Magellan Meridian Gold Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: User friendly, easy to hold.
Cons: No real cons, unless you add the Mapsend Software

I purchased a Magellan Meridian Gold November 2001, soon after product release. I chose this model after a great deal of comparison between several GPS models, namely those produced by Magellan and Garmin. After weighing features, screen size, base map...

Pros: Hand held, waterproof, larger screen, floats.
Cons: Inaccurate map.Lack of roads. Requires expensive extras to make it useful.

I wanted a hand held GPS for hiking, camping, boating and traveling. I sorted through quite a few other GPS units before making a decision to buy the Meridian Gold by Magellan. I made this decision based on limited funds, larger display screen than ...

Pros: SD Card for memory upgrades, easy to use menu system, seems rugged.
Cons: Bulkier than some other GPS units; must remove batteries to change SD card.

I purchased this GPS initially just to try out a new "sport" (some would say "hobby"), geocaching (see www.geocaching.com). It exceeded my expectations, the accuracy of this GPS was phenomenal. I purchased this unit, as opposed to other units in the ...

Pros: Larger database/basemap - Large LCD screen
Cons: Bulkier & heavier than Sportrak - Can't upload mapping software w/o optional memory

One of my biggest pet peeves is novice hikers getting lost in the woods, then requiring a rescue crew to piggyback them back to civilization. Not only does this make them look dumb, it also costs tax payers $50,000+ each time. Well, you can save yourself ...

Pros: Easy to use, works indoors, SD module allows large map uploads
Cons: Maps stink

First I noticed that map tracking is all over the place with MapSend Streets USA. It is usually 200' to 300' off. Then I noticed that there is no base map when you load MapSend Streets Europe. When you zoom out to see major highways there are none....

Pros: Great all around product
Cons: Mapping software isn't great

I have tried several different GPS models and this one certainly has the best feature set for the mo ...

Pros: Ease of use
Cons: the time display

Okay I was influenced strongly by the special on the Magellan Meridian Gold being on sale at Sam's C ...

Pros: Detailed topography map.
Cons: No true route saved. Very poor instructions.

I purchased the Meridian in 2001 after a great deal of comparisons between this one and Garmin. I was looking for a GPS which would save way points and route, show topography and elevation. I purchased additional memory and the MapSend Topo Software. I needed the software to show elevation. The Meridian captured all of my way points, distances, route, direction, etc. I was happy with it until I discovered that it didn't track my true route. My true route included lots of switchbacks. However, when viewed on the Meridian, it looked like I took a straight track to the bottom of the Canyon! I met someone at the bottom on the Canyon who had a Garmin (don't remember model name). The Garmin showed his true route plus could lock in satellites when mine could not. However, the Meridian had topography and elevation which Garmin did not. I'm going to contact Meridian to see if I did anything wrong with tracking. If not, I may investigate the Garmin and give my husband the Meridian.

Pros: When it worked, had nice built-in maps.
Cons: Horrible signal-drawing ability. Rips through batteries. Controls awkward.

I bought a Magellan Meridian GPS a year ago for sailing on SF Bay. With a year, it started losing its ability to gather satellites, quickly losing signals. It also just rips through batteries. It's now worthless and it's only a year old. Controls not very intuitive.

Pros: Excellent piece of equipment always gets me where I am going
Cons: Cannot find any free ware to download maps over the web

I love this piece of equipment it has never left me stranded or lost. I have had great luck out of the meridian Gold and would buy another Magellan product. The only thing I have against the unit is the base map is not very detailed but that is to be expected with a plain unit.

Pros: When new, it was fantastic. Returning to a tent in the wilderness,was a cinch.
Cons: My main problem is service. no reply from the Company

I have used this model for three years, and have successfully crossed North America from east to west and back, and from Canada to the south of the States.
Recently, it has indicated a position up to a Km away from actual, sometimes north, sometimes south, occasionally west or east.
I have tried to get an answer from the parent company on whether this is correctable or not.
Shortly before this, it would indicate on which lane of a divided highway you were on. A disappointment.

Pros: Good size display, Accurate, Fits well in your hand.
Cons: Included literature. Battery life with back-light on.

An easy to use device that was very accurate. Included instructions could have been a little better but after a couple of minutes, the full function of the unit can be realized. Took it on a trip to my camp and it worked great. Plotted a couple of points on the way in and then followed them out without looking up from the unit. I didn't run in to anything and I got back home. That's all I can ask for

Pros: 1. Powerful (quickly fix pos) 2. Useful (dynamic routing, and high quaility routes)
Cons: 1. Its design can be more attractive. 2. No voice and color

Finally, I have found a useful and powerful GPS receiver. I have tried other GPS receivers in conjunction with Laptop as my vehicle navigation aid. None of them is even close to my Meridian Gold with MapSend DirectRoute and Secure Digital (SD)card.

1. Powerful
I have never seen any GPS receiver can fix position in my room (near window of course).


2. Useful
2.1 It can really route following streets without connecting my laptop.
2.2 It provides a really useful driving direction to me. The user interface is simple but very effective.

I have tried other GPS receivers for this purpose. I also tried my laptop and GPS receiver combo as well as my pocket PC and GPS receiver combo.

My verdict: Magellan Meridian Gold with MapSend DirectRoute S/W really shines. Yes, I dare to compare $1000 receivers. Only better is those receivers to have colors and voice. The gold instead beeps, which is very effective.

Pros: Learned to avoid Magellan and Thales products.
Cons: The company admits the error but will NOT correct.

I purchased this unit several months ago. I noticed an error of 100 meters east for the position arrow. I called the company and was told that they knew of the error and would send new maps shortly. Each month I would send an email asking about the corrected maps I was assured they would be sent shortly. My last call elicited a response that as an existing customer I could PURCHASE the new maps for only $99.00. I contacted the company by phone and was told by the top technical representative (who refused to give his name) that they would not correct this error for free.

Pros: Great performance for the $$$, expandable memory, rugged design.
Cons: No Color screen. Does not come with the AC car adapter or mapping software.

I have had this GPS for about 1 year now and have been completely satisfied with its performance. Navigating the Menus was easy, but it took some time to figure out how to plot a course.

I have dropped this in swamp water a few times and it keeps going strong.

The expandable SD memory card slot will allow you to map large portions with high detail.

The AC car adapter is a must if you want to use if for long car trips.