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Magellan Meridian FAQ
Version 0.01 By Kevin Harrelson
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) WHICH MODEL FOR ME? 1 VARIOUS MODELS -- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE 1 WHAT DOES THE COMPASS AND BAROMETER ON THE PLATINUM DO? 2 BASE MAPS -- WHAT'S THE DEAL? 2 MEMORY EXPANSION -- HOW DO I DO IT, AND WHAT'S IT FOR? 3 DETAILED MAPS -- HOW DO I DO IT? 3 DETAILEDMAPS -- WHAT SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE? 4 DETAILED MAPS -- WHY ARE THEY SO BAD? 4 DETAILED MAPS -- HOW DO I USE MORE THAN 1 MAP FILE? 4 DETAILED MAPS -- CAN I USE NON-MAGELLAN SOFTWARE OR MAKE MY OWN MAPS? 5 WHAT OTHER SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE. 5 SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER SOFTWARE 5 WAAS - WHAT IS IS, DO I NEED IT, AND CAN I TURN IT OFF? 5 WHAT ARE ALL OF THESE SECRET MENUS? 6 SECRET KEYCOMBINATIONS 7 UPGRADING THE "LAWYER" SCREEN 7 KNOWN ISSUES -- TOPO, STREETS AND SD CARDS 7 KNOWN ISSUE -- TOPO MAP SIZE 7 KNOWN ISSUE -- 128MB SD CARDS 7 KNOWN ISSUE -- MAP SIZE LIMITS 8 EMERGENCY FIRMWARE RESTORATION 8 BASE MAP REPLACEMENT 9 BASE MAP BACKUP 10 CREDITS & THANKS 11

NOTE: This document assumes the use of a Meridian with a US base map using US mapping software. Maps for other regions areavailable, and their functionality is similar.

1) 2)

Which model for me? Various Models -- What's the Difference

Only you can answer this question. Read the next three sections for more information.

All Meridian models share the same case (except for color) and basic hardware. Yet there are differences. Meridian Gold -- This is the "central" model that all other models are based off of.It features SD card expansion, and 16MB of base map memory. This unit is often called the "MeriGold." Meridian Marine -- This is the same as the Gold model, but features the same base map, but has had some marine navigational aids added, and has a marinish 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.This is occasionally referred to by the tonguetwisting moniker of "MeriMari." Meridian -- This unit features a green case, and is sometimes called the "MeriGreen." It is identical to the Gold model, except that it only has 2MB of memory physically installed for base maps. Refer to the section on mapping for more details about the base map. Meridian Platinum -- This is the same as the MeridianGold, except that it has had an extra card installed which a 3axis compass, 3-axis inclinometer, thermometer, and barometric pressure sensor. Due to its platinum (silver) color, it is called the "MeriPlat."

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 base maps exist which can fit in the Gold, Platinum, or Marine. Only the basic Meridian cannot be updated, as there are no other known base maps which will fit in its limited memory.

3)

What does the compass and barometer on the Platinum do?

There are other units with integrated compass/barometer options. These units, the Garmin eTrex Vista, eTrex Summit, and Map 76S, will simply bereferred to as the "other" units, and the operation of the Platinum will be compared to these 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 topredict 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 to be added with a future firmware release in order to remain competitive. The thermometer, other than being used for internal temperature compensation of some components, is...