Magellan GPS's

[ItsaKeeper]

How are the Magellan GPS's? I've read other post on the Lowrance H2O and other units. Any thoughts on Magellans?

[NELS-BELLS]

I have a Magellan Platinum. It works great and is very user friendly. I just wish I could put those lakemaster maps in it.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I have the Magellan Platinum also and zero complaints…

I just wish they had the color screen available when I purchased mine.

[Powerstroke]

I Also have a platinum and my only complaint is battery life with standard alkaline batteries. My new discovery is the new Energizewr rechargable NIMH batteries. The 25oo mhA ones. These have really extended my use time.

I bought mine with the topo software and its awesome. I've done some crazy stuff with it for hunting, fishing and the BWCA (I track my routes, not cheat on the map).

Great unit, but its got me wondering about the Lakemaster maps.

[Roberto]

Hey, Magellan's are nice GPS's but they do lack some things. If you are going to get this GPS for fishing I would strongly suggest the lowrance H20 or one that is like it. Magellans are good but as far as customer service, expandability through software and overall user friendlyness (there are a few that are better) they are not as good.

Lowrance has a wider selection of mapping and I have found its easier for people to use.

[NELS-BELLS]

I disagree on Lowrance being easier to use. My buddy has one and even with the manual in front of us we had problems. But if I buy another GPS it will probably be the Lowrance only because its the only one that works with the Lakemaster chips.

Nels

[RangerDog]

I own the new Explorist 500 and am very happy. They do offer lake mapping software it's a combination of "fishing Hot Spots" and "LakeMaster" http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1056 They don't offer as many lakes as the Lowrance. But some of the other software like Mapsend Direct Route give you the ability to use your handheld for turn by turn directions. They also offer topo map software.

[NELS-BELLS]

Thats good news but the detail I was referring to is Lakemaster pro map series. The maps that are on the Magellan mapsend chip are basically glorified DNR maps. They aren't nearly as accurate or detailed. I could be wrong. (hopefully) On the Lakemaster web site it says that they now make a pro map series chip for Garmins.