Auto GPS » Magellan Gps

The Magellan GPS Review – How Do These Devices Hold Up to the Competition?

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:55:36 +0000

When a new GPS consumer is looking for the best of the best, it’s very common to see the top brand names in the mix. You will generally see the Garmins, the TomTom’s, and the Magellan brand always on the top of the list. The different brands have their advantages, and can all generally do the same things, however each brand has different aspects which pull in the buyers.

This Magellan GPS Review isn’t really a pitch for why this brand of GPS is better than your average Garmin, but why it’s a good device you should consider if you are looking for a decently priced unit that gives you all the features you are looking for.

So what features do these navigation systems provide?

The standard Magellan devices will offer a bright LCD screen with vivid brightness which is hard to find in other brands. A bright screen that can withstand the sunlight is a very highly sought after feature. On top of that, these devices are all usually touch screen activated, which is more of a convenience factor more than any. Along with these two aspects, the mapping itself will provide pinpoint directions for any location you wish to travel to.

What separates the average GPS device from the best devices is the ability to not only give accurate directions but to also get you out of a crunch if you come into a busy congested traffic area. The Magellen brand of GPS devices is no slouch in these well desired areas.

For the price that you pay, you can always assume a good purchase was made with these outstanding devices. In my personal opinion, the Magellan series equally parallels the other top brands on the market and anyone that uses these devices will tell you the same exact thing.

By: John Clayton

GPS Navigation Systems – A Quick Guide

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:58:07 +0000

If you are a technology and gadget addict, you’ve probably heard and seen and experienced the power of GPS navigation systems! Today, GPS navigation is becoming quite common and GPS devices are all the rage. These small sized systems stored a whole lot of information and can prove to be very helpful, especially if you visiting places you’ve never been to before.

More than that, GPS navigation systems make for excellent gift choices. Trust me, if your partner or friend travels the world, a GPS navigation device will be the ideal gift on their next birthday. Packed with incredible features, these devices are easy to use and fun. However, due to the numerous models and designs available, choosing a GPS system can be very confusing. So, sort through this mess with this quick guide and pick the best GPS navigation system for you.

The GPS navigation systems market is a very competitive one. You can give models with similar features from different manufacturers and at different prices. Typically, the price for these devices ranges from $150 to almost $1000, depending on the features. GPS systems come with a wide set of technology driven features that can make choosing the best one in your budget a challenge. While most manufacturers offer features like FM transmission, Bluetooth, multiple route numbers, live weather, traffic updates, losing yourself in this sea of complexity can be overwhelming, especially to a relatively less educated buyer. So let’s start by understanding these complexities one at a time.

Now, like most appliances and gadgets there are several players in this field too. However, it’s best to go with the bigger and more reputable manufacturers as you can sleep peacefully knowing that your device will be supported and serviced. The biggest players in the GPS navigation systems market are: Garmin, Tom Tom, & Magellan.

Garmin GPS navigation systems are known for their wide range, their superior quality, and excellent technology. Tom Tom is a relatively new entrant in the market and has managed to capture a sizable chunk in this space by offering competitively priced, quality products. However, it is Magellan that was the pioneer in the GPS industry!

So what about their features? Broadly speaking, all GPS devices come with a touch screen interface, voice directions, a database of ‘points of interest,’ auto-calculate the distance facility among other things. So, if this is all that you demand from the GPS device then you can pick one up for around $150 from any of the biggies.

However, if you want a more feature packed device then you’ll also have to pay more. By spending a couple of hundred dollars more you can get an integrated Bluetooth feature for hands-free voice calling, extensive maps, real-time traffic and weather conditions and a bigger points of interest database.

Finally, GPS navigation systems that calculate the distance between multiple destination points on different routes are the most expensive devices in the market. So depending on your budget and requirements, you can easily buy a GPS device for around $350-$400 and never be lost in a new city again!

By: Hayi Mansoor

GPS Comparisons

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:57:22 +0000

With the release of several Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units used by golfers, motorists, navigators, mariners, aviators, pilots and fitness buffs, there are expected GPS comparisons that put borderlines between models. Comparing one from the other in terms of performance and pricing is but normal. Considering areas like smallness or largeness of GPS screen, richness of traffic data given, built-in features and affordability can be criteria for your to judge which one fits your needs.

GPS Comparisons place distinction between auto and handheld GPS equipment. Auto units are usually built in car vehicles while handheld ones are usually used by those who just want to place them in the pocket or attach to a belt. There are recreational GPS grade units that either display base map or none at all. Those units with built-in maps are more expensive than those without, but both are handy.

If what you are looking for is different from the standard handheld GPS, then you must try a unit that’s integrated with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). GPS comparisons say this unit monitors geostationary satellites delivering correction signals much higher than those without WAAS. It also allows preciseness to beyond 16 feet under likeable scenarios. Magellan and Garmin brands are those that come with WAAS.

According to GPS comparisons, Magellan and Garmin GPS units are both integrated with built-in maps and display data on big screens. Garmin eTrex can last up to 20 hours on two rechargeable AA batteries while Magellan Meridian Gold can do 14 hours and even on field, it can last for eight hours. Getting the best unit of GPS would depend on one’s budget and purposes. Handheld units have own strengths and limitations as much as a car’s built-in GPS has. Both are equipped with computer-mapping programs, though.

Preciseness in taking distance and other important data are achieved by both most GPS types. GPS Comparisons say the demand for GPS has increased tremendously. Because GPS units are built in automatically in luxurious cars, the increasing demand for it is unstoppable. If you want to compare features and performance elements of GPS units, you might just have to consider canvassing about brands like Garmin, Navman, Mio, Magellan and Tom Tom. Compare their pricing, quality, built-in features, battery lifespan and durability.

In terms of GPS mapping data, GPS Comparisons tell there are some map programs sold to ensure accuracy of displaying data on your GPS monitor. Majority of what the market offers are sure to by-pass traffic areas ahead using GPS and compute new walkthroughs. If not employed properly, you might be out of right lane or off-track. In this case, not only will you be wasting fuel, you will also be delaying your trip.

By: Ian Pennington

Magellan GPS Sport Trak Vs the Imperfect Storm

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:03:27 +0000

To say a GPS saved my life, and the life of my family would be a lie. I could however say, that my Magellan GPS Sport Trak was a reassuring tool during a real life threatening situation. And that would be the truth. More…It was only the second year our family had been sailing, and we decided to venture a little further from our home port. The perfect starter trip, presented itself, when two other family friends decided to take their two boats on a short weekend sail from Bayfield to Goderich Ontario. It’s a pretty short distance. a couple hours sailing there on a Saturday, a stay overnight in different marina, and a couple hours sail home the next day. It also seemed like a perfect chance to try out the new GPS.

GPS And The Real World

The entire trip would be insight of land, and a GPS was probably not really necessary. But, as with all tech gadgets, there is a bit of a learning curve. So, I figured it would be a good chance to learn a bit more about the GPS in a very practical environment. With the added benefit, of something to amuse the cyber kids during a potentially long and boring (translation: no computer games) adventure. The trip up took a little longer then planned, as the wind was of course very light, and not blowing the direction we were heading. It was a nice sunny day, making a longer trip more pleasant. All three boats arrived just fine. The GPS worked fine, and it was kinda cool seeing it track our trip over the lake. Much more fun that watching it track my speed, as I walk around the block. That’s what I did the first day I had it, since it’s really not much fun to play with a GPS standing still.

GPS Bread Crumbs

After a pleasant dinner and fun time in the Goderich marina, we headed of for sleep, with plans to head home early the next day. The next day brought a little more weather early on, so it seem to be prudent to head off early. The wind picked up quickly, and pretty soon we were sailing in 20 knot winds with 3 to six foot waves. The wind of course blowing the opposite direction from where we were heading. A little rough, but we were managing, and we could easily find our way back home by following the shoreline, or our previous days trip, still stored in the Magellan GPS. About 5 miles directly off shore from our home marina, we made our last tack in and could see our home port in the distance. Thinking smugly that we had avoided any storms I relaxed a little. I noticed the big black wall heading toward us from the south, but was sure we had it beat. About 2 miles from our port, I realized just how wrong I was.

A GPS Makes A Crummy Umbrella

The line squall hit us dead on. Winds went from 20 to 30 knots, and the rain poured. We furled our head sail, and sent the kids below for safety’s sake (which of course sent one racing for the head to deposit her breakfast). Over the radio, helpful advice from our friends boats attempted to assure us we would be fine. The worst thing, was that the shoreline completely disappeared. Nothing but black. Sailboats like water, but they don’t do so well crashing into land. As one boating friend tells me, “In a boat, the land is not your friend”. And here we were heading for land, but just not sure where it was. Not a good thing. Fortunately, our GPS had our home port as a waypoint, and all we could do was follow it’s course. Actually all three boats had their GPS set for the home port, and they were following their GPS heading just as we were. Fortunately, it was a quick storm (only 15 minutes or so), a great beginners introductory storm. As the black dissolved, and the sun shone, our GPS had been true. We were right on target at the mouth of the Bayfield river, and it was pretty simple to just sail in and tie up. Fifteen minutes later, we watched the next squall blow through from the safety of our dock. Who says tech gadgets are just toys? My GPS was a real life saver.

By: Chris Campbell

Pocket PC GPS, Tracking the Details

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:06:22 +0000

The increased availability of pocket PC’s that run on a windows platform have allowed easy access to the Internet no matter where you are. The term pocket PC, PPC and Win CE are used together to describe the various new hardware devices that use the Windows mobile software to access the Internet. Many of these new devices have GPS capability which further adds to their function. Pocket PC GPS units and software give the user a wide range of applications to meet just about anyone’s needs.

Mapping capability within pocket pc GPS devices comes in several different formats. Probably the most desired format is called moving map with voice guidance. Many people are familiar with this type of GPS mapping as it is identical to that found in most automotive GPS systems that are used in motor vehicles. Included in these software packages are auto routing with detailed street mapping. In addition you can also find downloads for detailed topographic maps as well. Non voice guidance capable software is also available at a much lower price.

Marine and Aviation mapping capabilities are also available that include aircraft and boat performance features including altitude, crosswind calculations and horizontal situation indicators. In addition these pocket pc GPS units also allow you to do detailed flight and nautical trip planning. Many of the software packages that work in pocket pc’s will work in Garmin format for easily uploading and downloading waypoints. In addition Memory-Map software will work with Magellan GPS software.

Pocket pc GPS devices that have the new SiRF chipsets in them will be able to work faster and within less than ideal environments. Tall buildings, deep canyons and heavy canopy tree cover has been a problem with older GPS receivers. The new SiRF technology has greatly increased the effectiveness of all GPS units especially those that do not have a dedicated antennae like pocket pc’s

GIS software is also available to pocket pc users. This geographical information system data base information is great for providing not only location information but cultural, political and infrastructure data. This data is provided in map overlays each with specific information that the user can use in making planning decisions.

Having a pocket pc GPS on hand gives the user a powerful and diverse tool. No matter what the user’s location critical planning and operational information is always at hand. All of which making an investment into a quality pocket pc GPS system very cost affective.

By: Jim Kesel

GPS System Best Buy

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:08:33 +0000

First, a few notes about the Magellan ColorTRAK GPS. It is so amazing that it has an internal lithium battery back-up that keeps the memory active for 10 years! That is a really long time! The Magellan ColorTRAK GPS is also scraggy and has a waterproof construction so you don’t have to worry it dunk into the water.

GPS for truck tracking is relatively new and have shown very good effects. It has been proved that tracking of your vehicles will keep your overhead down. For example GPS Tracking can eliminate the need for having your truckers fill out driving logs. The mileage tracking will allow fleet managers to observe vehicle performance and maintenance from the convenience of their computer.

GPS tracking is the term given to the process of being able to locate the exact location of a receiver on earth. Today, the devices can be very small. They are often used for a variety of purposes, and truck tracking is what actually remains as the most popular and widespread uses of GPS.

Today, mobile communication devices are becoming much more technologically advanced and offer more than the ability to just carry on a conversation. Cell phone GPS tracking is one of those advances. With GPS technology now more commonplace in many new cell phones, this means that the location of anyone carrying a compatible cell phone can be accurately tracked at any time. So GPS tracking is an excellent tool to use and take advantage of throughout our lives.

Tracking systems reduce vehicle costs by putting a spotlight on speeding employees, who waste fuel, cause excessive engine wear and drive up insurance rates. Vehicle tracking systems will also remind you when it is time for preventive maintenance, like oil changes, helping you keep your vehicles on the road and making you money.

GPS tracking systems are continuously offering something new and amazing for your use. Some also included the feature that allows you to track your own car via the Internet. GPS tracking systems are also great solutions to track the vehicles should it be stolen. In the near future we should expect most new vehicles to have GPS equipment. That will reduce the huge costs that is now associated with the transportation sector. Trucks and the cargo they carry are stolen and the cost estimates now show that the figures are not millions of dollars but billions of dollars. Every year.

By: Louise Wasa