Garmin vs Magellan handheld GPS, who wins and why?

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Ed

Been looking at GPS handhelds, and the archives here to sort out where to start as I'm new to the sailing game. Mostly sailing inland, and using it for waypoints, speed, VMG, anchor drag. I see lots of good words for Garmin's products (76 seems popular), but a local store is selling the Magellan Meridian Gold for the same price, and tossing in computer cable and map software and 16MB card... I'm tempted to go that way (more memory is better right?). It floats. I see they also have charts to download (for more $$$). it seems the controls on the bottom would be more convenient too. Will I be sorry? Or is the Meridian a decent competitor to the Garmin 76? Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,003
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
GPSs

Ed GPSs are like buying digital cameras. So much alike but all feel different. My friend bought a Garmin 76 two years ago and still has trouble working it because of all the features and settings and menus. I still have my five year old Magellan Blazer, real simple. Never a problem to use. Garmin doesn't seem to have a GO TO button. Magellan does. Given your circumstances, why not try both of them out in the store and find out which one is easier for YOU to use? Good luck, the Magellan sounds like a great deal. Stu
 
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Art

GPS

I agree with Stu...I have a Garmin handheld mounted in my cockpit. I have it wired to my DC system and my autopilot. The thing I learned about these electronic navigation systems...the simpler the operation, the easier to understand
 
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Timmr

magellan meridian

I bought a Mageelan Marine.It has the same memory and features as the gold.However it is set up for waterways with navigtional markers.It came with enough information that purchasing additional software didn't seem neccessary.Very easy to use.The video helps
 
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