Best Buy GPS

Meridian Color 980598-18 - Meridian Color handheld color GPS - 16 MB built-in mapping database of North America (highways, major roads, parks, waterways, airports, cities and marine navigation aids, such as buoys, obstructions, wrecks, lighthouses, etc.)- Large, high contrast, high color 120 x 160 pixel backlit display (LCD dimensions: 1.5" x 2")- Finds your location by tracking up to 12 GPS satellites simultaneously- Assisted by the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)- Accurate to within 3 meters or better- Large keyboard - Street-level maps downloadable on an optional Magellan SD memory card- 9 Customizable graphic navigation displays show a map, compass, speedometer, and text readouts of heading, bearing, speed, direction, ETA, and more - 12 Built-in coordinate systems- 76 Datums including latitude/longitude, universal transverse mercator, and military grid reference system- Store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints and 2,000 track-points - Save track-to-route (convert complicated track files into easy to follow routes, save hundreds of routes by transferring them to a PC with Magellan MapSend software)- NorthFinder (shows your direction even when standing still)- Shows you when the sun will rise and set, as well as the phase of the moon, for any date and location in the world- Fish and game calculator- Monitor the GPS satellites in view and get information about their status- 2 AA batteries provide up to 13 hours of continuous use- Rubber armored, impact resistant plastic - Waterproof (sealed to IEC-529 IPX7 specifications, also floats)- Built-in help database- Multiple language support (English, French, German, Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch)- Infinitely expandable with SD cards- Quadrifilar antenna- Connects easily to a PC via included PC cable- Silver and blackPackage Contents:- GPS color receiver- PC cable- 16MB built-in maps with navaids- Wrist strap- 2 AA b

User Reviews about Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB)

This is the best hand-held GPS. It is upgradable with new maps which you won't find on some others. The color screen is easy to read, bright and dims easily to save power. All in all, it fits the bill for the serious traveler. This powerful tool actually asists you in navigating your own route, far prefereable for my liking than others which tell you which way to go. I like to make choices, and I have experienced more direct routes and discovered many roads and foot routes less traveled all over the US and Europe with the assistance of this wonderful device. I have discovered marvelous places with my Magellan -- places only the locals know. I have used my Magellan Meridian Color GPS for three years, and I can't imagine how it can be improved upon. I consider it indespensible for traveling. Works great in the car, and then you can take it with you on foot, train or bus. If you apply yourself to learning how to use this device it will increase your satisfaction in traveling and knowledge of your surroundings. -- Serious Navigation Tool

The GPS Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS was shipped promptly, and works as advertized. Its color screens are crisp, easy to read and the GPS is very user-friendly. The instructions that came with the GPS are helpful and well organized. -- Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB)

This is the 2nd Magellan GPS I own, I also have a 315 series GPS. I had prior experience with GPS's, (my 315 and military GPS's) so it was really easy for me to get comfortable with this unit.
Turning on the unit, the first thing I noticed was the VIBRANT color display, which was the main reason I bought the unit. I bought a Sport Trac, but really wanted the color screen.
I think there are 7 screen on this unit. Satellite position, the map screen, compass, large data display, speed, position and the road screen. Each screen has data fields that are totally customizable, with no less than 12 different data displays.
This unit does just about anything dealing with navigation, map datum, unit of measure, time format, mils versus degrees, it does projection based on time, contour elevation, everything.
I bought the software containing elevation, and when maps are downloaded it shows the contour interval, I want to buy the turn-by-turn software, but it is kinda pricey.
The software is easy to use, the hard part is getting past the limitations. I used a SD card reader to put the images directly into the card, but I also hook it to the computer with a USB to Serial adapter, as you can download your track history onto your computer and replay your entire trip back in varying levels of speed.
Really there is so much this does it is hard to remember everything.
Some of the things i don't much like are the fact you have to take the battery cover off and take the batteries out to get to the card, I use a 512mb card, and it is way more than enough space for whatever I need to put on.
You can put all your way points in the way the maps are put in, but I have not delved into that to much.
Another thing is when it is first powered up, you have to watch the screen for a disclaimer about using at your own risk, then have to hit enter to procede, if you don't hit enter within maybe 20 seconds it powers off.
Well, I have used it alot, and I love it, the only thing better would be a Roadmate, but you get about the same thing at 1/3 the cost. I would highly recommend this unit to a beginner or advanced user alike. -- Magellan Color is Tops