handheld gps units

The Meridian Color GPS is great. The unit is small but the screen is easy enough to see in my truck. To get the detailed maps I need I am using a 256meg SD card with Map Send Direct Route. It is easy to load maps and mark places I want to see to the GPS and then "goto" them while I am traveling. I have used unit in the San Francisco rain and it worked perfectly, I am not sure why the other reviewer had water problems.

Pros: I will never be lost again, Expandable memory, Color screen, Turn by turn directions, Nice sized unit that easily fits in my jacket pocket, Quick to pick up satellites, Intuitive menus

Cons: Battery life could be better, Comes with a serial connection for the computer A USB type would have been been better since most computers do not use serial anymore, Magellan is vague about availability of map updates but so is Garmin so it's probably the norm for GPS companies.

I purchased two Magellan Meridian Color Traveler kits to try and give my father-in-law. Both were defective. Unit one worked properly as long as there were no memory cards with detail maps in the unit. If there were, the unit would hang forever "loading" and it would never find enough satellites to get a fix. The mapping software installed and worked. Extended sessions with Magellan tech support produced the advice "return for repair." Amazon did a fantastic job rushing a replacement out to me. Unit 2 arrived and it wouldn't even boot (no base map). Magellan Technical support coached me through reflashing the unit. Same error. Magellan technical supports final advice was to return the unit for repair. The copy protection was so good on this copy of the mapping software that it wouldn't run on either of my computers. It didn't complain it just hung and had to be manually terminated.
I returned the second unit to Amazon and ordererd a Garmin 76CS. I will throw away the Magellan accessories I ordered to give my father-in-law.
Unless I have confirmation that Magellan's hardware and software quality control have improved a lot I will not consider them for any future acquisitions.

When I first got the unit, I loved it. It appeared accurate, though it took a long time to acquire satellites at times. In fact, many times my Delorme Earthmate would acquire within 15 seconds, and the Meridian would take several minutes (while moving in a car sitting on the dash). The ability to use SD/MMC cards and load maps onto the unit was great for general usage. I used Magellan GPS for everything, from hiking, kayaking, driving, to boating.

HOWEVER, the specs say that the unit is IPX7 compliant, which means accidental submersion underwater for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. I was in a kayak, got hit by a wave with the Meridian in my pocket, and was in less than 1 meter of water for less than 15 seconds, and water made it's way into the unit.

I sent Magellan/Thales navigation an email and gave them a call but was not given much help, even though I own multiple Magellan products (including the GPS companion, etc...). They noted that I could have it serviced for $150, which is what an new unit cost (this was not the platinum edition, but it is the same form factor and same case). All customer service would tell me is that sometimes water may enter through the keypad area. Well, if water enters through the keypad area, how can they advertise that it is IPX7 compliant?

I may be an isolated incident. However, with the customer service I received, I don't think I would ever buy another Magellan product, and will probably get rid of the rest of my Magellan products. I think the product design, features, usability, and intuitiveness is great, just the product does not perform up to expectations or promise. I would also consider customer service as well.