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View Full Version : Magellan Sportrak Color GPS

Mark Holtz
10-31-04, 11:49 AM
I was in Costco on Tuesday, and noticed that they were selling the Magellan Sportrak Color GPS for $200. Did some checking of reviews and prices and noticed that it was priced a lot less than what froogle.google.com was saying, plus it had some good reviews.

I'm still learning how to use the thing, but for what I want to use it for (traveling), it may be just fine. I did set a waypoint for both work and home to try the unit out, and when I went back to those points, I was about 20 feet off. Just the nature of consumer-grade GPS signal, I guess.

I will need to find a copy of some street map software so that I can upload street maps. I do have a memory limitations and no way to expand the memory. Oh well. I'm just looking at it as a introductory GPS receiver.
SimpleSimon
10-31-04, 12:56 PM
20 feet is reasonable. If I've got a spot I REALLY care about, I tag it several times on different days and average the results, then save that.

As for software, I went the other direction - I use a laptop running Delorme driven by a beat-up old Garmin GPS II with a display that's crapping out - but the GPS engine is just fine.
Mark Holtz
10-31-04, 01:08 PM
I kinda figured it was, and I was expecting it. 20 feet is more than adequate to find my car in a huge parking lot. ;)
SimpleSimon
10-31-04, 05:27 PM
I don't have that problem. Biggest parking lot in the county is probably 200 cars. :)
DonLandis
11-01-04, 07:21 AM
SimpleSimon-
I've been using the Delorme Earthmate since it first came out on serial with batteries. I upgraded to the USB one and it is much better with laptop power and auto start. I use it all the time when I travel by air and rent a car. I love the confidence level of these GPS systems for never getting lost. I have the Kenwood system in my Van and it is far superior to operate but not portable.

I'm thinking about trying the one for the PDA's next.
SimpleSimon
11-01-04, 02:10 PM
I've thought about mounting a laptop in my van, but it'll take up a lot of space. A PDA or tablet PC solution would be better. Maybe something with around a 640x480 8" screen.