Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

I want a GPS but I would like to know which one is considered the best. If it is a stand along unit what are the options to hook it up to the VD?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 293

I think magellan is the best right now(it has a good software too!)
Geode is better than magellan in hardware specs, but everybody said that the software is slow!
Good Luck

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 30

I have already sold my standalone Magellan 315, in hopes that Staples or Amazon will soon get the Magellan Companion back in stock.

Sure, the Geode is slick, but the software is a bit quirky, and the module is quite expensive.

The HandyGPS is priced right, but can only work with the included software. It does not use standard NMEA output.

The Magellan Companion is the perfect compromise. The price is right. Maps are included. Sure, the 2 pieces of included software lack certain features, but hey, go find software that suits ya! There's the beauty of the Magellan.... the hardware just plain works, and you can always switch out the software. It's a winner in my book.

just my $.02

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 293

Staples already got it in stock
I just got my magellan today!

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 30

Akur,

I just called Staples.com less than an hour ago. They are sold out of the Magellan Companions, and have no clue when they'll be back in stock. If you try to place the item in your shopping cart, it says they are out of stock. I've been checking their site for the last 2 weeks, and it's still not available.

By the way... at Staples website, the photo of the Magellan Companion actually shows the HandyGPS. I called Staples, and they confirmed the correct Magellan item number. So it appears to be a simple webmaster's mistake.

- Sean

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 293

Oh, Magellan is sold like a hot cake
yesterday it still available and today is out of stock, wow!
ok I hope you can get the magellan soon!

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Utah
Posts: 6

what gps

i got my magellan today and i haven't had any big problems w/ it. i'm even able to use it in my basement. the only complaint i have is i'd like a hard copy of the manual. i also ordered mine from staples.com on sunday and the rep said there was two left. i'm very happy with what it can do and the price beats the geode hands down. if i had the extra money and was willing to wait for the geode to get the software up to par - that would be the way to go. the magellan does all i need and does it well. just my .02

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

Magellan in the basement I thought they needed a line of site?!?! If that is as good as it sounds that might be grounds enough to get it over the Geod. Right now I am leaning towards Magellan. What are some of the things that you have used them for so far?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burke, Virginia, USA
Posts: 21

I'm really enjoying my Magellan. My uses thus far:

Tracking progress while driving (it not like I've needed it, but its way cool and the map scrolls very smoothly including across county lines)

Cache hunting. I've only done it once (go to www.geocaching.com if you want more info), but it was a blast and a good way to get the whole family out into the fresh air. I hope to do it again real soon.

Showing off. Yeah I know its geeky, but at my age, you find your pleasure where you can.

Tom

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Utah
Posts: 6

what to get

i did the initialization before going down into my basement but i was able to maintain a fix once down there... so far i'm just playing with it but i hope to use it quite a bit camping this summer....

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 32

Geode vs. Magellan

I just got my Geode, and have to warn you, if you are considering this module, it is still a beta unit! I am not going to return mine, because GPS is not something I need every day, so I can afford to wait around for them to implement all the cool features that will make the Geode the definite unit to have. However, right now, the thing is barely usable.

The Geode, right now, reminds me of the Visor itself, when it first came out. Just like when the Visor came out, the Geode has an expansion slot you can't use for anything. Just like Handspring when they started, Geodiscovery makes a lot of big promises that no one is sure they can keep. I just hope that I end up being as happy with my Geode in the long run as I have been with the Visor!

If you want a product that you can get the most today, then the Magellan is the way to go. If you want a product that you will still be using and happy with in a couple of years, then the Geode might be it.

It really comes down to what kind of person you are. Some people like to go down to CompUSA and pick up a cool gadget, play with it for 6 months to a year, than get a newer gadget that does the same thing even better. I prefer to get the bleeding edge gadget, and then hold on to it until it is obsolete, then get the next bleeding edge gadget. For the first type of person, the Magellan is the way to go. it works great right now, but in a year, I am sure Magellan will come out with a new, more accurate one, probably with some kind of memory storage. For the second type of person, the Geode is the way to go. It has a ton of rough edges, just like any bleeding edge product, but if it doesn't fall flat on its face, then it will be the standard to compete against for a couple of years.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

ubik

Good points on the compair to the Visor. It seems like I have to do more research. Might have to order both and play with them and take back the one I dont want

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

Well through Best Buy I think I will get the Magellan in about 3 weeks. I will keep everyone posted

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 30

Brian,

I couldn't find the Magellan GPS for the Visor at Bestbuy.com, only the the unit for Palm.

got a url???

thanks.
- sean

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

Nope
I was in the store today though and they had three of them for $149