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I have a magellan meridian gold and topo software. A friend has a Garmin 276c with topo software. We ride ATV's in the Harlan Ky area and his has all the old coal roads on his topo software and mine had none. What is the reason for this and does the topo 3d magellan software update any more??? Thanks for any info you can supply me with. I am planning on updating my GPS soon and will make that determination based upon the software.... I did do a search and found one topic but there were no answers...

What is this, 26 folks look and no one has an opinion??? Hard to believe there isn't anyone that has at least looked at both pieces of software. I could really use some help here...
Thanks

I believe both offer an online viewer. Have you looked at those?

We're pretty much either a Garmin or a Magellan lot, so comparisons between the two may be hard to come by, in a 48 hour period. If you have a Magellan and your friend has a Garmin, perhaps you could give us an opinion.

I don't mean to be picky here, but .....

Yes, 26 people may have viewed this original post, but maybe no one has both a Garmin or Magellan. Actually, it is 27 people, including you, and none of the "27" people knew about both a Garmin or Magellan software. I guess "you" could be the 1st person out of 27 who at least looked at both pieces of software.

This forum is entirely supported by, and contributed by, volunteers. When you start bad mouthing other people, then the less likely they will even want to help. So, be nice, and we would all be happy to help, if we have any information to give.

CBX is right. We are pretty much either using a Garmin, or a Magellan, or some other brand.

So, off of my soapbox.

Have you compared the 2 units with your friend, and did you come up with a list of differences? How often is your friend's 3d software updated?

I use both Mapsend Topo 3D USA and Mapsource US Topo...I prefer the Garmin Topo software...more detail and has track creation & editing tools.

Garmin Topo


Magellan Topo

The Garmin maps are based on the older USGS/BLM 1:100,000 scale topo maps. As a result they have great detail, but only of what was there about 30 years ago. Lakes, rivers, trails, dirt roads, topograhpy, etc. but nothing new.

The Magellan maps are basically the same road/street detail as their DirectRoute maps with a digital elevation data set. Very current street info, contour lines built on the fly, less detail of off-pavement features.

I do appologize for being rude. My intention was not to be, but to get a question answered. After viewing both pieces of software, magellan on Meridian Gold, Garmin on a 276c I believe, the Garmin Topo software is alot better. Magellan did not have any old logging or coal roads in SE Kentucky. The Garmin had all the old coal roads we traveled on. Of course I did not get to use his GPS so I could not give a completely detailed discription. The reason for the question was because I am contimplating buying either a Garmin 276c (expensive) but with better software, or a Magellan 2200T, not so good software but with SD cards to download custom maps. Garmin requires propriatary memory cards.

The 60x and 76x series use MicroSD cards. Look at them as well.

Jeff T

The 276C does have a $100 rebate right now.

Don't the 60x and 76x both have relatively small screens. I was hoping for at least 3.5" diag...

Garmin does "NOT" require propriatary memory SD cards. Any SD brand will do, but do not get the fast ultra version, just the plain SD cards.

Most Garmins use standard memory card formats. Several of the marine units, including the 276C, do still use the proprietary Garmin card.

Yes, Garmin do use proprietary cards in some of their units, but I didn't know they use proprietary SD cards.

Some Garmin units, especially marine units, do use other format of cards or cartridges. I sail, and I have Garmin chartplotters.

Sloppiness on my part. Garmin doesn't do anything strange when they use SD cards. I've used about 4 different types in my iQue. Same with CF cards in the 2610 and microSD in the newer handhelds.

The Magellan 2200T is only water proof to IPX4 standards. The 276 , 60 and 76 Garmin are to IPX7. Have you checked out the MAgellan Explorist XL? It has a 3.5" screen.

The Magellan eXplorist XL has a very nice large color screen. I have one and have been happy with it. It works very well in bright sunlight. I have used it in saltwater environment with BlueNav nautical charts.