Magellan Meridian Platinum Handheld GPS

Map screen. View larger.

Data screen. View larger.

The Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS is a simple, versatile GPS receiver. View larger.

The Meridian Platinum is PC-compatible and stores up to 500 waypoints and 20 reversible routes with up to 30 legs. It also comes with a quadrifilar helix antenna for optimal satellite signal reception and fast position fixes. WAAS and EGNOS capability adds to the versatility of this receiver, which can be operated in English, French, German, Dutch, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or Swedish.

See your exact position on the Meridian Platinum's seven navigation screens and vertical profile graphs, which show elevations of the route traveled. The oversized grayscale display allows you to easily see location information, and it comes with a backlight and backlit keypad for use even in dim light. Waterproof rubber armoring and an ergonomic, compact design add to the Meridian Platinum's functionality.

The Meridian Platinum is compatible with Magellan's MapSend software, including MapSend Streets Europe and the recently released MapSend Topo for the United States. Vehicle, bike, and swivel mounts are sold separately.

What's in the Box
Meridian Platinum GPS receiver, PC cable, 2 AA batteries, wrist strap, user's manual, and CD-ROM (user's manual with 9 languages).

1.) Research
I did research on all the Garmin and Magellan models. I went with the Magellan Platinum. The Garmin units have really small screens and the button / joystick configuration wasn't very appealing. I noticed that Garmin came out with a new unit that changed the button layout, and comparable to the Magellan Platinum (Garmin GPSMAP 76S GPS). The Magellan is bigger, but more rugged and more durable than the Garmin models. I am the type of person who wants all the features. To many times I have bought a version that only had some features only to upgrade to the higher one. So this time I figured I would go for the top of the line Platinum.

2.) Arrival of the Product
As soon as I pulled the Magellan Platinum out of the box, I was impressed. It felt good in my hand. I read the Quick Start Manual. It was pretty straight forward. I went outside and started experimenting plotting points. I really wanted to test it out. So I drove around in my car all around town. I looked at all the screens that the unit had to offer (with the car parked). I was impressed with the features I encountered. There was a map view showing your current position. There was a road view which looked like you were driving on a road. There was a speedometer view showing your current speed. There was a compass showing your current direction including the sun's and moon's position. It also showed you your estimated time of arrival to your destination according to your speed. There are many more screens that I haven't even touched upon yet, but I was starting to turn into a GPS junkie. I wanted to test this thing out in the mountains.

3.) Mountain Test
I went for a hike on a moderately small mountain. I set my waypoint at my truck. I then put the Magellan in my backpack and went exploring. The satellite reception was great even under heavy coverage. I reached the top of the mountain, and I was ready to return to my truck. I grabbed the Magellan. There was two ways the Magellan can direct me back to my truck: 1.) I could have used the backtrack feature 2.) I could have inputted my truck way point. I decided to go with the truck way point. To my amazement, it put me 5 ft away from my truck. I was psyched!

4.) Conclusion
After the first time using the Platinum in the mountains, I knew I made a great purchase. I was looking forward to using this GPS on bigger mountains. I would like to point out a few things to people considering this unit.

-This unit only eats batteries when you use the backlight. I never used the light once on my hike. The screen is big enough that you really don't need it unless you are using it in poor lighting conditions. I would recommend that you bring an extra set of batteries just in case.

-If you are expecting to see very detailed maps in this unit, don't count on it. It does show major highways, water, airports, and train tracks. It doesn't show side streets or anything like that. You probably have to buy more detailed map software from Magellan. I would ask them how old the map software is too.

-The Magellan Platinum comes with a quick start up manual and a supplemental unit. It also comes with the full user's manual, BUT IT IS ON A CD! That is my only complaint about the purchase. The CD manual is over 75 pages, so be prepared to use a laser printer or buy extra ink cartridges for your printer. You won't have a problem if you like reading directions off a computer screen.
-I haven't tried to download anything onto the unit, but I am going to buy the Topographic CD (If it is current)

In conclusion, I am glad I bought this unit. It has all the basic features I wanted, plus so much more. It is very durable, and it is very easy to handle and use. Appalachian Trail......here I come!

The Meridian Platinum is very easy to use (didn't have to read the manual and this is my first GPS). I was up and running with it in about 15 minutes.

I use this GPS for GeoCaching as well as street navigation in the car and it's excellent for both applications. One of the deciding factors for me was that the Magellan units are not as proprietary as the Garmin ones: for instance, using SanDisk memory cards is possible with Magellan but not Garmin. Considering the price that either Magellan or Garmin charge for those bits of silicon, going with the SanDisk option is a no-brainer.

For street navigation, the MapSend Topo software is a *must have* since the basemap shipping with the Platinum is really weak in details. Even though the MapSend software is a bit outdated, it's still a good buy.

I also purchased a 64Meg SanDisk SD card and a Cruzer SD card reader/writer to avoid using the serial connection for loading maps. Works like a charm! Loading a 32 Meg map only takes a few seconds as opposed to hours over the serial link.

I have not experienced any problems with the MapSend Topo software or GPS lock-ups as reported by a previous reviewer. However, I *did* upgrade the GPS firmware (free download from the Magellan site) before messing with the MapSend Topo software.

While the MapSend Topo software is necessary to upload new maps to the GPS, it's not great to plan trips with it. For that purpose, I find DeLorme's TOPO USA 4.0 to be excellent.

But when it comes to the management of routes built from waypoints, nothing beats the "EasyGPS" software. Even high-end products from DeLorme or Magellan aren't as good just for that purpose.

Overall this is a BIG thumbs up for this unit. The only downside may be how the GPS eats batteries (the electronic compass of the GPS has something to do with it but can be disabled to increase the battery life if needed) and for this reason, NiMH rechargeable batteries are a must.

Here's why. Street and Topographical maps can be purchased for the Magellan unit. Secure digital cards can be added, in effect making it possible to put street maps and topographical data for the ENTIRE US on this one unit. A GPS without maps is much less useful, but with the maps, the Magellan unit is unbelievable. From an outdoorsman standpoint this unit beats maps for several reasons. First, maps are not waterproof and do not float (like this GPS unit does). Second and even more importantly maps don't tell you where you are. This means that I still take maps with me when I go anywhere (as backup) but that I hardly ever use them.

Here's what I have to say about the Magellan Meridian Platinum:
1. It is feature loaded (beyond the other GPS units). It has a fully functioning independent compass which allows you to orient yourself with features, sun/moon location, or simply by heading. The unit also give sunrise/sunset information and gives weather data (barometer and thermometer). These latter functions are merely icing on the cake. The compass is not worth the units price tag by itself, the barometer is merely an indicator of weather changes, and the thermometer is almost always wrong (because the unit will be in your pocket, car, or hand). There are also some features for hunters and fishermen but in my opinion this unit is not likely to help you to find the game--but it's cool nonetheless. All of these features are a nice complement to the Platinum unit which help it to stand out from the rest of the GPS options out there. For its price range no other GPS product compares.

2. The important stuff is all there. The Magellan unit tracks progress, has route setting, monitors altitude change, and provides other vital information. The unit has multiple views and modes which make it easy for a user to find the most useful information for a given situation.

3. The Platinum unit has some wonderful extras. Particularly noteworthy are the multiple levels of backlighting. Backlighting is important because a GPS does no good if you can't read what it says, and the multiple levels of backlighting are important for battery saving. Also, as mentioned before, the Magellan units are sturdy, waterproof and floatable. This is certainly a step up on the competition.

4. Also as mentioned before, the Magellan units are compatible with maps that may be purchased and the Platinum can use a removable digital media card (SD). This is important because without maps most users will find a GPS to be comparatively difficult to use and therefore useless. The topographical maps are a Godsend as are the other maps that are available for the US and Europe. As of my writing Garmin does not have comparable maps.

Here are my concerns with the Magellan Platinum GPS:
1. It is comparatively difficult to program and requires that one get cozy with the manual. This is no problem for those with patience.

2. The Platinum unit is a handheld unit and is designed as such. It is WONDERFUL for outdoor enthusiasts! However the small size of the screen, lack of color (who cares for the most part), etc. make it less practical for car usage. In other words, if you need a car GPS get something big and bright so that you can see it at a glance and thereby avoid accidents. If you need an outdoor GPS to double as a car GPS then go for the Magellan, it beats out the completion.

3. Battery life is an issue. The unit is fairly good about preserving battery power (6-10 hours) however I would recommend keeping an extra set handy especially if you are silly enough to think that GPS means you can through out the Thomas Brothers.

In summary. The Magellan Platinum GPS is the best outdoor GPS you could buy, and it is very reasonably priced. It is also useful for walking, traveling, sailing, and to some degree driving. If you drive a Mercedes and you have no sense of direction however, don't buy this unit, it will not speak to you like some GPS systems do and it will not solve your problem.

As an outdoors-person who is normally resistant to technology, this GPS has made me a convert, I hope it does the same for you.