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GARMIN
GPSMAP 76S and Magellan Meridian Platinum -- Comparative
User Views We
are often asked the question, "Which GPS is best for me?" and our answer
is always a variation of, "It depends." It depends upon many factors
including the specific requirements of your application but often is really a
matter of your personal preference. By way of demonstrating this, we present here
contrasting commentaries by users who have had experience with both the GARMIN
GPSMAP 76S and the Magellan
Meridian Platinum.
SEE
ALSO: Meridian Platinum User Report: Click
here for "Field Evaluation Magellan Meridian Platinum" by
Russ Thompson |
1
"I
have had the opportunity to field test both the Magellan Platinum, and the Garmin
Map76S. The main use for the GPS unit was for keeping track of distance and course
plotted by a small sailboat. The secondary use of the unit is for distance tracking
on land, and basic compass navigation. I have also used the GPS units for such
things as calculating the amount of vertical meters skied on Big White (local
ski mountain) and for the average rate of descent. Finally, the GPS is used for
weather read-outs.
Physical
Comparison:
The size and weight of the two units is almost exactly the
same, although the Garmin unit boasts a higher screen pixelation (240*180 vs 160*120
for the Magellan unit). The higher pixelation, however, leads to faster battery
drain, with an average 3 hours lost on battery life compared to the mighty 14
hours of battery life the Magellan provides. The Garmin model also suffers in
shape I believe, as it tends to not "fit in the hand" as well as the Magellan
unit. The GPS Map 76S also tends to shut-down when shook, while the Platinum has
more resistance to shocks. The is a major thumbs-up for the Magellan. Both units
are equally waterproof. Finally: The Garmin unit comes with more internal memory
- 24mb vs 16mb. HOWEVER, for less than I paid for the GPS Map76S, I was able to
purchase the Platinum and an additional 64mb of memory, in the way of a small
memory card that easily inserts into the Magellan Platinum. This gives an overall
memory of 80mb vs Garmins 24mb. Memory cards can be changed, and previous tracks
and adventures can be kept safe for later use. Again a huge plus for the Magellan!
The fact that the Garmin unit does not have expandable memory is almost too hard
to comprehend for serious long distance navigation, and multi-track saving (not
necessary for all users).
Features:
The Garmin unit definitely
can "do more" when it comes to overall features, and I found that I easily learned
my way around the very intricate software. Besides the Altimeter feature, the
GPS Map76S also allows the user to customize every aspect of every screen, including
adding on more data fields, and changing the graphic display. The Platinum can
do this to a lesser extent, but not to the same degree as the Garmin. One of the
neatest things was having the ability to take a screen, customize every level
of detail for it, including the number of various displays, and having this become
my main user screen... Again the Platinum could do this, but not to the same degree
of detail. Both units boast a built in compass, but the Platinum was much better
for accuracy, and allowed the user to tilt the unit any direction and still achieve
exacting accuracy. The Garmin wasn't even close in this category! Another thing
that was important for me was indoor reception. The Garmin unit again lost out
here, when it was unable to pickup satellites at times when the Platinum was able
to zone in on 3 or more! For in car use or indoor use, the Platinum was the winner.
Software Uses:
I have been using the mapping software called OziExplorer
for the past month, and happily, both units had the same accuracy and capabilities.
Transferring my house waypoint to the software from both units resulted in identical
placements on the map. Track and Route transfers were also impressive. Both units
also work well with Microsoft Streets and Trips.
Accuracy:
Both units were the same, in that they both identified my house as being in
the middle of Okanagan Lake! The Garmin had built in mapping that showed me less
"out to sea" than the Platinum. For an additional $120.00 I purchased the Magellan
MapSend Canada software, which will probably correct this on my Magellan unit.
[Later: I just started using the MapSend software, and after transferring
all of BC/Alberta to the GPS, my GPS unit has turned into a much better tool.
And the problem of having my house show up in the middle of the lake is also gone,
instead showing my house and other waypoints on the proper street that it is supposed
to be on... The scale and detail is phenomenal. You may want to add this to my
write-up... ] Either way, this was only a problem close to the lake, and was not
an issue on the water. For serious water or land navigation, any user should upload
proper software to the GPS unit. Temperature and Barometer read-outs were roughly
the same.
Packaging:
I was very disappointed with Magellan for
making me have to look on a CD-ROM for unit information, versus Garmin which included
a full manual. The information from both manufacturers was equally well laid-out,
but I like the manual idea more. I ended-up printing the Platinum manual out on
Acrobat Reader. Both units included computer hookups, and in both cases I recommend
the Serial-USB transfer cable, as my Laptop doesn't even have a Serial connection.
Results:
While the Altimeter on the Map76S was neat, it was not
a useful tool for me. More important was the compass feature, which was much better
on the Platinum. The other Garmin pluses: more GPS screen control, higher screen
resolution, and a better manual were all valuable, but nothing compared to the
highs for the Magellan Platinum: longer battery life, better compass, more shock
resistance, better satellite reception, expandable memory, and overall "fit in
hand" comfort."
2
| Meridian
Platinum Pros: | | •
| Ease
of set up for entering a waypoint: the user has a full alpha/num display to tab
through for choice of a waypoint name | | •
| Antenna:
very strong signal reception. Had a WAAS signal received in Nelson! (very mountainous
area) | | •
| Large
display | | •
| Nice
"in the hand" feel | | •
| Tri-axis
compass, so one does not have to hold the unit level. | | Meridian
Platinum Cons: | | •
| The
menu layout: we found it very cumbersome to get around in it, did not always appear
to be a logical progression. | | •
| No
lanyard, or attachment point for one. This is not a secure feeling with an object
this size in one's hand. | | •
| Permanently
WAAS enabled: would lead to implied inaccuracies in some areas. | | •
| Cannot
save a detailed track. Only to a (30 point max) route | | •
| Compass
takes 3 - 4 menu moves to turn it on/off. Very time consuming when one is trying
to maximize battery life and minimize time spent pushing buttons vs working with
the GPS | | •
| Though
advertised as being able to use the compass in any position, the owner's manual
instructs one to hold the unit as level as possible for greatest accuracy. | | •
| With
the compass turned on and navigating toward a waypoint, the compass ring displayed
would be very erratic. At times varying as much as 45 degrees from course, regardless
of speed. (Owner's manual instructs to maintain a speed of 1.1 km/h or greater
in order for the compass to be accurate). This would lead a person quite a bit
past their waypoint before realizing proximity to it. We actually found the compass
more stable with the 'GPS compass' in use rather than the electronic one. | | "These
are our personal views on the Magellan
Meridian Platinum. I know of people who swear by them, but we really found
this new unit to be an unfortunate step for Magellan." |
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