Review
Magellan SporTrak Color, nice but... (March 15, 2004)
| Ease of Use |
|
(4/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Pete C. - Sterling, VA
Last month I purchased a Magellan SporTrak Color
based on research I had done for capabilities, and the Magellan name. Vann's won out due to a net search for best overall price, availability, and reviews in BizRate.com
The GPS arrived as advertised in about a week
should have sprung for faster shipping!.
All the various functions and data logging capabilities are great. Unfortunately there's some drawbacks. The color screen, while nifty in low light conditions, is VERY difficult to see in bright sunlight. Even in low light conditions the viewing angle is pretty small you need to be looking squarely at the display. The control buttons are small, and easy to fat-finger the wrong one. Especially when you put the unit in the sport case to protect it in the field, the extra layer of plastic doesn't help. Sometimes the neoprene also gets in the way for the lower buttons.
The unit eats batteries, especially if you have to use the backlight a lot. I strongly recommend using NiMH rechargeable. You can't charge batteries in the unit, so you're forced to take it out of any case and change to a fresh set. And, every time you change batteries you need to recalibrate the compass.
Connecting the serial cable or car power adapter is awkward. You have to hold the GPS with one hand while trying to align the connectors anchor screw with the other. You're not going to do it in the dark. Why didn't Magellan just use a traditional push in connector like most other portable devices? One reason could be the use of the various mounting brackets. Most brackets have a slot where the cable adaptors can be permanently installed. Then when the GPS snaps into the mount, power and serial connections are automatically made. Pro's and Con's to each design.
I also purchased the Magellan MapSend Street & Destination software, and uploaded a 16MB map chunk to my SporTrak. The software is very user friendly, still having problems with non-administrator users being able to run it. MapSend software adds much greater street detail to the SporTrak. Unfortunately it's several years out of date. Also, the GPS frequently shows me driving 50 to 100 feet off in the field. This inaccuracy, coupled with slow position updates, makes the SporTrak tough to use when navigating in cities or dense communities. I have gone on several geocaching finds and believe the coordinates the GPS displays to be accurate, so I really think the maps are off.
Overall, a very good buy for the price. Just put some thought into what you really plan to use it for.
Review
Magellan Sportrak Color (October 10, 2003)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Todd G. - Aloha, OR
I would like to personally thank Vanns.com for their superior customer service in helping me purchase a new Magellan Sportrak Color GPS. I've been researching my purchase for over 6 months and could not believe the incredible value I received from their company! After talking with a customer service rep I ordered the unit and within 1.5 days it was sitting on my doorstep with no shipping costs...Couldn't be more pleased with my purchase and I'd recommend them to anyone interested in electronic purchases, thanks again for your customer service!
Sincerely,
Todd Gieber
Review
Magellan Sportrak Color (October 06, 2003)
| Ease of Use |
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(3/5.0) |
| Value |
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(4/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: David B. Hayes - Cambridge, MA
I recently purchased the Magellan Sportrak Color, and think it is an OUTSTANDING choice for people who are going to be using it for hiking, trekking, and general outdoor use. The color screen is great, and it is pretty easy to use.
My big issue with it is that I purchased it to use for both in-car driving directions and hiking. The screen is too small to easily see while driving, and the buttons are not easy to depress without having the unit in your hand. I did a lot of research on different GPS systems, and I still think the Sportrak Color is one of the best all around devices. BUT, since I am going to be using it 70 of the time in my car, I have decided to return it for one designed for in-car use primarily larger screen, easier to use buttons.
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