MeridianFAQv2_0.pdf

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MeridianFAQv2_0.PDF
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
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Table of Contents:
1) Introduction
4
2) Which 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 barometer on the Platinum do?
5
6) Memory and Maps – The Overview
5
7) Base Maps -- What's the deal?
6
8) Where do I find basemaps?
7
9) Memory Expansion (SD Card) -- How do I do it, and what's it for?
7
10) Memory Usage – How much memory is left?
8
11) Detailed Maps -- How do I do it?
8
12) Detailed Maps -- What if I don’t have a base map?
8
13) Detailed Maps -- What software is available?
8
14) Detailed Maps -- Why are they so bad?
9
15) Detailed Maps -- How do I use more than 1 map file?
9
16) Detailed Maps -- Can I use non-Magellan software or make my own maps?
10
17) MapSend Topo -- How detailed is it?
10
18) MapSend Topo -- Where do I find the 4.20 patch for my v3.xx Topo?
10
19) Combining Mapsend Products (Method 1 – Australia Mapsend Streets)
11
20) Combining Mapsend Products (Method 2 –Mapsend Europe and USA)
11
21) What other software is available.
12
22) Serial Communications with other software
12
23) How do I actually use my Magellan GPS?
12
24) Fun things to do with your GPS
14
25) What if I don’t use Windows?
14
26) WAAS - What it is, do I need it, and can I turn it off?
14
27) What are all of these secret menus?
15
28) Secret Key Combinations
16
29) Upgrading the "Lawyer" screen
16
30) Upgrading the "Copyright" screen
16
31) Emergency Firmware Restoration
17
32) Base Map Replacement (Gold/Marine/Platinum/Color)
17
33) Basemap Replacement (Green & Yellow)
18
34) Base Map Backup
19
35) Build your own Trail Maps
20
36) Change the Meridian icons.
22
37) How do I measure the distance between two points?
22
38) Can I use rechargeable batteries?
22
39) What is the ‘Simulate’ function for?
22
40) Setting up a User Grid
23
41) Use Mapsend WW Basemap with BlueNav Charts
23
42) Troubleshooting -- My GPS is shutting down every few minutes
24
43) Troubleshooting -- MyMeridian reports “Bad Data”
25
44) Troubleshooting -- Can’t calibrate the thermometer or barometer
25
45) Troubleshooting -- The goto line doesn’t move with my position
25
46) Troubleshooting -- Why am I having problems with projections?
25
47) Troubleshooting – My tracks have the wrong time stamp?
25
48) Troubleshooting -- Topo, Streets and SD Cards
25
49) Troubleshooting – SD Cards and Windows XP
26
50) Troubleshooting – Map Size Limits
26
51) Troubleshooting – Meridian Green or Yellow Loss of Waypoints and Routes
26
52) Troubleshooting – Screen Spots
27
53) Troubleshooting -- My Platinum’s Compass Doesn’t Calibrate
27
54) Troubleshooting - Low Battery Warning
27
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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) Troubleshooting -- COM Port is ‘Busy’
28
60) Troubleshooting -- Mapsend is taking forever to generate a map
28
61) Troubleshooting -- Topo Map Size
28
62) Troubleshooting -- 128MB and larger SD Cards
29
63) Where to go for more information
29
64) Credits & Thanks
30
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55) Troubleshooting – My Battery Compartment Door does not fit right.
27
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, 4.05 for the Green/Yellow, and 5.12 for the Color. Some sections of this FAQ that discussed
problems with firmware previous to 4.02 have been removed. If you have an earlier version, we strongly suggest
that you upgrade. Most firmware upgrades are free from Magellan’s web site, although the version posted on
Magellan’s website may not be as current as those listed above. A common source for updated firmware is the
Magellan Firmware Update CD that comes with some Mapsend products (Like Mapsend WorldWide Basemap).
Note that this document is a supplement to the manufacturer’s manual, and is not a replacement for it. If you have
not done so, please read the latest version of the Meridian manual from Magellan’s web site. Platinum users should
be certain to also read the Platinum supplement.
Photographs – I’ve added some photos to this FAQ to provide some additional detail. The images are purposely low
resolution to minimize this FAQ’s file size. Higher resolution version for most of these files can be found in the files
section of the Meridian group on Yahoo.
2) Which model for me?
Only you can answer this question. Read the next few sections for more information.
3) Various Models -- What's the Difference?
All Meridian models share the same case (except for color) and basic hardware. Yet there are differences.
Meridian Gold -- This is the "central" model on which all other models are based. It features SD card expansion,
and 16MB of base map memory. This unit is sometimes called the "MeriGold." Magellan refers to this unit as
Meridian GPS (as opposed to a platinum, which they call the Meridian Platinum).
Meridian Marine -- This is the same as the Gold model and features the same base map, but has some marine
navigational aids plus a “marine-ish” white and blue case. Except for the case colors, this unit is internally identical
to the Meridian Gold. The only difference is the base map.
Meridian GPS -- This unit features a green or yellow case and is sometimes called the "MeriGreen.” It is identical
to the Gold model, except that it only has 2MB of internal built-in memory for base maps, instead of 16 MB. Refer
to the section on mapping for more details about the base map. This base model’s memory cannot be upgraded to
allow it to operate like a MeriGold. Note that the “Green” model is now also available in yellow.
Meridian Platinum -- This is the same as the Meridian Gold, except that it has an extra card that gives the unit a 3-
axis compass, 3-axis inclinometer, thermometer, and barometric pressure sensor. Due to its platinum (silver) color,
it is called the "MeriPlat."
Meridian Color -- This model is essentially a Meridian Gold with a color screen. This enhances readability of the
display. The display has been reported to be hard to read with the backlight turned off. Expect shorter battery life
due to the color screen and the constant need for the backlight.
Mobile Mapper – This appears to be a repackaged Meridian Color unit with customer firmware and GIS data
collection software. It is also much more expensive. Details can be found here:
http://products.thalesnavigation.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=928
Note that it is possible to change the base maps on the various units, if there is enough memory. The base map from
the Marine can be placed in either the Platinum or the Gold. Furthermore, European and Australian base maps exist
which can fit in the Gold, Platinum, or Marine. Note that Magellan does not condone the sharing of base maps on
the internet, although they do occasionally send out copies of base maps on firmware update CDs or with Mapsend
Products.
4) Difference between Magellan SporTrak and Meridian GPS receivers?
The SporTrak and Meridian series are very similar in function. The SporTrak units replaced the M300/M320/M330
series, providing a non-mapping base unit and the others are mapping units like the Meridian. The SporTrak are
smaller in overall size, with a smaller screen that is slightly brighter. The main difference between the two units,
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however, is that the SporTrak has no SD card support, which means they are limited to internal memory for storing
detailed 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 multiple map files to the SD card and change
between the files on the unit (handy if you’re going on a long driving vacation and you don’t have a laptop along to
reload your GPS. With the Meridian, you can also save waypoint and track files to an SD card. Note - An SD card
is usually purchased separately, although some units may include the card as part of a software/hardware bundle.
5) What does the compass and barometer on the Platinum do?
There are other units with integrated compass/barometer options. These units, like the Garmin eTrex Vista, eTrex
Summit, and Map 76S, will simply be referred to as the "other" units . The operation of the Platinum will be
compared against those other units.
The barometric pressure sensor is currently used as a weather forecasting tool. While the unit is powered on, it will
use the GPS altitude to correct the current pressure to obtain a "sea level pressure." The unit can display a plot of
the pressure over the past 24 hours, which can be used to predict good or bad weather. Other GPS units can use the
barometer to estimate the altitude in the event of insufficient GPS reception. This is NOT currently an option with
the Platinum, although it is reasonable to expect this may be added with a future firmware. The thermometer, other
than being used for internal temperature compensation of some components, is simply used as a weather-watching
feature. It is not possible to get a plot of previous temperatures. The unit can only read the ambient temperature
inside of the GPS case itself. This temperature may be quite inaccurate if the GPS is left on the dash of a car on a
sunny day. It is possible to calibrate both the thermometer and the barometer.
The other units use a "2-D" compass, where the GPS needs to be held level to the ground (display facing up). If the
unit it tipped upright, such that the display faces the horizon, then the compass in the other units will simply fail to
work. Furthermore, the other GPS units have a threshold speed. Anything below this speed and the heading is
obtained from the compass. If you are traveling above this speed, then the heading is obtained from the GPS
motion.
The compass in the Platinum is far more advanced than in other GPS units, and is completely integrated into the
GPS operation. The inclinometers in the Platinum tell it which direction is "down." Thus, the unit knows exactly
how to read its 3-D compass in order to work reliably whether the unit is horizontal OR vertical. Furthermore, the
Platinum GPS can tell the difference between the motion direction and the compass direction. You can hold the unit
facing one direction, move a different direction, and the unit can tell the difference. The direction that the unit is
facing is known as the "Heading," and the direction that the unit is moving is known as "COG" for "Course Over
Ground." While in the compass display, North will be shown correctly in the proper orientation, and a separate
arrow will be added for the direction of travel. This is a handy feature for boaters so they can know where north is,
and in which direction they are drifting.
The disadvantage of this system is that the compass is active whenever its data is needed, which can somewhat
shorten battery life (approx. 25%). The compass is only powered if a particular screen needs the compass direction.
In order to deactivate the compass:
  You will need to tell the compass to use the GPS heading in the compass setup screen (this deactivates the
compass on the compass display)
  Be certain the "Magnetic HDG up" is NOT selected in the map screen
  Be certain that "Heading" is not selected on any data screens (use COG instead).
Note that the compass should be re-calibrated whenever the batteries are changed to ensure best accuracy. In most
cases changing batteries only affects the compass heading reading by a couple of degrees.
6) Memory and Maps – The Overview
This is an overview of memory organization and where the various maps are located.
Internal FLASH Memory
Firmware – The software code that runs internally in the unit is called the firmware. This tells the
electronics (hardware) in the unit what to do and how to do it (like displaying screens and menus). The
firmware is stored in the internal memory and can be ‘flashed’ (upgraded) to a different version. Updates
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