Magellan Meridian FAQ manual

Magellan Meridian FAQ Version 2.0 – 10/ 31 /2003 Version 1 by Kevin Harrelson kevin@harrelson.com Version 2 by Dan Surratt skramblr@hotmail.com Updated info provided by the Meridian group members http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Magellan_Meridian[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 2 of 30 Table of Contents : 1) Introduction 4 2) Whi ch model for me? 4 3) Various Models -- What's the Difference? 4 4) Difference between Magellan SporTrak and Meridian GPS receivers? 4 5) What does the compass and barom eter on the Platinum do? 5 6) Memory and Maps – The Overview 5 7) Base Maps -[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 3 of 30 55) Troubleshooting – My Battery Compartment Door does not fit right. 27 56) Troubleshooting – The contact area on my unit is missing its cover. 27 57) Troubleshooting -- Mapsend won’t read tracks/waypoints from SD card 27 58) Troubleshooting – SanDisk SD Card Incompatibility 28 59) Trouble[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 4 of 30 1) Introduction This document covers the most commonly asked questions about the Magellan Meridian line of mapping GPS receivers. At the time of the writing of this document, the most current firmware version was 5.12 for the Gold/Platinum/Marine, 4.0 5 for the Green/Yellow, and 5.12 for the Color [...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 5 of 30 however, is that the SporTrak has no SD card support, which means the y are limited to internal memory for storing detail ed maps. With a SporTrak, only one detailed map can be uploaded at a time, and it is not possible to save waypoint or track files to an SD card. With a Meridian, you can upload [...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 6 of 30 typically come from the Magellan Support website, Firmware update CDs, or the occasional tech support email response. Standard Base Map – This memory size is 2MB in the yellow/green models and 16MB in all other models. It can hold a standard base map only (no detailed maps) . This map c omes in N[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 7 of 30 16MB version has many large roads and river details. The Worldwide basemap shows only a few more roads than the 2MB map, but does have contour lines. 8) Where do I find basemaps? Basemaps were provided by users and stored ov er on Navicache.com and an FTP server. In the summer of 2003, Magellan mad[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 8 of 30 10) Memory Usage – How much memory is left? When using your unit, even tually you will run into memory limits. You can check the percentage of free space remaining for Maps (SD card space), Routes, Waypoints and Track History. To do this, simply press Menu, then select About. 11) Detailed Maps --[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 9 of 30 version is also report ed to be coming out for Europe. Note that maps generated with this prod uct are limited to a single GPS serial number. DiscoverAus Streets & Tracks – This recently released software package (summer 2003) replaces the older Australian Mapsend products. The older product [...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 10 of 30 the file name is eight characters or less, and that the file name still ends with ".img". If you do not see the ".img" ending, then do not worry because your Windows Explorer settings won't let you change the ending. Once you have done this, use the MapSend software to sen[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 11 of 30 19) Co mbining Mapsend Products (Method 1 – Australia Mapsend Streets) The Australia MapSend Streets has separate versions for each state. Users may want to combine data from multiple states into a single directory, so they can create maps that span state lines. This procedure is from a mail pos[...]

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 prov ide a surprising amount of functionality. Most sof[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 13 of 30 little screen to see where it says I am, and then I look out the window of the car to see if we’re really driving in the Pacific Ocean,” which was what one user said when she took her new GPS to Hawaii. First, you have to understand the difference between routes and tracks. Routes A route is a[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 14 of 30 When I arrive at the starting p oint, I clear all the tracks out of the internal memory of the Meridian (Map Screen: Menu>Clear Tracks, or from other screens, Menu>Setup>Clear Memory>Tracks), so that my route will start fresh. I also reset the trip odometer (Position screen>Menu>[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 15 of 30 27) What are all of these secret menus? Magellan built a bunch of secret menus into the GPS. These are supposedly for testing and to try out new functionality. There are two ways to access the hidden menus: § If your Meridian is turned off, hold down GOTO and NAV and tap the PWR button. In a coup[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 16 of 30 28) Secret Key Com binations Below is a list of secret key combinations. NOTE: Do NOT use any of these key combinations unless told to do so elsewhere in this document. Some of these may erase the memory of your unit or do other nasty things which will cause your unit to no t work. They are includ[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 17 of 30 Save the file and start up Topo or S&D, mark your regions, save to disk and move to the memory card and start up your Magellan Meridian and you should see the new screen just before the " Lawyer" screen. Unlike the “Lawyer” screen modification, this one is simple and does not inv[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 18 of 30 MagUp software was designed to prevent this type of upgrading. The MagUp software is available with the latest firmware update package available from the Magellan web site . Setup of the Meridian 1. Connect the Meridian to the PC. 2. Switch the Meridian on to make sure that the battery life indica[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 19 of 30 Select no when asked for software upload. In Expert menu: - Select expert mode on - Select Meridian GPS In the file menu: - Select Database file option and then the base map file to upload Select Upload Select "basemap only" Select "uploa d basemap" Step 5: Reinitialize 34) Bas[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 20 of 30 Check 'Echo typed characters locally' Se t both delays to 0 milliseconds Check 'Append line feeds to incoming line ends' Uncheck 'Force incoming data to 7 - bit ASCII' Check 'Wrap lines that exceed terminal width' Click OK twice to close the two windows 7. N[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 21 of 30 Step 2 - More data collection Go to the start of another trail you want to include on your map. Display the map screen and clear the track . Travel along the trai l. Save the track giving it a different file name. Step 3 - Edit the data you colle cted to make the map The 2 track files you created [...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 22 of 30 Repeat step 3 to add this new trail segment onto your map. Have fun with this and be sure to let the rest of us know if you figure out any improvements/enhancements to this techni que. 36) Change the Meridian icons. Do you wish you had geocaching icons? Maybe you don’t have a use for wineries an[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 23 of 30 down. Tip - do not name these waypoints SIM001, SIM00 2, etc Step 2 Use these newly created waypoints to build a route. This must be done as route #20. Menu>Routes>up - arrow will get you to route #20. First delete any route currently in route #20. Begin your route with the waypoint you took[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 24 of 30 3. Use the standard Magellan software (MagUp) for uploading firmware fixes. Select Expert Upload (press no to the default question to upload firmware), select Meridian as your GPS u nit and the port the GPS is connected to. Press save. 4. Choose Expert Upload and select Upload firmware and basemap[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 25 of 30 43) Troublesh ooting -- MyMeridian reports “Bad Data” The MyMeridian program is used to personalize the layer screen. When attempting to use it with v4.06 users are greeted with a “Bad Data” message. There is a work around for this. Open the MyMmeridian.ini file, find the line that reads ?[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 26 of 30 Copying Files to an SD Card Reader Manually from MapSend 1. Without connecting your Meridian to a PC create your regions and begin the map download process. 2. When the map compilation pa rt of the download process is done, MapSend will display a message that it cannot find your GPS receiver to pe[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 27 of 30 52) Troubleshooting – Screen Spots Some users have reported that the backlight on their Meridian began to develop dark di scolored spots. These spots are only visible when the backlight is turned on. Magellan has apparently fixed the problem that caused this to happen with new units, and has pro[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 28 of 30 no. Unfortun ately, the Mapsend software was written before the ability to save to the SD card was available. The Meridian stores files on the SD card in text format, while Mapsend stores its files in a binary format. There is a way to convert these files. The tool is called GPSbabel and is availa[...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 29 of 30 62) Troubleshooting -- 128MB and larger SD Cards Due to a bug in the 3.08 firmware, serial downloads cannot be done to a 128MB SD card. It is unknown is this problem still exists in the 3.12 firmware and above. If you have version 3.08 and a card this size, then you must use a SD card writer. The [...]

Magellan Meridian FAQ – Version 2.0 Page 30 of 30 64) Credits & Thanks Some parts of this document were based on data and assistance provided by the following people. If you feel that you should be included in this "Credits" section, please e - mail me. Members can be found at the Magellan Meridian Yahoo Group. bradleymsuter ClayJar[...]