Uniden BC-95XLT NASCAR Bearcat 200-Channel Portable Scanner

Uniden BC-95XLT NASCAR Bearcat 200-Channel Portable Scanner Review

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Uniden BC-95XLT NASCAR Bearcat 200-Channel Portable Scanner Feature

• Handheld scanner for monitoring police and fire signals, weather transmissions, ham radio bands, and more
• PC-programmable memory with 200 channels over 10 banks; Close Call RF technology identifies nearby signals
• Easily locate specific calls with 6 preprogrammed service searches, including public safety, railroad, and marine
• Compact design fits comfortably in hand; easy-to-read backlit display, lockable keypad for saving settings
• Runs on 2 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries (these can be be recharged while in the scanner)

The Uniden BC95XLTB scanner is versatile, compact, and easy to use. In addition to the standard scanning features, it also includes Close Call RF capture technology designed to help you detect and identify strong local radio signals in your area. You can program up to 200 frequencies into the scanner's memory either manually or using optional PC software (not included). The scanner lets you scan transmissions and is preprogrammed with service banks for your convenience. You can quickly search those frequencies most commonly used by police and other agencies, without tedious and complicated programming. The scanner gives you direct access to over 40,000 exciting frequencies. Priority Scan frequently scans the channels you have designated as priority channels. Delay mode helps prevent missed replies while monitoring two-way conversations. The scanner has six preprogrammed service searches preset in separate banks which include: police, fire/emergency, aircraft, ham, marine (by channel) and weather to make it easy to locate specific types of calls. The "B" in the model number BC95XLTB refers to the box packaging that Uniden has transitioned over to from a clamshell on this product. The Uniden BC95XLT is the same exact product as the Uniden BC95XLTB and all devices themselves will display the model number BC95XLT.

Garmin Oregon 550T 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera (U.S. Topographic Maps)

Garmin Oregon 550T 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera (U.S. Topographic Maps) Review

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Garmin Oregon 550T 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera (U.S. Topographic Maps) Feature

• Tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display
• 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom
• Barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, can plot barometric pressure over time
• Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550t is built to withstand the elements
• Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass

The navigator with the photographic memory--Oregon 550t combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add preloaded U.S. topo maps, along with high-sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable.

Oregon 550t combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Click to enlarge.

3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Click to enlarge.

Preloaded with U.S. topographic data for the continental U.S. and a worldwide basemap with shaded relief. Click to enlarge.

3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. Click to enlarge.

Take Pictures and Save Locations

Capture locations and memories with Oregon 550t's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Each photo is automatically geotagged with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to navigate back to that exact spot in the future. Snap and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation. With 850 MB of internal memory, you'll never miss a photo opportunity. To store online, simply connect Oregon 550 via USB and log into my.Garmin.com to upload and store your photos at Picasa, a popular online photo sharing community for friends and families around the world. For more storage, insert a microSD card; you can even view pictures from other devices on microSD with Oregon's picture viewer.

Touch and Go
Oregon 550t makes rugged navigation effortless with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. The interface is easy to use, so youÕll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550t is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator.

Explore the Terrain
Oregon 550t comes with built-in U.S. topographic data for the continental U.S. and a worldwide basemap with shaded relief--all the tools for serious climbing or hiking. Map detail includes national, state and local parks and forests, along with terrain contours, elevation information, trails, rivers, lakes and points of interest.

Get Your Bearings
Oregon 550t has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when youÕre standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. And with its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, Oregon 550t locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.

Find Fun
Go paperless with Oregon 550t by quickly downloading information from Geocaching.com for up to 5000 caches, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description. No more manually entering coordinates and paper print outs. Slim and lightweight, Oregon is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits.

Share Wirelessly
With Oregon 550t you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly other Oregon and Colorado users. Now you can send your favorite route to a friend to enjoy or the location of a cache to find. Sharing data is easy. Just touch "send" to transfer your information to similar devices.

What's in the Box
Oregon 550t, AA battery charger, 2 AA NiMH batteries, carabiner clip, USB cable, owner's manual on disk, and quick start manual

The navigator with the photographic memory Oregon 550t combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add preloaded U.S. topo maps, along with high-sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable.

Bushnell Onix 400 Waterproof Hand Held Weathertracker GPS, 3.5" Color LCD, XM Services. 364000 - Bundle with Bushnell 12 Volt Power Adaptor, Bushnell Hypalon Carry Case & Spare Bushnell Large Battery Cell

Bushnell Onix 400 Waterproof Hand Held Weathertracker GPS, 3.5" Color LCD, XM Services. 364000 - Bundle with Bushnell 12 Volt Power Adaptor, Bushnell Hypalon Carry Case & Spare Bushnell Large Battery Cell Review

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Bushnell Onix 400 Waterproof Hand Held Weathertracker GPS, 3.5" Color LCD, XM Services. 364000 - Bundle with Bushnell 12 Volt Power Adaptor, Bushnell Hypalon Carry Case & Spare Bushnell Large Battery Cell Feature

• Layer a satellite photo, topo map, compass, navigational aids and XM services ona single screen with TruView Navigation
• Extra-large 3.5" full color LCD
• Downloads and displays georeferenced satellite photography
• Displays XM weather data on the GPS map*
• XM Satellite radio entertainment including XM sports*

Introducing the world's first handheld GPS to combine navigational aids, satellite photography and XM weather on a single screen. It shows you the perfect pinchpoint for this wind. And how you should dress for the day. NEXRAD weather data downlinked via XM Weather, layered over a georeferenced satellite map of your location keeps you prepared. It's all housed in a rubberized defensive armor built to XPX7 waterproof standards, with a high gain SIRF GPS receiver. In your palm. (Warning: This device is intended as a supplemental navigation aide only. The user assumes all responsibility with the use of this product). Zoom Button: Use this to get a more detailed look at your chosen satellite image or aerial photo. Aerial Photos: Unlike maps, which portray the landscape with generalized symbols and colors, aerial photography reflects the terrain as it exists in nature. Buildings, bridges, roads, urban and rural areas, and other manmade features are shown as they were at the time of photography. Georeferenced satellite images: When you download a satellite or aerial photo to your Bushnell GPS, it's instantly georeferenced to the satellite network for navigation. This means the image is calibrated to adjust to your heading and location to display an accurate representation of the ground you're exploring. For example: if you're headed south facing a stand of pines, you can look down at your Bushnell GPS and the satallite image or aerial pho

Lowrance Endura Out&Back Waterproof Hiking GPS

Lowrance Endura Out&Back Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Lowrance Endura Out&Back Waterproof Hiking GPS Feature

• 2.7¿ color touchscreen optimized for outdoor use
• Easy-to-understand basemap with hill shade, topographic contours, primary roads & key POI¿s
• Geocaching capable with multiple specific functions & compatibility with Geocaching.com
• Trip computer & route recording to track performance & share with friends or web communities
• Picture viewer for viewing photos loaded from computer or web or for use with trail cameras

Endura Out & Back

Garmin Legend H Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin Legend H Handheld GPS Navigator Review

Garmin Legend H Handheld GPS Navigator Feature

• High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver in a rugged waterproof case for peak performance in any environment
• Built-in basemap shows lakes, rivers, cities, roads coastlines and landmarks
• USB interface for faster map downloads; 24 MB of internal memory offers plenty of room for plenty of room for maps, waypoints, routes and saved tracks
• High-contrast, backlit 2.4-inch LCD display; four-way cursor for smooth, one hand operation
• Limited one-year warranty

The brightly-colored eTrex Legend H combines all of the intuitive, user-friendly features of the eTrex series with a full basemap of the Americas, the Atlantic or the Pacific and 24 megabytes of internal memory for storing optional maps. Put the great outdoors in the palm of your hand.

Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator Review

Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator Feature

• WAAS-Enabled
• Same Features As Grm0025600 Etrex Legend Plus A Built-In Barometric Altimeter & Electronic Compass
• Compass Provides Bearing Information While User Is Standing Still
• Altimeter Determines Precise Altitude & Provides A Graphic Profile Of User¿S Trip
• Contains 24 Mb Internal Memory For Storing Detailed Map Data

Garmin's eTrex Vista GPS receiver is smaller than its popular eMaps, but far more powerful. The Vista offers more memory, more features, and more convenience than any other GPS hardware in this price range.

Don't be fooled by the product's small screen. Although smaller than the display used in products like the eMap, it has a higher resolution, letting it show more information more crisply. Small text can be difficult to read from a distance, but there are "big number" options available to make important data like your speed easy to read.

It's this configurability that makes the eTrex Vista so special.

Map page (shown with optional MapSource topo detail).

You can easily set it up to suit your needs, regardless of the situation. Menu choices are highlighted and confirmed with a small joystick near the top of the unit, providing an elegant interface for navigating a formidable amount of options. Our only complaint is that the joystick used to access all the product's features is offset to the left, making it nearly impossible to control using only your right hand. When the joystick is held in your left hand, however, every control is within easy reach of your left thumb, freeing your right hand to hold a flashlight, walking stick, lantern, or anything else.

This GPS unit's diminutive size and weight, not to mention its rugged design, make it an ideal hiking companion. It's waterproof in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes and is generously coated with shock-absorbing rubber. The barometric altimeter keeps a historical record of your ascents and descents, graphing elevation changes so you can easily track your progress.

Elevation page

The ability to store waypoints, points of interest, routes, and other information means you can blaze your own trail and always find your way back to camp.

Best of all, 24 MB of internal memory makes it possible to store an enormous amount of data from Garmin's optional MapSource CDs, turning the eTrex Vista into an interactive road atlas. The memory isn't expandable, but 24 MB is enough to store street-level data for entire states in some cases.

A serial cable is included for transferring the maps from your PC to the GPS unit, but it's terribly slow. A USB connector, sold separately, transfers data in a fraction of the time.

The eTrex Vista was very accurate in testing, especially in a car on the open road. Accuracy diminished somewhat when the device was used in heavy tree cover or a dense urban area, but not enough that you're ever going to get lost or miss an exit. Used side-by-side with an eMap, the eTrex Vista kept up in update speed while displaying even more information on the moving map than the eMap did, cementing its position as perhaps the best all-around handheld GPS unit money can buy. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Small and light without sacrificing features
• 24 MB of integrated memory stores reams of detailed maps
• High-resolution screen displays sharp text legible even at extremely small sizes

Cons:

• Can't be used one-handed when held in the right hand
• Smaller display is hard to read from a distance, as when the device is placed on a dashboard

Go wherever life takes you and never get lost! The Garmin eTrex Vista handheld mapping GPS provides all the navigation tools you will need when you depart on your next adventure. This GPS comes packed with important traveling features including a barometric altimeter, an electronic compass, a detailed basemap of the Americas, and more!

Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket

Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket Review

Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket Feature

• Product Type - GPS Accessories
• Shipping Weight - 1.00 pounds
• Also great for motorcycles and ATVs
• Convenient and easy to use
• Includes hardware and instructions

Now securing your GPS onto the handlebar of your bike is a snap with Garmin's Bicycle Mount Bracket for Etrex/Summit. This bicycle mount fits bars up to 1 inch in diameter and is a safe, secure way to take your GPS with you. It's also great for motorcycles and ATVs. The Garmin Bicycle Mount Bracket comes with hardware and instructions. Note: For "Cx" models customer needs to use the clip that isincluded with the GPS unit (small plastic piece that screws on the back) instead of the replacement battery cover that is included with the mount. 1.Secure handlebar mount.2.Fits up to 1-inch diameter bar.3.Also great for motorcycles and ATVs.4.Convenient and easy to use.5.Includes hardware and instructions .

Bad Elf GPS Receiver for iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and iPad 2 (66-channel, SBAS/WAAS, 10Hz)

Bad Elf GPS Receiver for iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and iPad 2 (66-channel, SBAS/WAAS, 10Hz) Review

Bad Elf GPS Receiver for iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and iPad 2 (66-channel, SBAS/WAAS, 10Hz) Feature

• Just plug it into your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to add a high-performance, 66-channel MTK GPS Receiver.
• "Made for iPod" certified, compatible with ALL location-based iOS applications. No need to "jailbreak" your iOS device!
• Micro-USB port and included USB cable allow charging or iTunes synchronization during use. You can use your existing USB chargers.
• Perfect for aviation, hiking, running, star-gazing, geocaching, and many more location-based activities. Works great with popular apps like MotionX GPS, RunKeeper, Geocaching, Fore Flight, Zagat TO GO, Star Walk, and many, many more.
• Small, portable, and rugged. Compatible with most protective cases, vehicle mounts, and arm bands - plugs securely into 30-pin dock connector. Detachable lanyard included for safe-keeping.

The Bad Elf GPS receiver plugs into the 30-pin dock connector on the iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and iPad2, providing high performance GPS data to ALL location-based iOS applications in the App Store. This Apple-approved accessory allows owners of iOS devices without an integrated GPS receiver (original iPhone, all iPod touch devices, the iPad Wi-Fi) to use mapping, navigation, geocaching, golf range-finding, boating, flying, driving and many other location-based apps.

This is the best-selling Apple-authorized GPS accessories on the market that works with the iPad Wi-Fi today!

Unlike most GPS cradles and car kits, this accessory is compatible with the form-factor of all past/current/future iOS devices, and allows you to continue using your favorite case as long as it does not block the 30-pin dock connector.

See the Bad Elf website for a list of apps that have good "offline" support and do not require a continuous Internet connection to work.

This accessory can use the Assisted GPS data provided by iOS when a network connection is available - but does not require it. The MTK chipset is known for its fast GPS lock times with or without this data.

Uniden Atlantis 250BK 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio

Uniden Atlantis 250BK 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio Review

Uniden Atlantis 250BK 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio Feature

• Submersible handheld marine VHF radio is factory programmed with all U.S., Canadian, and international channels
• Supports all NOAA weather channels; emergency/weather alert function alerts you of any emergencies
• Channel scanning for all or programmed channels; instant channel 16/9 watch function
• Brilliant backlit LCD display and backlit keypad make radio easy to use, day or night
• Includes NiMH battery and drop-in charger, can also be powered with alkaline AA batteries; 3-year warranty

The Uniden Atlantis 250 features all NOAA emergency weather channels, as well as all USA, International and Canadian marine channels. It also comes ready for an optional speaker microphone and meets JIS4 waterproof standards. Uniden Atlantis 250 gives you the power to go anywhere.

Uniden Atlantis 250 gives you the power to go anywhere.

Use the rechargeable NiMH battery pack and keep alkaline AAs as a backup.

View a control diagram. Click here for a larger image

Also available in black.

All USA, International, and Canada Channels

The Atlantis 250 covers all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels, keeping you up-to-date with all the latest marine activity.

All NOAA Weather Channels with Weather Alert

This radio comes preprogrammed with NOAA weather channels. The Emergency/Weather Alert allows it to function as a severe weather warning radio and will also alert you to any local or national emergencies. If the NOAA issues warning while this feature is turned On, the radio sounds an alert tone. You will then hear the emergency/weather broadcast.

Instant Channel 16/9/Triple Watch

Triple Watch mode monitors channels 16 and 9 for a signal while you listen to the currently selected channel. The marine radio checks channel 16 and 9 for activity every 2 seconds.

Memory Channel Scan

Automatically scan your programmed channels with Memory Channel Scan. Scanning starts from the lowest to highest channel and stops when it finds an active channel. It remains on that channel until the transmission ends, then resumes scanning after a two-second delay period.

JIS4/CFR46 Waterproof Level

Uniden Atlantis 250 VHF Hand Held Radio won't give up no matter how wet it gets. Whitecap splash, gusty spray, tidal wave, whatever, this radio can take it. The Uniden Atlantis 250 2-way Marine Radio is built rugged to take the rigors of being out on the water, day in and day out with a full JIS4 / CFR46 waterproof rating.

1 Watt/5 Watt Switchable

Select between 1 and 5 Watts for short- and long-range communication--this is also a convenient way to save a little battery life.

NiMH and Alkaline Battery Capability

The Atlantis 250 ships with a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, which can be conveniently charged in the included drop-in charger. Also included is a an alkaline battery case, so you can keep Alkaline AA batteries handy as an emergency backup.

Easy Viewing

The Atlantis' brilliant backlit LCD display and backlit keypad make it easy to use, day or night.

Three-Year Warranty

The Atlantis 250 is backed by a three-year warranty.

What's in the Box

Uniden Atlantis 250BK Radio, Antenna, AC Adapter, DC Adapter, Cradle, Rechargeable Battery, Beltclip, Wrist Strap, Mounting Screws, Alkaline Battery Case, Documentation

90 channel handheld VHF radio

Compact 1-watt/5-watt switchable for optimal battery conservation

Backlit LCD display and buttons

NOAA Emergency Weather Alert

JIS4 waterproof

Complete with High Capacity NiMH battery, Alkaline tray, 110Vac charger, 12Vdc charger and charging bucket

Superior value

Atlantis 250 White

Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS Feature

• Memory Boost: Storing data, including additional maps, terrain, and geocache data is easy with the Triton 400¿s SD card slot
• 2.2" (5.59 cm) full-color display delivers vivid imagery in the field.
• Extremely rugged and waterproof to IPX-7 standards
• AA batteries provide a readily available power source
• SiRFstarIII¿ delivers the fastest GPS position acquisition in the industry

Amazon.com Product Description Magellan Triton reinvents handheld GPS. Amazingly easy to use, Triton 400 is perfect for the first-time GPS user. And the full-color display, SD-card compatibility, enhanced features, fast signal acquisition, reliable signal lock and precision positioning make Triton 400 an excellent choice for the advanced navigator.

The next-generation handheld GPS for precision outdoor navigation. Click to enlarge.

Simple menus, instant access buttons, intuitive scroll pad and crystal clear graphics let you navigate with ease. Click to enlarge.

See your direction of travel, distance and position of destination, heading, bearing, speed and more on the beautiful graphic compass screen. Click to enlarge.

Ready to guide you on any adventure. Click to enlarge.

SD-card compatibility maximizes your navigation capability. Add an unlimited amount of marine cartography, topographic maps and other content to navigate all your outdoor adventures. Plus, Triton is the first handheld GPS to offer compatibility with National Geographic TOPO! State series and Weekend Explorer 3D maps. These highly detailed nation-wide topographic maps based on USGS 1:24.000 series quads, offer seamless scalability, multi-layer overlays and much more.

The smartly designed interface with simple menus and intuitive button and scroll pad control make navigation fun and effortless. The full-color crystal clear display shows all your maps and navigation information in brilliant, easy-to-view graphics. Instantly see all your maps, locations and saved tracks and waypoints with just a click or two. Unlike other complicated devices that require you to scroll through page after page, Triton 400 gets you to the information you want with a few keystrokes.

Exclusive VantagePoint software enables easy management of maps, user generated content, updates and upgrades on your PC. View saved routes and tracks. Customize them for future trips or create new ones.

Triton is designed for precision navigation, offering the fastest GPS positioning acquisition in the industry with the SiRFstarIII chipset. An integrated high-sensitivity antenna provides reliable signal reception even in heavy cloud cover, canyons or deep woods. Built-in signal augmentation reception (WAAS/EGNOS) provides 3-meter accuracy.

Rugged and waterproof, the Triton 400 is built to withstand intense use, accidental impact and immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes (IPX-7). It's ready to guide you on any adventure.

The advanced features are also easy to use. View the elevation profile for the trail ahead (or any route). See the precise time of sunrise/sunset any day of the year. Get a calculation of the best hunting and fishing time. And much more.

Triton is built on the experience of GPS users over nearly 20 years of precision positioning technology from Magellan: the first name in navigation.

Magellan Triton 400 Features

Amazing ease-of-use
Reinventing handheld GPS, simple menus, instant access buttons, intuitive scroll pad and crystal clear graphics let you navigate without the need for a Ph.D.

Full-color 2.2" display
The large display shows maps, simple menus, navigation screens and other data in brilliant color.

SD-card compatibility
An invaluable feature enables you to use an unlimited amount of map data for topographic and marine navigation.

Add detailed maps
Upload optional marine cartography, topographic maps, and more, including the highly-detailed and feature-packed National Geographic TOPO! State series and Weekend Explorer 3D maps to your own SD cards.

Built-in maps
Basemap of the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, and Canada (major highways, city centers, bodies of water and more) plus worldwide geographic boundaries.

Access exclusive VantagePoint software
Lets you easily manage user generated content, updates and upgrades on your PC. View saved routes and tracks. Customize them for future trips or create new ones.

Compass screen
See your direction of travel, distance and position of destination, heading, bearing, speed and more on the beautiful graphic compass screen.

3-meter accuracy
SiRFstarIII chipset and integrated multidirectional antennae offer superior GPS accuracy using the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).

What's in the Box
Triton 400 GPS receiver, Quick reference guide, manual on CD-ROM The Triton 400 is so easy to use that its user manual may never make it out of the box. It reinvents handheld GPS by combining exclusive compatibility with National Geographic TOPO!® maps, new Magellan VantagePoint¿ content management software, a rugged, waterproof design, and the advanced feature set that outdoor enthusiasts need and expect.

Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB)

Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB) Review

Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS Navigator (16 MB) Feature

• Full-color 120 x 160 pixel display; backlit for easy night-time use
• Uses WAAS technology for accuracy to within 3 meters or better
• 16 MB of built-in memory includes mapping of North America and unlimited expandability
• Rubber armored construction is impact resistant and waterproof
• Runs for up to 13 hours on 2 AA batteries; includes USB interface with cable

Amazon.com Review The Magellan Meridian Color GPS receiver is just as at home navigating the highways and byways in your car as it is tracking through your favorite mountain trails. This top-of-the line GPS device features a preloaded 16 MB map database of North America, which can be augmented by detailed maps from optional CD-ROMs via the Secure Digital memory card slot. It also offers easy-to-read navigation screens, good-sized buttons, and a thumb directional pad on the front, and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) for three-meter accuracy.

Map screen. View larger.

Compass display. View larger.

Road-view mode. View larger.

The Meridian Color is versatile GPS device that is perfect for navigating the highway or the trails. View larger.

Compared to Magellan's Sportrak line, the Meridian is bulkier both in weight (8.5 ounces with batteries compared to the Sportrak's 6.1 ounces) and overall dimensions--6.5 by 2.9 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D)--making it not quite as pocketable (unless you have cargo pants). The bright color screen measures 2.2 by 1.75 inches and has a decent 160 x 120 pixel resolution with 16 colors. Compared with the staid monochrome screens of most GPS devices, the icons and mapping details jump off the screen. We found it to be nicely readable in the car and in most outside conditions, though it wasn't at its best in direct sunlight. As with cell phones in the car, you will have to be wary with your usage. The Meridian Color can be a bit distracting while you're driving, as you have to read the screen for turning instructions (though there are audible prompts) rather than hear a voice providing directions.

With a selected map region loaded into the memory, simply press the GoTo button and select either a new or previously loaded waypoint or a point of interest (such as an airport or sports arena) to navigate to via a street route. After a bit of calculating, the Meridian Color presented us with a turn-by-turn journey that we could follow while driving. As we neared each turn, the Meridian Color emitted a set of beeps to warn us of the upcoming direction change. The set of beeps elevated to an urgent level when we were right on top of the turn. We used this to plot a course to Seattle's Space Needle, and it produced acceptable results. However, if you're familiar with the terrain, you may have found your way in less time with better shortcuts. If you turn off the Meridian while following a route, you can return right back to it once you turn the device back on.

Magellan's Meridian series offers Secure Digital (SD) memory card expandability, which is a bonus for adding a large amount of map data, especially for long trips. However, we were disappointed at its placement within the device behind the batteries rather than in an external slot. This won't be a problem for most users, but it could be annoying if you had a number of maps spread across several cards.

We experienced good battery life during our test--Magellan boasts 13 hours of continuous use with two AA batteries. If you do plan on frequent use in your vehicle, we recommend either purchasing the optional cigarette lighter power cable or using NiMH rechargeable batteries, which typically provide a longer battery life, as well as minimized cost in the long run.

Overall, we were pleased with this portable hybrid car/outdoor GPS receiver. The Meridian's color screen definitely provides quick viewing details while out hiking or mountain biking, while the driving navigation features were indeed helpful in unknown locales. However, if you do plan on using your GPS primarily in your car, you should think about moving up to either Magellan's Meridian Color Traveler (which includes a street map CD-ROM, vehicle mounting bracket, and power adapter) or the Magellan Roadmate (with voice instruction). --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

Color LCD is very readable--routes and icons pop off the screen

Controls well laid out; navigation screens are intuitive (especially for new users)

Optional mapping software is easy to use and transfer

Cons:

SD memory card slot not easily accessible

We recommend a power adapter or NiMH batteries for extended car use

Note: All available screen shots were in black and white. The Magellan Meridian Color provides 160 x 120 pixel resolution with 16 colors on all screens and displays.

What's in the Box
Meridian Color GPS receiver, PC cable, 2 AA batteries, wrist strap, and user's manual (English/French). Positioning and Navigational Information Like You've Never Seen It! -- This Magellan GPS is a top of the line GPS receiver that presents all of your positioning and navigational information in full color. It features a 120 x 160 pixel display, can track up to 12 GPS satellites simultaneously and is accurate to within 3 meters. -- The Magellan Meidian Color GPS comes with a 16 MB mapping database of North America and has the ability to store up to 20 routes, 500 waypoints, 2,000 trackpoints and more.