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Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0
Page 12 of 30
21) What other software is available.
There are many other programs available that can communicate with the Magellan Meridian. As stated before, none
of them will allow detailed maps to be uploaded to the Meridian. However, other programs can provide a surprising
amount of functionality. Most software will allow you to transfer tracks, waypoints, and routes between the PC and
the Meridian. Many mapping programs that run in a PC, Mac, or PDA can obtain a position from the Meridian and
display the current location on the computer screen.
Software such a Fugawi and Ozi Explorer (and others) will allow you to use scanned maps on your PC or laptop.
You can use USGS maps, or even scan in your own favorite paper map. Microsoft Streets and Delorme Street Atlas
contain a detailed map of the entire US, and can do turn-by-turn routing (if you have a laptop). Delorme will even
tell you (using the computer’s speaker) where to turn. There are many other programs that will manage waypoints.
Linda Day offers this suggestion. “While MapSend maps are the only maps you can upload to your Meridian GPS,
there are many other mapping programs you can use to plan routes, record tracks, and manage waypoints. For
example, you might use MapSend Topo to upload a map of Texas to your SD card. Then you could use QuakeMap
(http://www.quakemap.com) or ExpertGPS (www.expertgps.com) to see an aerial photo and/or detailed and
accurate topo on your PC. Zoom in to the location of your planned trip. Then a few clicks with a mouse, and you’ve
created a route on the aerial/topo map on your screen. Now upload this route to your GPS, and you can be pretty
certain that the route will be “dead on” when you actually use it on your GPS. Yes, it’s true, you can upload a route
from MapSend, but it might have you driving in the Pacific Ocean (if you happen to be in Hawaii). Now when you
get back from your trip, download your tracks from the GPS back into your PC program of choice, and see them in
color on an aerial photo. Some software even allows you to click on points of the track and document them with a
description and/or a link to a photo you’ve uploaded to the web. Then you can send your trip file (in *.gpx format)
to others, who can see where you’ve been – and check out your photos. Cool.”
22) Serial Communications with other software
There are several things that you should know in order to get serial communications to work properly.
The communications require a serial port, which is also called a COM (for communications) port. If you have a
newer system (typically a laptop) without a serial port, then you can obtain a USB to Serial converter. Some places
on the Internet have them for under $25.00. Some success has been reported with the Kensington model.
Dial-up modems use COM ports. This means that if you have a modem, then it will have a COM port. If you have
a typical desktop computer, then you may have two COM ports, and one modem with its own port. This means that
of the three possible COM ports, you have to find the particular one that the GPS cable is connected to. Mapsend
will try all COM ports at various speeds until it finds the right one. Be sure to write down the right port and speed
for use with other software.
Baud rates must match. You must set your PC and your GPS receiver to the same baud rate. No matchee, no
workee. Also, if you are having problems, be sure to disable any PDA synchronization software that may be
running (IE, Palm’s Hotsync).
When using software OTHER than Magellan Mapsend, you MAY need to set your GPS to transmit one of the
various types of NMEA data (from the setup menu). Just like a person might be able to speak English, French, or
Spanish, your Magellan knows how to speak Magellan-ese (NMEA off) or one of the various NMEA dialects. If
you can tell your software that you are using a Magellan receiver then it probably speaks Magellan-ese. Otherwise,
it probably uses NMEA. NMEA stands for National Marine Electronics Association. It defines a standard that
allows marine electronics to talk to each other.
If your software has an option for the Magellan Map330, that should work with the Meridian.
23) How do I actually use my Magellan GPS?
This section was provided by Linda Day:
Ok, you’ve read about firmware and maps and MapSend products, but how do you actually use this thing? You are
about to take off for a hike (or paddle) and know that the GPS is a cool tool, but that’s about all. What if someone
else in your group asks you to explain? Do you really want to say, “Well, I turn it on this way, and then I look at the