Magellen GPS

[palmzirenewbie]

Anyone know when Magellen will have a version of the GPS Companion out for the 71 or if the current version will work with it?

[lauren_glenn]

The Magellan GPS Companion for the m500 series will work on the Zire 71! :)

I just bought it at Staples on clearance from $200 to $89! :)

I'm soooooo happy if you can't tell. :)

The Zire is apparently a little bigger than the m500 as the unit does not fit flush in the unit. However, the metal clasps on the GPS *do* in fact click into the Zire 71 with a little work. It might not work at first, but here's what I did:

Slide the Zire71 into the serial port at the bottom of the GPS. Hold down both release buttons on the GPS. Push down (not too hard) on the top of the sides on the Zire until you hear a click (you can do each one individually). Once in, you just use a compatible NMEA program (XMap works, although the program only works in low-res 160x160 and makes many bad decisions when finding directions -- it told me to take an off-ramp onto a freeway and turn left which is impossible as the median would've stopped me --...... anyway.....

It should come with Street Finder Deluxe (mine did) and there's now a $70 rebate applicable for the unit until June 15, 2003....

The unit does attach securely, but still be careful as it's not flush with the GPS. I have yet to have it fall out once the clamps are attached. The only minor problem is that it's harder to take the stylus out of the Zire once it is in the GPS (so take the stylus out before putting it in there....

Lauren

[lauren_glenn]

Here's a response I got from Handmark who makes StreetFinder now:


Lauren, unfortunately the StreetFinder software is not compatible with OS 5
running GPS as Magellan does not support their devices under OS 5.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Jon H. Lord
Handmark, Inc.


It's too bad, because the software looks really nice under OS5. All that's wrong is that the serial library can't be opened. If they tried, it probably wouldn't take much effort to fix it. They'll probably wait for an "official" GPS to come out for the Zire... :(

Delorme's XMap may look ugly, but it does work with the Zire 71 using the Magellan GPS module.

Didn't people say on forums that they received a patch from somewhere? Handmark won't release it? BTW, Jon.... I'm not using Magellan's software and as they have no drivers installed, it looks like the problem may just be on your end....

Where can I get this patch?

Lauren

[dequardo]

You can get it from randmcnally.com or email me. I'll send it to you!

Mike

[palmzirenewbie]

Thanks for the information. I bought the magellan and it works great with my zire- I stuck a piece of velcro to make it stay in place and that works fine. I use mapopolis for the mapping which has a great display but doesn't have the turn by turn directions of xmap. The only question I have is where did you find the $70 rebate?

[lauren_glenn]

Originally posted by palmzirenewbie
Thanks for the information. I bought the magellan and it works great with my zire- I stuck a piece of velcro to make it stay in place and that works fine. I use mapopolis for the mapping which has a great display but doesn't have the turn by turn directions of xmap. The only question I have is where did you find the $70 rebate?
I was so excited about the $70 rebate that I didn't realize it was for a different model.... :(

I just found out yesterday.... :(

Anyway, it works great with navigation (directions are OK). It seems that if you add Waypoints in the route where XMap is making illegal turns and make these points where the turns should be, it does OK. It's slow, but if you get lost, it's good to have.

Thanks for saying that Mapopolis works. I'll have to check it out.

Lauren