Garmin vs Magallan

[Boat of Us]

Hi everyone<br /><br />Well the boating season is just around to corner and I'm thinking GPS these days...... <br /><br />I presently own a Garmin 76. It's good but quite limited.I recently saw a Magellan Meridian Color.<br />It has great features such as built-in mapping database of North America, including highways, major roads, parks, waterways, airports, cities and marine navigation aids, such as buoys, obstructions, wrecks, lighthouses.<br /><br />So my questions is from experience, which do you prefer?? <br /><br />Thanks for your help<br />Debbie

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

If you are using that unit for boating, I'd make sure the map includes the waters in which you will be traveling. Smaller, but navigable rivers may be shown but the maps may not be suitable for GPS only navigation. I have an old Garmin GPS12MAP in which the base map is dead on for highway navigation but one of the rivers I travel is not accurately mapped.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

After purchasing two Garmin GPS machines I finally realized that it would be prudent to try to find out what improvements will be included in the next generation of their GPS products. Neither my handheld or console mounted models include the map feature. Consequently I have to add my waypoints in from actual travels or computations from charts, which I somewhat enjoy and it makes me more familiar with areas. Also, I do compare my computations to those included in GPS waypoint books. I'm debating purchasing one more Garmin, a console model with map. Regular price $450 or so but on sale for $299. My old console saved me once when I got into some fog at Cattle Pass in the San Juans. Also, wind came up, lots of logs in the water, and rocks plus small islands. Trusted the electronics and they got me out of there OK. My "friend" had left the area in his boat without saying anything and didn't respond on the radio. That was quite a day! We both survived, but I never took another trip with him. Rich.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

Sorry I didn't respond directly to your question. My purchase of the second Garmin was somewhat influenced by the similarities in the operating systems of the two machines. I didn't need to learn a totally new system. All other things being equal or nearly so, I would probably stick with the Garmin. Check their web site to see if the next generation has something you value, like WAAS.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

If you buy any Garmin "MAP" should appear in the model type.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

A while back I purchased a Magellan FX324C This unit has been great for me. The best part was the sale price of only $350. They have been gone from the store I bought mine from for some time and the prices I've seen would not prompt me to purchase one at listed price at about $700. All in all though it's been a great unit.

 

[Boat of Us]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

It's not easy to chose. My Garmin 76 is very basic. The Magellan Meridian Color I saw was only $300. and it had good features. Yesterday I was at the Montreal Boat Show and I talked to a Garmin dealer so of course he insisted on Garmin.<br />I'm leaving for Florida in a month so I still have time to make a decision.........<br /><br />Thanks everyone.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

I just sold my Garmin gpsmap76... It was very good and reliable, I looked at the meridian (a freind of mine has one)and had a hard time getting used to the colour on such a small screen.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Garmin vs Magallan

I have two Magellan Meridian Marine GPS receivers. I like them. Good features like WAAS an are NMEA compatable. They accept SD cards with maps. One was broke. I sent it back to Magellan and they repaired it and I had it back in a couple weeks.