Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Magellan Meridian vs. Garmin eTrex
I bought the Meridian Platinum and the Garmin Vista to do a technical comparison. They are both great units with similar price and features. I also tested the next level down: Meridian Gold and the Garmin Legend with similar results. Here's my take:If small size and high resolution are important to you, buy the Garmin. If you prefer a larger screen, larger buttons, a floating unit, or something that can be viewed beyond an armslength away, get the Magellan. If you require reading glasses, avoid the Garmin. Here is a list of specific comments:
- Size: Garmin fits easily in a shirt pocket. Magellan is 114% larger by volume and is better suited for a fanny pack or large coat pocket.
- Weight: Magellan is 51% heavier.
- Display: Magellan display is 66% larger, viewable beyond an arm's length. Garmin not viewable beyond an arm's length.
- Pixels: Garmin has over twice as many pixels.
- Resolution: With the smaller display and higher pixel count, the Garmin screen resolution is about four times greater.
- Both are waterproof. Magellan floats...Garmin doesn't.
- Reception: Magellan had slightly better reception, probably due to larger internal antenna.
- Screen protection: Magellan has a raised frame around display to help prevent scratches, but it also collects lots of dust on the screen as a result.
- Maps/waypoints: Low resolution for the Magellan made small map features difficult to discern. Garmin much easier to read with a large variety of highly detailed map symbols/icons.
- Features: Similar for both, but the Magellan had a few extras I liked: audible alerts for turns, a "windshield" navigation view with waypoints drawn in the "distance", a "speedometer" view with dial, sun and moon location displayed on the compass dial.
- Buttons/knobs: Garmin's buttons are all on the sides and are very small. You won't be able to operate them with gloves. I like the little joystick for the left thumb very much, but folks with clumsy hands will not. Magellan's buttons are large, easy, and labelled.
- Magnetic compass: Garmin must be held flat for this feature. Magellan's compass works in any position. (With motion, separate heading indicator works at any orientation on both units.)
- Battery life and accuracy: About the same for both.
- PC cable/DC car adapter: Garmin slides onto the back. Magellan has an awkward screw-in device.
- Mapping Memory: Garmin has 24 MB ready for upload from mapping software (sold separately). Magellan requires additional memory card...
- Owner's Manual: Garmin provides complete owner's manual. Magellan only provides a quick-start manual. Complete manual is electronic and divided into two files.
- User interface: I found the Garmin software and menus to be slightly more intuitive. Result: I wanted a small unit for outdoor activities and occasional automobile travel. I like small, high-precision devices with lots of detail. I kept the Garmin. I also ordered the car dash mount, DC auto adapter, belt carry case, and MapSource MetroGuide USA CD. I have been very pleased with each of them.
Rating:  - Fun hiking accessory
I use the e-trex for hiking. The unit is small, rugged, easy to carry and easy to operate one-handed. The controls are well done and waterproof - power & backlight switch is recessed so it doesn't switch on or off by itself in a backpack, other controls have a good "feel".It's great for getting a coordinate to locate yourself on the topo, and for remembering a location you want to return to. It's possible to pre-enter coordinates of destinations from a topo, though the process is a little tedious (entering two 7-digit coordinates by scrolling though lists of digits.) E-trex displays direct distance & direction to such waypoints nicely. It does have trouble receiving the satellite signals in narrow canyons or in a forest with leaves overhead. As a result, the recorded "track" and trip odometer are often spotty or inaccurate (it only records your track and tallies distance when it has a good signal.) I've done 10-mile hikes where it's read only 3-4 miles at the end, reflecting the part of the trip it had satellite reception. It receives better when held rather than kept in pocket or pack. It usually receives fine in the car, too. The manual doesn't cover all the features, so you have to experiment to master the unit. Battery life is only a dozen hours, so I tend to turn the unit only only to mark waypoints and check locations rather than record continuous tracks.
Rating: - The most feature rich handheld GPS available
As far as Garmin's eTrex line goes, this is the top of the line. The Vista packs an electronic compass, an altimeter, and 24 MB of memory for maps into the same handheld package the basic eTrex comes in. Plus they've gone ahead and improved the screen and added the "ClikStik" a clickable joystick.In terms of pure GPS functionality, the Vista adds the ability to get DGPS signals from the newly activated WAAS satelites. But obtaining those signals at present is a challenge. I personally found the ClikStik a bit hard to use at times, and not as responsive as I wanted, but it adds a lot of ease of use to the unit (imagine trying to move around on the map without it). The screen was a big improvement over the eTrex's screen, and readibility is vastly improved. Plus not having to go the requisite 1-2 MPH before the unit figures out which way you're walking (thanks to the electronic compass) is nice, and makes figuring out where you need to go while standing still a lot easier. Also the altimeter can be setup to automatically be calibrated with GPS data. It's again in the same rugged, waterproof case as the original, so it can take a little bit of abuse. And for those of you who don't want every waypoint to look like a flag, you can differentiate your favorite locations with a lot of different icons. Tracklogs and number of waypoints that can be stored is increased over the basic eTrex as well. There are downsides: Like the eTrex, satelite locks can be lost pretty easily under heavy cover or packed in a bag. The battery life is greatly shortened (if you turn on the compass and use the WAAS adjustments) compared to its simpler sibling. The Garmin maps (the only ones you can download to the Vista) are next to worthless in terms of accuracy. And then there's the price. If you're in the market for an upgrade or replacement of a handheld GPS, the Vista has to be in the running.
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