Re: Sale on GPS (GM100) at REI

JBlumhorst@aol.com
Wed, 30 Dec 1998 02:32:56 EST


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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For those who are interested in this topic -- there's a press release about
the forthcoming Magellan GPS receivers at

http://joe.mehaffey.com/magellan.htm

>From what I understood, Magellan will be selling two new NON-CARTOGRAHIC
handheld GPS units for under $200. The 315 for $150 (navigational aids not
included) and the 320 for $200 (navigational aids pre-programmed in). For an
additional $79, you can get the Data-Send CD-ROM and PC cable to upload nav
aids, points of interest (hiway exit services, campgrounds, tourist
attractions). The Data-Send CD-Rom also includes software for managing saved
waypoints, tracks, etc. No cigarette lighter power adaptor is included. No
case either.

For the Magellan GPS 315, optional PC cable & software, and optional cigarette
adaptor, you'd be spending about $250. You'd have nav-aids, waypoint and
route software, but not a cartograhpic display. Just your standard, ordinary
display.

Magellan is also planning to sell the 410 Mapping GPS for $350. This is a
cartographic unit which displays a map. The navigational aid data base is
built in. The MapSend CD-Rom is optional, no price is given. Apparently, it
gives you the capability to upload C-Map NT maps. The display is slightly
larger than the GM100, and has a higher resolution, but (in my opinioni)
it's still going to be too small to see depth contours, etc. The PC
connection cable is available as an additional option. I'd guess that the PC
cable, digarette pwer adaptor and CD-Rom would add $75 to $250 dollars to the
starting price of $350. A case IS included in the base price of $350

The Lowrance GlobalMap100 at $299 still seems like the best deal to me. It's
a mapping unit, although it's display is too small for depth contours except
at really zoomed in scales. It includes the PC cable, CD-Rom for waypoint,
etc management, and cigarette power adaptor at that price. You'll have to buy
your own case (about $10-20).

If you want to have large readable charts with detail comparable to your paper
charts, you have to buy a large, non hand-held GPS navigation unit with a
large screen, or hook up your GPS receiver (almost any one over $150 will do)
to a PC with navigation software. Neither the Lowrance GlobalMap100 at $300
nor the 410 Magellan Map410 at $425-500 will give you that.

However, I still like the mapping feature on a handheld GPS unit, even if it's
too small for all the details (depth contours, etc). It's much easier to find
my position on a paper chart if I can see a picture on the GPS.

If you don't care about the map display, there are many GPS units available
for $100 and up. To the best of my knowlege, the GM100 is the only one with
mapping and data management software for under $300.

Maybe someday I'll hook the GM100 up to my laptop computer and have "big-boat"
navigation ability. But that seems like overkill for sailing on SF Bay. The
paper charts are just fine for me. I still plan to carry charts and a
compass, but when the fog rolls in, I'll use the GPS to figure out where I am
on the chart and know exactly (within 150 feet) where home is.

Judy Blumhorst, DC
WWP-19 #266 "Red Wing"
SF Bay, CA