Magellan GPS - Explorist XL Software and RM Software

Author

Explorist XL Software and RM Software

mcclearydm@comcast.net

2006-02-20, 11:48 pm

I recently purchased an XL. It is the 3rd Magellan GPS that I have
purchased. I have always liked my 330 Map and I purchased a RM 300 for
my truck. When i came across the XL I had to add it to my inventory
because the unit looked and felt well made. Little did I know that
after I forked over 350 for it that the version of mapsend that shipped
with it was a joke. I have tried since this past thursday (the day of
purchase) until today find software for this unit without having to
purchase it. I dont feel as though we should have to spend more money
on software to make this thing work. What good is a GPS without a map.
Magellan knows that everyone will spend more money on the software.
What a scam. Very disappointed. I have MS S&D(shipped with Map330) for
my 330, Mapsend Topo and Roadmate Manager (shipped with RM300 free)
and i could not load a map because they want me to spend more $$. Sooo
The following is info on how I scammed them back. Took my RM300 out of
my truck , plugged it into this laptop and commenced to create a newmap
of my area. The software loads the map into the GPS not the HD. Went to
(My Computer) opened the drive that was my 300, right clicked and
copied the map file to my HD. Exited the program and connected the XL,
started the conversion manager, pointed it to the file that i had
copied out of my 300 and bam. No SN check no squat. It uploaded
perfectly. Restarted the XL, selected the map i had loaded as my
detail map and everything works perfectly. Even gives me turn by turn
direction to the next waypoint(like Direct Route), has alll of the POIs
that my RM300 has and Magellan didnt get another $. The XL seems to be
a great GPS, bright clear screen , easy to use controls and gives the
impression that a 10 foot fall is not going to affect it. Please let me
know if this was helpful to anyone. If anyone needs more info just
post. I will do my best. BTW the 300 was less than 300 on ebay new.
Magellan wants 150 for SW for XL. so for 150 more you get both.

Later

angelo@milioto.com

2006-02-21, 5:49 pm

Thanks for the comments.
I have the XL too and have found it to be an excellent device.

I am having a problem with the ROUTING feature and was wondering if am
doing something wrong. I have created 3 or 4 legs in of the route and
when I active the route the XL calculates from point A to point E
ignoring the intermediate legs. Any thoughts on why this happens?

Additionally, the audible alarm seems to be very low and difficult to
hear. It would be nice to have a volume control.

The antenna sensitivity although good, can be a bit better. There are
time that I can not find a signal or lose a signal due to minimal
obstructions.

Other than these minor issues, I am having a terrific time with the XL.

Angelo

mcclearydm@comcast.net wrote:
> I recently purchased an XL. It is the 3rd Magellan GPS that I have
> purchased. I have always liked my 330 Map and I purchased a RM 300 for
> my truck. When i came across the XL I had to add it to my inventory
> because the unit looked and felt well made. Little did I know that
> after I forked over 350 for it that the version of mapsend that shipped
> with it was a joke. I have tried since this past thursday (the day of
> purchase) until today find software for this unit without having to
> purchase it. I dont feel as though we should have to spend more money
> on software to make this thing work. What good is a GPS without a map.
> Magellan knows that everyone will spend more money on the software.
> What a scam. Very disappointed. I have MS S&D(shipped with Map330) for
> my 330, Mapsend Topo and Roadmate Manager (shipped with RM300 free)
> and i could not load a map because they want me to spend more $$. Sooo
> The following is info on how I scammed them back. Took my RM300 out of
> my truck , plugged it into this laptop and commenced to create a newmap
> of my area. The software loads the map into the GPS not the HD. Went to
> (My Computer) opened the drive that was my 300, right clicked and
> copied the map file to my HD. Exited the program and connected the XL,
> started the conversion manager, pointed it to the file that i had
> copied out of my 300 and bam. No SN check no squat. It uploaded
> perfectly. Restarted the XL, selected the map i had loaded as my
> detail map and everything works perfectly. Even gives me turn by turn
> direction to the next waypoint(like Direct Route), has alll of the POIs
> that my RM300 has and Magellan didnt get another $. The XL seems to be
> a great GPS, bright clear screen , easy to use controls and gives the
> impression that a 10 foot fall is not going to affect it. Please let me
> know if this was helpful to anyone. If anyone needs more info just
> post. I will do my best. BTW the 300 was less than 300 on ebay new.
> Magellan wants 150 for SW for XL. so for 150 more you get both.
>
> Later

Jack Erbes

2006-02-21, 5:49 pm

angelo@milioto.com wrote:
> Thanks for the comments.
> I have the XL too and have found it to be an excellent device.
>
> I am having a problem with the ROUTING feature and was wondering if am
> doing something wrong. I have created 3 or 4 legs in of the route and
> when I active the route the XL calculates from point A to point E
> ignoring the intermediate legs. Any thoughts on why this happens?

I have a Meridian and I think it may work in a similar manner. At the
higher zoom levels it does not show each leg on the map display, just a
line to the destination. But as you zoom down in closer it shows the
individual legs.

If you have the Shown Info turned on for the map display it will (or can
if customized right) show you the name of the next waypoint (your
current destination) and the distance. And the nav screens will also
show similar things depending on how they are customized.

> Additionally, the audible alarm seems to be very low and difficult to
> hear. It would be nice to have a volume control.

I have owned about five Magellans and have never heard an alarm on one
of them. Even when I had them turned on. That results from a
combination of my poor hearing and noisy environments but the alarm is
certainly not loud enough to be useful to me. Maybe if I used a
headband and tucked the GPS under that and against my ear...

> The antenna sensitivity although good, can be a bit better. There are
> time that I can not find a signal or lose a signal due to minimal
> obstructions.

High trees/foliage in general and inner cites with tall buildings are
probably the most challenging environments. But I can sit in my living
room and always get four five satellites with the signal strength bars
maximized and a few other at lower strength. If yours is not doing as
well as that it might have a problem.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

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