womey's Full Review: Bennett Marine MAGELLAN SporTrak Pro Marine (88362...
The one other review on this unit, by Djsepinions, is right on (3) points: (A) It takes time for this unit to get a position fix, but once fixed, it holds it; (B) The Mapsend database that can be uploaded leaves something to be desired. I've seen errors in the range of about 2/10ths of a mile from my actual destination; but this is not a reflection on the GPS unit itself, but the mapmakers; (C) The data cable attachment design is awkward; workable but awkward.
In addition, the battery compartment design is a little odd since it features a screw, as the data cable does. Contrast this to Garmin's much more user-friendly lock that takes just a single counterclockwise turn and a slide of the compartment door in order to access the batteries. On the bright side, SporTrak is a full-featured GPS with 2MB of base maps included for major highways, and the ability to upload up to 5MB of detailed regional maps using MapSend CDs.
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SporTrak's waypoint locator menu is easier to use than Garmin's since waypoints can be classified alphabetically [as Garmin's eTrex allows], or by City, Address, nearest to Position, or via several other choices.
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SporTrak Map's ETA algorithm is a bit too sensitive. If the user comes to rest, the ETA is almost immediately calculated as infinity. As the delta in degrees between the user's heading and the bearing of the GOTO waypoint nears 90 degrees, the ETA calculated becomes more inaccurate. When this difference falls to say anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees (so that you're heading almost straight toward your target) the reading becomes much more reliable, but Magellan should have used some sort of smoothing factor [as does Garmin] to provide a better estimate for this value. Once the degree of difference reaches anything over 40 degrees the ETA reading should be totally discounted.
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SporTrak map offers a resettable odometer, but one thing I'm used to having is a resettable trip timer for reference purposes; this unit offers none.
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The unit's GOTO feature, accessible right from the MAP screen is nice as you can display your current position then move the cursor to a heretofore unMARKed waypoint [or an already MARKed one for that matter] then simply press the GOTO key which allows you to set up trip information on the fly such as "as-the-crow-flies" distance to this new spot, ETA information, destination bearing, and heading information.
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The SporTrak offers "many" navigation assistance screens, but since different kinds of users (drivers, hikers, fishermen, and hunters) all have different uses for GPS, the unit allows the user to remove [or add] as many levels of navigation as he wants.
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The unit's ENTER key and POWER ON/OFF controls take a little getting used to since how long you depress them determines the function you're requesting. The POWER button should be depressed VERY briefly to shut the unit down, then depressed quickly again to bypass the built-in 5 second power-down delay. The ENTER key, when sometimes pressed, doesn't seem to respond, but holding it just a split second longer allows menu choices to take; this is to prevent inadvertent choices from taking the user somewhere they don't want to go.
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If you upload detailed maps to the unit, there are some tips to make the most of navigating with them. The unit zooms quickly to scales anywhere from 100 feet to 1700 miles. For the screens to be useful, use my rule-of-half : that is, if you are taking a 20 mile trip, always use a scale of about 10 miles when first beginning the trip. This will provide the best view of the major roads to be used. I find, using major highways and not backroads gets me there most quickly. As my distance drops to, say, 5 miles, I change to a scale of 1.6 to 3.5 miles so I can take advantage of navigating using more detailed street information. By the way, if you're just going to use the SporTrak for long distance trips, buying the questionable Magellan Mapsend packages might not be worth your while; Dsjepinions recommends using a shareware package going for $10 called MapPoint. I have not used it, but considering that Magellan maps run anywhere from $70 to $170, I don't see why trying MapPoint wouldn't be worth a try.
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One last thing on the accuracy of Magellan's detailed maps : because these maps, when doing a search by address, use address ranges to return a coordinate, the precise location will inherently be inaccurate. My own supposition is that waypoints which are MARKed by the user while at the location will be without error. Errors introduced into the GPS when marking waypoints using the Magellan software can be reduced if the plotter uses the highest level of zoom before using the PLACE WAYPOINT function. Otherwise, what you MARK within the map will likewise be uploaded to the GPS.
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Overall, the unit itself is quite handy, sturdy, offers 7 MB [total] in maps, features respectable battery consumption, and supports WAAS. It's weather-proof and features a wraparound rubber armor. The only bad thing about this unit is something that's not even a part of the unit, and that's Magellan's slightly inaccurate map software. They blame the inaccuracy on shifts to the map [whatever that is] but if that's true, then why does MapPoint not suffer from the same anomalies ? I don't know, but I hope to see improvements from Magellan in this area.
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User heads-up : Over time (and with loading of different mapped areas), SporTrak may fail to acquire satellites or do so more slowly. Usually acquisition should take just a few minutes. If you experience this, first try clearing non-critical areas of memory [such as the track history]. As a last resort, carefully upgrade to the most recent firmware [currently V5.34] Downloading new firmware will return the unit to its factory defaults.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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