map GPS System
Manufacturer: Magellan
ProductGroup: Sports
Binding: Misc.
Outdoor & Camping GPS
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Handheld GPS
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GPS & Navigation
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Categories
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Electronics
Product Features:
- Powerful 12 parallel-channel receiver
- WAAS enabled for up to 3 meter accuracy
- Quadrifilar Helix antenna for superior tracking in harsh environments
- 2 MB North America basemap of roads, waterways, parks, airports, and more
- 4 MB of built-in memory for additional detailed map downloads
ASIN: B0007ZYUCC
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Product Description
SporTrak Map brings built-in mapping and expandability within reach of everyone. It is a feature rich, fun, and easy to use GPS receiver that does not compromise on features at an unprecedented break through price. It has a small, rugged, waterproof, and ergonomic design that is perfect for the budget conscious outdoorsman needing a compact, but powerful navigator.
Product Description
The ruggedly handsome, compact, lightweight, ergonomic and waterproof, the Magellan SporTrak Map GPS receiver offers an excellent value for the outdoor enthusiast. Accurate to within 3 meters, the SporTrak Map features a 2 MB North American mapping database, 6 MBs free memory for downloading street-level maps and seven large graphic navigation displays to view all the information you need to add a new level of enjoyment to your adventure. Your SporTrak Map GPS receiver is an indispensable navigation companion when hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing or on any outdoor adventure.
Amazon.com Review
Magellan's Sportrak Map--with its gray monochrome screen and limited data upload--is a little bit old school. But that's not bad. Think of the Sportrak Map as a jeep--rugged exterior, spartan controls (that are easy to access), and all the power you need to get you to any destination, whether it be the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest or the urban jungle.
This Map model resides at the low end of Magellan's Sportrak series, which is geared more toward the outdoorsy type than the business person navigating appointments from the car. The Sportrak Map offers a 2 MB built-in map database of North America, a relatively small 6 MB flash memory for downloading maps and points of interest from your PC, storage for 500 waypoints and 20 routes, and WAAS reception (more on that in a moment).
Our first of the Sportrak Map was that it was much smaller than we imagined from the online images we'd seen. At 2.2 inches wide and 5.6 inches, it's about the same size as our old Nokia 5190, and its 6.1-ounce weight is slightly lighter than that old behemoth. The controls at the bottom of the device are well laid out and easily accessible, whether you're right- or left-handed (though the smaller Enter and Nav buttons could prove challenging if wearing bulky gloves). The 2.2 by 1.4-inch grayscale display was adequate, and definitely geared toward handheld viewing.
The Sportrak Map has 9 information screens, including compass, track details, and satellite status. It also has such useful features as track back (which helps you to retrace your steps to previous waypoints) and a track-to-route saving function. (A track represents your current direction of travel, but it won't be saved to your GPS until it's created as a route.)
As mentioned, the Sportrak Map is a fairly base-level GPS unit, which can be a bit disconcerting for GPS newbies. Though it does have a North American land-mass and waterway database, it does not show much mapping detail (save for major highway systems and points of interest like airports and lakes). Again, the Sportrak Map is best used for hikes, mountain biking treks, and the like. You can easily set it to capture the path you follow (i.e., create a track) with specific markers (waypoints), and then upload this set longitude/latitude data to a PC to record your route. Our first attempt at naming a waypoint, which requires using the thumbpad to navigate to onscreen letters and numbers, took longer than it should, but we devised a system that kept our names short but recognizeable.
In our testing, we had access to a Magellan Mapsend CD-ROM, and were able to download maps to the Sportrak Map. We grabbed a large swath of the Seattle metropolitan area (including detailed city streets) and transferred it easily to the device (the file was a little over 3 MB, or half the available memory). Smaller map selections for multiple hikes and such will definitely fit on the device, though highly detailed topographical maps may not.
As with most new handheld GPS receivers released since the middle of 2003, the Sportrak Map adds WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) reception for a reading of your location that's accurate to about 3 meters. Is it handy? Definitely, for some--but it will be mostly transparent to you under typical use. For others, such as a friend who is plotting specific hikes in the Pacific Northwest for a book, the accuracy WAAS provides will improve the precision of tracks and offer better detail for map illustrations.
The Sportrak Map isn't the most powerful GPS receiver out there. But if you're looking for a navigation device that offers accuracy, transfer of routes and waypoints to a PC, and a modicum of extended features (such as detailed map download), the Sportrak Map might just be your ticket to adventure. --Agen G.N. Schmitz
Pros:
- Easy to use, accurate GPS receiver for outdoor activities
- Ruggedized, waterproof exterior (that even floats)
- Internal memory enough for medium-sized map downloads
- Ability transfer of routes and waypoints to PC via included serial cable
Cons:
- 6 MB memory won't be enough for detailed topographical maps
- No external memory card capability (for that see Magellan's Meridian series)
- Isn't recommended as primary in-city navigation device
Amazon.com Product Description
The Magellan SporTrak Map brings built-in mapping and expandability within reach of everyone. It is a feature-rich, fun, and easy-to-use GPS receiver that doesn't compromise on features. Its rugged, waterproof, and ergonomic design is perfect for the budget-conscious outdoorsperson needing a compact but powerful navigator.
Included in SporTrak Map is a 2 MB North American basemap of highways, parks, major waterways, and political boundaries. You can take advantage of its 4 MB memory to download detailed maps from Magellan's MapSend line of CD-ROMs. With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the SporTrak Map offers readings with up to a three-meter accuracy.
The large display, along with a front-facing 9-key keypad, makes it easy to use in any environment. SporTrak Map software includes seven graphic navigation screens, storage for up to 500 waypoints and 20 routes, a best fish and game time calculator, and BackTrack for finding your way home after a long trip into the woods.
The SporTrak Map runs on two AA batteries for up to 14 hours. It's housed in rubber-armored, impact-resistant plastic that's waterproof and also floats.
Navigate with ease using the SporTrak Map's intuitive controls. |
Customer Reviews:
SporTrak Map.......2007-05-13
Of the four hand held receivers I've used, the SporTrak Map was the first one that I used extensively and I was very pleased with it for over a year, until it quit working for no apparent reason. I sent an email message to Magellan support explaining the problem and received a reply saying that `it sounds like you'll need to send in the unit for repair.' No address or instructions were given as to where or how I was to send it. I sent two additional email messages requesting further instructions, but I never received a reply. I then phoned Support twice and was put on hold for such a long time that I gave up. Other than an inelegantly designed external cable connector and terrible customer support, the SporTrak Map would have been a very good receiver for the price. Oh, except that it failed to function after about a year.
Great performance and features for the money........2007-01-22
I have been using hand held GPS units since they became avaibable. This one tracks satelites and is as accurate as any I have owned or used. Lots of navigation screens and info are available, you can customize all of the displays to see any navigation info you like. The Highway/City map that is included is very basic, this unit is not designed to get you from address to address via roads. This unit is great for navigating in the woods, desert, back country etc. If you want driving directions get one of the car mounted units that has detailed street maps and tells you when to turn. The Sportrak Map does have a few MB of free memory available that will allow you to load a couple thousand square miles of detailed maps if you buy the software. I have not had any of the problems some of the others mentioned, I have gotten the unit wet, cold, hot and sandy and it continued to work fine. It tracks under trees and in poor weather as well or better than any of the other 4 or 5 units I have owned or used. Bottom line is you can pick one of these up new on Ebay for well under $100. It beats the heck out of anything you can get new at Walmart for that price both in performance and features if you just need to navigate. But if you really need a hand held with map info I would get something else, one of the units with a SD card slot will give you unlimited memory.
Don't waste your money.......2006-09-26
First of all, customer service is non-existant. You will be wasting your time trying to explain a problem to someone who doesn't know the NORT POLE from the SOUTH POLE! I tried talking to a rep for 45 minutes and still could not get them to understand my problem. The person could hardly speak english!
Try finding an icon to mark a waypoint such as a cave, swamp or anything you might find outdoors. The waypoint symbols preloaded are theme parks, airports, off ramps, rv centers etc. Don't think I've ever seen any of these on the Appalacian trail ! Anyway, it is garbage ! I'm going to look for a GARMIN and throw this piece of junk off a cliff!.
Buyer beware.......2006-09-08
The unit itself works well, however beaware that deet will melt your unit, both the screen and the case. Also after about one year of use my SportTrac had a catastrophic software failure in the field. Apparently, the unit must have a map loaded to work as a GPS unit and my map apparently suddenly became corrupted. Currently, I am unable to load any new maps or perform a software upgrade... making my unit a paper weight. I do not know if Garmin suffers similar issues, but frankly as a life safety equipment this is not acceptable. Lastly, I found Magellan's customer service to be totally crappy...for example the customer service rep saying essentially obviously putting a chemical like gasoline on your unit voids its warranty... my response was DEET is approved to put on ones skin... I did not put gasoline on the unit... Magellan pretty much said to bad... so I would not recommend this unit.
SportTrak Pro a Disappointment.......2006-07-06
Purchased the Magellan SportTrak Pro less than 3 years ago. Discovered that the additional software needed to make the device useable was expensive ($100+ fro street info, another $100+ for topo stuff). The screen is too small. This unit is better suited as a last resort emergency device. The unit, when it got a little wet, totally died (it's supposed to be water proof!). I have read that a lot of customers have had problems with the unit's case integrity. I would not recommend this product or any Magellan product to anyone.
Product Description
With built-in nationwide topography, major roads, waterways, and more, the Magellan SporTrak Topo comes pre-loaded with everything you need to find your way on your next backcountry adventure. Built-in nationwide topography makes SporTrak Topo the first and only "grab-and-go" topo GPS available, with no need to download additional topography. An additional 16 MB of memory enables you to expand your mapping capabilities with detailed street-level maps for navigating over roads, using optional Magellan MapSend software products.Hunters, hikers, mountain bikers, freshwater fishermen, off-road enthusiasts and other outdoor adventurers find SporTrak Topo essential when navigating the backcountry of the United States. The pocket-sized, lightweight, rugged design provides the advantage of GPS navigation - the confidence of knowing where you are and where you're going - without the burden of bulky equipment and cumbersome paper topo maps. SporTrak Topo provides superior tracking and accuracy, showing your position to within 3 meters, even in difficult environments such as mountains or dense foliage. 108 MB of built-in, interactive, nationwide topographic maps means SporTrak Topo is ready for action straight out of the box. Grab it and go!The features of the SporTrak Topo give you all of the great advantages of GPS navigation with built-in topographic maps of the United States in a compact, lightweight, rugged package.
Amazon.com Product Description
A powerful navigation tool, the Magellan SporTrak Topo offers a built-in 108 MB nationwide topographic map database. This 12-channel GPS receiver is also WAAS-enabled for three-meter accuracy--even in difficult environments such as mountains or dense foliage. The SporTrak Topo also include a 16 MB memory for additional map and points of interest downloads from Magellan MapSend CD-ROMs.
Map screen with cursor mode. |
Compass screen. |
The Magellan SporTrak Topo packs GPS navigation and topographic maps into a single handheld device. View larger.
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The pocket-size, lightweight, rugged SporTrak Topo is a great choice for hunters, hikers, mountain bikers, freshwater fishermen, off-road enthusiasts, and other outdoor adventurers. The 108 MB built-in topography database--derived from the U.S. Government Digital Elevation Model (DEM)--features contouring and elevation, as well as highways, major roads, waterways, and coastlines. The SporTrak Topo uses WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) to provide excellent GPS accuracy and reliability, tracking up to 12 satellites to locate your position to within three meters.
Nine customizable graphic navigation screens include a map, compass, and speedometer with text readouts of heading, bearing, speed, direction, ETA, and more. Choose from 12 built-in coordinate systems and 76 datums, including latitude/longitude, universal transverse mercator, and military grid reference system. Plus you can store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints, and 2,000 track points. The save track-to-route feature allows you to convert complicated track files into easy-to-follow routes. You can expand beyond the capacity of the SporTrak and save hundreds of routes by transferring them to a PC using optional Magellan MapSend software. Other great features include the NorthFinder technology, which shows your direction even when you're standing still. You can even monitor the GPS satellites in view and get information about their status.
Magellan has designed the SporTrak for the outdoors. The large, high-contract backlit display is easy to read, day or night, and the rubber-armored, impact-resistant plastic helps protect the internal components during accidental drops. This device is also meets IEC-529 IPX7 waterproof specifications, and it even floats.
What's in the Box
SporTrak Topo GPS receiver, MapSend Topo CD-ROM, PC cable, 2 AA batteries, and user's manual (English/French).
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for my needs.......2005-05-26
I absolutely love this GPS. I chose this model because it already has a built in basic map of the United States, and has a large amount of internal memory so that I do not have to mess around with memory cards and such. It is also nice that the GPS comes with detailed topographic maps of the United States, which normally would require an extra $100.00 or so to buy. You don't have to buy extra software, extra memory cards, or extra accessories, everything is in the box so that you can simply get the one package and be good to go.
Because I do about 95% of my hiking in a 240 X 160 mile area that stretches from South of Phoenix, Arizona to North of the Grand Canyon, I am able to just leave that area on the GPS nearly all the time and only take up about 1/3 of the available memory. That leaves enough room for Joshua Tree NP, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, Yosemite NP, and Channel Islands NP to all be uploaded in connecting regions so that I may use the GPS to get from place to place on the road and then have all of the topographical information that I need in order to hike and explore to my hearts content.
The only time that I can imagine that I would need more memory would be if I were to travel across the country and wanted to have detailed information for the entire route and many places of interest around the main route, but since I generally take a laptop with me when I travel I would just upload a day or two worth of travel at a time. I much prefer to have everything contained within the one unit rather than having to fiddle around with memory cards and such.
While the unit is intended to be used for hiking and off road use, I take mine everywhere simply as a navigational aid in the city, since the detailed maps show every major road and a vast majority of side streets. The GPS will not provide turn-by-turn directions, but it serves as a great interactive map for figuring out where you are and where you are going.
The rugged construction has proven to be able to withstand substantial bangs and falls, and its waterproof construction allows for all weather traveling while being able to concentrate on your own safety without worrying about protecting the GPS.
I do not understand why this unit is not the most popular product that Magellan offers. In my opinion it was easily worth the price, and it is one of those purchases that I simply cannot imagine living without now that I have it.
The only accessories that I would recommend are a larger case (I got one from GPS Outfitters that has enough room for spare batteries, a cell phone, and a few other small items for under $15.00) and a couple of sets of rechargeable batteries. The batteries last a surprisingly long time, though they can wear out quickly if you use the backlighting feature very often.
Good Reception, ok features.......2004-04-08
I use my unit to log traces of my hikes and runs; so good, continuous reception is my most important criterion for judging this unit.
I originally bought a Garmin eTrek GPS unit, but I had to return it. Reception was fine when properly oriented, but the small size and antenna design caused it to lose the satellite signal even under clear skies while I carried it in my hand. I could get good reception only if the unit was held horizontally. This makes it worthless for logging runs and hikes.
The user interface on this Magellan is OK: it's easy to use on the run and somewhat customizable. It's also not too hard to learn to use. But some simple data isn't displayed, like time elapsed since start of trip, or average pace (though average speed is available.)
Map quality is good, and the CD to download detailed maps is included, unlike the Garmin. Also, topographical data of most of the US is preloaded. But this I've been disappointed with, since it seems far less accurate than the USGS maps available in electronic form from National Geographic. Often, a steep uphill appears on the Garmin map as a downhill, while the data loaded into the USGS maps shows the altitude change correctly.
But again, this is all secondary to the good quality reception of the unit in different orientations. Since this is good, it gives good traces of my runs and hikes, and so I'm happy with it.
Product Description
The ruggedly handsome, compact, lightweight, ergonomic and waterproof, the Magellan SporTrak Map GPS receiver offers an excellent value for the outdoor enthusiast. Accurate to within 3 meters, the SporTrak Map features a 2 MB North American mapping database, 6 MBs free memory for downloading street-level maps and seven large graphic navigation displays to view all the information you need to add a new level of enjoyment to your adventure. Your SporTrak Map GPS receiver is an indispensable navigation companion when hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing or on any outdoor adventure.
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