Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 15

Re: vindigo & magellan

quote:

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Originally posted by tuffy
Could one of you kind bleeding edge magellan users test the "enable gps" option on vindigo with your module to see if it works. Since one of the advantages of the Geode package is the future capability of pulling up points of interest on varous maps, I was thinking you could get a little of this functionality with the vindigo/magellan combo. Thanx in advance

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 95

I got my Magellan GPS Companion today at my local Staples. I must say this is one of the best springboards to date . And as already mentioned in a previous post, a well-behaved module. I love the Quo Vadis software much better than Geodiscovery�s map software. The color, smooth scrolling and zooming on the Quo Vadis are awesome. I used it on my first Geocache today (Geocaching is a treasure hunting game. Armed with a GPS and coordinates, you can locate treasures that others have hidden in unusual places) http://www.geocaching.com/. My Geo mission was successfully accomplished using the Magellan GPS. I definitely recommend this springboard.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 4

GPS Companion Doesn't Work

Before I return my Magellan GPS Companion, I just wanted to make sure that operator error is not contributing to the problem I'm experiencing. The problem is pretty basic; the thing does not track. I made certain that the batteries were installed correctly, I loaded the software as instructed, and I spent about 30 minutes in the Southern California sunshine waiting for something to happen. It never did.

Here's what I did and observed: Using Map Companion, I initialized the receiver to my approximate location (i.e., LAT 33N, LON 117W). I pressed Start, and observed a $GPGSV (NMEA) message. Then I selected the Satellites screen and initially noticed that 4 or 5 SV's had SN values in the range of 36 to 45, and the UP status was checked. A couple of seconds later, the SN values all went to 0, with no UP check marks. I watched as several SV's came in a dropped out, and the unit never tracked. I stopped and started the unit a couple times, re-initialized a couple times, and finally gave up when I realized I was starting to get sun-burned.

What am I doing wrong?

If I can't get this thing working, I'm going to return it and order a Geode. If it works, it's worth the extra $140.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: birmingham, al
Posts: 41

Re: GPS Companion Doesn't Work

quote:

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Originally posted by GPSfan
...initially noticed that 4 or 5 SV's had SN values in the range of 36 to 45, and the UP status was checked. A couple of seconds later, the SN values all went to 0, with no UP check marks. I watched as several SV's came in a dropped out, and the unit never tracked. I stopped and started the unit a couple times, re-initialized a couple times, and finally gave up when I realized I was starting to get sun-burned.

What am I doing wrong?

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 4

Re: Re: GPS Companion Doesn't Work

[/B][/QUOTE]

This mirrors my problems exactly! I took mine back to CompUSA and swapped for a new one and it works great! (see above post).

Seems like they spewed a few duds out from their first product run.

Try a replacement unit before you buy another product that (at least to me) doesn't do as much as the Magellan does.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks Albert, I'll give that a shot. I wonder how many more dud units are out there? Looks like they've got some quality control problems.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: birmingham, al
Posts: 41

this from the GEODE thread here on VC:

"...Yes, I got my GEODE and here is my take on it:

1.- The packaging in which it comes in IS really deficient. All items were moving around in my shipping box. I compare this with the SOUND GOOD MP3 packaging ( that is an awesome job ).

2.-Set up is easy, files are just gigantic in size.

3.- No way to turn the thing OFF.

4.- Streets and Hwys are all unlabel, you have to touch the screen to know what avenue you are looking at.

5.-No real Points of Interest pre loaded in maps IE: of dining, gas ,atm's etc.You will have to wait for third party.

6.-You can't use the MMC capability as there is no file mover.

In general the product is average I will wait 30 days to see what they release. If nothing come out my unit is going back.

My wife on the other hand bought the MAGELLAN GPS and here is what I found:

7.- Unit is lighter.

8.- Software is pretty easy to load and use.

9.- Main streets and HWYS are all labelled.

10.- Some points of interest are pre-loaded.

11.- $140 cheaper."

Just in case any of you havn't read this yet............pretty interesting comparison.......

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

Okay, I got my Magellan today from Marcosoft and I have a couple of questions.

1. In NAV Compaion under Speed, has anyone else noticed the graphical odometer is wildly off? Everywhere else in the program it displays the correct miles, but the graphical Odometers seem to be moving every second or so, so anywhere else in the program will say something like 14 miles and it will say 130!

2. In MapCompaion a couple of times it has unexpectedly told me its lost data from the GPS, as if it lost all satellites I suppose, but when I go and hit "start" it appears as if it never lost them and it starts right away.

__________________
Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I haven't had a chance to play with the Magellan product, but I do have the Geode. I'm generally very happy with the Geode.

The software does have some bugs in it (the power off issue, MMC support, etc), but fixes are promised by the end of the month. The customer service response has been great from Geodiscovery. From a technical standpoint, the hardware is very impressive.

I'm not discouraging anyone from buying the Magellan - again, I haven't played with it, and it's cheaper than the Geode. However, I think the Geode is a good product as well, and it has a lot more expansion potential.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Cost at Staples?

How much does Staples charge for the Magellan GPS Springboard?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

exactly

quote:

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Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
Okay, I got my Magellan today from Marcosoft and I have a couple of questions.

1. In NAV Compaion under Speed, has anyone else noticed the graphical odometer is wildly off? Everywhere else in the program it displays the correct miles, but the graphical Odometers seem to be moving every second or so, so anywhere else in the program will say something like 14 miles and it will say 130!

2. In MapCompaion a couple of times it has unexpectedly told me its lost data from the GPS, as if it lost all satellites I suppose, but when I go and hit "start" it appears as if it never lost them and it starts right away.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

quote:

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Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
Okay, I got my Magellan today from Marcosoft and I have a couple of questions.

1. In NAV Compaion under Speed, has anyone else noticed the graphical odometer is wildly off? Everywhere else in the program it displays the correct miles, but the graphical Odometers seem to be moving every second or so, so anywhere else in the program will say something like 14 miles and it will say 130!

2. In MapCompaion a couple of times it has unexpectedly told me its lost data from the GPS, as if it lost all satellites I suppose, but when I go and hit "start" it appears as if it never lost them and it starts right away.

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 40

Magellan & Vindigo

First, let me tell you that I checked out my year old Magellan GPS315 - Batteries go in the same way, one positive facing the spring. There must be a reason they do this....

Second, I reloaded my Vindigo software and it DOES work very well with the Magellan SB. The number of Vindigo users (ie Palm) is obviously growing greatly by the number of cities added the past few months. This is free, and the Magellan is only $150 compared to the Geode (which has led me along for quite a while).

Maps are superb, and fast with Magellan. Vindigo provides all the other data needed, so now that I have the Stowaway, the Yada Minstrel (free), and the GPS- I'm in Hanspring Heaven, Finally.

__________________
Christo

"it's not the quantity, but the quality"

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 30

Torture on Long Island!

Anyone know where I can get my hands on one of these modules on Long Island, NY? Comp USA near me (happauge) has six of them in stock. Well, they did.. until somehow they LOST all six units. (Just a few months ago, I had to explain to the salespeople at this store why clipping the security wire to the snap in springboard cover on a platnum was a BAD thing to do)
None of the staples here have heard of the unit as of today.

I'd rather not go mail order because of the rash of problems people have been having with the units. It would be easir to get a replacement at a store than paying return shipping to an online seller.

Sorry, Just had to vent
-Adam

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 99

Magellan Problems

I bought my Magellan GPS yesterday, and it worked perfectly on the way home from the store. I inserted the batteries and plugged in the module while in the parking lot at Comp-USA. Within 3 minutes I had a fix. It gave me a 3d reading all the way home and even worked when I was in the house. I installed the map companion and nav companion software along with a map of my hometown but no longer had a fix while in the house. I stood outside with clear view of the sky for 10 minutes freezing to death like a moron and still no fix. I then drove around with the unit on the passenger seat for a hour before it found a fix. At that point it worked well all of the way home. Again, this morning I took it with me and did not get a fix untill the end of a 30 minute drive. So far, I cannot see how this thing could be useful at all, it is not reliable enough. On this morning's trip I had weak signals from six satellites, but no fix. I was running GPS companion from the module at the time. I only found a fix when I switched to map companion. This could be a coincidence, or maby map companion is not a "picky" about signal strength. Who knows. Does anyone have advice? Is my unit defective?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: birmingham, al
Posts: 41

Re: Magellan Problems

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Originally posted by jeffbeerman2
I only found a fix when I switched to map companion. This could be a coincidence, or maby map companion is not a "picky" about signal strength.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 99

Waypoint software

For starters - I think the software built into the module is bogus - I think it's there just so they could have the module be "springboard compatible" which requires system software to be installed on module installation. I had my first one for 45 minutes w/o a fix (sat in the parking lot the whole time reading a book) - returned it, and drove home for 45 minutes while it never got a fix!

I was so frustrated, but then I checked this message board and read about the cd software being better - sure enough - I installed the included software and it locked in within 3 minutes.

They do say on the instructions 1. Install software 2. Plug in module... I guess that was their way of telling us...

I do have a question:
Does anyone know of a way to get mapquest or mapblast to create a series of waypoints to download into my handspring so I can just use that software to create a trip? Is there a way to create a trip w/ waypoints using the included software? Is there a better website than mapquest/mapblast?

Thanks,
jr

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 99

I just found this software called "MagWay" that lets you extract waypoints from mapblast trip planner - works pretty nicely - exports them to a "standard" text file that you're supposed to be able to upload the waypoints to other Magellan gps devices.

Anyone have any idea how to make this work with the MapCompanion? I can't figure out how to import waypoints.

-jr


http://www.carmine.demon.co.uk/315/magway.htm

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 13

Magellan works well, works with all third party software

Got my Magellan Sunday. it works perfectly out of the box. It works with every bit of third party software out there (including Solus Pro) as a serial NMEA device. The Map Companion software works tremendously well, Nav Companion gives you all the features you would expect from a freestanding GPS: waypoints, paths, headings and bearings. It supports metric, maritime, and civil english units. It supports decimal degrees, DD.MM.mm, and DD.MM.SS. Provisions for external power (power cube, car lighter adaptor). It is a polished professional package.

This stands in marked contrast to the Geode, which is universally incompatible with all third party software, and fraught with unacceptable bugs (you can't even turn off the Visor when the geode is in place). The geode is a big heavy sparkly rock which makes a good paperweight. I got a geode last friday, which is why I got a Magellan on sunday.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 99

Monopole or anyone out there:

Have you figured out a way to inport a table of waypoints into the Magellan unit? Or do you know of a 3rd party software that lets you do this?

My ideal situation is using mapblast to derive driving directions to a customer location - cut and paste the waypoints into a memo on palmdesktop and somehow inport that into a software package that will give me heading and distance to each waypoint.

So far - all's I can figure out to do on the magellan navcom software is to write the waypoints manually which takes a LOT of time.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 99

Re: Re: vindigo & magellan

quote:

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Originally posted by mwgoff75

quote:

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Originally posted by tuffy
Could one of you kind bleeding edge magellan users test the "enable gps" option on vindigo with your module to see if it works. Since one of the advantages of the Geode package is the future capability of pulling up points of interest on varous maps, I was thinking you could get a little of this functionality with the vindigo/magellan combo. Thanx in advance

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Hi i tried to check the vidigo stuff, but never was able to get vindigo installed. it has some kind of conflict with avantgo.

Rdaneel

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