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Pros: Expandable memory! Good size. Light weight. Large backlit screen. Electronic compass. Floats! Cons: Eats batteries. Electronic compass needs re-calibration after changing batteries. No USB. The Bottom Line: This is an excellent GPS receiver! You won't regret getting a Meridian Platinum! If you don't need an electronic compass and barometer, get a Meridian Gold. If you want color, choose the Meridian Color. The decision I had visited Magellan's and Garmin's respective websites to compare technical features of their various devices, and MSRP. It came down to selecting between three different models; Garmin eTrex Vista (GEV), the Magellan Meridian Gold (MMG) and the Magellan Meridian Platinum (MMP). The GEV is a little bit smaller, but feels heavier. The GEV also has a smaller screen compared to the MMG and MMP. I would say that the expandable memory feature was THE one feature that helped me decide. Left with only two models to choose from, the final choice was an easy one. I decided to get the MMP. The MMG has expandable memory just like the MMP, and also has 128MB of built-in memory, but no electronic compass and no barometer. Expandable Memory The Meridian series use Secure Digital cards. You can use any size SD card. I have managed to load all of the state of California onto a 256MB SanDisk SD card, and I have a lot of space left. You can save and retrieve waypoints and routes to/from the SD card. You can copy maps, waypoints and routes in and out from any PC equipped with an SD card reader/writer. Electronic Compass The electronic compass is really nice as it gives you heading and bearing standing still. It appears that the technology in the MMP is still in its infancy. The electronic compass has to be re-calibrated each time batteries are replaced, or the device has been dropped to the ground. It is not much of a task to re-calibrate the electronic compass, it usually takes less than a minute, it's just that it has to be done so often. Re-calibration of the electronic compass is of course only needed if you want to use the electronic compass. There is an option to use GPS satellites for compass functions instead, but that requires you to be moving at 0.5mph or more. Another downfall of the electronic compass is that it sucks the life out of your batteries. With the electronic compass active, you get about 9 hours of battery life. Turning the electronic compass off, and using the satellites for compass functions, gives you another 5 hours of battery life from fresh batteries. Basemap/Detail Map Functionality The MMP comes with a 16MB basemap for North America. Not a lot of detail. A number of detail maps can be loaded onto SD cards and used in the MMP. I have 5 detail maps on my SD card currently. A menu option in the MMP allows you to select which map to use as detail map. Accessories If you, as I, are going to use the receiver both in and outside the car, there are some things that will make it even more useful. Magellan has two accessories that I find very useful, and quite frankly, I am kicking myself for not getting them earlier. 1. Vehicle Mounting Bracket Allows you to easily see GPS data in the receiver, your location etc. 2. PC Data Cable w/Cigarette Lighter Adapter If you're planning on using the receiver with a laptop. 3. Power Cable w/Cigarette Lighter Adapter If you don't want to connect to a laptop, but do want to save batteries.Read full review
I purchased it used and while it doesn't have all the features of a more current GPS, it functions well. Don't get me wrong, really all it doesn't have is a color screen, a camera, etc. The user interface could stand to be more intuitive, but the user manual (on cd) is easy enough to navigate. The reception is far better than the Garmin Vista I used to have. It recieves a signal in the woods and in the car. The backlight will drain the batteries quickly, but at least it takes double A's. I've read alot of reviews where people were dissatisfied with it, but I haven't had a single problem. Overall, I couldn't be happier with it.
I think Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS a great GPS because it will do everything the newer GPS's will do and is a great bargain. This GPS will find geocaches just as well as the newer ones without the fancy graphics, shaded maps and memory. This durable GPS on E-Bay costs a fraction of the price of the latest models and delivers solid performance. My only caution is to be aware of Magellan's latest firmware update. Many Meridian GPS's have been turned into bricks while trying to update. Sinister plot?? Well you will have to decide. So,if you are looking for a blue-collar GPS that delivers the goods then you couldn't do better that the Magellan Merdian Platinum GPS.
My wife and I have been Geocachers for the last 5 years. We started with Garmin units but then started using the Magellan Meridian Platinum ( I own 7 ).....we think its the finest GPS ever made. Large screen and easy to use large buttons ( no joystick) make it a snap to use. Quad. - Helix Antenna does not loose a lock under treecover ( most new one use a patch antenna).Rubberized case floats. Electronic compass is wonderfull for caching.....you can stand still and it will always point to the cache....I put in new NiMH rechargibles before each outing and calibrating the compass only takes a few seconds. Mapsend Streets and Destinations software can be had on EBAY for less than $40 and a 2G SD card will hold detailed maps of the whole U.S., we've travelled the whole U.S. and found the maps dead-on. The screen is not color but the resolution beats most I have seen and no backlight is required ( it does have one) so it dosen't eat batteries and the screen is fine in sunlight. It has an altimeter which in the mountains is very accurate....sometimes to the foot. It has many other features and Directroute software can be purchased for those wanting turn by turn instructions ( Streets & Destinations works best for caching). While it does not have a USB connection, files and maps can be loaded using a card reader. No negatives on this GPS unit.....it's hard to figure why someone would buy anything else.....I know they are no longer marketed or supported by Magellan but there are plenty available on EBAY, some of them new.Read full review
Likes: Expandable Memory for downloading Maps & Waypoints or adding Streets & Trips or Topo map software. Just add an SD Card. Accuracy.....If you're going to be using a GPS under Heavy Tree cover you can't beat A Meridian Series GPS. I Use mine for hunting and Geocaching and It's very Accurate. Most of the time it will get me to within a couple feet of where I'm going. Electronic Compass....Nice feature if you need one but you do have to re-calibrate it when changing batteries which is a little of a pain. I've tried other GPS units and so far this one has worked beyond my expectations. Accuracy is the most important feature of a GPS and I Believe the Magellan Meridian is one of the most accurate even under heavy tree cover. I like the larger size and easy to find buttons on the front of the unit. It makes it much easier at night. Some GPS units buttons are too small and are too close together which makes it tough if you have big hands. Dislikes: Battery life is about 8 hours on a new set of batteries. If using the Backlight at night it will use them up much faster and cut the time to about 4 hours. I always carry an extra set of batteries with me. I could deal with having to re-calibrate the Electronic compass Although it's a little of a pain. Of all the GPS's I would have to give this one 5 Stars.Read full review
