djsepinions's Full Review: Bennett Marine MAGELLAN SporTrak Pro Marine (88362...
After a canoe trip with my Brother with his GPS in hand, I decided to take the plunge. I love this unit. Once it acquires a position fix it holds the signal very well.
My brother had a Garmin eTrex (base model, non-mapping) and he had to have his unit out and the sitting perfectly level to keep a signal - so it blew me away when the Garmin would hold a signal pointed down and in my pocket (no trees). The eTrex was tempting because the Garmin is quite a bit smaller - but I haven't found this to be disturbing when it does it's job so well. Also the eTrex's are so compact that their "solidness" would seem to be a downside when dropping onto a hard surface.
I found $10 shareware (http://www.techgt.com/agps/main.asp) that turns Mappoint into a navigation system that seems as powerful as many of the built-in vehicle models. Mappoint does all the routing which normally takes a much more expensive GPS unit. GPS Utility (http://www.gpsu.co.uk/) will also turn mappoint routes into routes for your GPS (must manually add "stops" at each turn on the mappoint map).
If you are using this device for sport, get the topographical maps - as a newbie, I didn't realize this included all roads as well (in fact more up to date than the Streets and Destinations). Streets and Destinations just seems to have many more points of interest - which don't interest me and take up more room when uploading maps.
Now it was a hard decision between the MAP and the PRO.
Here were the reasons I got the MAP:
*) Had a $75 rebated running on the ATV bundle (adds bike mount, 12V cable and Topo CD to normal MAP package which already includes the data cable).
*) I can upload my metro area (Reading, PA through Philly, PA) and one or two other metro areas (In one case Metro Chicago) for when I travel. That's really all I need.
*) The other features seem identical. The software updates for the MAP unit use the exact same file as the PRO.
*) I am guessing that a part of the base map difference between MAP (2MB) and PRO (9MB) may be marine data detail.
*) There is a difference in base maps, but if you buy one of the mapping CDs and don't roam the entire country all the time, then it does not matter.
*) Even calling Magellan does not easily clear up and functional differences documented ANYWHERE including their own site other than the base map and uploadable memory differences. The MAP has a "marine" mode and seems to have all the "marine" screens and it has four altitude functions.
*) Many sources incorrectly state the uploadable memory in this unit. It is 5 MB.
I can take some time to get a position fix. Occasionally this even happens in treeless blue skys.
I am unhappy with the accuracy of Magellan's maps - when I connect this unit to MapPoint - Mappoint is spot on.
The data cable is difficult to attach. You have to compress the connection contacts, hold it aligned on a fairly flat surface (two little plastic guidance pins help some) with one hand and then turn a screw with the other hand.
Garmin is agressive in their pursuit of additional map software - they rightly see that as the profitable part of GPSes once someone is accustomed to the unit. Unfortunately I can't even get a topographical map of Canada for Magellan.
Geocaching and general adventure travel is making detailed foreign maps a great value added area. Someday someone will figure out how to give the unit away (like cell phones) by having the best utilities and software.
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