Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

Magellan accessories change my entire view!

On Friday I received the Magellan Car mount and cigarette lighter power cable. These two accessories have not only totally changed the way I view the GPS unit, but over a couple of days have made my Visor much more useful to me in several ways.

I got the Magellan GPS several months ago and thought it was OK, but slow getting a fix. For me it turned out to be mostly a toy because it was a pain in the neck to use while driving (not to mention dangerous) and I haven't had an opportunity to use it for hiking.

With with the car mount stuck low down on my windshield and the arm tilted just right, the Magellan is now placed squarely where I can use it when needed, without hassle, fiddling or taking my eyes off the road. I turn it on as soon as I hit the highway and it's a constant monitor of where I am and upcoming roads. Jeez, this would have been a $1500 option when I bought my car 6 months ago (okay, granted, you can't yet adequately plan routes or get driving instructions, but if you've ever used one of those you wouldn't bother). I don't know why this is, but with the lighter cable supplying power to it, the Magellan gets a fix much, much faster, and doesn't loose it.

I'm leaving my old VDX in the car now, taking out games and extraneous stuff and loading it with all the maps I need.

Even better, I find that while in the car the Visor is now handy for lots of other things too. My favorite is being able to enter purchases made with my ATM card into Pocket Quicken as soon as I get back into the car. Now I don't forget. Today my wife, sitting next to me in the passenger seat wanted a phone number which wasn't in her cell phone. She found it in just a few seconds with the Visor right in front of her.

It's only been a few days and I'm constantly finding new conveniences. I can't wait till December when we're going to the Big Island of Hawaii and renting a car for a week. I'm gonna load the entire Island in my visor and stick it in the rental car.

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-Michael-

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

Big Island

I didn't have my magellan when my wife and I went to Oahu and the big island but we did take different mapping programs and other than Kona and Hilo there isn't much need for constant maps. Just aren't that many options for roads to take......Remember to get the the current lava flow overlays! Just kidding. Seriously, the one downside on the magellan maps is the attraction info. I'd augment the road stuff with different tourist info before you go.

We're going back to both islands next year and plan to avoid the laptop next trip.....

p.s. Get the helicopter ride above the volcano. It's out the wazoo as far as price but the views are unbeatable!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

Well, I don't expect to need or use it on Oahu for the three days we're there and you're probably right about the *need* for mapping on the Big Island. It seems like only the one major highway around the coast (I hear it's difficult to get a rental car to go up the other way) but I guess I'm not talking only about need, it's playing with my toys. Anyway since I'll be taking the Prism along anyway (e-mail and AOL for the kids, games and Audible books on the flights) I might as well try it. Maybe it'll stop or answer the "How much longer till we get there, Dad" questions on the Drive from Volcano National Park to the Waikoloa Village.

I've already booked enough double rooms (at the Christmas- New Years Week rates); whale sighting trips; swims with Dolphins, Luaus and other stuff to make the helicopter ride prohibitive for a family of 5. But we're staying 2 days at Volcano House facing the vents.

Since the National Park service website does have maps and lava flow reports, maybe I will, over the next 3 1/2 months, try to see about mapping lava flows!

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-Michael-

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

Actually, Oahu would be my bet for needing it. The streets can get DAMN confusing with all the sharp right turns and funky streets. Lot's of one way and watch out for the TRAFFIC! Rush hour starts at 2:30 to 3:00 in Honolulu. Its a nightmare!

If you get a chance while on the Big Island go to the Koa House Grill( 65-1144 Mamalahoa Hwy. Kamuela, Hawaii 96743). It has the most fantastic broccolli and cheese soup you have ever tasted in your life. I am not a big B&C soup fan but this stuff is AWESOME! Don't get fancy with the food choices either. I went with the special that day and the curry chicken didn't sit that well. I've actually been mulling trying to have them ship me some of that soup somehow...... errrr....whoops! I'm drooling again.......

On the dolphin swim watch out if its at sea life park. Pictures are usually $26 a piece (1 pic w/dolpin and 1 pic being pulled across pool by dolphin) and if you do it all at the same time then you're stuck with using them. Adventures are like 2 hours apart.

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

Accessories for Magellan - where!?

Where did you get the car mount for the Visor Magellan GPS? According to the UK distributer it is not available yet!
Is it only available in the US?

I _really_ need one of these!

cheers,
Andy.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

There was a card in the box with my Magellan and I ordered it from them. Your distributor may not have had it because it just came out when I ordered it (I had been waiting for it, and they told me I was the first). If your distributor doesn't sell it, why not just go to the web site and order there.

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-Michael-

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

The Magellan car mount is great! I got mine on the 24th. The only way I can think of as far as ordering it would be to order directly from them or to preorder through amazon. When I called Magellan they said it had just barely become available and wouldn't start shipping until 8/22. I got mine on 8/24 which was perfect timing considering that was the when I left for my vacation. Having the gps right there in front of me as I drove became a life saver especially when I'm unfamiliar with most of the LA County freeways. A good example is when we left Disneyland and needed to get to the Lake Elsinore area. I could have gone back up North on the 5 and then doubled back on the 91 but having my Magellan right there helped me find the next freeway that cut across to the 91 and voila! we made it. An even better example is when we were in San Diego. If anybody is familiar with the Point Loma area you probably know how confusing the streets are and how easily you can get lost there. With the Magellan as my co-pilot navigation through Point Loma was a breeze and I never got lost.

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"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

Car mount - where?

Thanks for the replys guys. MHCohn - you say order from the web site - what web site? (The Magellan one doesn't sell or even list it). Also amazon don't sell it as far as I can see!

Guess I'll just have to wait until the UK ditributers get there act together...

Andy.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

www.magellanps.com is the site. If you can use toll free 800 numbers from the UK it's 800 669-4477 or failing that their phone number is 909 394-5000

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-Michael-

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 67

How much power

Does anyone know the power specs on the Companion? I have an old DC adaptor that I would like to use but I dont know the polarity of the plug.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

Unlike plug in AC/Dc adapters for the home, the 12v car adapter does not display the power output in miliamps or give a pictogram for polarity.

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-Michael-